Results 141-160 of 552 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Michael Ahern

Written Answers — Business Associations: Business Associations (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Ahern: The policies and programmes administered by my Department and agencies recognise and make provision for all forms of business association including the co-operative form of association. This form of association is particularly relevant to the development of the social economy in addition to the contribution it has made over the years to the agricultural, fishing, credit union, public utility...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Ahern: My Department is currently engaged in the preparation of new export control legislation, in line with the recommendations of the 2004 Forfás report and I hope to have a Bill published toward the end of this year. The proposed legislation will update the existing Control of Exports Act, which dates from 1983 and will ensure that Ireland's export controls are in line with best international...

Written Answers — Export Markets: Export Markets (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Ahern: In 2004, export sales from Enterprise Ireland client companies increased, reaching €10.167 billion, a rise of 5.6% on 2003. The largest exports sector was food and the consumer retail sector, which totalled €6.8 billion, a growth of 4.1%. The largest growing sector was software, services and emerging sectors which increased 10.4% to €1.2 billion. Industrial and life sciences products...

Written Answers — Export Markets: Export Markets (28 Sep 2005)

Michael Ahern: Enterprise Ireland's 2004 annual business survey showed that, overall, Irish companies delivered a very good export performance last year, with new export sales increasing by 5.6% on 2003. Inevitably, the most long established markets are the most lucrative and, indeed, bearing in mind that CSO data indicate that Ireland already trades with almost 200 country locations, it is difficult to...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (28 Jun 2005)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 410, inclusive, together. The Industrial Research and Standards (Fire Safety) (Domestic Furniture) Order, 1995, S.I. 316 of 1995, regulates the fire safety aspects of furniture which also includes bedding. The objective of the order is to ensure that domestic furniture is designed, manufactured and constructed to a particular standard so as not to...

Written Answers — Registration of Patents: Registration of Patents (23 Jun 2005)

Michael Ahern: In common with legislation in most other countries, Irish law in 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 eighteen months from the filing date, or if the priority of an earlier application for the same invention is...

Written Answers — Metrology Service: Metrology Service (22 Jun 2005)

Michael Ahern: The National Metrology Laboratory, NML, is the national metrology institute for Ireland. It is responsible for the development, maintenance and dissemination of the national measurement standards for physical units to Irish users. The NML resided within the functionality of Forbairt until 1998. The Government decided, in the context of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998,...

Written Answers — Intellectual Property Rights: Intellectual Property Rights (15 Jun 2005)

Michael Ahern: The Council of Ministers adopted a formal common position on the proposed EU Directive on Computer Implemented Inventions in March 2005. The proposal is now before the European Parliament for its second reading. Ireland will play an active role in Council in considering any amendments which the Parliament may propose. Ireland strongly supports the aims of this proposal and the Council's...

Written Answers — Economic Partnership Agreements: Economic Partnership Agreements (14 Jun 2005)

Michael Ahern: EPAs are first and foremost instruments for development that will foster the smooth and gradual integration of ACP states into the world economy. Substantive negotiations are currently under way between the EU and ACP states in this regard. As trade is a European Community competence, the European Commission conducts the negotiations on the EPAs between the EU and six regional groupings of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: The proposed legislation, which was recommended by the 2004 Forfás review, will provide for the introduction of new controls on arms brokering and on the provision of certain types of technical assistance. Existing legislation will be also updated to provide, inter alia, for increased penalties for non-compliance with export control legislation, for the statutory right for the inspection and...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: As regards corporate form, apartment complex management companies are generally constituted as companies limited by guarantee under the Companies Acts and are required to comply with the relevant provisions of company law. The operation of such companies under their relevant memorandum and articles of association, including the employment of any property manager or management entity, is a...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (31 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: The adoption of the framework agreement by the WTO General Council in Geneva, in July 2004, effectively relaunched the stalled Doha development agenda negotiations. The framework agreement sets clear and precise parameters on each of the key areas under the Doha development agenda, DDA, negotiations, including in the areas of agriculture, non-agricultural market access, NAMA, services, trade...

Written Answers — Economic Partnership Agreements: Economic Partnership Agreements (31 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: As trade is a European Community competence, it is the European Commission which conducts the negotiations on the EPAs between the EU and six regional groupings of ACP states on behalf of the member states. The Commission provides the Council with regular updates on the progress of the negotiations. Ireland is actively following the developments in the EPA negotiations process and will...

Written Answers — International Trade: International Trade (31 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: The EU-US summit at Dromoland in June 2004 adopted several declarations, including a declaration on strengthening our economic partnership. The Irish Presidency of the European Union played a key role in ensuring that there was a strong economic dimension to the summit and to the enhancement of ongoing EU-US relations. Following this summit declaration, both the EU and US sides commenced a...

Written Answers — International Trade: International Trade (31 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the response to Question No. 270 of 4 May 2005 on the same issue. The position remains unchanged since that time. EPAs are first and foremost instruments for development that will foster the smooth and gradual integration of ACP states into the world economy. Substantive negotiations are under way between the EU and ACP states in this regard. As trade is a EU competence,...

Written Answers — Export Trade: Export Trade (31 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: Exploiting the prospects offered by EU states, particularly the new accession states, and non-EU states, such as China, will be critical for the future growth of the Irish economy. Ireland is a country with a relatively limited domestic market for products and services. Consequently, it is essential that Irish companies which wish to develop their full potential continue to focus on...

Written Answers — Companies Registration Office: Companies Registration Office (25 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: It is a statutory requirement under the Companies Acts for companies to file an annual return and accounts with the Companies Registration Office, CRO. There is also a requirement for a late filing penalty to be paid where returns are filed late. It is the practice of the Registrar of Companies to waive late filing penalties in certain exceptional circumstances, for particular categories of...

Written Answers — Computer Software: Computer Software (24 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: My Department consulted a wide range of stakeholders on the proposed European Commission directive on computer implemented inventions when it was published in 2002. Broad support was expressed in the replies. ICT Ireland, which represents the information and communications technology sector, welcomed the measure when the European Council formally adopted its common position on the proposal in...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, together. The heads of the Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2005 were drafted by officials of my Department. A diverse group of persons and bodies contributed to the drafting of the heads of the Bill. These include the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, IFSRA, the Dublin Funds Industry...

Written Answers — Economic Partnership Agreements: Economic Partnership Agreements (11 May 2005)

Michael Ahern: I have read with interest the recent position paper that sets out the UK view on how best the commitment to put development at the heart of the EPA negotiations can be best delivered. I would agree with the basic thrust of an approach to the EPAs which ensures that the needs and concerns of developing countries are taken adequately into consideration during the substantive phase of these...