Results 45,261-45,280 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I do not. That is obviously a matter for the group itself to deal with, in consultation with the Council. The Deputy asked about the impact of the Lisbon vote. On the economic front, as a former Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment I am well aware that one of the key marketing ploys of Ireland has been to present the country as an English-speaking member of the eurozone and a...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: That will not be said by anybody immediately but it is something that people will feel. From the financial perspective of agriculture and the health check on the Common Agricultural Policy, one always wants to negotiate from a position of strength, as a country that is at the heart of Europe. I have no doubt that, over time, that position and capacity to negotiate from strength will be weakened.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: That is a significant consequence of our decision. We can argue about it and the Deputy may decide that he does not agree, but that is the reality to me. There are other issues as well, but I have responded to the question the Deputy posed. As regards Deputy Creighton's point on the second referendum, we have not confirmed with anybody in terms of a decision that the Government has taken...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Contrary to what Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, our overall strategic objective is to act in the best interests of the Irish people. The Oireachtas and the public at large need to reflect on it and ask what is in the best interests of future generations. Is it in their interests to be on the margins of Europe in terms of influence and engagement? Or is in their best interests to be at the heart...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will make two points on that matter which has been referred to by a number of people. First, the Commission is the body that decides on compliance with competition and state-aid law. I am grateful to Commissioner Neelie Kroes who worked with our Minister for Finance and the Government generally to confirm that we were in compliance with that. Every country makes inputs in terms of the...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The European Council and the euro group took a common position.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: We did not have to force them into it at all. That is over the top.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: By and large, the normal, routine conduct of monetary policy within the EU is the preserve of the central bank and finance ministers. President Sarkozy initiated an important meeting of the euro group——

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: ——to deal with the global financial crisis, which is an exceptional and extraordinary situation. Up to then, the European Central Bank played a significant role in ensuring continuing liquidity for banks across Europe, and particularly for the Irish banks. Deputy Timmins mentioned Iceland and I respectfully suggest that we could have been in that space if it were not for the European...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: President Sarkozy has indicated that he is always available to come to Ireland.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: He enjoys robust debate at the best of times. I would say he would anticipate further robust debate even from existing candidates and maybe future candidates. In any event, he is available to come here but there has been no confirmation of when he may arrive again.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (23 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The following table sets out the names and remuneration of my Special Advisors in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Both staff are contracted under terms and conditions of employment set by the Minister for Finance and are employed on a full-time basis. Their appointments will terminate no later than the date on which I cease to hold my office as Minister. Name Position Remuneration...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (23 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The estimated costs to my Department of incremental pay increases during 2008 and 2009 are as follows: Year Estimated Cost â'¬ 2008 1,073,000 2009 1,108,000 These estimated figures are based on the current number of staff employed in my Department and are derived using the midpoints of the salary scales for each grade of officer. They also take into account increases due in each...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (23 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The estimated costs to my Department of pay increases due under the Towards 2016 social partnership agreement are as follows: Year Cost â'¬ 2008 (from 1 September) 712,000 2009 3,324,000 The 2009 figure includes the full-year cost of the 2.5% increase payable from September 2008 and the cost for four months of the 3.5% increase that falls due in September 2009.

Written Answers — US Higher Education Grants: US Higher Education Grants (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Fulbright Commission (Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange) provides scholarships to Irish citizens to lecture, research or study in the United States and for US citizens to lecture, research or study in Ireland. The Commission has supported more than 1,600 Irish postgraduate students, academics and professionals who have studied in top US colleges and research...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003, 125 posts attached to the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs were to decentralise to Limerick. Following sanction of additional posts by the Department of Finance in 2005, the total number of posts from the Division transferring to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 374 and 378 together. In 2006, one member of staff of my Department retired early under the terms of the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme. No other officers have availed of early retirement within the last five years. The Deputies will appreciate that, since we had only one individual availing of early retirement, to release any further information...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: All data held in my Department, including personal data, is protected by both physical and technical safeguards. My Department's policy is that all portable electronic data devices are encrypted. Full hard disk encryption has been implemented on all laptops issued by my Department in the past three years. The Department does not issue blackberry devices and the small number of hand held...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The average levels of absenteeism within my Department, for each of the five years from 2003 to 2007 inclusive, are set out below. Each figure given is the total number of days lost to absence expressed as a percentage of the total available working days for staff in the Department. 2003: 1.98% 2004: 2.28% 2005: 2.57% 2006: 2.76% 2007: 3.58%

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 379 together. There are currently no agencies operating under the aegis of my Department.