Results 48,081-48,100 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Migrant Workers: Migrant Workers (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 76 and 84 together. The EU Commission's report of 26 September 2006 stated that Bulgaria and Romania will be in a position to join the EU on 1st January 2007, provided that these countries address a number of outstanding issues. The Council of EU Foreign Ministers will decide at their meeting on 16 October whether accession should go ahead on 1st January...

Written Answers — Science and Technology Strategy: Science and Technology Strategy (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Government's Strategy for STI 2006-13 was launched by the Taoiseach and myself on 18 June this year, together with my Ministerial colleagues from the Departments of Finance, Health, Education and Agriculture, indicative of the whole of government approach to STI issues which underpins this Strategy. The Strategy is a product of the work of the eight-member Interdepartmental Committee on...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: In relation to the 172 jobs in question, I would like the parties concerned to renew their negotiations in order to reach an agreement which would prevent the loss of the jobs. I have spoken on a ongoing basis to both sides in an effort to facilitate a resolution of the issue. The Industrial Development agencies are continuing to promote Cork for employment opportunities. The strategy of...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: The recent rise in prices for manufacturing industry imported inputs is partly caused by increasing oil prices. The increasing price of oil, of course, must be paid for by manufacturers the world over, so this does not place Ireland at a particular competitiveness disadvantage. The issue of cost competitiveness and the health of manufacturing depends on a much wider array of issues, from the...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Director of Consumer Affairs is a statutory office holder and under Section 9(5) of the Consumer Information Act 1978 is independent in the exercise of her duties. The work programme of the Director's Office is a day to day matter for the Director herself and I have no direct function in this regard. The Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs continues to carry out an important role...

Written Answers — Fair Trade Products: Fair Trade Products (11 Oct 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. The tea, coffee, sugar and other products served in those two canteens are not confined to Fair Trade products. However, I can confirm that both canteens have introduced Fair...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: I attended the EU Competitiveness Council meeting which took place on 25th September 2006. The Council held a formal debate on four key issues, namely: Innovation policy and competitiveness, nominal quantities for pre-packed products, Consumer Policy Action Programme 2007-2013 and development of the single market policy. In relation to each of the items discussed, the following decisions and...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: This question relates to the day-to-day work of the Competition Authority. The Authority is an independent statutory agency responsible for the enforcement of competition law in the State. Its mandate and functions are set out in the Competition Act 2002 as amended and, accordingly, I have no direct functional responsibility in the matter. Section 42 of the 2002 Act provides that the...

Written Answers — Inflation Rate: Inflation Rate (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: The 2.7 per cent Consumer Price Index inflation forecast for 2006 was calculated on Budget day by the Department of Finance using the technical assumption of unchanged interest rates. Since that time the European Central Bank has raised interest rates four times by a quarter point on each occasion. Interest rate increases have a major impact on CPI inflation but are outside of the control of...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 65 together. There are four Directives due for transposition before 31 December 2006 by my Department as follows: 1. Council Directive 2001/86/EC supplementing the Statute for a European Company with regard to the involvement of employees Transposition Deadline: 8 October 2004 2. Directive 2004/22 EC. . . of 31 March 2004 on measuring instruments...

Written Answers — Migrant Workers: Migrant Workers (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: May I refer the Deputy to the recently published Report on "Managing Migration in Ireland: A Social and Economic Analysis" commissioned by the National Economic and Social Council and undertaken by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). IOM concluded that overall it is generally agreed that immigration in Ireland in recent years has increased economic growth, improved output...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 72 and 79 together. IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland. Under the Industrial Development Acts I am precluded from giving directives to the Agency regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others. Last year 32% of Greenfield FDI projects...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: I was disappointed to hear that a Liquidator had been appointed to the company in question. The relevant State agencies will provide every support they can and the role of the Industrial Training agency FAS will be particularly important in assisting those who lose their jobs. That agency has arranged a meeting with the company for today, 11 October 2006 and the full range of FAS services...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that I received a request for a meeting with representatives of the European Parliament's Temporary Committee of Enquiry into the Crisis of the Equitable Life Assurance Company for their visit here of 6th October 2006. A response to this request issued through the Irish Permanent Representative to the European Union on the 19th September 2006. The response conveyed my regrets...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: The price of energy affects the cost structure of all sectors of the economy, both domestic consumers and businesses alike. Global energy markets have seen sustained increases in price levels for the past two years. No consumer, whether industrial, commercial or personal is immune from the impact of higher oil, gas and electricity prices as a result of price changes on international...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: State support for enterprise and job creation is channelled through IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the County Development Boards. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies under the Industrial Development Acts, I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others. IDA Ireland have assured me they are...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been making good progress in the relocation of the required 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. The number of posts in Business Units decentralising to Carlow, as at 10th October, is 280. Having regard to the agreed staffing transfer protocols governing decentralisation, my Department has approached all General Service staff who...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: Four of the Agencies under the aegis of my Department are due to decentralise as follows: FÁS is to move 383 posts to Birr, Co. Offaly; Enterprise Ireland is to move 292 posts to Shannon; The Health and Safety Authority is to move 110 posts to Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, and The National Standards Authority of Ireland is to move 132 posts to Arklow, Co. Wicklow. My Department continues to...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: The World Bank research entitled, 'Doing Business, Benchmarking Business Regulations' is one of several benchmarking reports by international organisations. The WEF, IMD, and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor also benchmark our performance in many of these areas. These are useful tools for identifying broad trends nationally and internationally. I note the World Bank ranks Ireland...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (11 Oct 2006)

Micheál Martin: Over the past four years, the labour force has grown by 267,400 and employment by 253,100. The latest ESRI quarterly economic commentary has forecast that employment is to grow by a further 71,000 in 2007. It is of interest to note that the worst-case scenario by the ESRI of 90,000 Irish job losses over the next 4 years is a similar figure to the 87,800 jobs our economy has created just in...