Results 47,781-47,800 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Foreign Direct Investment. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: It has. I will refer the Deputy to the study which has been published. The reason is clear. As we move towards a more efficient manufacturing environment and apply technologies more effectively we will experience a loss in numbers in employment but will have a more efficient and competitive enterprise that is sustainable in the long term. We should welcome that development. Approximately...

Redundancy Payments. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: The payment of statutory redundancy to employees is a matter, in the first instance, for the employer. My Department is responsible for ensuring that statutory redundancy is paid to all employees who find themselves in a redundancy situation and who, by reference to age, insurability and length of service are deemed eligible for such payment. Ex gratia payments, that is, payments over and...

Redundancy Payments. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: That is the Deputy's analysis of what happened.

Redundancy Payments. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: I heard the Deputy's questions.

Redundancy Payments. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: I also have personal views on the matter. I was particularly unhappy with what transpired. However, I cannot allow my personal preferences or instincts to impact on the legal entitlement as per the existing legislative framework. We must, therefore, rely on the law as it stands. We have taken steps in our discussions with the social partners to remedy what could be considered deficiencies...

Redundancy Payments. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Irrespective of the language the Deputy uses, the redundancies were negotiated by representatives of the workers.

Redundancy Payments. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: There can be many different perspectives on this issue.

Redundancy Payments. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: I have been through it at all ends. The redundancy package was negotiated. I understand the Taoiseach replied today to the Deputy's party leader's correspondence on the matter. There is a long-standing precedent on the publication of the legal advice of Attorneys General, of which the Deputy is aware having been a Minister. We have been in discussions with the social partners. The heads...

Economic Competitiveness. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: The continued availability of a well-educated, highly skilled and flexible workforce will be critical to ensuring the continued competitiveness of the economy and to enhancing social inclusion. Our labour market situation is favourable with forecasted 2006 employment growth of 4.4% and an unemployment rate of 4.4%. Total employment now exceeds 2 million for the first time in the history of...

Economic Competitiveness. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Such action is already being taken. We have a broad idea of the sectors that are in difficulty. A recent Forfás report pointed out the decline in certain traditional areas of manufacturing, including textiles, leather and electrical machinery. On the other hand, however, we have made gains in engineering, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Those areas in which jobs are being lost are...

Economic Competitiveness. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Morgan might list some of the job gains in the Dundalk-Drogheda area in the past six to nine months. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, is busy doing so. Deputy Morgan might make a similar acknowledgement. For the information of the House, I wish to clarify a statement I made earlier. The Taoiseach's letter to Deputy Rabbitte has not yet issued.

Economic Competitiveness. (31 Jan 2007)

Micheál Martin: I emphasise the important priority I attach to business costs and the broader issue of competitiveness. There has been an increase in business costs in areas where statutory and independent regulators have to respond to international price movements, for example, in energy markets. These have undoubtedly contributed to increased business costs, but these increases are also a burden on all...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (14 Dec 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 to 261, inclusive, together. I would advise the Deputy that I do not have any function or responsibility in relation to regulating the activities of mobile phone service providers. Furthermore, I have no function or responsibility in respect of the charges imposed by such service providers. Nor have I any function or responsibility in regard to the...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (14 Dec 2006)

Micheál Martin: State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through the industrial development agencies. IDA Ireland has statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to the Mid-West, except for the Shannon Free Zone, which falls within the remit of Shannon Development. While IDA Ireland is actively marketing all areas within their remit, including the Mid-West,...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (14 Dec 2006)

Micheál Martin: Shannon Development is responsible for promoting foreign direct investment in the Shannon Free Zone. In 2006, Shannon Development hosted 11 first time itineraries to the Shannon Free Zone on behalf of companies. 20 new enquiries have been handled by Shannon Development in the course of the year to date. These inquiries are at various stages of progression. By year end, investment proposals...

Written Answers — Legal Metrology Service: Legal Metrology Service (14 Dec 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together. The Deputy will be aware of the background to this matter from previous replies. Weighing equipment used for trade is subject to control by the Legal Metrology Service in accordance with the Metrology Acts 1980 to 1998. The regime of control includes approval of new designs of weighing equipment, verification of instruments of an approved...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (14 Dec 2006)

Micheál Martin: The full services of the Industrial Training agency FÁS, will be made available to the workers in question if they wish to avail of the agency's services. In recent years, a number of world-class manufacturing companies such as Intel, Wyeth Medica and Hewlett Packard have been attracted to Co. Kildare. As regards Naas itself, in May of this year, I announced a major investment of €28m by...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (14 Dec 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Work Permits Section of my Department informs me that it still has no record of a work permit application in this case as previously indicated in Parliamentary Question No. 185 of 29 November 2006.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2006)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and FÁS, through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) provide support to micro-enterprises with 10 employees or fewer....

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (13 Dec 2006)

Micheál Martin: I am aware that the Kerry Enterprise Action Team is a sub-committee of the Kerry County Development Board. The County Development Boards come under the aegis of the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I understand that the document in question is a synthesis of key economic/enterprise statistics for Co. Kerry, including performance by the Industrial Development agencies,...