Results 321-340 of 19,990 for speaker:Micheál Martin in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Lisbon Agenda: Lisbon Agenda (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: The Lisbon Agenda set the EU an overall employment rate target of 70% by 2010, with specific targets of 60% and 50%, respectively, for female and older workers. The targets set at Lisbon in 2000 were challenging at a time when the EU was enjoying GDP growth and falling unemployment. Notwithstanding the global economic downturn, Ireland has made steady progress towards achieving these targets....

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 126 together. Some 16 investigations into company law matters were initiated by my predecessor since this Government first came into office. In three cases, the High Court appointed, on an application by the Minister, inspectors under section 8 of the Companies Act 1990. The inspectors appointed to Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited presented their report to...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: In January this year the Government launched a White Paper entitled Regulating Better which will contribute to improving national competitiveness and better Government by ensuring that new regulations — Acts and statutory instruments — are more rigorously assessed in terms of their impacts on jobs and growth as well as being more accessible and transparent. To achieve this the Government...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I have received the preliminary views of the Office of the Attorney General on this matter. However, I await the final legal advice of that office before I decide how to proceed.

Written Answers — Employment Statistics: Employment Statistics (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: The number of persons engaged in industrial employment as recorded by the Central Statistics Office at June 2004 and for each of the previous five years is as follows: Industrial Employment — 1999-2003. Industrial Employment (June of each year) Source: CSO — Industrial Employment 2004* 243,700 2003 250,000 2002 256,500 2001 269,000 2000 268,800 1999...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I welcome last month's publication of the National Competitiveness Council, NCC, annual competitiveness report 2004 and its competitiveness challenge 2004. These reports offer us a valuable insight into the present condition of Irish competitiveness, with the annual competitiveness report benchmarking our performance against 15 other countries. The competitiveness challenge report offers...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: Some 566 work permit applications in respect of the spouses of non-EEA nationals working here were issued up to 8 November 2004.

Written Answers — Future Employment Needs: Future Employment Needs (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 121 together. Arising from our membership of the European Union, Ireland is part of the integrated labour market of the European Economic Area, EEA, comprising the 25 member states of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and, effectively, Switzerland. Nationals of these states have freedom of movement to come to work in Ireland, and Irish employers...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland, including its regions and areas. The table below outlines the number of IDA supported jobs created in County Kerry for the years 2001, 2002 and 2003. This data is compiled from the annual Forfás employment survey. County data for 2004 will not be available until mid-2005....

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 100, 116, 123 and 148 together. Community employment, CE, together with JI and SEP comprise FÁS employment schemes. CE provides work experience and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups with the aim of progressing to a job in the open labour market. Persons with disabilities who satisfy the eligibility criteria...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 106 together. As I advised the House on 7 October 2004, the advice of the Attorney General's office was sought during the most recent review of the groceries order. The advice stated that, should an amendment of the order be deemed appropriate, the safest method would be pursuant to primary legislation. The Competition Act 2002 was the culmination of a...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: As indicated in a previous reply, I understand that there is no immediate shortfall in air freight capacity out of Ireland. Other carriers have sufficient capacity to deal with the demand created as a result of Aer Lingus's decision. However, as the maintenance of adequate air cargo services is of considerable importance to our long-term economic development, I have requested the National...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 145 together. The announcement by Allergan of the proposed job losses in Westport is a major blow to the workers affected and their families. My thoughts are with the workers and the families of the workers who will lose their jobs. I am conscious too of the adverse affects of such a closure, socially and economically, on the surrounding area. I note...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: The Personal Injuries Assessment Board was established by ministerial order on 13 April 2004. From 1 June 2004 all personal injury claims arising from workplace accidents, where an employee is seeking compensation from his-her employer, must be referred to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board before legal proceedings are issued. From 22 July 2004, all motor liability and public liability...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 118 and 139 together. The State has already made a significant financial contribution to assist the former employees of Irish Fertiliser Industries. Following the decision by the board of IFI to put the company into liquidation, ICI and the State, the shareholders in IFI, while there was no legal obligation to do so, established a special fund with almost...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I understand from the company in question that it intends to cease its Rosslare-France service no later than 30 November 2004. The company informed its staff on the MV Normandy on 20 October 2004. I understand that in making the announcement, the company proposed an enhanced voluntary redundancy-early retirement package or the opportunity to redeploy to ships on its three Ireland-UK routes. I...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: Senior officials from my Department are members of the tax strategy group, TSG, which is an interdepartmental committee chaired by the Department of Finance. The terms of reference of the TSG include the examination and development of proposals for measures in the areas of taxation, PRSI and levies, for the budget and Finance Bill. As the Deputy will be aware, much of the discussion prior to...

Written Answers — Consumer Issues: Consumer Issues (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: The work of the consumer strategy group is ongoing and has involved a number of initiatives. The website www.irishconsumer.ie has been established. A public consultation on consumer issues was held and individual consumers, representative organisations, businesses and any other interested parties were invited to contact the group with views and submissions by 9 July. The group produced a...

Written Answers — Enterprise Policy: Enterprise Policy (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 113, 114, 129, 142 and 147 together. As I previously advised the House, the Government considered the report of the enterprise strategy group in advance of its publication on 7 July last. In view of its extensive recommendations and their impact on a range of Departments other than my own, the Government decided to establish a high level committee to...

Written Answers — Enterprise Policy: Enterprise Policy (16 Nov 2004)

Micheál Martin: The small business operational programme, or SBOP, which ran from 1995 to 1999 was Ireland's response to the EU's SME initiative. The initiative was aimed to stimulate small and medium-sized industrial or service enterprises, especially in less developed regions such as Ireland, to adapt to the Single Market and to ensure they could become internationally competitive. The SME initiative was...