Results 561-580 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: ComReg cannot help the Deputy there.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (6 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I set out in my reply to Question No. 1067 of 16 September 2009 details of the total number of applicants that availed of the Salmon Hardship Scheme. I am advised by BIM and the Loughs Agency, who administered the Salmon Hardship Scheme on behalf of the Department, that 42 beneficiaries of the scheme were paid €702,037 during 2009 to date, i.e. other than those availing of payment spread...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (6 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: In accordance with the Foyle Fisheries Act 1952 and the Foyle Fisheries (Northern Ireland) Act 1952, as amended by the Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries Act 2007 Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, the Loughs Agency is empowered to regulate certain species of wild fish in the areas under its jurisdiction. These species include freshwater fish of any kind, salmon, sea...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (6 Oct 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The Department is not involved in any case relating to the River Gweebarra. I have been advised however, by the Northern Regional Fisheries Board (NRFB) that the Board is currently involved in a number of legal actions concerning the Gweebarra fishery. While Interlocutory (Temporary) Orders have been granted by the courts against a number of individuals concerning obstructing lawful fishing...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Over ten years.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (9 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: As previously advised, primary legislation is required for the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector, which includes the creation of a single strengthened national inland fisheries authority to be known as Inland Fisheries Ireland. Details of the draft Heads of Bill for this purpose, as approved by Government, have been made available for the information of the boards, management and...

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Tánaiste for sharing time with me. The European Union had a vital part in our national development in the past 20 to 30 years. It is important that we nail some of the familiar fallacies which infest the speaking and thought processes of those who opposed the EU in almost every referendum since we joined in 1973. First is the idea that the EU has materially diminished our...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Payment and repayment of grants are day-to-day operational matters for the Industrial Development agencies. While I do not have any role in the day-to-day operations of the agencies, I understand from Enterprise Ireland that grants are approved on foot of a business proposal ahead of the investment taking place. Grant payments subsequently follow the actual expenditure undertaken consistent...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (8 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Community Support Scheme (CSS) operated by the LEADER groups in areas where commercial salmon fishing has been a well established activity. The following table sets out the amount of funding available to each of the LEADER companies through the CSS. Each LEADER company received an administration grant equivalent to 15% of the funds made available to it...

Job Losses. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: IDA Ireland has worked with the Braun Oral B management team to seek replacement projects for the Carlow operation. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and IDA Ireland have had meetings at corporate level with Proctor & Gamble in the United States to explore opportunities for Ireland. The decision to exit certain product lines was taken following the steady...

Job Losses. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I would be delighted to give such a commitment. I wish to reassure the Deputy that IDA Ireland has a commitment to Carlow. It is important to note that earlier this year Merck, Sharp & Dohme announced an investment of €20 million and 160 additional jobs. In addition, the US-based company, Unum, also announced the creation of jobs in Carlow. There is a real commitment on the part of the...

Science and Technology Education. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The proportion of students studying science and mathematics at junior and leaving certificate levels has been stable since 2001 and Ireland ranks as one of the leading countries in the European Union in terms of science, mathematics and computing graduates. However, in terms of engineering graduates, Ireland is ranked well below the EU 15 average. This is a direct consequence of the...

Science and Technology Education. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The Quarterly National Household Survey is an interesting reflection of what is occurring in the labour market, but we can do nothing about the 2,000 people from the EU. If 1,000 people from outside the EU are securing jobs in the categories in question, we must examine the matter, but there are schemes whereby third country nationals can enter Ireland where----

Science and Technology Education. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: -----skill shortages have been identified. In the IT, banking and many other sectors, specific skills are required that are not available in the Irish labour market. Obviously, a stringent test is applied to employers who make this case. It is not true that employers can lightly invoke the reason of skill shortages. Rather, they must rigorously prove that an appropriate person is not...

Science and Technology Education. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I have obviously discussed that with my colleagues. The Minister of State, Deputy Billy Kelleher, in his previous remit, examined the issue of work permits very carefully. I reassure Deputies-----

Science and Technology Education. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: -----that where it can be proven that an issue arises in respect of our own people - unemployed or otherwise - not being able to gain access to our labour market owing to people coming in from outside the European Union, it will be investigated vigorously. We do not want to be importing labour from outside the European Economic Area. We would investigate every matter in this regard,...

Redundancy Payments. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: At the Tánaiste's instigation, the Department engaged with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate businesses experiencing particular difficulties in meeting tax payment obligations because of a delay in receiving rebate repayments from the redundancy payments section of the Department. Where agreement is forthcoming with the employer and, subject to satisfactory evidence being provided of...

Redundancy Payments. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: We are working with Revenue on that matter. There has been significant interest in this but the scheme has been operating for only two months. Thanks to the Minister's good intervention several hundred people have availed of the scheme in that period.

Redundancy Payments. (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I am sure that the Revenue Commissioners will consider that and we will suggest that if such communication is vitally needed to keep a business going it should show that flexibility.

Written Answers — Job Initiative: Job Initiative (7 Jul 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006-2013 aims to ensure that Ireland, by 2013, will be internationally renowned for the excellence of its research, and will be to the forefront in generating and using new knowledge for economic and social progress, within an innovation driven culture. The SSTI recognises the vital contribution that highly educated, professional and...