Results 49,301-49,320 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (25 Jan 2006)

Micheál Martin: The interdepartmental group on Donegal, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, has met on three occasions. The terms of reference of the group are to: identify the various local issues representing barriers to the establishment and operation of enterprises; take stock of relevant projects and actions already under way or planned; and identify measures that could be taken by the...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (25 Jan 2006)

Micheál Martin: The determination of any payments due to creditors of IFI is a matter solely for the liquidator. The position of unsecured creditors can only be determined by the liquidator when all the assets of the company have been realised and all liabilities established. In this regard, I understand the liquidator has made considerable progress in realising the assets of the company and establishing the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (25 Jan 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 773 and 774 together. Executives of IDA Ireland met parent company representatives on 12 January 2006 to discuss the restructuring which is taking place within the company in question. The meeting confirmed the company's commitment to its operations in Arklow and Cherrywood, County Dublin, and to developing sales in the European market. I understand Arklow...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (25 Jan 2006)

Micheál Martin: A range of financial supports and non-financial supports are provided to clients annually by the enterprise development agencies in support of various objectives such as improving competitiveness, improving client export capability, improving research and development and innovation, and improving employee skill levels, all of which combined result in stronger and healthier companies capable...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (25 Jan 2006)

Micheál Martin: The following bodies under the remit of my Department are subject to the full remit of the freedom of information legislation: the Competition Authority, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Companies Registration Office, the Office of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, the Patents Office, Forfás, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Nítrigin Éireann Teoranta, in liquidation,...

EU Services Directive: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern.

EU Services Directive: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Micheál Martin: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Eireann" and substitute the following: "notes: —the importance of services as a component of GDP and employment in the European Union; —that Ireland is now the 14th largest per capita exporter of services in the world, that our total share of world services has increased markedly from 0.38% in 1993 to 2.2% in 2004; and that both our...

EU Services Directive: Motion. (25 Jan 2006)

Micheál Martin: It notes the importance of services.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (15 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Kildare centres for the unemployed in Leixlip, Athy and Newbridge are currently funded by FÁS through the community employment programme. The community employment project based in the Leixlip resource centre for the unemployed recommenced on 3 October 2005 for a further 12 month period and has been approved to employ 15 participants and one supervisor. The community employment project...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section of my Department issued one work permit to employ a non-EEA national for one company within the horticultural sector in County Leitrim in the 12 months up to 30 November 2005. The wages and employment conditions of workers employed in the horticulture sector are generally governed by the agriculture employment regulation order, which is enforced by the labour...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The National Competitiveness Council was established in 1997 in the framework of the national partnership process. Its reports are an important contribution to the development of policies that help sustain economic competitiveness, growth and employment. The council's essential administrative and research supports are provided by Forfás through its annual Vote from my Department. Given the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The bodies and agencies which my Department both funds and staffs are: the Companies Registration Office; the Registry of Friendly Societies; the Labour Court; the Labour Relations Commission; the Employment Appeals Tribunal; the Patents Office; the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs; and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. In addition, the following are the...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: My Department and the development agencies under its remit, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Shannon Development and the city and county enterprise boards, are committed to the economic and industrial development of the Shannon region, including County Clare, in line with national enterprise policy goals, and the achievement of balanced regional development, within the framework of the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the comments attributed to this person, which were circulated in the media. The policies of this Government are tightly focused on maintaining and strengthening the good health of our economy. The enterprise strategy group's analysis of national enterprise policy recognized that we are broadly implementing the right mix of initiatives and policies to maintain economic growth....

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand what Senator Coghlan is trying to do with these amendments. He proposes to widen the scope of products covered by the Bill to include household necessaries, which were included in the groceries order. That issue was discussed at some length in the course of preparing this Bill. Household necessaries are excluded because the definition contained in the groceries order was proving...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am not clear on the intention of this amendment. Section 15B(3) is designed to deal with allowances for advertising or display of grocery goods. Displaying and advertising a product would necessitate the provision of space for that product. Therefore, it is not necessary to insert the additional phrase. There is also an overlap here with the provisions for the prohibition of "hello money",...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: I dealt with this at some length on Second Stage yesterday. Following the Competition Act 2002, the law on predatory pricing is much broader and stronger than the words in the text. The Act is designed to be analogous to Articles 81 and 82 of the European Union treaty. European case law supports the analogous provisions to prohibit and punish instances of predatory pricing. I do not want to...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: No. I was referring to the issue the Senator raised in the context of the report.

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: I thank Senators Leyden and Coghlan. I have been very consistent since the public announcement of the abolition of the groceries order and at no stage did I say I would be introducing legislation on predatory pricing. Almost from the date of that announcement we have been saying that there is already express prohibition in existing case law with regard to predatory pricing. Senator Coghlan...

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (14 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: We dealt with this issue on Second Stage. The language used in section 15B(5), as drafted, is consistent with and replicates language used in section 4 of the Competition Act 2000. If this was amended, as suggested by the Senator, in respect of the new provisions, it would introduce inconsistency into the Competition Act. It is considered that it would also, at a minimum, introduce confusion...