Results 5,421-5,440 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Foreign Direct Investment: Foreign Direct Investment (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The proposed tax changes outlined by the U.S. Administration on 4 May were proposals and not detailed draft legislation so it is not possible to definitively state what the effect will be for U.S. foreign direct investment in Ireland. However, the stated intention of the Obama Administration is to target tax havens. Ireland is not a tax haven, nor is it considered as such by the U.S....

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Deputies will be aware that the evolution of trade union and industrial relations law in Ireland has been influenced by the provisions of our Constitution. The relevant provision is Article 40.6.1° (iii), in which "the State guarantees liberty for the exercise of.... the right of the citizens to form associations and unions". This guarantee, usually referred to as the freedom of association,...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated statutory provisions. There have been 10 workplace deaths reported to the Authority to date in 2009 (as at 13.05.09). The numbers of workplace deaths reported to the Authority for the years 2002-2008 are as follows – 57 in 2008; 67 in 2007;...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There is currently a Budget provision of over €500 million for capital investment in enterprise. This is a clear statement of our priorities on the jobs front and the investment will be aimed at the most productive sectors of our economy in relation to both indigenous industry and foreign direct investment. Assistance also needs to be available to companies that are basically viable but...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 99 together. In 2008, the National Employment Rights Authority, (NERA) conducted nearly twice as many workplace inspections, as the 2007 level - almost 28,000 workplace inspections in 2008 as against just fewer than 14,500 in 2007. This increased level of inspection activity is of course reflective of the greater level of Inspectorate resources...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There are three persons working in my Department on temporary contracts all of which will expire before the end of 2009. Two of these contracts will expire by the end of June while the third expires on 14th August 2009. Labour Court Eight members of the Labour Court and the Labour Court Registrar are appointed on fixed-term warrants. Two of these warrants are due to expire in 2009. The...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Following the January announcement by Dell, I established the Mid West Task Force, Chaired by Mr Denis Brosnan. The role of the Task Force, amongst others, is to assess the particular impact on the wider regional economy of the decision to close certain parts of the Dell plant in Limerick and associated job losses in other companies and also to carry out an analysis of the potential impact...

Written Answers — Innovation Fund Ireland: Innovation Fund Ireland (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I met with Commissioner Kroes on 6 May 2009 and we had a very useful exchange on state aid rules. I thanked the Commissioner for the early approval, granted by the Commission on 14 April, of an Irish scheme submitted under the Commission's Temporary Framework on State Aid. The Framework, which was introduced in response to the global economic crisis, gives Member States increased...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Comptroller and Auditor General is carrying out an investigation into certain matters in FÁS. I would emphasise that in carrying out this work the C&AG enjoys full independence. The question of when the Comptroller and Auditor General's examination into the management systems and controls within FÁS will be completed and a report published are, properly, matters for the C&AG. I...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: On Friday 24th April, Amann announced that its plant in Tralee is to close with the loss of 215 jobs. I am keenly aware of the impact on the employees of Amann and their families in the light of this announcement. In many cases, such company announcements are as a result of global conditions and/or global decisions, over which we have less influence. The closure announcement by the...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My Department through FÁS, the National Training and Employment Authority, is actively working to ensure increased accessibility to the range of services and supports for all jobseekers including those who are under 20 years of age. In light of the increase in unemployment FÁS has significantly increased the number of front-line staff, through an internal redeployment of resources, to...

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Competition Acts specifically provide that any abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the State or in any part of the State is prohibited. Should the Deputies have any evidence of undertakings in the retail sector engaging in the abuse of a dominant position, I would urge them to bring such evidence to the attention of the Competition Authority in order that it may be...

Written Answers — Small and Medium Enterprises: Small and Medium Enterprises (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: A properly functioning banking sector is an essential element for the maintenance and development of enterprises, especially SMEs. A key principle of the Government actions to restore stability to the banking sector has been the recognition of the importance of business lending particularly in relation to SMEs. Such stability will ensure that the financial institutions can actively...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Government's Bank's Recapitalisation Package, Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland agreed to engage in a 'clearing group' chaired by a Government representative and including representation from business interests and State agencies. The purpose of this group is to identify specific patterns of events or cases where the flow of credit to viable projects appears to be blocked and to...

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The issue of the differentials in prices between this jurisdiction and other jurisdictions such as Northern Ireland and the UK has been a matter of concern for some time. These concerns stem from the widespread belief, particularly amongst consumers, that the benefits of the Euro's appreciation in value against Sterling are not being passed on by way of lower prices in the shops. In the...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Government recently appointed five Ministers of State to my Department with each having defined responsibilities. Conor Lenihan T.D. has responsibility for Science, Technology, and Innovation within my Department. Billy Kelleher T.D. has responsibility for Trade and Commerce. Dara Calleary T.D. has responsibility for Labour Affairs. Sean Haughey T.D. has responsibility for Lifelong...

Written Answers — Small and Medium Enterprises: Small and Medium Enterprises (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I have no plans to introduce a working capital loan guarantee programme for viable small and medium enterprises with funding problems. However the Deputy will be aware of the establishment of the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund to be administered by Enterprise Ireland. Funding of €100m over two years has been made available to provide targeted support to indigenous viable but vulnerable...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: To respond to the rising numbers of unemployed I have increased the capacity of the job search services within FÁS from 6,500 to 12,250 persons per month. This brings the total number of places for referrals by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to 150,000 per year. My Department has through the significant redeployment of resources substantially increased the number of activation...

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware anecdotally of complaints against retailers alleging abuse in their dealings with suppliers. The business relationship between retailers and suppliers is subject to general contract law, enforceable by the Courts. The Competition Acts 2002 to 2006 are also relevant in that they contain specific provisions prohibiting retailers from engaging in certain anti-competitive practices...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (19 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently a total of eight EU Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2012. Two of these Directives are currently overdue, namely Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual and consolidated accounts and Directive 2006/46/EC on company reporting. My Department aims to transpose these Directives by 31 May and 30 June 2009 respectively. Full details on the...