Results 2,801-2,815 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: The indications from industry are extremely positive in that it has been a significant incentive to industry. However, the tax credit is relatively new. I will forward figures to the Deputy if they become available. I refer to the GDP target and the current position on expenditure. The Deputy is correct that a significant gap must be bridged. The Minister has asked the interdepartmental...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I refer to the number of research and development personnel. It is projected that to meet the target, Ireland will need to have 8,000 research and development personnel in place by 2010. The report on future skills estimated that, within current constraints across a range of fronts, the shortfall would be between 3,500 and 3,600. A number of initiatives have been taken, not least by Science...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: Renewable energy is a matter for the Minister responsible. However, a number of programmes have been introduced in this area. The interdepartmental committee and the Cabinet sub-committee are addressing a much wider range of research and development and science and technology proposals than the narrow ones regarded as the core business of Science Foundation Ireland. I attended the launch of...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 96 together. In so far as my Department's area of responsibility is concerned, key issues covered by the Lisbon Agenda relate to establishing a European area for research and innovation, creating a friendly environment for starting up and developing innovative businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, developing an active EU employment...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I am aware of the findings of Wim Kok's report. The Deputy will not be surprised to hear that the issue frequently features at European Council meetings. The European partners have directed much attention to trying to achieve the Lisbon targets and those of the Barcelona agreement in that regard. The partnership process here is considerably more well developed than at European level, but I...

Seanad: Job Losses. (9 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am conscious of the adverse effects on workers in the Ballinasloe area of job losses over the past year, including the recent announcement by Dubarry Shoes Limited of its decision to cease manufacturing at its Ballinasloe plant during November 2004 and transfer this production element to the company's manufacturing partners...

Written Answers — Working Conditions: Working Conditions (2 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: The Central Statistics Office quarterly national household survey estimates that 30,370 work days were lost in 2002 due to breathing or lung problems and that 8,810 work days were lost due to skin problems. The survey does not have a breakdown of days lost due to the specific matters referred to in the question.

Written Answers — Severance Payments: Severance Payments (12 Oct 2004)

Tony Killeen: The position is that nothing further can be done regarding enhanced statutory redundancy payments for the workers concerned. I, like my predecessor, am bound by the legal advice that was to the effect that no retrospection would be possible. This follows from the principle established by the courts that the Legislature cannot impose retrospective financial obligations on the employers or...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (12 Oct 2004)

Tony Killeen: A total allocation of €351 million is being provided in 2004 to support up to 25,000 places across the three FÁS employment schemes — community employment, job initiative and the social economy programme. Of this, €42.5 million is earmarked for the social economy programme. This compares with funding of €20.5 million in 2002 and €36 million in 2003.

Written Answers — Hazardous Substances: Hazardous Substances (12 Oct 2004)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 59 together. The following table provides the list of establishments that have been notified to the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, as coming within the scope of the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2000. It also indicates their tier status; 1 for upper tier, 2 for lower tier. A number...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2004)

Tony Killeen: The Health and Safety Authority is actively working to implement the Government decision on decentralisation. An implementation team reports directly to the chief executive and progress is reported to the board of the authority on a regular basis. Staff have been briefed on the government decision and discussions have commenced with the staff unions through the authority's industrial...

Written Answers — Job Initiative: Job Initiative (5 Oct 2004)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 to 249, inclusive, together. The jobs initiative programme is a work experience programme for persons 35 years of age or older who have been unemployed for five years or longer. Participants are offered temporary full-time employment for a period of three years. The fundamental objective of the programme is to prepare participants to progress into...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Tony Killeen: Several issues are being confused in the discussion of the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004. That is not to say the issues are entirely unconnected but the manner in which they are being intermingled does not serve to clarify the principal issue being addressed in the proposal. The core issue, the entitlement to citizenship, is frequently overlooked in the debate in...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Tony Killeen: Concerns regarding the Good Friday Agreement merit careful consideration. We must remember that the proposed provision amends Article 9 of the Constitution and not Article 2. I am confident, arising from the legal advice given to the Government, the Northern Ireland Office and the Government at Westminster, that the amendment has no implications for the Agreement. It is important that we be...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (22 Apr 2004)

Tony Killeen: There is a significant advantage in holding the constitutional referendum on the same day as the local elections. This will ensure a large turnout. It would be a pity if the referendum were held on its own and attracted a turnout of 25% or 30%. I know what Deputy McCormack means when he speaks of the pressure exerted on candidates in the last week. However, I believe the pressure exerted on...