Results 47,681-47,700 of 51,015 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Decentralisation Programme. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: The decentralisation eventually took place, there was no loss of institutional memory or expertise and people grew and developed. We can sometimes overstate that problem. In the context of FÁS and the referral to the Labour Court, we have clarified the industrial relations context in which people will move.

Decentralisation Programme. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: We are working with the agencies to facilitate voluntary moves to the various regions.

Job Creation. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 149 together. Since Hospira made its announcement in respect of its Donegal plant, IDA Ireland had been working closely with the company to secure a replacement for the facility. In March 2006, Abbott, one of the world's largest health care companies, announced that it was acquiring the facility from Hospira and that it planned to make a €36 million...

Job Creation. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: A significant investment package was announced for the North in the national development plan, which will be of direct benefit to Donegal. I am not sure 14% is an accurate figure for unemployment in the county.

Job Creation. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: There have been job losses in traditional industries in Donegal, such as textiles, creating considerable difficulties for those affected. However, the number of people on the live register has been reduced from 9,900 in 2002 to 8,774 in December 2006, although we would like there to be a more rapid decline. Significant companies supported by the IDA such as PacifiCare, Pramerica Systems,...

Job Creation. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128, 141, 159 and 196 together. In December 2005, agreement was reached between SIPTU, the Seamen's Union of Ireland and Irish Ferries on the number of redundancies to be effected, voluntary severance packages to those workers taking redundancy, the terms and conditions of those workers opting to remain with Irish Ferries, the terms and conditions of agency...

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: We do not have discretion and must follow the law. We received legal advice in this regard. We have published the heads of new legislation to address such situations and will publish the Bill, which will deal with collective redundancies, to prevent a repeat of the Irish Ferries case on land shortly. It was a major part of the social partnership talks. On taxation status, if they were not...

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: No. I am responding to a question asked of me and putting the information on the record. I am not entirely happy with the conditions that pertain in the maritime world because they are a cause for considerable concern. Given our labour laws and conditions, what pertains in the maritime world seems to be a retreat from what we would accept in developed economies.

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: No. The matter must be resolved internationally because it leads to competitive pressures if people——

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: I recall that when the Cork-Swansea ferry service was set up ten or 15 years ago with council involvement, the rates earned by crews were not similar to those of traditional B&I crews. It has been a trend in the international maritime sector that we do not want applied to Irish domestic conditions. In the context of the proposed domestic legislation that has emanated from our discussion...

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: ——undermining of basic pay standards and conditions. Everyone in the House would aspire to such.

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: If the Deputy can recollect, we managed to involve the Labour Relations Commission contrary to the initial wishes of some of the parties, particularly the employers. The commission played a significant role in trying to resolve the issues at the time. A variety of sources pressured the commission and some pressed for a resolution. The scale of the redundancy payment created its own momentum...

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is our intention that the legislation will be passed before the election; we will publish the Bill shortly. It is not normal procedure, however, to publish the advice of the Attorney General. We were conscious of this and that is why we want to introduce the legislation. We have consulted social partners on it and we will now move ahead. We want to close off any other potential...

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Martin Brady asked whether, if it was not declared to be redundancy in conformity with the Act, people would be liable to taxation, and I understand that they would be. I can get the details for the Deputy but that is the implication for the workers. If a decision was taken that the payment was not in accordance with the Redundancy Payment Acts, that would be the position. It is...

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: That is not what I said.

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Morgan asked if, at the time of the controversy, when Irish Ferries announced its decision, obstacles could have been put in the way then. In response I said that at the time, when the Labour Relations Commission was overseeing the negotiations between the two trade unions and the employer, there were different pressures on the participating parties. It would be wrong to take from...

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is wrong. We should not read this and spin it out the wrong way.

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Martin Brady asked a question seeking clarity on the tax status of a lump sum paid to workers which would not be in conformity with the Acts and I gave him a simple, straight answer to that.

Job Losses. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Nothing can be deduced from that in the context of the motivation or rationale behind the decision that was taken. As I said, it is not a matter for personal preference. We must look at the law as it is, take the advice we are given and make a decision.