Results 45,941-45,960 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is correct; the EU directives are very important.

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The recent increase in consumer prices is clearly a matter of concern. While the increase in the annual rate of inflation to 5% as recorded in the Central Statistics Office's most recent bulletin is particularly disappointing, the factors giving rise to this increase are mainly being driven by international developments such as the global increases in the price of oil, food etc. While our...

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked what has happened since the abolition of the groceries order. We are all aware that the price of oil went through the roof in that period.

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: This had a significant impact on global prices. Food prices have increased significantly, particularly in the last six months, and various explanations have been put forward for this. Since the abolition of the groceries order, the monthly consumer price index information from the Central Statistics Office has included a comparison of price movement in respect of goods previously included...

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I refer to society in general. We all recall the various representations and so on. The Deputy has raised the important issue of the impact of exchange rate movements, particularly in the case of sterling and the United States dollar, on the price of goods in this jurisdiction. The National Consumer Agency has raised this point with retailers. Some retailers make the case that they have...

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will get back to the Deputy on that.

Skill Shortages. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In December, the expert group on future skills needs published its report, Future Skills and Research Needs of the International Financial Services Industry. This report identifies the skills requirements of the international financial services industry in Ireland and sets out a blueprint for the future skills development required to ensure the continued growth and success of that industry....

Skill Shortages. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The international financial services sector has grown dramatically in this State in the last two decades. For example, banking assets have trebled from €422 billion in 2001 to €1.2 trillion in 2006. The numbers employed in financial occupations had grown to 148,000 in 2006, approximately 22,000 of whom are engaged in international financial services. I meet the representative group for...

Skill Shortages. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: What has occurred in the last three years is a regional development of financial services. Companies whose representatives I have met include State Street in Kilkenny, Citco in Cork and IFS in Drogheda and Naas. There has been a significant churn in financial services in Dublin. The representatives of every company we meet highlight skill shortages. It is a significant problem in the...

Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Act 1986, as amended by the Acts of 1993 and 1995, IDA Ireland has the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land and any other property or any interest therein for the purpose of facilitating an industrial undertaking. Accordingly, the management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency, as part of the...

Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Yes, but obviously it depends on the owner of the building and the objectives he or she may have for the building.

Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In some instances, the owner is co-operative and constructive. If this is so, the agencies will work with the county council to preserve the employment zoning such a building enjoys, which is critical. The IDA or Enterprise Ireland, county enterprise boards and county councils will work together to ensure economic activity can be retained in a particular building or facility. The IDA...

Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy and I will work to obtain the audit which is under the remit of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs which initiated the idea. We are anxious to co-operate with it and it would be useful. Deputy Penrose is correct to state that property solutions and facilities are important. It is part of the jigsaw which brings investment to a location. County...

Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: It is 40% of a much reduced number. Since 1998, the number of properties has been reduced from 523 to 164, which is a drop of 69%. The IDA has had a progressive and dramatic divesting of properties. That said, that any property would lie vacant for more than five years is not satisfactory. I remember on the previous occasion we discussed this I made the point about a location in Carlow...

Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will not be able to get that information.

Company Closures. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 58 together. On Monday, 12 April Iralco issued a press statement to the effect that liquidators had been appointed to the company. The company had indicated previously to the IDA that jobs were at risk if specific industrial relations issues in respect of pay increases could not be resolved. Extra funding was also needed to proceed with the investment...

Company Closures. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am always reluctant to go into the detail of discussions between companies, agencies and so on.

Company Closures. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: There is a key issue involved in respect of industrial relations. The Deputy is correct that the decision to go into liquidation was sudden and not anticipated. The one general observation I would make in situations like this — I have had experience of a few such situations where we have managed to intervene — is that there are challenges involved for all parties concerned. The...

Company Closures. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Obviously, I have had discussions with the IDA officials directly involved in the case.

Company Closures. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's assessment is fair. We would have preferred a further opportunity to explore avenues to resolve the issues prior to the company going into liquidation. However, now is not the time to be judgmental. We must try to move forward and create a new atmosphere. In regard to companies in the manufacturing sector, I have come across a number of cases during the past few years wherein...