Results 49,521-49,540 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should define what he means.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Does the Deputy understand what he has just asked?

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The groceries order is not a ban on below cost selling and is not a ban on predatory pricing.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Existing legislation already covers that.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Competition Act deals with the issue. I sought advice and views on this matter and it deals with the issue of predatory pricing and abuse of dominance.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The issue of jurisprudence is separate. However, I do not accept the proposition which the Deputy has just articulated. As I stated earlier, I will bring the full range of proposals and recommendations on this issue to the Government shortly. I will then make a full presentation of those recommendations to the House. Comprehensive work has been carried out on the issue by officials within my...

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have read the joint committee's report and have had discussions with its chairman.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: It is an interesting report.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I know that.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: First, the Government makes decisions on these issues. This is the position.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have not finished and the Deputy does not appear inclined to give me an opportunity to do so.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Government makes decisions on whether to introduce legislation to the House. Such legislation is then published and it is then open for all Members to have an input into it.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should allow me to finish. This will require primary legislation and all Members will have the opportunity to contribute to any legislation. In addition, I have no difficulty in discussing the report that I will produce and publish with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. The joint committee members will require time to discuss the report. However,...

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The framework for development contribution schemes was agreed under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to update the long-standing development levy system. That system had applied since 1963 and is a means of funding capital projects to service land for new development. The operation of these schemes is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and...

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept the Deputy's points because a range of new revenue opportunities have emerged for local authorities in recent times, not least these development levies. The economic growth and buoyancy of recent years must have added significantly to the revenue generating capacity of local authorities. I have been around the country meeting the various——

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——sectors involved in the productive side of the economy, particularly on the manufacturing side as well as the chambers of commerce and so on. The variation between local authorities emerged as a factor. There can be quite sharp differences between the levies imposed by some local authorities as opposed to others, which illustrates the strong local control over the schemes adopted by any...

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Local authorities must take due note of this in future and I hope they will examine their schemes in that respect. I understand there is no differentiation between the commercial, manufacturing and retail sectors in many of the schemes. That is another factor which should be taken on board. While these levies have been in force since 1963, updating them has been taken as an opportunity to...

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: First, I object to the Deputy's comments. It is about time we accept responsibility at local level.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: With the greatest respect, Deputy Hogan's party made a big song and dance about gaining control of local authorities the length and breadth of the country. We will now see how——

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——pro-enterprise and responsible it is in terms of managing these levies at local level.