Results 47,461-47,480 of 51,015 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (15 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Applications for Work Permits are issued in accordance with the Employment Permits Act 2006 and are processed in order of receipt. I have no role or responsibility in relation to matters of naturalisation or citizenship. These are matters for my colleague the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (15 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 to 126, inclusive, together. IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: While this is an operational matter for Enterprise Ireland, I understand that the primary benefit of locating Dublin based staff in a single location will be to significantly increase the level of collaboration within the agency which will facilitate the delivery of a more effective service to client companies. Occupying four separate premises in Dublin is sub-optimal for the agency....

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I indicated on Second Stage that I would introduce this amendment on Committee Stage. This new section, which is based on section 87 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, relates to the powers of the National Consumer Agency regarding product safety. Power to enforce product safety regulations is already vested in the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and will...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is often when the consumer item is on the shelf or perhaps another country may have had experience of a certain product and the consumer agency may be alerted to the unsafe nature of a particular product. Other jurisdictions might alert our agency. There will be some degree of international co-operation between agencies. It is often the case, particularly at Christmas, that a particular...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: This amendment relates to the powers of the National Consumer Agency with regard to product safety. The intention of this new section is to allow for the purposes of any proceedings under any of the statutory instruments specified in Schedule 6 the admissibility in evidence of the results of tests carried out by any laboratory recognised by any designated authority. The designated...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Director of Consumer Affairs exercises no functions under the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2003. There is no need, consequently, for this Act to feature in the list of enactments in Part 1 of the Schedule for which the national consumer agency will assume responsibility for functions now exercised by the director. The Director of Consumer Affairs...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The purpose of this technical amendment is to correct the title of the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995 which was incorrectly recorded in Schedule 3.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Seanad Éireann for their co-operation and for the expeditious passage of the Bill. I assure Senators Coghlan, Leyden and Cox that the Department will advise the other House that amendments will be tabled as a consequence of amendments proposed in this House. The manner in which the Seanad has organised its business leaves time to have suitable amendments...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Yes, but the preamble of the amendment speaks of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2003. In any event, the effect of the amendment would appear to empower the Director of Consumer Affairs to conduct price surveys for the various reasons stated in the amendment. I would advise Senator Coghlan that the Office of Director of Consumer Affairs will cease to exist...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: This indicates a problem relating to public commentary on surveys generally because different countries have different taxes. The State would reply that analyses of the cost competitiveness of the Irish economy rarely mention the fact that corporation tax is 12.5%, far lower than every other corporation tax in Europe. The most recent discussions on the grocery trade, where appalling,...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: This is an interesting amendment. With the exception of the Pyramid Selling Act 1980, the criminal enforcement provisions of consumer legislation are based on a model of strict liability offences, that is, offences in respect of which there is no requirement to show intention or negligence on the part of the accused person, balanced by a due diligence defence. Again, with the exception of...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Article 11.2 of the unfair commercial practices directive gives member states discretion to empower courts that have ordered the cessation of a commercial practice by a final decision to require, in addition, the publication of a corrective statement by the trader concerned. A provision along these lines was included in the general scheme of the Bill published in August 2006. Although the...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: We are talking about the small claims court. The limit for small claims is €2,000 and not €1,269.74, as referred to in the amendment. The regulations increasing the limit to this level, the District Court (Small Claims) (Amendment) Rules 2006, came into effect early in 2006 under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Senator's amendment, which proposes to...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I accept that.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The District Court limit is €6,000 and a limit somewhere between €2,000 and €6,000 probably would be suitable.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I will write to it.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I accept the spirit of the Senator's point.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: A limit of €10,000 would be too high.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Committee Stage (14 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I know what the Senator intends and have no difficulty with the principle of what he is advocating. I will articulate it to the powers that be.