Results 45,701-45,720 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Next year.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: We indicated to the House that a review of the Competition Act is under way. This encompasses a range of issues. There were public consultations and so forth. That matter is now being considered within my Department but it is separate from and parallel to the pharmacy negotiations and discussions. Of course, it relates to a number of issues.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: There are 1,263 heads to the company law consolidation reform Bill, which have been approved by Government. It is not possible to give a date as to when the Bill will be ready. I hope towards the second half of this year to introduce a preliminary debate in the Committee on Enterprise Trade and Employment to facilitate consideration of the Bill by the Members of the House Bill parallel to...

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I have already been in discussions with the Parliamentary Counsel, the Attorney General's office and so forth. Mechanisms have been put in place to prioritise and deal with this Bill. It is important legislation, which will have a significant impact on economic and company law into the future.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: It also relates to the reduction of regulatory burdens on business and so on. We have given ourselves a 12 to 18 month timeframe, which is challenging and ambitious, to draft this Bill, but there is a determination and prioritisation to deal with it in my Department.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to reply to the Deputy specifically on that matter. It is not on the list of legislation.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: The social housing Bill will be ready this session. Interdepartmental work is ongoing in addressing employment traps and various disincentives or barriers to people returning to the workplace.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: The second Bill relates to the regulatory burden. I have already indicated in the House that we outlined the steps we intend to take to ensure a reduction of 25% in the regulatory burden. We are happy to share with the Opposition spokespersons the timeline that we envisage to realise that objective.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I should reply only on the legislation, is that correct?

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: The broadcasting Bill——

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: The broadcasting Bill is due to be ready this session.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Last evening there was an agreed position between the Whip and Deputy Coveney.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Bill will be dealt with this session.

Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Beidh sé ós comhair na Dála i mbliana.

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 21 together. I am aware of the concerns expressed by some commentators that the benefits of ongoing movements in exchange rates between the Euro and Sterling and the Euro and the Dollar are not being passed on to consumers. The National Consumer Agency has raised these concerns in bilateral discussions with retailers. In the course of those discussions,...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Last year my Department responded to the Director's request for additional staffing resources by increasing the approved Departmental staff complement from 30 to 38. Approved Garda staff numbers were also increased by one in 2007 bringing the total approved staffing complement of the ODCE to 46 posts. Four of these extra staff were provided to the ODCE in 2007, and my Departmental commitment...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In 2007 Ireland's total merchandise trade (exports and imports) with the United States, totalled €22.81 billion, virtually unchanged from the 2006 figure of €22.99 billion. The value of our merchandise exports to the United States reached €15.78 billion, down 2.49% on the 2006 level of €16.18 billion. The value of our merchandise imports reached €7.03 billion, up from €6.81...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In the Budget Outlook unemployment is forecast to average at around 5.5% over the period 2008-2010. The Department of Finance will publish a revised forecast with its Pre-Budget Outlook in October. Ireland compares favourably with the EU27 average of 6.7%. The current rate of unemployment is 4.5% as published by the Central Statistics Office in its Quarterly National Household Survey,...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together. FÁS, as the national training and employment authority, has the remit to provide a range of proactive job-related services, supports and programmes, to assist individuals remain in and return to the labour market. The Agency also promotes workforce development by upgrading the competencies and qualifications of individuals and by...

Written Answers — Services Sector: Services Sector (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The recent data published by NCB Stockbroker's Services Purchasing Managers Index (SPMI) showed that business activity in the services sector experienced a slight decline in March — the first such contraction in 56 months. More specifically activity increased in the Business Services and Financial Services Sectors while decreases in activity were recorded in Transport, Travel, Tourism and...