Results 49,541-49,560 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The legislation is no excuse for the wide differentiation between local authorities vis-À-vis these particular levies. Why is it that in one county it can be at a certain level and at a much higher level in another county? The Deputy cannot keep blaming the centre.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: When we give enabling powers and authority to local authorities, we in this House should accept that the responsibility then lies——

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——with that particular body. The amount of funding allocated to local authorities has been increased year by year by consecutive Ministers.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am not out of touch and am very insulted.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I hope that, from Fine Gael's latter day control of local authorities, we will witness some response to these types of issues.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I look forward to engaging with that party. I hope the matter rates enough of Fine Gael's attention in the forthcoming election at local authority level.

Unemployment Levels. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 111 and 151 together. The House will be aware that there have been significant job announcements in County Donegal recently with over 210 new jobs announced by Zeus Industrial Products, Letterkenny and PowerBoard, Burnfoot, which are being supported by the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland, respectively. This was in addition to 423 jobs...

Unemployment Levels. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The figure was 11.4% in 1995 but it is now 4.9%.

Unemployment Levels. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: However, I recognise that there have been significant job losses in County Donegal in recent years, which is why I have visited the county a number of times since becoming Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I have met many groups and companies on these visits to discuss the county's difficulties and its positive developments. My colleagues in Government recognise the particular...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (27 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: Employment data are collated by Forfás on a calendar year basis, January-December; it is collected at county level only and not broken down to specific towns. The following table shows the number of full-time jobs created in County Mayo in companies supported by the enterprise development agencies for the years 2002, 2003, and 2004. Employment numbers in agency-assisted companies are not yet...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (27 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is undergoing a positive transformation in how we earn our living from international trade and investment. This transformation builds on the success of consistent, pro-enterprise policies that have made the economy adaptable to globalisation. These policies have enabled enterprise in Ireland to make the most of new opportunities thrown up by changing trends in the global flows of...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section received a work permit application in respect of the individual concerned on 19 October 2005. The section has written to the employer requesting further details, and is currently awaiting a response.

Written Answers — Foreign Travel: Foreign Travel (26 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: The following are the foreign conferences attended by my predecessor and I since June 2002. In addition to the overseas conferences listed as follows, my predecessor made a number of visits to attend meetings and conferences in Northern Ireland during the period: second European economic summit of the World Economic Forum in Salzburg, Austria, 15-17 September 2002, attended by the Tánaiste...

Written Answers — Estate Agents Regulation: Estate Agents Regulation (25 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: The licensing of estate agents is currently a matter for the courts and, therefore, is more appropriate to my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, I am aware that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform published the report of the auctioneering-estate agency review group on 18 October 2005. My Department was represented on this review group. The...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (25 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section of my Department took a decision to refuse applications for work permits in respect of the named individuals on 6 October 2005. The employer has been notified of this decision in writing and has been informed of their right of appeal. To date no such appeal has been received.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: My Department operates to detailed guidelines when commissioning outside expertise from our consultancy or research budgets. In that regard, my Department interprets consultancy as relating mainly to the provision of advice and research as relating to the compilation of information or data. The guidelines state, inter alia, that the requirements for external consultancies and-or research...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: All proposals for funding from my Department's consultancy and research budgets are evaluated against the criteria outlined in my response to the Deputy's Question No. 365, also for answer today. These criteria have ensured maximisation of the effectiveness of both the consultancy and research subheads. My Department is satisfied that value for money has been achieved in all cases.

Written Answers — Competition Authority: Competition Authority (25 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 to 372, inclusive, and 374 together. The Competition Authority is an independent statutory body which was established under the Competition Act 1991 and continued under the Competition Act 2002. I have no role in relation to the day-to-day activities of the authority regarding the way in which it discharges its statutory functions nor do I have any...

Written Answers — Competition Authority: Competition Authority (25 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: There is no administrative appeal against a decision of the authority not to investigate a complaint. However, the Competition Act 2002 provides for a right of private action to any person for breaches of competition law. The authority acknowledges that complaints are a vital part of its campaign to stamp out anti-competitive behaviour in Ireland and it has published, both on its website and...

Written Answers — Competition Authority: Competition Authority (25 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: There are currently three members of the Competition Authority. Details about their professional backgrounds are posted on the authority's website at www.tca.ie. Mr. Declan Purcell was appointed to the Competition Authority in April 1998. He previously worked in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in a wide range of management positions, including industrial policy development,...