Results 4,941-4,960 of 6,315 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Absolutely. I accept that. I was one of the people behind the driving of that agenda over an 11 year or 12 year period. A host of supports are available. All of us as public representatives have to do a really critical job. Regardless of whether we are in government or in opposition, we need to alert our constituents and those we represent to the products and supports that are out there....

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: It is.

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: I am very pleased to be here this afternoon. This is the first opportunity I have had to address this august Chamber and I look forward to doing so. I also look forward to the engagement this afternoon and the development of our ongoing relationship. I thank Members for the invitation to address the House on the important issues of SME access to finance and financing for growth. The...

Allegations Regarding Sexual Abuse by Members of the Provisional Republican Movement: Statements (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: At the centre of the issue is the rape of a child, the sexual abuse of a 16-year old girl. While we debate the very serious issues before us, we must never forget that. Maíria Cahill is an extraordinary woman, whom I had the privilege to meet briefly yesterday. Despite the horrendous acts of abuse that were perpetrated against her at a young age, she has had the courage to come...

Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: At the outset, I find it a little peculiar that Deputy Tóibín has decided to conflate the issue of symphysiotomy with this particular issue. There is no lack of consistency here, as this provision is designed to make sure there is consistency right across the board. In respect of amendments Nos. 12 and 13, the period of 42 days within which an employer must initiate an appeal...

Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: One is an administrative scheme, while the other is something quite different.

Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: It is a different matter entirely.

Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: The proposed amendment to include additional subsections in section 19 appeared to be based on a misunderstanding of the nature of codes of practice that have developed and been applied in industrial relations employment arenas. They have been developed as general guidance to employers, workers and their representatives. While compliance or non-compliance with such a code is a matter that...

Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: There is an obligation on the WRC to make employees aware of their rights and employers aware of their obligations under employment law. Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 would add an unnecessary burden on employers for little practical benefit to employees. Employers could be required to reproduce and somehow display in the workplace the equivalent of the bulk of the material available on, for...

Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Even though these amendments have been ruled out of order, I will be satisfied to address the substantive and substantial issues that have been raised by the Deputies. I might be responsible for many things, but I am not responsible for the decision to rule them out of order. While I recognise that amendment No. 3, in the names of Deputies Tóibín and Wallace, is out of order, I...

Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Order for Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Workplace Relations Bill 2014: Instruction to Committee (12 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: I move:That, pursuant to Standing Order 177, Standing Order 131 is modified to permit an instruction to the Committee to which the Workplace Relations Bill 2014 may be recommitted in respect of certain amendments, for which it has power to make provision in the Bill in relation to—(a) an amendment to the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 by the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (11 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: It has always been the case that apprentices would have a different rate of pay from qualified workers. That has been the case right across the system for many years. There is nothing new in that in terms of apprentices and established workers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (11 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: There is nothing new in respect of that. It will be more accurately codified in the Bill when published. I understand where the Senator is coming from and it is something that will be mentioned in the context of the stakeholder consultation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in particular.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (11 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Does the Deputy mean the mechanisms across the European Union?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (11 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Yes, and also from a competitiveness point of view. We take into account the arrangements in states across the European Union and particularly those closer to us. Traditionally we have had particular processes and wage-setting mechanisms here. I note that the UK decided to rid itself of those a number of years ago. We feel it is in the public interest. The test applied to harmonious...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (11 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: It can enter an enterprise-level agreement. One of the important provisions of this Bill is the establishment of that sort of approach, where individual enterprises can come to an agreement and register it with their own workers. That addresses one of the deficits identified through the courts in respect of deficiencies in previous legislation. I agree completely with the Senator when he...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (11 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Senator Cullinane made a general point about the deficiencies in the legislation or deficiencies identified by the superior courts in the past. The reason we are reconstructing some of those systems, to a point, is that we believe it is in the public interest and the common good to do so and that it gives everybody consistency regardless of whether they are employers or employees. A series...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (11 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: In terms of principles and policies that would be provided for in the legislation, it will certainly be robust enough. As an expert body, a court must have that space to make those decisions based on the evidence it has.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (11 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: I have no difficulty considering any request from the committee to attend again. If members feel it is helpful to address issues various stakeholders discuss here, I have no difficulty considering the matter. I note in that regard that the legislation is a priority as the members will find from the stakeholders who come before them over the duration of the pre-legislative period. They see...