Results 49,421-49,440 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Departmental Appointments. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: It is time to move on. In regard to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Deputy is aware that a broader undertaking is ongoing in terms of the strategic implementation plan for research. I chair the relevant Cabinet sub-committee. This initiative covers a wide range of Departments, one of which is the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources....

Departmental Appointments. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: I already said it arose in the context of the work we have been undertaking——

Departmental Appointments. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: In the last year. We have discussed with different Departments their respective sectoral plans that will feed into a broader Government strategic implementation plan on research. Arising from this, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources indicated he had a need for such a post and such a person. In the circumstances that evolved, it was considered by the Government that...

Departmental Appointments. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have already issued a statement on this issue. The press release I issued at the time is a matter of public record. In the context of the controversy that had arisen at the time and its impact on the post of chief science adviser and future science policy, he agreed to move to a new position.

Proposed Legislation. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Government, at its meeting this morning, approved the text of the competition amendment Bill 2005. This will strengthen the Competition Act. I plan to publish the text as soon as practicable allowing for the fact that the Bill must now be printed. It will repeal the groceries order and amend the Competition Act to prohibit resale price maintenance, unfair discrimination and so-called...

Proposed Legislation. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The resources of the Competition Authority will be increased under next year's Estimates and the cartels division will be expanded. I met the former chairman of the authority late in the summer prior to him securing a new position in Britain. He was entitled to do that and we will go through the normal processes to find a replacement. However, he indicated the need for the authority to...

Proposed Legislation. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The bottom line is the Competition Authority is independent.

Proposed Legislation. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of the day does not engage with the authority in respect of specific investigations and so forth, nor would it be appropriate to do so.

Proposed Legislation. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: We must be careful about how such investigations are progressed. The matter is with the Director of Public Prosecutions. The decision to abolish the groceries order was based on analysis undertaken by departmental officials and clear conclusions that it was an anti-competitive measure, which has no place in the modern economy. That was the motivating factor behind the decision to abolish the...

Job Protection. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: Ireland already has a comprehensive body of employment rights legislation which has among its objectives the protection of employees against arbitrary behaviour by employers. It also has wider aims such as provision for the safety and health of workers and the fostering of labour market harmony by promoting policies that minimise conflict and maximise fairness. Specific areas covered by...

Job Protection. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy obviously did not hear my reply. I will repeat the key sentence. "We do not want to see people building competitive advantage based on poor wages, casualisation of labour, low health and safety standards or other poor compliance practices." I have made it clear here on several recent occasions that we do not want to see a reduction in living standards. We see the economic...

Job Protection. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: Going right back to the foundation of the party of which I am proud to be a member, it is accepted that we have always had a modern and progressive approach to workers' rights and to the establishment of modern, progressive labour market policies——

Job Protection. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: We will continue to do that. The record will show what we have done. I have been in discussions with the social partners and I share their concerns. The best way to advance the protection of workers is through social partnership. It offers the best opportunity for all concerned to use that forum as a basis for agreeing whatever new measures are required to ensure a greater degree of...

Job Protection. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: We have said this. I said it in the House last week.

Job Protection. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: With all due respect, Sinn Féin will not act as spin doctor for my good self. Let us be very clear about this matter — the Taoiseach was very clear in the House — we are against any reduction in living standards or displacement of workers. That is the bottom line in terms of what has happened.

Industrial Disputes. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: Last week I met the management of Irish Ferries and representatives of SIPTU and the ICTU to convey to them the Government's concerns as to the gravity of the situation and the wider implications of the ongoing dispute. I urged all sides to engage in the Labour Relations Commission process with a view to achieving a resolution to the issues in dispute. On 4 December 2005 the national...

Industrial Disputes. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: We must be very clear about this. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, has been negotiating in Brussels on the manning directive. A number of other countries also took issue with aspects of the directive at that time. It is not fair to say there was a direct relationship between any of those issues and the action and behaviour of Irish Ferries, nor has the company...

Industrial Disputes. (6 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, will meet the Cypriot Minister for labour and social and affairs next Thursday to discuss issues which the Deputy raised. We are obviously concerned about the impact on exports generally in terms of any reduction in capacity. There are no quick fix solutions to this issue but we are keeping the matter under review.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (1 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: The main purpose of the community employment programme operated by FÁS is to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged groups and thereby enable participants to advance successfully to employment in the open labour market. On 10 November 2004, following a review of FÁS employment schemes such as community employment, job initiative and social...

Written Answers — Regional Development: Regional Development (1 Dec 2005)

Micheál Martin: Following detailed consultations with the board of Shannon Development, other stakeholders and regional interests, I announced a decision on a future mandate for the company. This new mandate envisages an active, focused role for the company, complementary to that of national agencies in line with Government policy on regional development. It is also broadly in line with the company's own...