Results 46,761-46,780 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (16 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together. My Department is required to relocate 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme and this is planned to occur by the end of 2009. In order to accommodate staff who wished to move earlier than the projected building completion date of late 2009, officials of my Department, in consultation with the Department of...

Written Answers — Employment Statistics: Employment Statistics (11 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The tabular statement below sets out the number of full time permanent jobs in manufacturing in Enterprise Agency (Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland) assisted firms in Co. Kildare for each of the years between 1997 and 2006. This data indicates an increase of nearly 3000 manufacturing jobs or 25% over the period. Kildare has in recent years attracted some world class manufacturing...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (11 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Following the enactment of the Competition (Amendment) Act 2006 which revoked the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987, I asked the Competition Authority to review and monitor developments in the grocery sector in light of the new regulatory environment. Later this year the Authority intends to publish an analysis of developments in the sector focusing on pricing trends, market...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (10 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department's Asset Register records and monitors all assets purchased and owned by the Department. In addition, the Asset Register monitors the value of all assets worth over €1,000 each. No asset with a value over €1,000 or any of the properties under the control of my Department have suffered any loss through fire, theft or flooding in the past four years.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (10 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not entered into any leasing arrangements for properties for use by my Department. All buildings occupied by the Department are leased by the Office of Public Works and all issues concerning the details of leases and the level of occupancy of buildings are the responsibility of that Office.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The issue raised relates to pensions which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. I have no direct function in this matter.

Written Answers — North-South Co-operation: North-South Co-operation (9 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department and its agencies are aware of the critical importance that the Government attaches to progressing mutually beneficial North/South projects. The North/South Policy Unit of my Department is charged with co-ordinating the Department's work on North/South policy issues. The North/South Policy Unit is also a liaison unit for the Department's interactions with InterTradeIreland, the...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (9 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. Under the Industrial Development Acts establishing the Agency the Minister of the day may give policy directions to the Agency but is specifically precluded from giving directions to the Agency regarding specific undertakings or from giving...

Community Enterprise Centres. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy McEllistrim for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am well aware of his determination, commitment and support for the community enterprise centre at Farranfore, County Kerry. Enterprise Ireland is administering, under section 7 of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998, a community-led enterprise support programme called the community enterprise centre...

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue and to put on record the situation regarding Amgen, which involves no mystery or secrecy whatsoever. In fact, I contacted Deputies yesterday to inform them in advance that Amgen would make a public announcement to the workforce at 2 p.m. We all share the fundamental objective of wanting to bring investment into the country and we work through...

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: We will be making a week-long trip to the west coast, where we will meet a number of companies. This decision is disappointing for the region and the country, and particularly for the 79 staff directly affected. I am conscious that many of the employees left good jobs to work with Amgen because the company was seen as a significant opportunity for career advancement. Amgen has informed us...

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Amgen has told us it wants to retain ownership.

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The company has said that.

Industrial Development. (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: People have asked about the medium and long term. I was trying to respond to the issues raised by Deputy Stanton and others and I am conscious that a significant investment has been made in infrastructure. The east County Cork region has been identified as an area of significant growth and the site has significant utilities attached to it, so it clearly has the potential to house a similar...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that this work permit application was refused on the grounds that evidence of the necessary labour market test was not submitted in support of the application. Furthermore, the salary on offer was below €30,000 per annum and work permits are only granted on a very exceptional basis in such cases.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (4 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that applications for horse trainer positions will be considered on a case by case basis. If the Deputy wishes to bring a particular case to my attention, he should contact me in this regard.

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenses: Ministerial Expenses (3 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Due to the fact that my Department changed its financial management system within the last five years, information on expenses paid prior to 2004 is archived. For this reason, it has not been possible, in the time available, for my officials to collate all of the information sought by the Deputy. However, I can assure the Deputy that the details are available and that my officials are...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: The European Communities (Safety of Toys) Regulations (S.I. No. 32 of 1990), which transposed Council Directive 88/378/EEC concerning the safety of toys, govern the marketing, classification and labelling of toys placed on the Irish market. These Regulations are enforced by the National Consumer Agency (NCA). Under these Regulations a toy may not be placed on the market unless it is safe,...

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: There is no promise.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (2 Oct 2007)

Micheál Martin: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through...