Results 47,461-47,480 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 to 380, inclusive, together. Economies throughout the developed world experience flows of capital as firms make adjustments to their operations and decide where to locate different aspects of their value chain. In this context and with the extending influence of globalisation, every major economy of the European Union has seen plants and jobs relocate to...

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The high level group on manufacturing has been established. The terms of reference for the group, as set out in section 7 of part 1 of Towards 2016, are to review the challenges facing the manufacturing sector and having regard to initiatives currently under way, identify any further measures that would help to meet those challenges. The group, membership of which is in accordance with the...

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: While I will deal with this question later, there has been and continues to be export growth in Ireland.

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: In the past three years alone, Ireland's merchandise exports have recorded year on year increases of approximately 3% per annum. This was achieved despite adverse conditions in many markets, including currency rate changes. It follows a long-standing trend of many years that was disrupted in the aftermath of the attacks on 11 September, as well as the bubble difficulties associated with the...

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Ireland continues to have a very healthy trade surplus, which stood at €29 billion on merchandise trade. On the issue to which people are adverting, it is always important to retain a sense of perspective about debate. The Deputy has had a tendency in the past four or five years to predict continually——

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: ——doom and gloom. I can quote all his comments to the effect that——

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: ——unemployment would rise dramatically and employment would collapse. While I have all such quotations to hand, I will not repeat them as the Deputy is aware of them.

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Thankfully, the Deputy's predictions have not been borne out.

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: As a percentage of world share exports have fallen from 1.5% to 1.4%. However, there also have been changes in terms of the volume of world share. Obviously, growth in the past decade has been extremely rapid and the National Competitiveness Council compares Ireland with a number of benchmarked countries. This is important when preparing for the future and in ensuring that we provide the...

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Mr. Hogan is correct to state the employees should be the first to be told by the company. The company indicated it will make an announcement to the workers tomorrow morning. We have been aware of the situation. A study on the optimal solution for Procter and Gamble as a company with regard to its future production of cosmetics in the Nenagh region has been ongoing for approximately nine...

Manufacturing Forum. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The early warning system is in operation. We continue to receive alerts. In some instances they come through and in others they are averted. The IDA has an ongoing programme of interacting with its client companies, particularly where it identifies areas that might be at risk, to see whether it can bring added and increased activities from other areas of a company's operations to Ireland....

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Acts I am specifically precluded from giving directives to the industrial development agencies regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over another. IDA Ireland's strategy for achieving a better regional distribution of overseas mobile investment is to work in partnership with other stakeholders to present companies with...

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked if I was for real but the Deputy should get somewhat real as well.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt, Deputy.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The idea that the creation of thousands of jobs 20 minutes from a town does not provide employment opportunities for people in the town is not realistic or valid. In terms of attracting inward investment to the regions, we must move towards gateways and hubs. Identifying Clonmel and ensuring it becomes a very attractive location for inward investment is a good idea that would provide...

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: We know the difficulties of commuting in those contexts. Our priority is to regionalise employment. In its discussions with companies, the IDA endeavours to get them to regional and rural locations. The idea of identifying a place like Clonmel as the magnet to bring significant industry into that particular area is good. It offers the best chance to people who are unemployed in Carrick-on-Suir.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: All the key personnel are working for the town, including the respective agencies and the county manager.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: The numbers on the live register have decreased by 4.7%.

Unemployment Levels. (6 Mar 2007)

Micheál Martin: In addition, it is important to point out the most recent quarterly national household survey, covering September to November 2006, showed that unemployment in the south-east region decreased by nearly 10% in the previous 12-month period.