Results 6,621-6,640 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: No.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The matter is before the courts.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. 21, Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 20, Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 51, motion re Agriculture (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: On the issue of the debate on Tuesday, I assume it will be a matter of statements, but the format will be for the Whips to finalise. As the Deputy knows, this is on the basis of the sub-committee's report to the Houses of the Oireachtas. In normal circumstances the outcome of the discussions at Heads of State level is often debated here. However, I shall ask the line Minister about this,...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I must point out, it is not a precedent for the Government to always discuss matters with the leaders of the Opposition. I will advise the Minister for Foreign Affairs of their anxiety to be fully briefed. I assume that in the normal circumstances if he can afford them that opportunity, he will do so. However, I cannot pre-empt the discussions that are taking place with the Taoiseach and...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: In normal circumstances, the Taoiseach would discuss the matter on Tuesday at Cabinet and would take into consideration the views of all the Members of the House. The Taoiseach will return within a day or two and on Thursday night I will discuss with him the Deputy's anxiety for a private briefing for leaders of the Opposition and will get back to the leaders as quickly as possible on that.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I seek the Chair's guidance on this and would be careful on this issue. The tribunal is not answerable to the Government, but to the House. Therefore, the Government has not seen any report nor has it commented on a report. The proper processes and procedures will be followed to the nth degree. I will certainly not speculate on anything that may or may not have been, rightly or wrongly,...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I do not really. What I want to say is the Government has not dealt with the report.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Government has not dealt with this report or seen it. I do not wish to comment on the matter, as it is a matter for the House and not a matter for the Government. The clear procedures are there and on that basis it would be inappropriate for me to speculate on matters printed in the newspapers.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I can hear what the Deputy is saying, though I might not want to hear it.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 142 together. Any comparison of the respective VAT rates between the UK and Ireland must take account of the fact that the fiscal positions of both countries are very different. In this regard it should be borne in mind that Ireland already has a low tax economy by comparison with other competing economies, especially in the area of direct taxation on...

Written Answers — Live Register: Live Register (2 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The recent increase in the numbers on the live register is unwelcome and is an indication of the challenges that are now facing the labour market and the economy as a whole. The Government is taking specific measures to address these challenges and to ensure that job losses are minimised as much as possible. Our priority is to create the environment that will allow those who have lost their...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (2 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The current apprenticeship population is 26,479 and, of these, FÁS has been notified by 2,859 of these that they have been made redundant. Of these notifications, 2,359 were recorded to date in 2008. All apprentices who become redundant and notify FÁS, either through FÁS Services to Business or FÁS Employment Services, are captured on the same IT system. It tracks the current training...

Written Answers — Services Sector: Services Sector (2 Dec 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I launched the report of the Services Strategy Group, "Catching the Wave: A Services Strategy for Ireland" in September. This report sets out new policy proposals on how we can ensure the continued development and growth of Ireland's services sector. The report aims to develop a comprehensive, forward-looking assessment of how to maximise the returns to Ireland from services activities,...

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (27 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Since the announcement last year of a restructuring programme by the company in question, the priority has been to minimise the number of job losses that would occur. The Industrial Development agencies, primarily Enterprise Ireland and FÁS, have been working very closely in this regard. However, the final decision in relation to jobs rests with the company itself. Once the restructuring...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (26 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Comptroller and Auditor General in his report on non-commercial Semi-State bodies, published in May 2008, reviewed the issues raised in one specific FÁS internal audit report. I have discussed this matter with FÁS and have expressed my concerns at the need to secure value for money in public expenditure. I have also requested the C&AG to carry out an investigation into the...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (26 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Concerns in relation to the differential in the prices charged for some goods in this jurisdiction as against the prices charged in Northern Ireland and the UK have been expressed by a number of commentators. These concerns have focused on the recent significant increase in value by the Euro against sterling and the belief that the benefits of this appreciation are not being passed on to...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (26 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: FÁS Training Services provides training courses in Dublin and Cork in the following sustainable energy courses: Solar (Domestic Hot Water) Bio mass (Wood pellet boilers) Geo Thermal Heating. These programmes are designed to update the skills of suitable crafts persons typically plumbers, electricians and fitters. It is hoped to extend the delivery of these programmes to other training...

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (25 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I am informed by IDA Ireland that Kostal Ireland GmbH plan a reduction in job numbers in Mallow and a change to working arrangements at their Mallow and Abbeyfeale plants. These steps are deemed necessary by the company to offset a drop in sales demand. Kostal will be terminating the employment of 29 temporary employees in Mallow, closing both the Limerick and Mallow plants for three...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (25 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Insofar as my Department is concerned, Budget 2009 announcements included the merging of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. As both bodies were established under statute, it will be necessary to give effect to the newly merged body by way of primary legislation. Whilst I am committed to introducing this legislation as soon as possible, it is not possible at this...