Results 50,421-50,440 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——whose editorial content may be of assistance to other parties in the House from time to time.

Newspaper Industry. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: We do not know that yet.

Industrial Development. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: As I indicated in response to similar questions previously, a number of developments will impact on the future role of Shannon Development. The most significant of these are the proposed relocation of the headquarters of Enterprise Ireland to Shannon as part of the decentralisation programme, the enterprise strategy group recommendation that Shannon Development disengage from industrial...

Industrial Development. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The recommendation that Shannon Development disengage from industrial development functions in the region was made by the enterprise strategy group rather than by me. The Shannon Airport Authority and Shannon Development entered into direct discussions on this matter in late 2004 and these are ongoing. It also employed a consultant to determine with greater precision costing elements and...

Industrial Development. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: No air of gloom should hang over the area given that the job market in the mid-west is improving. Shannon Development participated admirably in the recent trade mission to China. I attended a very successful function it hosted for the Chinese authorities and was impressed by its presentation.

Industrial Development. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Shannon Development was part of the Irish trade mission. It gave a good presentation on the issue of regional development in which the Chinese have a historical interest. The ultimate objective is to get the best package to guarantee increased sustained employment in the mid-west region. The change in the status of Shannon Airport and the establishment of an independent Shannon Airport...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Employment is broken down by region only and not into specific areas such as the area in question. According to the latest quarterly national household survey published by the Central Statistics Office, employment in the Dublin region for June to August 2004 was 560,200. The corresponding figure for June to August 2003 was 553,900. The unemployment figures for the corresponding quarters were...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have noted the concerns raised in regard to the order. The consumer strategy group was established to deliberate on a wide range of consumer matters. I am currently awaiting the report of group and I expect that it will contain recommendations in relation to the groceries order. On receipt of the report, I will consider the group's findings in consultation with my Government colleagues and...

Written Answers — Live Register: Live Register (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The live register figures for Cobh show 436 in January 2005, as against 452 in January 2004, a decrease of 3.5%. Figures for Mitchelstown are included with Fermoy and these show 865 on the live register in January 2005, as against 890 in January 2004 a decrease of 2.8%. In Youghal, there were 690 on the live register in January 2005, as against 756 in January 2004, a decrease of 8.7%....

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Is the Senator quick footed?

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity presented by the motion to discuss the overall performance of Ireland in recent years in the areas of employment generation, economic success and the objective of maintaining our success going forward. I am also pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the key issues we must address to maintain our competitiveness and the premier status we enjoy among our European...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Senator Ryan is keeping an eye on me. The number of unemployed people has fallen by almost 80,000 from 10.4% to 4.4% in 1997, which is half the average rate among the 25 member states. The number of long-term unemployed persons has dropped by nearly 60,000 from 5.5% to 1.4%, which is approximately 33.3% of the EU average. While unemployment has remained consistently low, it remains necessary...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: It applies to both indigenous and foreign direct investment. It is crucial to the success story of foreign direct investment. I am only at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment since December, but as Minister for Education and Science and also as Minister for Health and Children I dealt with multinational companies. From my experience, the message is clear — without the...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I know.

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: A survey by one of the major financial magazines still listed Ireland as having the lowest rate, although I will check that fact. However, we are speaking of countries such as Switzerland, Puerto Rico and Singapore as the real competitors in terms of attracting foreign direct investment. Many companies will go to eastern Europe for a range of strategic reasons anyway, but we should not get...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Without the EU we simply would not have been in a position to transform ourselves. We are perceived by many multinational companies as a gateway to the European market. During Ireland's EU Presidency, the Tánaiste sought to reinvigorate the European economic agenda by repositioning the Lisbon Agenda as a centrepiece for the future, as well as concentrating on employment and growth in Europe....

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. The success is so good I could speak forever.

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Approximately 129,000 people are employed by 1,050 companies, half of which are from the United States, so the American dimension is very important. These US companies are responsible for nearly 70% of the value of investments here. US investment is crucial to Ireland's economic success story — it is the largest source of inward investment and accounts for the biggest exporting sector in...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: It is unfair to say it is the IDA's failure. The bottom line is that we must win against stiff competition. We then try to regionalise and the IDA has a regional mandate. The IDA is busily developing infrastructure in Ballinasloe with Enterprise Ireland. I had a good meeting with a company that came to Ballinsloe through foreign direct investment. I have also met some indigenous companies...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: It is a challenging agenda for us but not one that can easily be achieved. I acknowledge that it is easy to set the target but I want to get the blueprint as to how we go about achieving it. I am satisfied that research and development is the crucial agenda for Ireland if we are to remain competitive in future. The centres for science, technology and engineering that come under the aegis of...