Results 1,741-1,760 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: To be effective, the Competition Authority needs evidence rather than mere suspicion of wrongdoing. It is important that complainants to the authority provide as much information as possible. The authority has published on its website and in its annual report information on how to make a complaint. All complaints are subject to a screening process. Any objective analysis of the Competition...

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: We do not accept Deputy Hogan's proposals on the category of super complaints. There is nothing stopping anyone from making a complaint to the Competition Authority. The studies undertaken by the authority in banking, insurance and engineering are all bearing fruit, leading to substantive and significant reforms.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand this matter relates to an investigation conducted by the Competition Authority from March 2003 to June 2004 regarding possible price fixing among self-employed actors and advertising agencies. An agreement between Irish Actors Equity SIPTU, on behalf of the actors, and the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland, on behalf of advertising agencies, provided for both...

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Put in layperson's terms, it was a question of whether the actors in question were self-employed independent contractors, who are subject to the Act, or employees, who are generally not subject to the Act. The authority considered this issue to be particularly important in this case where the trade union has both employed persons and self-employed independent contractors as members. The...

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: On the question of whether actors are "undertakings" within the meaning of the Competition Act, I understand that, as a starting point, the Competition Authority considered whether the Revenue Commissioners treated actors as employees subject to PAYE or as independent contractors. The authority's investigation revealed that the vast majority of actors in the State are not treated as PAYE...

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Actors providing advertising services generally are not obliged to work for a single advertising agency — they may work for several at the same time. Such actors generally do not receive the benefits one usually associates with a contract of employment. For example, they generally do not receive holiday pay, health insurance, maternity leave etc.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Such actors do not generally have employment security. They are free to accept or decline specific work as they see fit. Actors are not generally thought of as employees of a particular agency. In light of these factors, the Competition Authority took the view that actors are independent contractors and therefore are "undertakings" subject to the Competition Act. However, the authority also...

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The parties to the investigation do not appear to have taken issue with the authority's view——

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——as they entered into undertakings with the authority in settlement of the case, thereby avoiding the need to go to court. I emphasise that the Competition Authority is an independent statutory agency set up by this House for the enforcement of competition law.

Trade Union Representation. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: In general, I do not consider that it would be appropriate, or good practice, to interfere in the performance by the authority of its statutory functions, which this House has bestowed upon it.

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to have the opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, to respond to Deputy Enright on this matter. The Minister for Finance keeps a watching brief on matters pertaining to Tullamore and the midlands generally.

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: He is very active in the context of developing the country and ensuring a central role for the midlands in that overall national development. There is no prospect of Tullamore being left behind given the presence of the Minister, Deputy Cowen, at the Cabinet table in such a pivotal position as Minister for Finance.

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: In the past 11 months the Department of Transport has developed the most detailed national transport plan ever devised in this country. Transport 21 will give Ireland a first class transport system that, on a national level, connects all regions to each other and to our main seaports and airports and, in the cities, will provide greatly enhanced public transport alternatives to the private...

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: With regard to roads, the midlands generally and the linked gateway of Tullamore, Athlone and Mullingar have already benefited from the major investment in the upgrade of the national roads programme in recent years. The upgrade of the N7 through the bypassing of Kildare, Monasterevin and Portlaoise has improved access to and from the midlands. Access will be further improved when the...

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: With regard to rail, Tullamore has benefited from investment in the railway network under the national development plan by virtue of its location on both the Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Westport intercity rail lines. Combined with the fixed infrastructure renewal work already completed or under way, Transport 21 will provide for 120 intercity rail cars to be deployed on the mainline rail network...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the various council formations rather than the European Council, for which the Department of the Taoiseach has primary responsibility. The council formations for which my Department has particular responsibilities are the Competitiveness Council and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council. My Department also has...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together. My Department has not received or sought exemptions for Ireland from generally applicable EU directives or regulations. In the normal course of negotiating legal instruments, my Department contributes to negotiations on the basis of securing the best outcome for Ireland and frequently makes proposals or suggestions to amend proposed...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: As I am provided with an official car and driver for use in the course of my duties, the matter has not arisen.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The national spatial strategy is a framework designed to re-orientate the balance of development across the country and in this regard it is not possible to quantify costs, benefits or savings that have accrued to date other than to look at the spread of investment and job creation in the regions. Redirecting the established force of development and investment preferences is not a...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: All FÁS training and employment programmes are open to former family carers. Some programmes are delivered on a part-time basis and may support former carers in their transition from caring responsibilities to participation on training and employment programmes. Since 5 October, 2000 persons who were formerly in receipt of a carer's allowance and whose caring responsibilities have ceased,...