Results 49,641-49,660 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — National Consumer Strategy: National Consumer Strategy (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 146 and 174 together. The Consumer Strategy Group was established in March 2004 to advise and make recommendations on the development of a national consumer strategy. The group's final report, Make Consumers Count, was published in May this year. The report contains over 30 separate recommendations, including the recommendations mentioned in the Deputies'...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Since 1997 over 450,000 new jobs have been created. There has also been a significant fall in unemployment from 10.4% to 4.2% at present. Long-term unemployment fell from 5.5% in 1997 to 1.6% in 2000 and this very low level has been maintained; it is now at 1.4%. This long-term unemployment rate compares very favourably with the EU average of 4% and ranks fourth lowest among the 25 EU member...

Written Answers — Departmental Inquiries: Departmental Inquiries (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 149 together. Sixteen investigations into company law matters were initiated by my predecessor in the period since 1997. In three cases, the High Court appointed, on an application by the Minister, inspectors under section 8 of the Companies Act 1990. The inspectors appointed to Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited presented their report to the High Court on 10...

Written Answers — Regulatory Amalgamation: Regulatory Amalgamation (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The enterprise strategy group recommended that the existing regulators for networked sectors, for example, electricity, gas, telecommunications and broadcasting, should be replaced by a new regulatory body covering all networked sectors. The Government considered this recommendation and decided not to implement it. In looking at international experience the Government remains to be convinced...

Written Answers — Small Business Forum: Small Business Forum (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Small Business Forum, which I have set up to consider the current environment for conducting small business in Ireland, has held two plenary sessions to date. In addition, the forum has held a number of thematic workshops covering various areas of interest identified by the initial plenary meetings. I should also mention that the forum has been very proactive in seeking to obtain the...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The National Competitiveness Council, NCC, in its annual competitiveness report 2005, found that of the 16 countries benchmarked, Irish expenditure on non-life insurance was the fourth highest. However, the NCC also found that the rate of growth in the cost of insurance has slowed down substantially in recent years. This can be attributed to the series of initiatives the Government has pushed...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I would point out to the Deputy that on the occasion of the publication of the final report of the Consumer Strategy Group in May of this year, I clearly stated that notwithstanding my desire to have the national consumer agency up and running on a statutory basis as soon as possible, the preparation of the legislation to establish the new agency would take some time. Given the importance of...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Earlier this year the Government considered and endorsed the report of the high level committee that was asked to look at the most appropriate implementation arrangements for the enterprise strategy group's, ESG, recommendations. The Government is broadly supportive of the policy directions recommended by the ESG as underlined by its intention to implement, either in full or with some...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The recommendations and policy options highlighted by the NCC each year inform Government policy across a range of areas and have been implemented by a number of Departments. For example, in line with previous NCC recommendations the Government has introduced two consecutive non-inflationary budgets, a 20% research and development tax credit and has extended the business expansion and seed...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 148, 159 and 163 together. I take it that these questions relate to a view expressed by the Competition Authority in a recent investigation into alleged price fixing involving the Equity trade union and the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland. The aim of the Competition Act is to prohibit anti-competitive practices by "undertakings" such as...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am concerned about the recent job losses in the Youghal area, particularly the loss of 38 jobs in Seafield Technical Textiles Limited that has ceased operations due to adverse trading conditions. However, I am also aware that the relevant development agencies in my Department, namely, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the county enterprise board, are responding to such job losses in...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: In pursuit of the objectives of the national spatial strategy, the efforts of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the city-county enterprise boards are directed towards the promotion of employment and investment in all areas of the country. As regards helping those who are unemployed to enter the labour market, under the national employment action plan, FÁS engages intensively those who have...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The person concerned was appointed to the interim board of the National Consumer Agency on the basis of considerable experience both in the public sector in terms of work experience and in the private sector in terms of establishing and operating a business. I am satisfied that the person is well qualified for the task and will make an important contribution to the work of the interim board.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The main purpose of the community employment programme administered 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. I am informed by FÁS that with effect from 5 October 2000 persons aged 25 or over and in receipt of deserted wife's benefit...

Written Answers — Employment Permits: Employment Permits (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Economic migration policy is formulated within a context where the focus on meeting our skills needs is: first, on upskilling our resident workforce; second, on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits; and third, with a new green card and revised work permit system, to meet those skill needs which cannot otherwise be addressed. I announced my proposals for...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Ireland no longer operates as a low cost location for investment; our strengths and competitive advantages have inexorably changed. High output and productivity together with high returns to labour in the form of wages, salaries and better living standards now typify Ireland's economy. The low technology production that characterised our economic output in the past is being replaced by higher...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The National Competitiveness Council's, NCC, annual competitiveness report 2005 was published on 7 September. This report benchmarks Ireland's competitiveness relative to our 15 main trading partners and competitors using a compendium of 170 indicators. The indicators contained in the report are published by a wide variety of international sources. The NCC expects to publish its annual...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have no plans to break up Shannon Development. 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. This new mandate envisages an active, focused role for the company, complementary to that of the national agencies, in the best interests of the economic...

Written Answers — Company Liquidation: Company Liquidation (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The determination of any payments due to creditors of IFI is a matter solely for the liquidator. The position of unsecured creditors can only be determined by the liquidator when all the assets of the company have been realised and all liabilities established. In this regard, I understand the liquidator has made considerable progress in realising the assets of the company and establishing the...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The reduction of 5,000 in staffing levels as announced by the Government in 2002 applies to all sectors of the public service. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and its agencies, including FÁS, are expected to contribute to this reduction. In the case of FÁS a reduction of 150 from a staffing level of almost 2,400 over several years is considered appropriate and I do not...