Results 1,301-1,320 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Economic Competitiveness. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: One example is the regulation pertaining to directors' compliance. We have referred that to the company law review body and have listened to industry.
- Economic Competitiveness. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: Recommendations are coming forward which suggest that a significant and substantial amendment is required. So we are listening to industry as well as consulting business on key issues and will take action in future. The Deputy asked what the constraints are. Issues such as the groceries order constitute a constraint. In dealing with such issues we can create a greater competitive environment...
- Economic Competitiveness. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: One area identified by the National Competitiveness Council concerned competition within the domestic economy, be it in the retail, construction or other sectors. Last year, my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government made changes to the planning regulations to facilitate greater competition by permitting certain stores to come into the country.
- Economic Competitiveness. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: That was a response to a recommendation by the National Competitiveness Council, so action is being taken on foot of such recommendations. Last year, we had the highest number of small business start-ups within the European Union. I have established a small business forum to prepare for the next decade on issues that we must address to maintain competitiveness. According to the report by the...
- Economic Competitiveness. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: We intend to go up to a further level of research and development input because it is inextricably linked to competitiveness and economic performance.
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: I am aware of the concerns expressed in several quarters about the price of certain goods and services and, in particular, the belief among many consumers that they are not getting a fair deal. The Deputy will be aware that in March 2004 the Tánaiste appointed the consumer strategy group to advise and make recommendations for the development of a national consumer policy strategy. In its...
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: I am obviously aware of everything that is published in the Irish Examiner and will continue to be so in future.
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: In addition, we appointed the national consumer agency to go after consumer issues.
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: The Government does not and will not set prices or act as a price-controlling agency, which is a fundamental principle to which we adhere. However, we can empower the consumer to an extent that has not been done historically. It is somewhat difficult to take the Deputy sincerely having read the deliberations of the Oireachtas joint committee on an issue such as the retail sector. When a...
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: I certainly did.
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: In many ways it highlighted a degree of hypocrisy. While the Deputy rails loudly and strongly articulates the issues, when it comes to concrete actions as to how we should address the issues, he comes up very short. The mechanisms we have put in place and the resources we will allocate will address the matter. The Competition Act introduced by my predecessor, the Tánaiste, is quite...
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: We are not pretending we have a low tax economy. As I said in reply to a previous question, Ireland comes first out of 15 countries, and does well in any international comparison, in terms of low income tax.
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: With all due respect, the Deputy said I should stop pretending we have a low tax economy.
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: We have a low tax economy. That is so in respect of any international assessment of Ireland's tax position, be it with regard to corporation tax, which we reduced from 36% to 12.5% since this Government came to power, or with regard to income tax.
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: We brought in a regulation which deals with issues related to electricity, gas and so on. Setting the market price for any of the utilities does not fall within the ambit of a particular Minister.
- Consumer Prices. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: Equally, we cannot in some instances compare our position on energy prices with those of our counterparts, given our historic reliance on fossil fuels, 90% of which we import to meet our energy needs.
- Unemployment Levels. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: Support for job creation and investment is a matter for the industrial development agencies. Under the industrial development Acts I may give general policy directives to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland but I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others. As the Deputy is aware, I met a delegation from...
- Unemployment Levels. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: At the meeting in July, which the Deputy as well as Deputies Davern and Hayes and the councillors attended the overriding consideration was the training agenda. It was accepted that up-skilling and a proper skills foundation in the town was the key to future employment capacity and to securing jobs created in the region. It is unacceptable to do what the Deputy has done, which is to put a...
- Unemployment Levels. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: That is the sensible way forward for the town and for south Tipperary. We must maximise the strengths the area can offer and then market them. That will have a ripple effect in towns such as Carrick-on-Suir and other towns in Clonmel's hinterland. That is what we are doing. It is a sensible strategy. If improvements can be made on the skills front, it will be possible to make inroads into...
- Unemployment Levels. (28 Sep 2005)
Micheál Martin: There is a county development board already in place on whichââ