Results 12,561-12,580 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together. Following the publication of an advertisement in the national press the Department received 127 expressions of interest in relation to membership of the restructured Board of FÁS. The advertisement set out the criteria required for suitable applicants. Specifically, to qualify for appointment, a person must not have had any conflicts...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Schedule 1 of the Labour Services Act, 1987, as amended, provides for the appointment of the Board of FÁS including its Chairperson. Each appointment to the Office of Chairperson has been based on the view that the person appointed possessed the right qualities to oversee the work and future strategy of the Agency.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: In the time available it has not been possible to gather all the information requested.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Regulations to bring the Services Directive [Directive 2006/123/EC] into law are well advanced. My Department is working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with a view to completing the legislation as soon as possible. The regulation of casual trading by local authorities under the Casual Trading Act, 1995 is an "authorisation scheme" under the terms of the Directive....

Written Answers — Professional Standards: Professional Standards (4 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The obligations of those operating under the title of architect are governed by the provisions of the Building Control Act 2007, which is the policy responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Building Control Act 2007 requires those who use the title architect when providing services to be registered. The Royal Institute of Architects of...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (4 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The compilation of statistics in relation to the value of retail sales, including sales of grocery goods, is the responsibility of the Central Statistics Office, which operates under the remit of the Department of the Taoiseach. Insofar as matters relating to VAT and VAT returns to the Exchequer are concerned, these are the policy responsibility of the Minister for Finance and I have no...

Departmental Structure. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is a matter in the first instance for the Taoiseach to determine the structures and functions of individual Departments. Ministers, when appointed to Departments, are then responsible for policy determination and the performance of the functions that are assigned to their Department. My current policy priorities are centred on creating the right policy framework to assist the enterprise...

Departmental Structure. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has answered the question. This is a matter for the Taoiseach. The political insinuation that is being put across the Chamber is a political charge. As the Deputy knows full well, the development of the structures of my Department is within the remit of the Taoiseach. However, it is important to say that the Ministers of State at my Department and I have been very...

Departmental Structure. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I have numerous discussions with the Taoiseach on many issues which are the privilege of the Taoiseach and me. Unlike others, I do not discuss them in the public domain, nor will I add to any rumours in the context of the final decision of the Taoiseach. I respect that it is a matter for him, as I am sure Deputy Varadkar would respect the leader of his party in his determination as to where...

Departmental Structure. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Perhaps the Deputy has forgotten that there is a new economic reality. Despite that reality, 125 investments were made last year on the basis of considerable hard work by me, the Ministers of State at my Department and the development agencies in encouraging people to invest here. Equally, we have worked closely with many Irish companies, of which we are singularly proud, in providing new...

Departmental Structure. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The issue is that the opposition is not in this House-----

Departmental Structure. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: -----and the political charges are ones which I may take from the Deputy but not from others.

Grocery Industry. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Competition law prohibits retailers from compelling suppliers to make payments for the advertising or display of grocery goods. Anyone who has evidence of traders engaging in such practices should bring this evidence to the attention of the Competition Authority in order that it can be fully investigated. The renewed programme for Government contains a specific commitment to "implement a...

Grocery Industry. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is Chairman of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I appreciate what he said, as well as what was said by representatives from agriculture. I have met many of the companies involved who, unfortunately, are not in a position to make a formal complaint. However, today I have asked an independent, eminent person to consider bringing to finalisation a code of...

Grocery Industry. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Competition Authority will investigate issues which are anti-competitive. We have banned below-cost selling and "Hello" money. However, as I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, I want to introduce the code immediately. It will take some time to introduce it, from a legislative point of view, which is why it will be voluntary. The authorities in the United Kingdom have returned to...

Grocery Industry. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: -----of the members of the committee. Enforcement will be the matrix by which we will be judged. It is very difficult to do, but I will include a specific designated person in the new merged authority to deal specifically with the enforcement issues which arise from the code. Although it is difficult, it is clearly my intention to deal with this matter quickly.

Banking Policy. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The central objective for Government is the provision of normal credit on fair commercial terms in our economy to all viable large, medium and small businesses. It is critical that our banking system is again fully fit for purpose, whether in providing working capital, new loans or other credit facilities to businesses. The relationship between banks and businesses needs to be fully...

Banking Policy. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is not the intention to do so. On the issue of access to credit, it is important to make several points. First, the Minister of State, Deputy Billy Kelleher, on my behalf travelled the entire country listening to businesses, particularly small businesses, to find the particular issues. Second, we set up a review group comprising all of the key stakeholders and all of the banks. The...

Banking Policy. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It really helps to bring people together to ensure that they appreciate the other sides of the argument and how they can work together instead of being adversaries. Third, Enterprise Ireland facilitated the transfer of some personnel between the banks to ensure the experience and expertise on business and business decisions would be made available. That has happened and is ongoing. Fourth,...

Banking Policy. (9 Mar 2010)

Mary Coughlan: As was said to the Deputy's party leader on several occasions by the Taoiseach, if the Deputy's party was on this side of the House, we would not have any banking facilities because we would have no banks.