Results 50,601-50,620 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: We are all e-Ministers.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland and its regions. The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including decisions regarding location and size of land owned by IDA, are day to day operational matters for the agency and not matters in which I have a function. In line with its strategy of...

Written Answers — Severance Payments: Severance Payments (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: ICI and the State, the shareholders in IFI, while there was no legal obligation to do so, established a special fund with almost €24.5 million to provide ex gratia severance payments to the former employees of IFI. All applications from employees to the ex gratia fund of €24.5 million have now been processed. Payments from the fund were made in accordance with the basis for distribution...

Written Answers — Severance Payments: Severance Payments (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: ICI and the State, the shareholders in IFI, while there was no legal obligation to do so, established a special fund with almost €24.5 million to provide ex gratia severance payments to the former employees of IFI. All applications from employees to the ex gratia fund of €24.5 million have now been processed. Payments from the fund were made were in accordance with the basis for...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: In 1996, a project undertaken by an organisation was approved for grant assistance of up to €104,000 by my Department under the EU-funded small business operational programme. In accordance with the normal procedures for the relevant measure, an initial grant of 50% of the total approved was made at that time, while a further grant of 30% was issued in September 1997 following the...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: The Irish paper, print and packaging sector comprises approximately 600 companies. It employs in the region of 18,000 people and has estimated sales of €1.6 billion per annum. However, overcapacity in the sector has resulted in rationalisation and consolidation. A number of companies have downsized and closed and further rationalisation is expected. Outsourcing is likely to continue to be...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: There is no record in my Department of a valid work permit application in this case. Work permit applications which are incorrect or incomplete are not regarded as valid applications and are returned to the employer for completion.

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: While I understand that a claim on the liquidation has been made by the trustees of the pension scheme covering the former IFI employees in Belfast, I also understand that the liquidator, in consultation with his legal and actuarial advisers, is still considering whether, and to what extent, this claim is admissible. Until the status of this claim is established, it is not possible to assess...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: A work permit was issued to the employer on the 23 June 2004.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: A work permit application was received in this case on 21 September 2004. Work permit applications are taking six weeks to process, assuming they are complete and in order.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (12 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. The circa 1.4 hectare site in question, at Castledermot, County Kildare, is under the ownership of IDA Ireland. This site was approved for disposal by IDA Ireland to Kildare County Council in April 2003. The disposal of this site is part of a transaction that...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (5 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: Following the establishment of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the end of the my Department's involvement in the insurance reform programme, the Department of Finance will have overall responsibility for policy and legislation in relation to the provision of financial services in Ireland. A key initiative in my Department was the establishment of Personal Injuries...

Written Answers — Amnesty International: Amnesty International (5 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: The correspondence referred to has not been received in the Office of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (5 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: I am informed that there is no record of a valid renewal application having been received in my Department in respect of the individual concerned.

Written Answers — Department Websites: Department Websites (5 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: As the provision of timely and accurate information on the website is a Departmental priority it is updated daily. All my Department's press releases are posted to the website at approximately the same time as they are issued via e-mail and fax. My Department encourages feedback on its website and there is an on-line facility for users to rate the site under different headings and to make...

Written Answers — Soft Drinks Industry: Soft Drinks Industry (5 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: Price control is a failed policy which, when it was most active in the 1980s, resulted in the maximum prices for products being in effect the minimum price. I believe that increased competition and consumer vigilance are the best ways to ensure that markets deliver value for money to consumers. There is legislation in place designed to help consumers to make a conscious decision before they...

Written Answers — Disability Support Service: Disability Support Service (5 Oct 2004)

Micheál Martin: Under the Disability Bill 2004, my Department is one of six Departments required to draw up sectoral plans, as part of the national disability strategy for positive action measures to support participation by people with disabilities in Irish society. The key focus of the outline sectoral plan developed by my Department is to facilitate and improve access to vocational training and employment...

Seanad: Job Losses. (30 Sep 2004)

Micheál Martin: I thank Senator Bradford for raising this matter and for his constructive contribution. Other public representatives, including the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Michael Ahern, and Deputy Ned O'Keeffe, who lives in Mitchelstown, have also expressed their concerns about developments there. Mitchelstown has been to the forefront of considerations since a meeting last April between...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: Some of these units are already partially in use as they are replacing old and outdated facilities. My Department will continue to work with the Department of Finance to identify a timescale for the full commissioning of new facilities. In terms of primary care, the strategy, Primary Care: A New Direction, recognises that the Irish health system places considerable reliance on hospital care...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: Let us not get into a futile debate about that.