Results 50,401-50,420 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Work Permits. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Bill is at the final stage of drafting. I take issue with Deputy Howlin. I am not resiling from anything. To have genuine discussion I like to air issues on the floor of the House as I have just done. The issue is how do we prevent the exploitation of workers, and I made the point that counter-arguments also exist.

Work Permits. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Bill will give me the enabling power to do as Deputy Morgan has suggested. The Minister of the day will have enabling powers because inevitably——

Work Permits. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: No, the enabling powers will cover a variety of issues, particularly the ongoing economic trends. Inevitably decisions on our work permits system are underpinned by economic criteria. I am in favour of giving greater autonomy to the employee and of the employee having the work permit. However, I need to ensure I do not introduce a system that ultimately might allow the employee to be even...

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 17 and 54 together. On 16 December 2004 in reply to a parliamentary question I announced that I had decided not to proceed with the making of an order under the Prices Acts 1958 to 1972 to oblige doctors and dentists to display their charges. The reasons were both legal and practical. In particular, as a result of legal advice on the matter I had formed the...

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The legal issues are very real and the most problematic would relate to data protection. We need to consider the practical implications. To check if patients had been charged no more than the price displayed, an inspector would need access to the patient records, which could not be done without the patients' consent. Whereas inspectors could seek consent, practical problems would arise. Would...

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Alternatively would inspectors wait outside surgeries and ask patients to divulge their details? Neither of these scenarios offers a viable basis for enforcing any price display order.

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The number of procedures and tests a patient can receive is increasing all the time. There is a generic charge for people seeing a doctor and they have an expectation as to what they will be charged. Some of the lists that emerged did not enthuse me. I am entirely pro-consumer and I am satisfied I took the right decision in the interests of the consumer.

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I would argue to the contrary. It is not as simple as has been suggested. When I saw the file, I decided I could not preside over introducing a scheme that could result in a €200 charge instead of a €50 charge. Deputy Howlin, who was Minister for Health for two and a half years, has as much experience of the concerns we are discussing as I have. The Deputy is laughing in acknowledgement....

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should read my lips on this matter. Having reflected on the matter completely, it is better for the consumer not to go down this road. The legal issues are real in terms of doctor-patient confidentiality.

Job Losses. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 44, 65, 84, 87 and 121 together. I am aware of the recent job losses which have been announced. In such circumstances, my immediate concern is for workers who have lost their jobs or will lose them soon. The full services of FÁS are available to the workers at the earliest opportunity if they wish to avail of them. Services which are likely to be availed...

Job Losses. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I referred to Cork because Question No. 65 relates to job losses at Schering Plough near Bandon. A Japanese pharmaceuticals company, Takeda Chemical Industries, has also begun construction in Clondalkin and will employ 50 people. A number of projects at Citywest are providing locally accessible employment opportunities for people in Clondalkin. The existing base of overseas companies in...

Job Losses. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: World trade, global investment flows and consumer decisions influence the pattern of economic growth, company development and job prospects here. In recent years I recognise that Irish manufacturing firms, particularly in the more traditional sectors, have operated against a backdrop of significant downward price pressure and an increasingly competitive international environment. I have to...

Job Losses. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Earlier today I announced the Government's consideration of the enterprise strategy group's report and the endorsement of the broad thrust of its recommendations. That will involve a fundamental and significant restructuring of Enterprise Ireland's structures, so far as they pertain to overseas marketing and the supports it can give to Irish small and medium-size companies in terms of...

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: In October 1994 the then Minister for Enterprise and Employment requested the Competition Authority to undertake a study into competition in the Irish newspaper industry. On 30 March 1995, the Competition Authority reported its findings to the then Minister. One of the conclusions and recommendations of the Competition Authority was to the effect that the acquisition by Independent Newspapers...

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept the broad thrust of the Deputy's argument. If anything has happened since 1995 it has been that a broad proliferation of new companies has emerged on the Irish media scene in both broadcasting and the print media and more publications are now produced.

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I can understand the Deputy may have concerns from his point of view in light of the current trends and perhaps the particular newspaper's coverage of the Deputy's party's activities.

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Competition Authority advises on issues pertaining to competition law. In terms of the media the legislation provides for my role as Minister. Any comments or recommendations by the Competition Authority are considered as it is best placed to examine and research these matters.

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's concern for the rainbow Government is touching and is noted. The Department has no plans on the matter. I remind the Deputy that we are faced with a variety of media from national and international sources. There are potential difficulties down the line in terms of regulation of the domestic media, almost to the exclusion or independent of what is happening globally. The world...

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: In regard to newspapers the market is increasingly competitive and difficult in light of the growth and advance of——

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: As Deputy Howlin reminded me, there has been a new entry to the market recently——