Results 46,861-46,880 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: However, I put it before a very senior legal figure, namely, the former Attorney General, who gave it a clean bill of health from a constitutional perspective.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I also presented it to the new Attorney General who, I respectfully suggest to the House, is regarded as a very eminent expert on constitutional and other legal matters. The Bill also came through that Attorney General's scrutiny with regard to its constitutionality. Having received and been fortified by that advice, I now bring the legislation before the House. Perhaps this is something...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should hold on. I am prepared to take it on board and accept that there may be a need for greater dialogue with the proposed committee and with Members. That is something we may have to pursue further. People may say that the PIAB has nothing to do with anything and is not responsible for the fact that motor insurance premiums are now down to 1997 levels. That is spectacular...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I accept there are other factors and I note that Senator Cassidy is in the Gallery. Deputy Lynch made that point.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Before taking that point, I want to acknowledge the presence of Senator Cassidy in the Gallery. Deputy Lynch already referred to the work of his committee in driving the insurance agenda and keeping on top of it. Deputy Hogan was a member of that committee, which recommended part of the course of action we are now taking. Profitability has increased in the insurance industry.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The issue before us, which requires the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 to be amended, centres on the activity following the PIAB making a formal award. While PIAB awards mirror court awards, as both have regard to a book of quantum to determine the appropriate award to be given, some claimants choose to reject the award and...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: That is not true.

Written Answers — Regulatory Regime: Regulatory Regime (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: On 8 March last the Department of the Taoiseach published the results of an ESRI survey of business attitudes to regulation. At the same time the Taoiseach stated that the Government had agreed to put in place a new mechanism to tackle administrative burdens arising from national legislation in a targeted way. The Government also agreed that I should lead a Government-wide effort to drive...

Written Answers — Import Levels: Import Levels (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The most recent full year trade figures published by the Central Statistics Office relate to 2006. While recognising that the level of imports of goods into Ireland is increasing, the figures show that the level of increase has slowed in the last number of years. Between the years 2004 and 2005 imports rose from €51.105 billion to €57.465 billion, a rise of €6.360 billion or 12.44%,...

Written Answers — Enterprise Policy: Enterprise Policy (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The performance of the enterprise sector has been pivotal to the huge success of the Irish economy in recent years and Ireland's long term economic success will depend on the continued strength of our enterprise base. There are almost half a million more people at work now than 6 years ago and while overall economic performance remains strong the Government is committed to increasing the...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 23, 32, 54 and 62 together. The Government reiterated in its Programme for Government commitments made in the recently published National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012,(NCC) of 33% energy savings across the public sector by 2020 (3% per annum). The Strategy sets out measures to be adopted by the Public Sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Set out as follows are details of the air travel undertaken by the Ministers or staff of my Department, using Government aircraft to date in 2007. In each case, the departure date, itinerary and number of officials travelling are supplied. All travel undertaken was done as part of my Department's functions, in particular the promotion of Irish economic and business interests. Government...

Written Answers — Site Visits: Site Visits (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: There were a total of 51 IDA sponsored visits by overseas investors to County Cork in the period from the beginning of January 2005 to the end of May 2007. There were 26 such visits in 2005, 14 in 2006 and 11 so far in 2007. I engage on an ongoing basis directly in support of IDA efforts to attract inward investment to Ireland through participation in IDA promotional efforts both at home and...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Strong, balanced regional development and a thriving culture of entrepreneurship in all parts of Ireland are key strategic objectives for my Department and the development agencies under its remit. I am fully committed to creating and growing internationally competitive businesses in all parts of the country. A key aspect of the high value, knowledge intensive FDI Ireland now competes for,...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: In the period from January, 2006 to the end of May, 2007 there have been a total of 8 IDA sponsored visits by prospective overseas investors to County Sligo, of which 5 were in 2007 and 3 were in 2007. Although site visits are not a normal feature of Enterprise Ireland's promotional activity there were two site visits to County Sligo arranged by E.I. in 2006 and one such visit arranged in...

Written Answers — Skills Development: Skills Development (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Government recognises the importance of up-skilling the workforce to maintain a successful economy. Government policy in this regard has been informed by the report of the Enterprise Strategy Group and that of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs — Towards a National Skills Strategy — published earlier this year. The latter sets challenging objectives to be realised by 2020. We...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The strength of Irish exports in global markets continues to be robust. This is true for trade in both goods and services. In April, the value of merchandise exports (unadjusted) grew by 14% over April 2006. Over the first quarter of 2007, these exports are up 6% over last year. Furthermore the latest Balance of Payments Data released by the Central Statistics Office on 28 June shows that...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The cost of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003 for my Department and its Offices to date is €160,176. To date in 2007 the number of documents published by my Department and its Offices is 17. Of these, 8 were published in English only. The number of documents published in both Irish and English is 9; these 9 documents were published in Irish and English concurrently. My...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been making good progress in regard to the relocation of 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. The following business units/Offices of my Department have been selected as part of the Decentralisation Programme and will be relocated in the new decentralised office: Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies National...