Results 481-500 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern

Community Employment Schemes. (1 Nov 2006)

Michael Ahern: Funding for CE in 2006 has been provided with a view to maintaining overall numbers on FÁS schemes at 2005 levels. Currently, over 22,000 people are employed on CE schemes nationally, a figure which has been maintained throughout 2006. FÁS is hopeful it will fill its full allocation in 2006. In delivering these places, FÁS operates flexibility in the management of this allocation in...

Seanad: Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999: Second Stage (26 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: I am a man of the ordinary people.

Seanad: Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999: Second Stage (26 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: He was the only Staunton.

Seanad: Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999: Second Stage (26 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: I thank all the Senators who have taken part in the debate. It is a very important issue and people have realised that. A number of aspects referred to by Senators stand out. To encapsulate these issues in a sentence, we are talking about the need for education, enforcement, protection of intellectual property rights, further investment in research and development and commercialisation....

Seanad: Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999: Second Stage (26 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: I am pleased to bring this Bill before the House. In an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy, sustained economic growth is inextricably linked to the ability to innovate successfully. Protection of intellectual property is of crucial importance because intellectual property rights not only reward investments in new products and services but also ensure transfer of technology,...

Seanad: Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999: Second Stage (26 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: That will not stop the Senator.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31 (26 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: Ivor is out fixing the windows.

Health Services: Motion (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: We will see in a few years time.

Health Services: Motion (Resumed). (25 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: The Government has delivered.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: Assistance is not available from the Agencies of my Department to establish restaurants at home or abroad. On the matter of promoting Irish food, the restaurant promoter might wish to contact Bord Bia, with a view to seeing if they can be of assistance.

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: I thank all Deputies who have spoken. This is a technical Bill, covering company and consumer law. The provisions in the Bill facilitate business development and secure our competitive edge in key sectors. Our regulatory environment is a key component of our competitiveness and our international reputation. Where possible, we should ease the regulatory burden on business, as expressed by...

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: Deputy Hogan also referred to the Central Bank and the Competition Authority. These matters are of concern but do not concern this Bill. The Deputy also referred to the IFSC and the financial services sector. This underpins a number of provisions in this Bill. We must ensure the IFSC is controlled and maintains its reputation. Changes sought by Deputy Hogan to ensure the benefits of...

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: Deputy Lynch highlighted the training of auditors who will only use information for one year. I would appreciate if the Deputy would contact my office to discuss the matter. She also highlighted directives which were not being transposed. In 2005, my Department transposed the prospectus and market abuse directives and also facilitated international accounting standards. In 2006, the...

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: Deputy Lynch hopes the Labour Party will be in Government when it is enacted.

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: In the meantime, it is being moved forward and, hopefully, will be ready in the not too distant future. Perhaps Deputy Hogan might introduce it.

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: Deputy Eamon Ryan raised the issue of the liability of a guarantor. Section 8 substitutes a new section for section 43 of the Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2005. Essentially, the purpose of this amendment is to limit the potential liability of a guarantor to the content of a prospectus in so far as it relates to the guarantor or the guarantee given by him or...

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: It is aimed at protecting the public. Deputy Fleming also asked about audits and the protection of minority shareholders. A total of 10% or more of a company's members can require that the company's accounts are audited. I do not know how the Revenue Commissioners will treat unaudited accounts but, from my experience of dealing with them, I am confident they have their own standards and...

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: Been there, done that.

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Oct 2006)

Michael Ahern: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." This amending legislation responds to a number of issues, some of which have been raised by industry as matters of concern for Irish companies. In particular, the development and growth of the securitisation industry, which has enormous potential, has been placed at a significant disadvantage by the reluctance of insurers to underwrite risks...