Results 981-1,000 of 1,027,774 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:John Brady) in 'Committee meetings'

Equal Opportunities in Employment. (10 Feb 2004)

Frank Fahey: The situation is improving. A determined effort is being made at present and considerable resources are being expended to improve the possibilities of people with disabilities going into employment. There are a variety of reasons we have not reached the targets set. These relate to historical and cultural issues in the past regarding people with disabilities. The greatest problem in finding...

Equal Opportunities in Employment. (10 Feb 2004)

Arthur Morgan: I agree with the Minister of State regarding the positive influence people with disabilities have on the workforce. How then does he explain the lack of take-up by employers of people with disabilities? How significant a role does the benefits trap play? Will he accept that the removal of medical cards and secondary benefits on taking up employment is a disincentive to people taking up employment?

Equal Opportunities in Employment. (10 Feb 2004)

Frank Fahey: We are currently discussing the issue of benefits. We must ensure there is no difficulty for people who need to retain their disability benefits if they go into the workplace. We have addressed that matter.

Priority Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Corporate Killing.

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 111: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made in her consideration of the recommendation made in the recent discussion paper from the Law Reform Commission that there should be a new offence created of corporate killing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3822/04]

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Frank Fahey: The Law Reform Commission published a consultation paper on corporate killing in October last. The commission recommends that a new offence of corporate killing should be established which would be prosecuted on indictment, without exclusion of any entity, whether incorporated or not. The offence would apply to acts or omissions of a high managerial agent, which would be treated as those of...

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I welcome the announcement by the Minister of State because there has been some confusion on whether the Government accepted the Law Reform Commission's report. We have been waiting almost two years for the amending safety, health and welfare at work Bill. The Minister of State said in December that it was a very lengthy Bill, it would have many clauses and it was very difficult to construct....

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Frank Fahey: I expect to be able to publish the Bill in April. I do not anticipate a great delay as a result of the inclusion in the Bill of this provision. We are already in consultation with the social partners on aspects of the Bill. There will no be problem continuing with the consultations prior to its publication. If there is a request from the Oireachtas committee to have a discussion on aspects of...

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I welcome the response of the Minister of State. He will get an invitation to present his thoughts on the Bill to the Oireachtas committee. Is he satisfied with the volume of inspections currently being carried out under the existing health and safety legislation? Is he satisfied with the number of inspectors currently employed? Is it in tandem with tightening the legislation to broaden the...

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Frank Fahey: There is a rigorous and effective inspection and enforcement regime in place at present. We are happy that there have been considerable improvements in the inspection process. As I stated in the Dáil some time ago, we wish to have more inspectors in the field. There are currently approximately 130 inspectors. Obviously resources are always an issue. In the context of the new Bill, we have...

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Brendan Howlin: The insurance industry representatives indicated to the Oireachtas committee that they funded some of their own health and safety initiatives. Is the insurance industry included in the new Bill and is there a role for it in making the workplace safer and reducing premiums for all industries and industrial users?

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Frank Fahey: I have had discussions with the insurance industry about contributing to campaigns to improve the preventative approach and on rewarding companies in the public liability and employers' liability sectors that have good records.

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Brendan Howlin: A reward scheme was promulgated but nothing came of it.

Corporate Killing. (10 Feb 2004)

Frank Fahey: There is clearly a system in the insurance industry whereby companies with good safety records enjoy lower premiums. We have impressed on the insurance industry that, in the context of health and safety, it must recognise good practice and records in the premiums being charged.

Other Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Other Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Price Controls.

Price Controls. (10 Feb 2004)

Joan Burton: Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to reports that some pubs and entertainment venues charged up to €12 for single drinks at New Year's Eve 2003 events; the steps she intends to take to stop such exploitation of consumers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3780/04]

Price Controls. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Harney: The best way of ensuring that markets for any goods or services are delivering value for money to consumers is through increased competition and greater consumer vigilance. That is the objective towards which all our policy interventions in the field of competition and consumer policy are directed. Certainly, I have no plans to return to the days of official price control. Regulatory action...

Price Controls. (10 Feb 2004)

Kathleen Lynch: Based on the Tánaiste's answer, if there is competition in any area, it is in the drinks industry. There is an over-abundance of premises where people can buy and consume alcohol, so competition is not the answer and clearly has not worked in this case. In a recent question I asked about the additional charges that can be made for on-line bookings and the answer I received was that the...

Price Controls. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Harney: I do not envisage a situation where there will be someone from the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs to police the Act outside every pub on New Year's Eve or other times of celebration.