Results 49,641-49,660 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (11 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: The collation and provision of statistical information of the nature referred to is an operational matter for the Central Statistics Office, which comes within the remit of my colleague, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Kitt. In answering a question from the Deputy relating to economic performance, I mentioned that gross domestic product per capita in the...

Written Answers — Regional Development: Regional Development (11 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland, including its regions and areas. As part of its FDI promotion and regional development role, IDA has an ongoing and successful relationship with the third level education sector in the south east. I understand from IDA that the absence of a university in the south east has not...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (11 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: On foot of a review of FÁS employment schemes, which included detailed consultations with the social partners, I decided that with effect from 10 November 2004, the three-year cap would be removed for CE participants aged 55 or over. This category of participants is now eligible to participate on CE for a maximum of six years. The extension of the participation period from three to six years...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (11 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: Ireland's contribution to the EU budget is disbursed on a wide range of EU funded activities. Community resources are collected and distributed under the legal framework of the EU treaties. National funds are not specifically linked with the funding of individual EU projects.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (6 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas for industrial development and it is not a role in which I have a direct function. I understand from IDA Ireland that phase one of the development of the new Tuam Business and Technology Park was substantially...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (5 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together. I have noted the points made in these correspondences which concern the current review of the groceries order. The public consultation process on the groceries order has generated over 550 submissions which were received from a wide range of parties, including a significant number from the public. The submissions have all been considered...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (5 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: CSO data for August 2005 shows 6,028 people on the live register for County Kerry, but this figure is not broken down for north Kerry. The issue of job creation is a day-to-day operational issue for the industrial development agencies under the remit of my Department and not one for which I, as Minister, have direct involvement. IDA Ireland has responsibility for the attraction of foreign...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (5 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Asia strategy report, published by my Department earlier this year, did not identify any specific issues regarding cargo transport as impediments to the growth in trade with Asia. The high level group, which will oversee the implementation of the strategy, will hold its first meeting later this month. If any new relevant issues arise, these can be looked at by this group as part of its...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (5 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: Since 1997, the numbers in employment have grown by 31%, from 1.5 million to a current level of over 1.9 million. Correspondingly, during this period, unemployment levels have dropped by 50%, from 171,200 to 85,600. A number of factors contributed to the dramatic economic growth which has resulted in continuing increases in employment, these include the expansion of the labour force, highly...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (5 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: According to the World Economic Forum's recently published global competitiveness report for 2005-06 Ireland has moved up four places from 30th to 26th out of 117 countries. This higher ranking is testament to the Government's committed efforts to strengthen our competitiveness. The improvement in Ireland's national competitiveness is further supported by the findings of the National...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (4 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the correspondence to which the Deputy refers concerning the acceptability of the EU funding ethically sensitive research activity, which arose in the context of the recent adoption by the European Commission of its specific programmes under the proposed seventh research framework programme, FP7. The Government is fully conscious that the ethical framework within which research...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (4 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: The issue of job creation is a day-to-day operational matter for the industrial development agencies and relevant county enterprise boards, and not one in which I have a direct role. IDA Ireland informs me that it continues to market south County Dublin, including Tallaght and its environs, as a potential location for new foreign direct investment, FDI, to secure new investment and additional...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (4 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: While recent returns show that inflation in Ireland continues to moderate and is in line with the average rate of inflation throughout the European Union, it is undoubtedly the case that many consumers do not feel they are getting a fair deal. The Deputy will be aware that in March 2004, my Department appointed the consumer strategy group to advise and make recommendations for the development...

Job Losses. (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I accept the spirit in which he has raised it for debate. Unfortunately, the Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, or ADM, announced the closure of its facility at Ringaskiddy with the loss of 146 jobs on 14 September 2005. This is a major blow to the workers and their families. I want to reassure the House, as I did on that occasion, that every effort...

Written Answers — National Competitive Council Report: National Competitive Council Report (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 160, 180, 192 and 208 together. The answer to these questions has previously been addressed in my answer to Question No. 139. The National Competitiveness Council's, NCC's, annual competitiveness report 2005 benchmarks Ireland's competitiveness relative to our 15 main trading partners and competitors using a compendium of 170 indicators. The indicators...

Written Answers — Shannon Development: Shannon Development (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: On 28 July last, following detailed consultations with the board of the company, other stakeholders and regional interests, I announced a decision on a future mandate for Shannon Development. The terms of that decision are quite clear and do not involve the transfer any part of the company's asset base to the new Shannon Airport Authority. As I have indicated in response to previous similar...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The core recommendation of the Consumer Strategy Group is that a new statutory body, the National Consumer Agency, be established to be an advocate on behalf of consumers. The Government fully approved this recommendation and has agreed to establish the new agency as soon as practicable. The establishment of the NCA will require primary legislation. My Department has already commenced the...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 169 and 652 together. The public consultation process on the groceries order has generated over 550 submissions which were received from a wide range of parties, including a significant number from the general public. The submissions have all been considered and a comprehensive report on the consultation process is currently being finalised within my...

Written Answers — Cost of Living Survey: Cost of Living Survey (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the findings of the Mercer Human Resource Consulting 2005 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. This survey, which was conducted last March, measures the cost of a wide range of items such as housing, transport and food. An increase in the cost of living has been one of the consequences of the rapid economic growth that Ireland has enjoyed over the past decade — indeed, it is worth...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 193 together. I very much regret the recent job loss announcements by Hospira and Clubman Omega. FÁS has written to both companies offering its full range of services for employees who may become redundant. This will include registration interviews to assess suitable career progression options, a skills analysis report, re-training and upskilling...