Results 50,421-50,440 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (19 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The allocation of grants under the community enterprise centre or CEC scheme is the responsibility of Enterprise Ireland, the agency charged with administering the scheme, and not a matter in which I have a direct role. I am informed by Enterprise Ireland that in September 2000, the agency approved grant support for Bray Community Enterprise Limited towards the building of a community...

Written Answers — Regional Authorities: Regional Authorities (14 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 97 and 102 together. I am aware of the correspondence from the Mid-West Regional Authority and, earlier this year, agreed to meet its representatives at a mutually convenient time to discuss their concerns about the future of Shannon Development. While it has not proved possible to hold this meeting in the intervening period, there is no question of its...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (14 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The spouse of a national from outside the European Economic Area, EEA, is eligible for an employment permit in the State. In accordance with normal practice, the would-be employer must make an application and demonstrate that the position cannot be filled from within the EEA. This entails advertising the position with FÁS for a period of one month. Recently, applications are only granted in...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (14 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order was designed to regulate the grocery sector in Ireland in 1987. The order contains a number of provisions aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices such as the selling of grocery goods at "below net invoice price", "hello money" and boycotting. The order covers all grocery goods as well as intoxicating liquor and other household goods ordinarily...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (14 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The consumer strategy group presented its final report to me on 2 March 2005. I am considering the report and its recommendations in conjunction with my colleagues in Government. I expect to publish the report and will announce my proposals in regard to progressing the recommendations in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand there is no specific EU directive or national regulations applicable to chargers for electrical equipment. However, provisions of the low voltage directive, the electromagnetic compatibility directive, the general product safety directive and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (section 28) (Electrical Plugs, Plug Similar Devices and Sockets for Domestic Use) Regulations...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (14 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: It is not possible to comment on the position of Irish companies operating in the Florida area. However, it is possible that a number of Enterprise Ireland's clients are operating in the area. Individuals wishing to make contact with such clients should route their queries through Enterprise Ireland in Dublin, at Enterprise Ireland, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 or by telephoning 01 808 2000....

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (14 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The twin issues of job creation and investment by companies supported by the enterprise development agencies are day to day matters for the relevant agencies, and not matters with which I am directly involved. Data on jobs lost and created in 2005 is not yet available with regard to companies supported by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland or the 35 city and county enterprise boards. IDA report...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (14 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Since the beginning of the year there have been significant increases in both the wholesale and retail price of petrol and diesel products, caused by a combination of strong demand, tight capacities, political uncertainty and some market speculation. Ireland has no control over world oil prices. I am not aware of any particular reason the price of diesel oil may have exceeded the price of...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (13 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Acts, support for job creation and investment on a regional or local basis comes within the remit of the industrial development agencies. IDA Ireland is actively marketing individual areas as locations for additional foreign direct investment, while Enterprise Ireland is concentrating on the development of indigenous industries. The 35 city and county...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (13 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Acts, support for job creation and investment on a regional or local basis comes within the remit of the industrial development agencies. IDA Ireland is actively marketing individual areas as a location for additional foreign direct investment, while Enterprise Ireland is concentrating on the development of indigenous industries. The 35 city and county...

Written Answers — Maximum Price Orders: Maximum Price Orders (13 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The policy on prices followed by this Government and by most Governments since price controls were abandoned in the 1980s is that prices should be set by competition in the marketplace. While a maximum prices order was made under the Prices Act in July 2000 to freeze the price of certain drinks sold in pubs, hotels and restaurants, the order lapsed after six months as its impact on prices was...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (13 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: On 18 February 2004 the Tánaiste announced the introduction of a new initiative to facilitate easier access to the Irish labour market by spouses of certain skilled non-EEA nationals working in Ireland. These new measures are confined to the spouses of persons working here on working visas or work authorisations, to spouses of certain intra-company transferees and spouses of certain...

Seanad: Rights of Migrant Workers: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on an issue which is helping to drive Ireland's social and economic development. Immigration, which is and will continue to be essential to the development and prosperity of Irish society, is a relatively new phenomenon in this country. We have known the other side of the coin for generations. I want to send a clear message that people who come...

Written Answers — Property Management Companies: Property Management Companies (12 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Apartment complex management companies are generally constituted as companies limited by guarantee under the Companies Acts and are required to comply with the relevant provisions of company law. The operation of such companies under their relevant memorandum and articles of association, including the employment of any property manager or management entity, is a matter for their members, who...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (12 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Research and development is at the core of the EU's Lisbon strategy. On 6 April 2005 the Commission published its formal proposal for a new EU programme for research, the seventh research framework programme — FP7 — which will run from 2007-13. The proposal involves a doubling of the research budget to approximately €73 billion over the seven-year period. The proposal is designed to...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (12 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The live register figure for County Sligo for March 2005 at 1,995 shows a decrease of 8.74% compared to 2,186 for March 2004. The figure of 1,995 is one of the lowest in more than 12 years. While the live register is not a true record of the level of unemployment, it is nevertheless a useful indicator of the current employment trend. During my visit to Sligo on 31 March 2005, I announced the...

Written Answers — Petrol Pricing: Petrol Pricing (12 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment does not analyse retail petrol prices in Ireland compared with the prices charged in other EU member states. However, this information is available from several organisations. The Automobile Association website, www.aaroadwatch.ie contains information for petrol prices in 18 EU member states. The most recent information available on this...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (12 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I travelled to Australia for the St. Patrick's day celebrations. My official party comprised my private secretary and I. The visit lasted seven days, from Saturday 12 March to Friday 18 March 2005 inclusive. Not all costs for this visit have been submitted or approved, so it is not possible at this point to provide a final cost. The costs which have been approved to date amount to €8,998.83...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (12 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together. I recently received the report of the consumer strategy group which has made recommendations on a wide range of consumer issues including the Groceries Order. I am discussing the group's findings with my Government colleagues and arrangements will be made to publish the report as soon as possible. Once the report is published, I intend to...