Results 181-200 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I was involved in the reduction of administrative burden in the last Government when I was Minister of State responsible for company law. Deputies have mentioned regulatory burden and we brought in audit exemption, which has been of great benefit to companies and accountants. There are other areas in which changes have been made, leading to much angst being eliminated. These include...

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I agree with Deputy Penrose. I have worked on the other side of the fence.

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I have had to fill in endless forms and that is why, when I was involved in the company law area, I managed to get rid of some of them. It is Government policy to reduce the regulation by 25% and we have set up a high level group. I note the Deputy's comments and will convey them to the Minister because they are relevant.

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: It is likely to be 25%. The EU target is 25%.

Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: Our regulatory burden is lower than that in most of Europe. The Minister will have to announce the exact figure but he has not told me because it is not in the reply. We will be aiming for a figure in the range of 25%.

Telecommunications Networks. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: This is making up for the five years when I did not answer a question. The provision of top quality communications infrastructure in all regions including Dublin is essential for Ireland's continued growth and prosperity. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is well aware of my views on the issues of communications infrastructure and in particular next generation...

Telecommunications Networks. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: The December 2007 Forfás report on Ireland's broadband performance and policy requirements found that broadband continued to grow strongly. At the end of June 2007, there were 698,000 broadband subscribers, including 45,000 mobile and broadband subscribers. According to the report: Broadband take-up continues to grow strongly. Ireland added 6.6 new broadband connections per 100 inhabitants...

Telecommunications Networks. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I agree. It is a disgrace that broadband has not been developed. Last December, the Minister met with John McElligott, managing director of eBay, who had written to outline his concern at the pace of roll-out of high speed internet access. The Minister agreed with him and described the Government's actions in promoting broadband, including demands and further proposals for next generation...

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: To respond to the changing circumstances in the construction sector, the FÁS board established a subgroup last year to look at the impact of FÁS construction programmes on the changes in employment trends in the construction sector. The subgroup has been examining this issue as a matter of priority and is in the process of completing detailed research at present. It is expected the...

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: Auctioneers and others in the estate agent business have told me in recent weeks that there is renewed interest and that people are looking at houses. I can only speak for the Cork region, where house prices are not heading into the territory of negative equity.

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I refer even to those who bought a couple of years ago. Perhaps Dublin is slightly different but this is not the case in the rest of the country. As for FÁS, the number of new apprentices in 2006 was 7,681 while the corresponding figure for 2007 was 6,288, or approximately 1,400 to 1,500 fewer apprentices. However, craftspeople will be needed in the years ahead and it is predicted that in...

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I apologise but I did not hear the question.

FÁS Training Programmes. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: My recollection is that during the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the building industry experienced a major downturn, apprentices were able to complete their training. This was facilitated through AnCO and its successor, FÁS. I do not know whether the policy will change. I will raise the matter with the Minister to facilitate a reply to the Deputy.

Legislative Review. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: The Minister, Deputy Martin, announced a public consultation on the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002 last October. A number of submissions have been received and are currently being examined. During a Dáil debate on the Private Members' Competition (Amendment) Bill in December, the Minister indicated that he would welcome submissions from interested parties. I...

Legislative Review. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I do not have answers to those specific questions but I will obtain the details sought by the Deputy concerning the number of reports. I will pass on to the Minister the Deputy's suggestion about replying to recommendations contained in such reports.

Legislative Review. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: The Minister has said that there will be a thorough analysis of all the submissions and that consideration will be given on how best to proceed when that review process has been completed. It is too early at this stage to speculate on any possible legislative changes.

Live Register. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together. The total number of people recorded on the live register for January 2008 is 181,449. The live register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment benefit. Unemployment is measured by the quarterly national household survey, collated and published by the Central...

Live Register. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: I do not agree with the Deputy's contention that we have been smug and unaware of what was coming down the tracks. The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance stated in his budget speech that estimated economic growth in 2007 would be approximately 4.7% and it would average 3.25% between 2008 and 2010. He also stated the economy had reached a turning point and was entering a phase of much lower...

Live Register. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: He is attending the North-South Ministerial Council in Dundalk.

Live Register. (7 Feb 2008)

Michael Ahern: For the past ten years I have listened to predictions of doom and gloom by Opposition colleagues, even though more than 2 million people are at work, the highest number in the history of the State. I acknowledge there will be a downturn, mainly due to the correction in the house building industry. However, 80,000 were employed in this industry and approximately 6,000 have been laid off....