Results 50,441-50,460 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: Her company is recognised for innovation, research and development, scaling up to create more jobs, and operating successfully in export markets. We all know the quality of Lir chocolates, if I am allowed to say so.

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

Micheál Martin: In my previous portfolio I could not have made the same point, perhaps.

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The company has decided to close its chicken processing plant on 4 March next. There is overcapacity in the competitive chicken processing market. There is a trend towards consolidation into larger processing units. Further investment could not be contemplated because the plant was deemed to be small by industry standards. I understand that employees will be given an opportunity to take up...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The following table provides data on jobs created with the assistance of Enterprise Ireland between 1998 and 2004. The table also provides data on jobs assisted by Enterprise Ireland in County Laois in 2004.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland, including its regions. Data on job creation are compiled from an annual employment survey carried out by Forfás. County data for 2004 will not be available until mid-2005. The number of IDA Ireland-supported companies in County Laois and the numbers of jobs created and...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The consumer strategy group was established to deliberate on a wide range of consumer matters. I am awaiting the report of group and I expect that it will contain recommendations on the groceries order. On receipt of the report, I will consider the group's findings in consultation with my Government colleagues and interested parties before deciding what action is appropriate.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland and its regions. In its 2004 end-of-year statement, IDA Ireland indicated that 2004 was the best year since 2000 in terms of the quality, depth and value of the investment decisions won. It indicated that an estimated 10,800 new jobs were created. However, more precise data...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The implementation of regional development strategy is a day-to-day matter for the industrial development agencies concerned and not one in which I am directly involved. However, in line with stated Government policy, Enterprise Ireland seeks to encourage a balanced spread of regional development. Enterprise Ireland's strategy in this regard includes encouraging companies, where relevant, to...

Written Answers — Retail Sector Developments: Retail Sector Developments (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The concerns raised in the submission on changes to the retail planning guidelines are the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Accordingly, I have arranged to forward a copy of the submission to that Minister for his attention. On the groceries order, I am awaiting the report of the consumer strategy group, which was established last year to...

Written Answers — Metrology Service: Metrology Service (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand from the legal metrology service of the National Standards Authority of Ireland that measures are being progressed to facilitate the early resumption of inspection in meat plants. An issue that remains to be resolved relates to the contracting of hauliers for the carriage of the necessary test weights to and from different premises. Legal aspects relating to the establishment of...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (17 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The statistics which the Deputy has sought for waste production by my Department are not available. Smart Waste Solutions dispose of IT type equipment for the Department, while Greenstar Limited, Onyx Ireland Limited and Information Security — Rehab recycling — dispose of our general and paper waste. It is proposed to extend a successful pilot paper recycling initiative operated by Onyx...

Written Answers — Departmental Credit Cards: Departmental Credit Cards (17 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: It is the policy of my Department that holders of credit cards obtained through the Department are responsible for the settlement of the credit card accounts. Official expenditure, irrespective of whether it was met by credit card or other means, is reimbursed on foot of a claim supported by receipts. Accordingly, the Department does not have information on the total expenditure by credit...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (17 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: During the past three years, my Department has engaged three public relations companies, as follows. Peter G. White Limited was paid €1,270.50 for the provision of advice on media strategy to the interim chairperson and the chief executive designate of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board prior to its establishment on a statutory basis. No formal terms of reference were drawn up, and the...

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Because the Deputy was told to leave.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: It was not.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (16 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am very much aware of the jobs situation in Tallaght. The industrial development agencies are continuing to market the Tallaght area for new jobs and investment. Tallaght benefits from having a third level Institute — the Tallaght Institute of Technology — and excellent infrastructural facilities at City West and Grange Castle in Clondalkin. Wyeth Biopharma has approximately 700 people...

Written Answers — Seachtain na Gaeilge: Seachtain na Gaeilge (16 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an scéim tábhachta seo seachtain na Gaeilge agus tuigim, chun an seachtain a comóradh, molann mo Roinn do gach duine sa foireann an Gaeilge a úsaid chómh mór agus is féidir agus is oiriúnach éí rith seachtain na Gaeilge.

Consumer Protection. (16 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Her contribution and complaint have enlightened me and the House about the nature of the case. A number of Departments wondered which Department should take up this concern. Eventually we looked at it under the issue of company law and have drawn up the following reply. I ask the Deputy to discuss the issue further with my officials in terms of the...

Seanad: Company Closures. (16 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment and for his kind comments on my new portfolio. The board of Greencore has made a commercial decision to cease production of sugar beet in Carlow, with Mallow remaining as the sole producer in Ireland. The company has indicated that the move is designed to ensure the survival of its business in the face of reforms to the existing...

Seanad: Physical Education Facilities. (16 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Department of Education and Science's overall strategy on the provision of physical education halls generally and at Castleknock Community College in particular. Modernising facilities in the country's 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of...