Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With regard to COSME, a request was made for more funding. Is there any update on that or is it still part of the overall negotiations on the EU budget?

The Minister referred to the progress InterTradeIreland has made. The committee has met InterTradeIreland in regard to two reports it is undertaking and it appears to have had very positive results. While the Minister does not have the figures with him, InterTradeIreland will be coming before us again and it is good the Minister recognises the work it is doing.

With regard to the public procurement package proposals, many amendments have been put forward by the European Parliament. Does the Minister have any concerns in this regard and is there any significant theme or agenda coming through? Will the thresholds be considered? At present, the threshold above which a contract has to be advertised is quite low at €200,000. Is this an issue on which we can have an influence?

The Minister referred to a range of issues that will be part of the procurement process, and we will have the OPW before the committee next week. In our report on youth unemployment, which will be provided to the Minister, there will be much reference to social contracts and putting social contract clauses into various public procurement procedures. Is this something that can be discussed and is it something we would accept?

Is there a timescale for the patent changes? While we all agree this is very positive, will it happen soon given it is quite costly? Is the Minister happy the supports are in place through our enterprise boards and Enterprise Ireland for those who want to patent an idea? To be fair, I have found the relevant division in Enterprise Ireland responds quite quickly but it is the question of funding thereafter that interests me. Will the Minister outline his thoughts in this regard?

The Minister's briefing document gives Ireland's position on the objective of the modernisation of state aid rules. He referred to the good aid and bad aid concept, with good aid being aid that encourages the economy whereas bad aid distorts competition. Will the Minister elaborate on this?

What will be the impact on Horizon 2020 given the lack of agreement on the EU budget? While I understand that agreement cannot be got over the line just yet, I want to know whether this will impact on Horizon 2020. I presume the Minister's point was that the agri-sector, with a bit of innovation, could tap into the Horizon 2020 money.

The European entrepreneurship action plan was due to be published in November. Do we know what the delay is in that regard?