Results 47,841-47,860 of 51,015 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 138 and 150 together. I announced on 24th October 2006 that the Government had decided to continue to require that nationals of Romania and Bulgaria apply for work permits in order to participate in the Irish labour market, on these countries' accession to the EU on 1st January 2007, but that preference would be given to them over nationals of...

Written Answers — Corporate Enforcement: Corporate Enforcement (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The latest position regarding this matter is that my Department is examining the issues involved in conjunction with the Department of Finance.

Written Answers — EU Legislation: EU Legislation (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: In relation to European legislation already transposed, my Department has received one reasoned opinion from the European Commission with regard to incorrect transposition of Directive 92/100/EC (Rental and Lending rights in the field of Intellectual Property). In that regard, the Commission made application to the European Court of Justice on 15th April 2005 against Ireland under Article...

Written Answers — Price Display Order: Price Display Order (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Director of Consumer Affairs is responsible for initiating prosecutions for breaches of price display orders. I have no function in this matter, however I have asked the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Manufacturing Group: Manufacturing Group (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: My Department has initiated discussions on the terms of reference and composition of the High Level Group. The membership of the Group will be determined following consultation with the relevant Social Partnership representatives. I expect the Group to be established before Christmas.

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: As the Agenda for the Council has not yet been agreed by COREPER, I am not in a position to give details of the content of the Agenda. However, it is expected that the Competitiveness Council meeting scheduled for Council of 4th and 5th December 2006 will deal with policy areas such as competitiveness, innovation and better regulation. In addition, it is likely that the Council is expected to...

Written Answers — Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy: Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy outlines (Paragraph 7.6.2) the four priority areas identified for collaborative research and consequential knowledge transfer between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States: Nanotechnology; Sensors; Cystic Fibrosis; Diabetes. Respiratory Disorders have been suggested as an additional area for collaborative research. Knowledge transfer...

Written Answers — Employee Education: Employee Education (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The information contained in this OECD report is based on 2003 data. The situation has changed significantly since then. However, I agree that the training of those in employment is crucial to competitiveness. The fact that the majority of the 2020 workforce are already working reinforces the need to upskill and progressively develop the competencies of those in employment. A recent report...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The issue raised by the Deputy is a complex and cross-cutting one and accordingly, in the first instance, requires detailed examination by a number of Government Departments, and in particular by reference to Ireland's obligations under EU Treaties as regards the granting of priority access to our labour market by EU nationals.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: On the 13th September 2006 Enterprise Ireland (EI) signed the lease for a single site Dublin office in the East Point Business Park. The agency plans to have completed the move to the new office by the end of December 2007. Currently, Enterprise Ireland occupies four office locations in Dublin, primarily as a result of the amalgamation of various state agencies over a number of years into a...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The food processing sector is Ireland's single largest indigenous industry. It plays a critical role in the continued growth and success of the Irish economy, contributing an annual output in excess of €18 billion, and direct employment of 54,000. Job losses have been experienced in the food sector in recent times due to a variety of circumstances, including the availability of lower cost...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The administration and evaluation of Enterprise Ireland's productivity improvement fund is a day to day matter for the agency itself, and not one in which I am directly involved. The productivity improvement fund (PIF) was launched in May 2005. The initiative is primarily aimed at encouraging client companies, of both Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development, to undertake investments in...

Written Answers — Fair Trade Products: Fair Trade Products (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: My Department's offices are spread over 8 separate buildings, none of which have cafeterias or restaurants. My Department has only a medium sized canteen in Davitt House and a very small canteen in Kildare Street. As already indicated in replies to recent questions on this matter, the tea, coffee, sugar and other products served in those two canteens are not confined to Fair Trade products....

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The data supplied by the Work Permits Section of my Department shows that the number of permits being issued has reduced, in particular due to EU Enlargement in May 2004. This is in line with the obligation contained in the Accession Treaty to give preference to nationals from the EEA when filling job vacancies, including both new and renewal permits. The total number of work permits issued...

Written Answers — Live Register: Live Register (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The report 'Measuring the Global Gender Gap' is the first attempt by the World Economic Forum to assess the size of the gender gap by measuring equality under five critical areas. I understand that the sources used to carry out this assessment are based on data that is at least two years old. The overall ranking given to Ireland is 16th place out of 58 countries. While economic...

Written Answers — Regulation of Small Businesses: Regulation of Small Businesses (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Business Regulation Forum was established by me in November 2005 and has met ten times to date. Its Terms of Reference are to advise the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on any changes necessary to ensure that existing or proposed regulations, impacting on business, meet the criteria set out in the White Paper "Regulating Better". The Forum has initiated a number of...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Personal Injuries Assessment Board has received thirty six thousand cases since it was established. I understand from the PIAB that six thousand of these were settled up-front from the outset, nine thousand cases were settled between the parties during the PIAB process, over five thousand assessments have been made, and an estimated four thousand cases are heading into litigation,...

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The retail sector forms a key part of the Irish economy both in terms of the people it employs directly and the jobs it provides in the associated manufacturing, supply and distribution sectors. The retail sector is very important to the Irish consumer and, indeed, the consumer is vital to the retail sector. This Government sees competition as the life-blood of a vibrant economy and we are...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The issue of job creation is a day-to-day operational matter for the industrial development agencies and relevant County Enterprise Boards, and not one in which I have a direct role. IDA Ireland informs me that it continues to market South County Dublin, including Tallaght and its environs, as a potential location for new foreign direct investment (FDI), in order to secure new investment and...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The tabular statement shows the number of new full time jobs created in enterprise agency assisted companies by broad economic sector over the period 1999 to 2005, as well as the number of job losses (full time) over the same period. In addition the statement also shows the most recent CSO data showing total numbers in employment at Quarter 2 of each year by sector. Comparable data for the...