Results 161-180 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern
- Seanad: Protection of Employees (Agency Workers) (12 Mar 2008)
Michael Ahern: John Arnott, who founded the store, was a Cork man.
- Leaders' Questions (5 Mar 2008)
Michael Ahern: Deputy Kenny should check with his friends in IBEC.
- Job Creation. (28 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: Did the Deputy press "send"?
- Seanad: Coast Guard Stations: Statements (27 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I am very pleased to have this opportunity to speak on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Noel Dempsey, the Minister for Transport, on the subject of Malin Head and Valentia Coast Guard stations. It would be useful if I outlined the context within which these centres operate and gave some of the background to the current state of play. The organisation responsible for marine emergency...
- Agency Workers: Motion (Resumed) (20 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I open my remarks by saying that the Government side has listened carefully to the useful and important contributions on temporary agency workers, from various sides, both last night and this evening. Contrary to the common assertion from most Opposition Deputies during last night's debate, this Government is deeply committed to decent standards of employment, and that these should also...
- Agency Workers: Motion (Resumed) (20 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The rights commissioner service of the Labour Relations Commission has only seen a handful of cases each year involving agency personnel. I am sure that Deputies will agree this pattern is very much at odds with the situation as represented in public debate in recent months. A clear message from the debate this evening must be that the very considerable resources put in place by this House...
- School Curriculum. (20 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: It should have been put on the course years ago.
- Alcohol Advisory Group. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I have taken note of Deputy English's comments and I will bring them to the attention of the Minister.
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The life sciences sector in Ireland comprises approximately 400 enterprises, employing more than 40,000 people, and accounts for almost â¬43 billion in exports per annum. The industry is made up of a host of leading Irish and international firms. Ireland has been extremely successful in attracting investment from leading international life sciences enterprises. The majority of overseas...
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: Deputy Clune is absolutely correct. The Minister of State with responsibility in this area, Deputy Haughey, will be developing proposals in respect of the upskilling of operators. That report will be forthcoming in the not too distant future. The Minister of State's work will address the points raised by the Deputy. In order to maintain the growth and development of the economy, there...
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: It will not be a report. The Minister of State will be taking on board and implementing the recommendations made by the group.
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: Yes.
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The Minister of State with responsibility in that area, Deputy Haughey, will initiate the implementation process.
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: Deputy Haughey is a Minister of State at the Department.
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The target of upskilling 500,000 people as laid out in the national skills strategy is a very ambitious target. To achieve this target and realise the vision contained in the national skills strategy will require an integrated approach â led jointly by my Department and the Department of Education and Science â that will successfully involve all of the key agencies in the education and...
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: It is important that there is recognition by all interested parties of an absolute need to upskill the workforce. That is the reason there is a commitment in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 of â¬7.7 billion to carry out the process. This will happen incrementally through the agencies with the remit for the work. We have evidence of people losing jobs so It is vitally important the...
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: An interdepartmental implementation committee will suss out the details of how to implement the funding and plans. There will likely be an examination of existing provisions of education and training to determine the key areas and initiatives requiring additional focus to achieve the objectives of the national skills strategy. The Deputy asked who will implement this. A group will bring...
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I do not have the exact figure.
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: There is no point in throwing out a figure. I will get the number for the Deputy.
- Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: In March 2007, the European Council agreed: administrative burdens arising from EU legislation should be reduced by 25% by 2012. Taking into account the different starting points and traditions, the European Council invites member states to set their own national targets of comparable ambition within their spheres of competence by 2008. Prior to the spring European Council, the Government...