Results 941-960 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern

Written Answers — Corporate Investigations: Corporate Investigations (17 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the director of corporate enforcement's annual report for 2003. Some of its highlights include the following: there were just under 1,500 reports made to his office of the by auditors suggesting the commission of indictable company law offences by companies and directors, in particular, a four-fold increase over the number of such reports made in...

Written Answers — WTO Negotiations: WTO Negotiations (17 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 63 together. The operation of the EU's common trade policy lies within the competence of the European Commission. In recent months the Commission has been to the forefront of efforts to re-launch the Doha development agenda negotiations. Last September they stalled following the failure of the WTO ministerial meeting in Cancún. The most recent major...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (17 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 58 together. Sixteen investigations into company law matters have been initiated by me since I first came into office as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In three cases, the High Court appointed, on an application by me, inspectors under section 8 of the Companies Act 1990. The inspectors appointed to Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited presented...

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: I thank Senator O'Meara for raising this matter. The Tánaiste, who is engaged in Presidency duties this evening, regrets that she cannot be here to take part in the debate on this important issue. I wish to place this debate in its proper context, which will underline the commitment of the Government to the mid-west region, particularly Shannon. The House is aware that a numberof recent...

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: That is a matter for the Minister for Transport, who is examining it.

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: The promulgation of legislation for the new airport authority is a matter for the Minister for Transport.

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: That matter is under discussion.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (2 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, to outline to the House the position of the Department of Education and Science regarding the proposed building project for the Presentation College in Carlow. A major extension project for the Presentation College is listed in section 8 of the Department's school...

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (27 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: I bring the Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2004 before the House today in order to clarify the position regarding one aspect of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000. Intellectual property legislation provides for a complex, multi-layered system of protection for rights holders. As in any other area, the legislator must seek to strike the right balance between, on the one...

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (27 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: I thank the Members of the House for their support for the Bill. While having the advantage of being short, it removes a doubt that had potentially serious consequences. As pointed out by Senator Leyden and others, while the Bill will have wide application, it will cover the major exhibition planned for the National Library in June at which Joyce works will be exhibited. This will form the...

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: I congratulate the officials on the expeditious manner in which they prepared this legislation and I again thank Members of the House.

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: I thank Senator Brian Hayes and the Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke, for their contributions. Senator Brian Hayes raised a number of questions to which I do not have definitive answers. However, I will enter commencement mode and try to make matters clearer for him. I understand that the Law Reform Commission has issued a report which will change the terminology used in commencement...

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: In respect of electronic versions, the authentic version is that signed by the President and enrolled in the Supreme Court office. There is a catch-up period for electronic versions. At present, there are approximately 80 years' worth of prior legislation which must be captured electronically.

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: Eighty. The legislation is in the process of being captured but it will take some time to do it.

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: I presume it will become an authentic version. The legislation is contained on a CD-ROM, a copy of which we received recently, but there are errors in the material which must be excised before it can be used as an authentic version. Senator Brian Hayes also referred to a review mechanism. His suggestion was sensible and laudable. When the Leader and I first entered the Houses, every item of...

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: Yes. That memorandum would take into account the amendments and changes. I again thank both Senators for their contributions.

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: I am pleased to introduce the Interpretation Bill 2000 in the Seanad and to outline its purpose and content. Most Acts and statutory instruments contain definition or interpretation provisions. They are there to make the legislation concerned more coherent by reducing the need for repetition. They also allow legislation to be shorter and improve clarity. Some interpretation matters arise time...

Seanad: Interpretation Bill 2000: Second Stage. (19 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: One has only to go back 15 years.

Written Answers — Steel Prices: Steel Prices (18 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 125 and 127 together. I understand that world steel prices have risen substantially, due primarily to economic growth in producer countries such as China, where increased home market demand has led to a reduction in the volumes available for export. At European level, trade related issues in relation to steel and coke fall within the ambit of the common...

Written Answers — Company Investigations: Company Investigations (13 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: The investigations into the affairs of National Irish Bank Ltd., and National Irish Bank Financial Services Ltd., are being conducted by inspectors appointed by the High Court, on application by me, under section 8 of the Companies Act 1990. I understand from press reports that the final report of the inspectors is expected to be presented to the High Court on or before 31 July 2004. The...