Results 48,281-48,300 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Government launched its Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-13 on Sunday morning last and copies of the Strategy have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The timeline of the Strategy is an eight-year one, to 2013 and resources of €192 million up to and including 2008 have been provided to enable work on delivering the Strategy to commence with immediate...

Written Answers — Regulatory Authorities: Regulatory Authorities (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: As none of the existing sectoral regulators come within my remit as Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, this is not a matter for which I have any direct responsibility. Having said that, I have no plans to establish a single national regulator. I am concerned to ensure that our national system of regulation encourages and promotes competition within the economy and that individual...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 84, 90, 118 and 121 together. The General Scheme of the new Company Law Consolidation and Reform Bill is being drafted making use of an advisory body, the Company Law Review Group (CLRG), which is representative of business, regulators, professional bodies and social partners. The General Scheme has been drafted on the basis of a standing consultation...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The figures requested by the Deputy are outlined in the table. By definition the figures for work permit renewals refer to employees who had previously been the subject of successful work permit applications. The Work Permits section has informed me that it does not collate statistics on how many of the work permits issued were in respect of previously unsuccessful applications. Year...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: An application for a statutory redundancy rebate payment from Irish Ferries under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2003 was received by my Department on 17th February, 2006. The matter has been referred for advice on the legal issues arising. A decision will be made on the application as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I met with Minister Eagle on 1 June at InterTradeIreland's offices in Newry. This was my first opportunity to meet with Minister Eagle since her recent appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement gave a new impetus to North/South economic co-operation and led to the establishment of the North/South Implementation Bodies....

Written Answers — Small Business Sector: Small Business Sector (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 109 together. In launching the report of the Small Business Forum last month I indicated that the Forum had presented me with a comprehensive set of proposals which were designed to enable the small business sector to achieve its full potential and to enhance the significant contribution which the sector already makes to the economic well-being of this...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Price display law is covered by Orders made under Section 19 of the Prices Acts 1958 to 1972 and under the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2002, Statutory Instrument No. 639 of 2002. The various Price Display Orders made under the Prices Acts 1958 to 1972 cover Drinks Display in Licensed Premises, Hairdressing Services, Petrol and Diesel and...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The proposal referred to in this Question is an operational matter for Shannon Development and not one in which I have any direct involvement. Shannon Development has entered into an option-to-purchase agreement with Shannon LNG, in relation to 281 acres of the 600-acre Shannon Development owned land bank between Tarbert and Ballylongford, County Kerry. The site, which has been designated by...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 86 and 119 together. The Government places top priority on our economy's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Our commitment to taking forward and quickly progressing implementation of both the Enterprise Strategy Group and Small Business Forum recommendations is evidence of our own resolve to ensure that we can continue to compete effectively in...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The details sought in respect of those bodies under the aegis of my Department which have a regulatory function are as follows: The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) is the national body with responsibility for accreditation in accordance with the relevant International Organisation for Standardisation ISO 17000 series of standards and guides and the harmonised EN 45000 series of...

Written Answers — Employment Vacancies: Employment Vacancies (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The ESRI carry out a monthly employment and vacancies survey for FÁS. This survey provides very useful up-to-date information on how the labour market is performing. The May survey did show a decline in the number of firms reporting vacancies from 22% to 16%. However, this does not indicate a decline in vacancy activity in the labour market. The previous months figure of 22% was unusually...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Department advised the company by letter dated April 4th 2006 that the material which had recently been supplied by them did not enable the establishment of the factual position in relation to payment of outstanding monies to workers. The company was asked again to supply the missing information. Papers purporting to show that the company has discharged the financial obligations to...

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The recently published Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report SME Management Development in Ireland concluded that while there was no evidence that Irish SME managers were less skilled or competent than those in other countries, enhanced capabilities are required to meet future business challenges. It therefore recommended that both the incidence and effectiveness of management...

Written Answers — Competition Authority: Competition Authority (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Competition Authority is an independent statutory agency responsible for the enforcement of competition law across all sectors of the Irish economy. Its mandate and functions are contained in the Competition Act, 2002, as amended. Section 42 of the Competition Act, 2002 provides that the Authority shall publish an annual report of its activities within two months of the end of each...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, FÁS is due to transfer its head office including 383 staff to Birr, County Offaly with a target date of 2009. The recent industrial action by SIPTU members in relation to the Birr relocation has ended on the basis that all the issues involved will be the subject of discussion under the aegis of the Labour Relations Commission. Under the LRC...

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is not unique in terms of recent employment losses in manufacturing. Employment in manufacturing is falling globally and this trend is not limited to developed countries. ILO and UNIDO employment estimates for key non-OECD countries such as Brazil, China and Russia show that manufacturing employment has also declined in these countries. A recent study cites a net job loss of more than...

Written Answers — Enterprise Strategy Group: Enterprise Strategy Group (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Implementation of the Enterprise Strategy Group Report is ongoing. The implementation process is overseen by the Enterprise Advisory Group (EAG), consisting of representatives of the business community under the chairmanship of Michael Buckley with the participation of Secretaries General from relevant Government Departments. The EAG is currently finalising its first progress report which...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 102 together. I have provided funding of more than €30m to the County and City Enterprise Boards this year. This represents an increase of nearly 8% on the allocation provided in 2005. In addition to the Exchequer funding provided, the CEBs have an increasing flow of funds available to them from repayments of refundable grants provided in earlier...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The basic criteria under which the County Enterprise Boards have been operating since their inception in 1993, and under which funding is available, is based primarily on factors such as the sector of the economy in which an enterprise is operating or intends to operate and the size or proposed size of the enterprise. CEBs can assist, through either financial or non-financial means, in the...