Results 49,521-49,540 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (23 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Support for job creation and investment is a matter for the industrial development agencies. Under the Industrial Development Acts, I may give general policy directives to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland but I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others. In terms of attracting foreign direct investment to west...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (23 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is an autonomous statutory agency established under the Industrial Development Acts 1986 to 2003. The agency operates in accordance with the provisions of the Acts and under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency as part of the statutory...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (23 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Following a review of FÁS employment schemes, including community employment, job initiative and social economy programmes, on 10 November 2004, I announced that the current ring fencing and prioritisation for essential child care services would be maintained. Approximately 2,200 child care places are provided to disadvantaged areas under community employment schemes. With reference to...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 386 together. There are five civil servants and one press adviser in the Department's press and media relations office. The grade and remuneration details are outlined in the accompanying table. It should be noted that the principal officer undertakes other duties in addition to his role in the press and media relations office. The press and media...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The information in respect of staffing of my office is set out in the following tables. Staffing of Private Office Grade Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) 1 Executive Officers 2 Clerical Officers 5.8 Total 8.8 These staff are civil servants. Constituency Office. Grade Clerical Officers (Civil Servants) 2 Personal Assistants (non-civil servants) 1.5 ...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (22 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Support for job creation and investment is a matter for the industrial development agencies. Under the Industrial Development Acts, I may give general policy directives to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland but I am precluded from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others. Ultimately, decisions regarding where to locate, including...

Written Answers — Competition Policy: Competition Policy (22 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have previously advised the House that I consider predatory pricing to be an abusive and anti-competitive practice that acts against the interests of consumers. However, it is a tactic employed by a firm that is dominant in its market and involves the sale of product below cost for a prolonged period of time in order to damage or eliminate a competitor. Predatory pricing is, therefore, a...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (22 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: As provided for in the Science Foundation Ireland Act 2003, the director general is appointed for a five-year term. The director general's contract will expire in September 2006. SFI announced in September 2005 that the director general will leave the Foundation before September 2006 to take up a new appointment at California Polytechnic State University. I understand that the position will...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (22 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The chief science adviser is appointed by Government. As I have stated publicly, the post will be filled by open competition. It is expected that the process will commence in the new year.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (17 Nov 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, community employment, job initiative and social economy...

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure (17 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: My Department was not directly involved in carrying out capital projects of between €30 million and €50 million in 2004 or 2005. However, within my Department's agencies, two projects were approved for funding within this cost range. One capital project was approved for grant aid of €48.25 million by IDA Ireland in 2004. This request was underpinned by a cost-benefit analysis of the...

Written Answers — Company Law: Company Law (16 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 to 328, inclusive, together. The Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement has made inquiries into the matter of the status of Controlled Demolition Group and he understands that joint administrators were appointed to the company under the provisions of the UK Insolvency Act 1986, as amended by the Enterprise Act 2002. He also understands that, following...

Leaders' Questions. (16 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: That is not correct.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I will not take lectures from Deputy Rabbitte.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: We will meet Deputy Rabbitte on the hustings.

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am pleased to have the opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, to respond to Deputy Enright on this matter. The Minister for Finance keeps a watching brief on matters pertaining to Tullamore and the midlands generally.

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: He is very active in the context of developing the country and ensuring a central role for the midlands in that overall national development. There is no prospect of Tullamore being left behind given the presence of the Minister, Deputy Cowen, at the Cabinet table in such a pivotal position as Minister for Finance.

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: In the past 11 months the Department of Transport has developed the most detailed national transport plan ever devised in this country. Transport 21 will give Ireland a first class transport system that, on a national level, connects all regions to each other and to our main seaports and airports and, in the cities, will provide greatly enhanced public transport alternatives to the private...

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: With regard to roads, the midlands generally and the linked gateway of Tullamore, Athlone and Mullingar have already benefited from the major investment in the upgrade of the national roads programme in recent years. The upgrade of the N7 through the bypassing of Kildare, Monasterevin and Portlaoise has improved access to and from the midlands. Access will be further improved when the...

Road Network. (15 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: With regard to rail, Tullamore has benefited from investment in the railway network under the national development plan by virtue of its location on both the Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Westport intercity rail lines. Combined with the fixed infrastructure renewal work already completed or under way, Transport 21 will provide for 120 intercity rail cars to be deployed on the mainline rail network...