Results 47,521-47,540 of 51,015 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (13 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I assume that the Deputy is referring to EU Structural Funds allocated to Ireland over the period 2000-2006. My Department was allocated funding under two of four funds which make up the Structural Funds — the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): Three measures within the Productive Sector Operational...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (13 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I presume that the Deputy's question is intended to refer to the proposal of the company concerned to impose an additional charge on customers who pay their bills by means other than direct debit. I would have to advise the Deputy that this practice would not be in breach of consumer law. I do, however, share the concerns expressed in a number of quarters that the introduction of this charge...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (13 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together. The National Development Plan (2007-2013) is a strategic document setting out a broad investment framework and investment priorities, together with indicative financial allocations, for the next seven years. It does not contain a list of all projects to be undertaken in 2007 over the period of the Plan, although certain Chapters,...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (8 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that they have no record of a valid work permit application in this case.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (8 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The management of Shannon Development's land bank between Tarbert and Ballylongford is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and is not a matter in which I have any function. I understand that Shannon Development has entered into an 'option to purchase' agreement with a private company for the development of a liquefied natural gas, LNG, receiving terminal on 281 acres of the land...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (8 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the location of business parks in the Shannon Region is an operational matter for Shannon Development and not one in which I have any function. Shannon Development has informed me they do not have any current plans to provide a Business Park in Tarbert. However, Shannon Development has identified Tarbert as the County Kerry location for its E-Towns Live/Work programme. In...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (7 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Member States are obliged to transpose the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive into national law by 12 June 2007 and to have the provisions of the Directive in force by 12 December 2007. The Consumer Protection Bill, which was introduced in the Seanad yesterday, contains, amongst other things, specific provisions to transpose the Directive into Irish law. I am confident that Ireland will...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (7 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2000-2006 is comprised of both NDP funded and ESF co-funded projects/measures targeted at a regional level, not at county level. Monitoring and reporting of activity both physical and financial is done at regional level, that is, at Border, Midlands and Western and Southern and Eastern Regional levels. Therefore, little...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I hope to have it passed by Easter.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is down by 1.6%.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The retail outlets have opened filling stations.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: They did.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Senator is wrong.

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Bill provides for the establishment on a statutory basis of the national consumer agency, the transposition into national law of the unfair commercial practices directive and the rationalisation and updating of the existing body of consumer legislation. It also updates and significantly strengthens the law on pyramid selling. The Government has identified the development of national...

Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: All proper procedures were adhered to in this case and all necessary action was taken. The person concerned was employed on a short term contract as a Temporary Service Attendant. His contract was due to expire on 12th May 2006. His contract was extended until 28th July 2006 to allow for a number of appeals he made in writing and orally. The Secretary General of the Department, having...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: I have seen the letter referred to in the Deputy's question. The letter focuses on a recent confirmation that members of the Richardsons Fertilisers Staff Retirement Benefits Plan have been deemed eligible for support under the UK Government's Financial Assistance Scheme for insolvent pension schemes. Accordingly, it appears that members now have the prospect of receiving up to 80% of their...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: In 2006 there were twelve IDA led visits by potential investors to the North West. Seven of these investors visited County Donegal and three visited Buncrana. IDA Ireland is actively marketing the North West, including County Donegal and the Innisowen Peninsula, for additional investment and jobs through it network of overseas offices. Target sectors that the Agency is pursuing for the...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the development of property solutions for enterprise promotion in the Mid West Region lies with Shannon Development. Responsibility for grant assistance to companies locating in the Region is an operational matter for the relevant development agencies. IDA Ireland is the national agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (6 Feb 2007)

Micheál Martin: Set out below is a list of the air travel undertaken by me, using commercial airlines, in the calendar year 2006. In each case, the departure date and itinerary are supplied. My Department does not keep a record of distances flown. The Deputy should note that all of the travel undertaken was done so as part of my Ministerial functions, in particular in the promotion of Irish economic and...