Results 1,101-1,120 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (14 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: Question 165: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the impact that maternity leave has on women's occupational pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37627/06]

Industrial Development. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: Question 74: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that according to Forfás's Statement on the Costs of Doing Business in Ireland, key business input costs that weaken Ireland's overall cost competitiveness include property costs, utility costs, particularly electricity, mobile calls, waste disposal and key non-discretionary...

Industrial Development. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: Based on the Minister's reply, I am not sure if he has seen this report. This is what it looks like. One would have expected him to acknowledge that there is a problem with our competitiveness. A number of issues go back to 2001 when the NCC briefed the Taoiseach and Tánaiste on Ireland's deteriorating competitive circumstances under a number of headings. I draw the Minister's attention...

Industrial Development. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: Forfás is a Government body.

Industrial Development. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: I acknowledge that, economically, Ireland is on a strong growth curve and we have a low level of unemployment. However, every report published in the past year in particular signals the pressure this jurisdiction will come under in terms of competitiveness from eastern European and Far Eastern locations and that the level of investment in this country will come under greater scrutiny — it...

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: Question 77: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the report from the OECD entitled Trends and Recent Developments in Foreign Direct Investment, which shows that foreign investment inflows declined in 2003 and 2004 and turned strongly negative in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38045/06]

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: I acknowledge this morning's announcement regarding the creation in Ireland of 500 jobs by Google Incorporated. This constitutes a major boost to the Dublin region's economy, as well as a welcome boost to the IDA in its efforts to attract foreign direct investment. However, it coincides with some concerns articulated by the OECD report. The Minister does not appear to believe the OECD and...

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: Did the IDA say so?

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: They decided on Carrick-on-Suir in spite of the IDA.

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: I acknowledge that in relative terms, our unemployment levels are low and that much investment comes into Ireland. However, when reputable organisations such as the OECD or Ernst & Young which monitor such matters suggest we must consider the challenges ahead very carefully, I certainly will not make any apologies for bringing them to the Minister's attention. Equally however, I expect him...

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: That was the only time when this happened. Opposition Members are conscious of costs in respect of labour and taxation matters. They are also familiar with the corporation tax rate of 12.5% because they introduced it.

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: When the Minister talks about Governments, he seeks to airbrush from history the Government of 1994 to 1997. Opposition Members have no difficulty in discussing what happened in the mid-1990s. I understand the Minister has established his manufacturing group. When will it report to the Oireachtas on the work on which it is engaged? The only reason to set up such a group is because of the...

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: He does not heed them.

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: He reduced the rates but we are talking about the overall tax burden.

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: Who produced the figures?

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: The Minister is forgetting about who opposed Deputy Quinn when he introduced policies as Minister for Finance.

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: What did the Government do with Mr. McCreevy? It got rid of him and sent him to Brussels.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: I am glad the Minister has taken note of what we are doing in that committee. He does not always acknowledge or heed it.

Skill Shortages. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: I acknowledge what the Minister stated. What was worrying about the headlines put before us by the American Chamber of Commerce, particularly by Dr. Fraser Logue, was that 42% of those surveyed stated their parent company would not view Ireland favourably as a location for investment because of labour shortages and 73% stated they struggled to secure skilled labour. I tabled this question to...

EU Directives. (15 Nov 2006)

Phil Hogan: Is the National Consumer Agency up and running and available for business?