Results 6,041-6,060 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is great that they all love me so much.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Consultation on that matter is ongoing. No final decision has been made.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. 24, statements on the HSE document, Framework for the Development of a Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme for Ireland; and No. 25, statements on the Deloitte report, Cost and Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 24 shall, if not previously concluded, be...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Order of Business——

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The business ordered for today was set aside previously at the request of the Opposition. We have been asked to facilitate other debates but, unfortunately, people are not available to meet these requests.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is disingenuous of the Opposition to ask us to change the Order of Business.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We have spent the past two days debating the economy. There was a further request on the Order of Business to arrange debates on these matters on the basis that they had been previously deferred.

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Therefore, we are not agreeing to a change to the Order of Business.

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (25 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I very much regret the announced closure of the SR Technics operation at Dublin Airport. My most recent meeting on the matter was on Thursday last, 19 February, with a delegation representing the Trade Union interests in the Dublin operation, who outlined their concerns. Similar concerns have been relayed to me in the many approaches I have had from public representatives. The Government...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (25 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The report of the Services Strategy Group, "Catching the Wave: A Services Strategy for Ireland", published in September 2008, contains a range of recommendations across a wide area that concerns the policies and activities of a number of Government Departments and Agencies. All the relevant bodies have been contacted for their views on the pertinent recommendations in the report. Officials of...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (25 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (25 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has no function in this matter and accordingly does not have the statistics requested on employment numbers. However, Enterprise Ireland can provide support to companies that engage in one of the 21 eligible activities as set out in the Services Order 2003, and currently generate or intend to generate exports from the eligible activity in the near future. The twenty-one...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (24 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The State makes a significant investment in training measures for both employed and unemployed. In order to oversee the efficient delivery of training provision for the employed, an Upskilling Coordination Group chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment was established. This Group is comprised of representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I welcome the report on FÁS by the Public Accounts Committee, which was published last week and I commend the Committee for the work carried out in this matter. I will be paying particular attention to the recommendations made and to the underlying rationale for making them. I note that while the report in general concentrates on the things that went wrong, the Committee is of the view that...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The detailed information being sought by the Deputy, going back to 2000, is currently being researched across my Department; however, given the short time available to me since the Deputy tabled this Question, I am not yet in a position to provide those details. I will however, communicate further with the Deputy once the research is complete. The House will appreciate that my Department...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Our immediate policy objectives with regard to competitiveness are to restore confidence and stability in our economy, provide supports to the enterprise sector, restore cost competitiveness, safeguard the significant achievements of recent years and ensure a return to sustainable export growth. Under the Framework for Economic Renewal we are taking a number of measures across Government to...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The management of human resource issues is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as provided for in the Labour Services Act, 1987.

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (24 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 62 and 94 together. The issue of north south price differentials has been the subject of concern for some time. The House will be aware of the widespread concerns, 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. These concerns were heightened...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (24 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 72 and 82 together. I have been directly involved in the on-going situation in Waterford Crystal for some time now. Both myself and my Senior Officials have engaged in a series of meetings relating to the future of this company. The company is currently in receivership. I have met with the Receiver, on a number of occasions since his appointment last...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (24 Feb 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Consumer Protection (Fixed Payment Notice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 689 of 2007) came into effect on 13 October 2007. Responsibility for enforcement of these Regulations is a matter for the National Consumer Agency and I have no direct function in the matter. I am informed that to date a total of 42 fixed payment fines have been paid. Of these, 41 relate to the European Communities...