Results 5,081-5,100 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose
- Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: Question 32: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies notified to his Department during 2007; the way this compares with the same period in each year from 2002 to 2006; the numbers notified to date in 2008; if he is concerned at the reported increase in the number of redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16544/08]
- Job Losses. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the continuing level of job losses in the manufacturing sector; the steps being taken to reverse this trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16575/08]
- Job Losses. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle should be more lenient because in fairness to the Minister, his entire alma mater is in the Public Gallery and they would like to hear him speak.
- Job Losses. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: As a former teacher, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle should understand. In any event, I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. It is time that we shocked ourselves out of our absolute complacency. We have been on auto pilot. We have been so used to the good times that we have virtually no idea how to deal with the difficult times. I do not intend to talk down the economy because the...
- Job Losses. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: I accept that.
- Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: If a question is good we never run out of time.
- Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the increase in prices of a broad range of goods, which has resulted in a further jump in the level of inflation to 5% in March 2008; if he is satisfied that appropriate procedures are in place to prevent exploitation of consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/08]
- Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister for his reply. This is a position that has been a cause of concern not just for consumers but also for the economy at large. The manner in which inflation has risen to 5% is the latest in the growing band of adverse statistics. The consumer price index figures are also of great concern in light of the forthcoming talks because the trade unions will argue for...
- Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: Yes, that is an external factor.
- Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: The Minister is telling us all to keep our nerve.
- Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: Will the Minister ensure that all goods are priced in euro rather than having a situation where goods in some retail outlets are priced in sterling or other currency denominations? There must always be a clear indication of the cost in euro. This might seem a strange inquiry but I have a reason for making it. The euro price of every item must be plainly visible to the consumer.
- Departmental Properties. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: Will the Minister take steps to accelerate the carrying out of an audit of these buildings? A significant number of them exist throughout Ireland. Where a disaster happens from a jobs perspective in an area surely a major selling point, apart from the expertise of the skilled workforce which can be retrained under the new upskilling programme, is the availability of a building. This is of...
- Company Closures. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister for his reply and thank also the Minister of State, Deputy Billy Kelleher, who was helpful and forthcoming during our discussions on the Private Notice Question. I compliment the liquidators, Mr. McStay, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Bolger, Mr. Kenny and all involved in this matter. Everybody has put their shoulder to the wheel and we now have a window of opportunity of six months....
- Company Closures. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: They worked hard.
- Industrial Development. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister. I want to advocate Kellys organic production of similar products in Ladestown, Mullingar.
- Industrial Development. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: We should recognise somebody who started off small, as did Gerry Kelly and his wife, Mary. That is very important because they provide employment in that area and utilise a natural resource. We should encourage jobs in that particular area. I hope the Minister will not be found wanting. In the Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar, ATM, region, Mullingar is the principal town, irrespective of...
- Industrial Development. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: I do not know what he is doing there. Those are the important towns. I appreciate we are marketing them as a triangle and I advocate that is the way to proceed. Will the Minister give a solemn commitment that he, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA will leave no stone unturned to ensure that a positive development takes place in Mullingar in a 70 acre industrial park which is well developed and...
- Industrial Development. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: Yes.
- Industrial Development. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: For technology graduates and so on.
- Departmental Agencies. (30 Apr 2008)
Willie Penrose: The main problem with the large number of agencies is that Members cannot obtain a reply from the relevant line Minister when we raise an issue in the House. In other words, no one is accountable to the people or their representatives. It is not feasible to abolish some State agencies. Bodies such as NERA are essential if we are to pursue those who do not comply with the law. While I...