Results 49,861-49,880 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

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

Micheál Martin: The National Competitiveness Council's, NCC, annual report gives an opportunity to benchmark our competitiveness against 15 important trading partners and competitors for mobile investment. The NCC's latest annual report was published last month and shows that earlier increases in prices and costs have stabilised and are no longer increasing at a rate faster than elsewhere in the EU. The...

Written Answers — Consumer Strategy Group: Consumer Strategy Group (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159, 170 and 677 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 three recommendations mentioned in the...

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

Micheál Martin: The current position in relation to these investigations is that following the completion of the review to which I referred in response to a previous parliamentary question on 31 May 2005, I directed the authorised officer to place at the disposal of relevant public authorities, including tribunals, whatever information arising from his investigative work was required for the purpose of the...

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 involve neither the abolition of Shannon Development nor its merger with Enterprise Ireland. As I have indicated in response to previous similar...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 183 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 — Job Creation: Job Creation (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: Regional development is a significant focus of Government policy and its importance has been confirmed in the national development plan and the national spatial strategy. Operational responsibility for job creation and investment on a regional or local basis is a matter for the industrial development agencies; IDA Ireland which is actively marketing individual areas as a location for foreign...

Written Answers — Ticket Sales: Ticket Sales (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: As I have previously advised the House, I am aware of the concerns expressed by the public about the sale of concert and theatre tickets. I understand, however, that the Competition Authority's investigation into the market is not yet complete. Therefore, given the authority's independent status and the confidential nature of its investigation, it would not be appropriate for me to comment...

Written Answers — North-South Co-operation: North-South Co-operation (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I acknowledge the very important role that all the enterprise development agencies, North and South, play in developing a strong all-island economy. In relation to the work of InterTradeIreland, the all-island trade and business development body, it should be noted that all of the body's programmes are all-island in nature and are open equally to business from across the island. Under its...

Written Answers — Company Liquidation: Company Liquidation (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the liquidator has made considerable progress in realising the assets of the company and establishing the full extent of its liabilities and that he hopes to complete the liquidation process later this year. At this stage, the production sites at Arklow and Cork remain the principal assets yet to be realised. It is understood that contracts have been signed for the sale of...

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (28 Sep 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Government's action plan to implement the recommendations of the Enterprise Strategy Group will move our economy to one that is knowledge-based and innovation-driven. The action plan includes measures to address skills shortages. Skills shortages are identified by the expert group on future skill needs, which is convened under the auspices of Forfás. My Department has recently asked that...