Results 1,101-1,120 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I agree with Deputy Penrose. I have worked on the other side of the fence.

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I have had to fill in endless forms and that is why, when I was involved in the company law area, I managed to get rid of some of them. It is Government policy to reduce the regulation by 25% and we have set up a high level group. I note the Deputy's comments and will convey them to the Minister because they are relevant.

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: It is likely to be 25%. The EU target is 25%.

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: Our regulatory burden is lower than that in most of Europe. The Minister will have to announce the exact figure but he has not told me because it is not in the reply. We will be aiming for a figure in the range of 25%.

Telecommunications Networks. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: This is making up for the five years when I did not answer a question. The provision of top quality communications infrastructure in all regions including Dublin is essential for Ireland's continued growth and prosperity. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is well aware of my views on the issues of communications infrastructure and in particular next generation...

Telecommunications Networks. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: The December 2007 Forfás report on Ireland's broadband performance and policy requirements found that broadband continued to grow strongly. At the end of June 2007, there were 698,000 broadband subscribers, including 45,000 mobile and broadband subscribers. According to the report: Broadband take-up continues to grow strongly. Ireland added 6.6 new broadband connections per 100 inhabitants...

Telecommunications Networks. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I agree. It is a disgrace that broadband has not been developed. Last December, the Minister met with John McElligott, managing director of eBay, who had written to outline his concern at the pace of roll-out of high speed internet access. The Minister agreed with him and described the Government's actions in promoting broadband, including demands and further proposals for next generation...

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: To respond to the changing circumstances in the construction sector, the FÁS board established a subgroup last year to look at the impact of FÁS construction programmes on the changes in employment trends in the construction sector. The subgroup has been examining this issue as a matter of priority and is in the process of completing detailed research at present. It is expected the...

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: Auctioneers and others in the estate agent business have told me in recent weeks that there is renewed interest and that people are looking at houses. I can only speak for the Cork region, where house prices are not heading into the territory of negative equity.

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I refer even to those who bought a couple of years ago. Perhaps Dublin is slightly different but this is not the case in the rest of the country. As for FÁS, the number of new apprentices in 2006 was 7,681 while the corresponding figure for 2007 was 6,288, or approximately 1,400 to 1,500 fewer apprentices. However, craftspeople will be needed in the years ahead and it is predicted that in...

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I apologise but I did not hear the question.

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: My recollection is that during the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the building industry experienced a major downturn, apprentices were able to complete their training. This was facilitated through AnCO and its successor, FÁS. I do not know whether the policy will change. I will raise the matter with the Minister to facilitate a reply to the Deputy.

School Curriculum. (20 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: It should have been put on the course years ago.

Agency Workers: Motion (Resumed) (20 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I open my remarks by saying that the Government side has listened carefully to the useful and important contributions on temporary agency workers, from various sides, both last night and this evening. Contrary to the common assertion from most Opposition Deputies during last night's debate, this Government is deeply committed to decent standards of employment, and that these should also...

Agency Workers: Motion (Resumed) (20 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: The rights commissioner service of the Labour Relations Commission has only seen a handful of cases each year involving agency personnel. I am sure that Deputies will agree this pattern is very much at odds with the situation as represented in public debate in recent months. A clear message from the debate this evening must be that the very considerable resources put in place by this House...

Seanad: Coast Guard Stations: Statements (27 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I am very pleased to have this opportunity to speak on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Noel Dempsey, the Minister for Transport, on the subject of Malin Head and Valentia Coast Guard stations. It would be useful if I outlined the context within which these centres operate and gave some of the background to the current state of play. The organisation responsible for marine emergency...

Job Creation. (28 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: Did the Deputy press "send"?

Leaders' Questions (5 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: Deputy Kenny should check with his friends in IBEC.

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Agency Workers) (12 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: There were never so many Bills as there were last year.

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Agency Workers) (12 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I oppose the Second Stage reading of the Protection of Employees (Agency Workers) (No. 2) Bill 2008. However, I can advise the House that the subject matter of this Private Members' Bill is to be considered with the social partners in the course of the forthcoming pay talks. A number of significant matters require to be considered with the social partners and the Bill before the House is...