Results 341-360 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (1 Mar 2007)

Michael Ahern: I thank Senator Quinn for the valid point he has made.

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (1 Mar 2007)

Michael Ahern: Section 9 introduces a provision for an annual report of the operation of the Act to be prepared and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This is in line with a key recommendation of the first FÁS review and a response that calls for greater transparency in the area of export controls. I welcome the opportunity which will be provided by the publication of the annual report to provide...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (1 Mar 2007)

Michael Ahern: I thank the Senators who have taken interest in this important matter on Second and Committee Stages and for their contributions to those debates. I am satisfied that this is comprehensive legislation that will equip Ireland with the tools required to manage an efficient and effective export control system. Ireland has always been a voice on the international stage for disarmament and arms...

Seanad: Poultry Industry (1 Mar 2007)

Michael Ahern: I wish to respond to Senator Finucane on behalf of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, who is unable to attend. The redundancy payment scheme was established on 1 January 1968 and is governed by the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967, 1971, 1979 and 2003. In general, a redundant employee with at least two years' service is entitled to receive two weeks' pay per year...

Seanad: Poultry Industry (1 Mar 2007)

Michael Ahern: I shall advise the Minister of the Senator's request in that regard.

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: That is what we are doing. I want to respond to allegations that this Government has somehow neglected consumers. I reject the suggestion made in the debate that we have been slow in bringing the Bill forward or that we are only doing so because of rules forced on us by Brussels. The notion that Brussels legislates while member states stand idly by in the wings, meekly accepting whatever...

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: In order to provide a proper answer it is necessary to examine what the order did. The groceries order stopped retailers competing and allowed wholesalers to fix minimum prices for grocery products. This is known as price fixing and is an offence under our competition laws. Deputies will be aware that in the recent past a number of individuals have been subjected to criminal sanctions for...

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — International Trade: International Trade (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: On 12 April 2006 the EU Commission initiated an investigation into a complaint of dumping of imports of polyester staple fibres (PSF) from Malaysia and Taiwan. The Commission's initial investigation has concluded that dumping of PSF by the countries concerned has taken place and that the imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures is justified. Accordingly the Commission has imposed...

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: With price harmonisation, the rate stands at only 2.9%.

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: The Deputy thought long and deeply before making that statement.

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: We are all well aware of that.

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: We have another three months.

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: With open arms.

Consumer Protection Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate which has been both interesting and stimulating. It has demonstrated beyond doubt that the welfare of consumers is an important and topical issue, and that the Government is right to afford this legislation a high priority. Before responding to the comments of individual Deputies, I wish to make a few general remarks. There has been...

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: I think Senator Bannon took the wrong railway track. I thank the Senators for their contributions to what was an open and wide-ranging discussion. I know the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, is looking forward to their assistance in bringing forward this Bill. It is evident from the debate that there is widespread support from all Senators for its provisions. Many interesting views were expressed...

Child Care Services. (27 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: Community employment is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary basis. Community employment helps unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work...

Written Answers — Company Registrations: Company Registrations (27 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: As the queries raised by the Deputy relate to day-to-day functions of the Registrar of Companies, I have referred them to the registrar for reply directly to Deputy.

Seanad: Ageing and Ageism (22 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 introduced several changes in pension arrangements in the public service. The principal aim of the Act was to secure the long-run Exchequer position by raising the pension age by five years for new entrants. The changes introduced in the Act, including an increase in the minimum pension age by five years and the removal...

Seanad: Control of Exports Bill 2007: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Michael Ahern: I thank Senators for partaking in the debate. I listened intently to the points made and questions asked. There will be an opportunity to go into them in greater detail on Committee Stage. Senator Coghlan asked about monitoring and transparency. Each year, an annual report must be laid before the Oireachtas. We will have an opportunity to review it and Members may raise then any questions...