Results 1-20 of 551 for speaker:Michael Ahern in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (10 Feb 2004)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 116 and 165 together. The agendas of all 133 meetings convened so far under the Irish Presidency are published on the website dedicated to the Irish Presidency. The agendas are added to the website immediately following the convocation of the individual 133 meetings and therefore in advance of each meeting. This advance notification will continue to be a...

Written Answers — Export Licensing: Export Licensing (10 Feb 2004)

Michael Ahern: I understand that the report of phase 2 of the review of the operation of Ireland's export controls system is nearing completion and I would hope to receive it shortly. It is my intention to make the report publicly available.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (10 Feb 2004)

Michael Ahern: The Commission proposal for a directive on cross-border mergers of companies with share capital, COM (2003)703, which was published on 18 November 2003 is aimed at facilitating cross-border mergers of commercial companies under favourable conditions in terms of cost and legal certainty. Under the chairmanship of an official of my Department, Ireland has initiated EU Council working group...

Written Answers — Export Statistics: Export Statistics (10 Feb 2004)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 185, 186 and 187 together Since the beginning of the 1990's Ireland has become a significant trading nation. On a per capita basis, Ireland ranks as one of the world's top three exporters when the oil economies are excluded. As a result, Ireland trades with virtually every country in the world. The Government encourages Irish firms to develop export...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Feb 2004)

Michael Ahern: The Commission proposal for a Council regulation concerning trade in certain equipment and products which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment was examined on a number of occasions by the Council working party on trade questions in Brussels during 2003. On the basis of this work, and in the light of positions taken by...

Written Answers — Companies Legislation: Companies Legislation (17 Feb 2004)

Michael Ahern: The main purpose of the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003, which was signed by the President on 23 December 2003, is to provide for the establishment and functions of a new supervisory body, the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority, but a number of other amendments and additions to company law are also provided for in the Act. These include the provisions of section...

Written Answers — Export Licences: Export Licences (30 Mar 2004)

Michael Ahern: Details of the quantity and value of export licences issued by my Department in respect of military goods and dual-use goods with stated military end uses or users is as follows:

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (30 Mar 2004)

Michael Ahern: I am giving consideration to the implementation of the WTO decision of 30 August 2003 in the context of the need to update Irish intellectual property legislation to reflect continuing developments in this important area.

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...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (13 May 2004)

Michael Ahern: Minutes of the meetings of the Article 133 Services Committee, including that held recently in Dublin Castle, are internal to the work of the committee. The reports are based on discussions conducted in the context of international multilateral trade negotiations. Documents circulated for consideration at the Article 133 committee contain information communicated in confidence to officials...

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 — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (17 Jun 2004)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 53 together. I noted the recent report by Amnesty International entitled Undermining Global Security. It examined the current policies and practices of EU member states with regard to their control of the transfer of arms, military, security and police technology, weaponry, personnel and training. The report contends that there are flaws in the EU arms...

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...

Written Answers — Export Controls: Export Controls (19 Oct 2004)

Michael Ahern: Unfortunately, due to an administrative error within my Department, incorrect information was given in the reply to the Deputy's question on this issue on 5 October last. The full position regarding the issue was outlined by me in a reply to a question on the same matter on 6 October — reference 23741/04. Also on 6 October, a reply was issued to Amnesty International on the same lines.

Written Answers — Patents Applications: Patents Applications (2 Nov 2004)

Michael Ahern: In common with legislation in most other countries, Irish law, section 28 of the Patents Act 1992, provides that a pending patent application shall be published, that is, made open to public inspection and therefore disclosed, as soon as practicable after the expiry of a period of 18 months from the filing date, or if the priority of an earlier application for the same invention is being...

Written Answers — Export Licensing: Export Licensing (16 Nov 2004)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 95 together. The independent review of our export control system was published in July 2004. The review proposes a number of areas, both legislative and non-legislative in which the Irish export licensing system can be modernised and strengthened. Consideration and implementation of the report's recommendations is being addressed within the framework of...

Written Answers — Currency Fluctuations: Currency Fluctuations (16 Nov 2004)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 111 together. The euro has appreciated by almost 4% against the pound sterling since August up to date this year. Over the longer term however, it has been relatively stable. The euro-sterling rate has averaged £0.68 so far this year, compared to an average of £0.69 for 2003 as a whole. The euro has also appreciated by almost 5.5% against the dollar...

Written Answers — Accounting Standards: Accounting Standards (16 Nov 2004)

Michael Ahern: The accounting standard in question is international accounting standard 39, IAS 39, which relates to the measurement and recognition of financial instruments. IAS 39 is one of a suite of accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, IASB, an independent accounting standards making body, proposed for adoption under Regulation EC No. 1606/2002 of 19 July 2002....