Results 1,981-2,000 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: In the context of my Department, given the breath and diversity of policy and operational areas that are relevant to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, this is a matter that impacts on, and is being monitored by, all of the Divisions across my Department. Immediately following the UK referendum result, I established a Coordination Group within my Department consisting...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Preparing for the possibility of Brexit has long been a priority for IDA Ireland. Before the referendum the Agency established a team of senior managers to examine the potential impact of a UK withdrawal from the EU on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland. This work intensified following the result of the referendum in June and the IDA continues to engage with existing and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The last formal round of negotiations in the EU-Japan FTA, which was the 17th round since negotiations began in 2013, took place from the 26th to 30th September, 2016. I am pleased to report that the negotiations between the EU and Japan have accelerated and significant progress has been made. Both sides are still hopeful of a successful conclusion in early 2017. The EU –...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Legal Costs (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The following tables set out the amount spent on external legal advice in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. My Department seeks, where possible, to minimise legal costs. The Department avails of the services of the Chief State Solicitors office and the Attorney General’s office for the provision of legal advice where possible. The services of legal cost accountants are availed of where...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: European Investment Bank Loans (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: "InnovFin – EU Finance for Innovators" is a joint initiative of the European Investment Bank Group and the European Commission under Horizon 2020. InnovFin consists of a series of integrated and complementary financing tools and advisory services offered by the EIB Group, covering the entire value chain of research and innovation in order to support investments from the smallest to the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Site Visits (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: IDA Ireland collates data on site visits on a quarterly basis. The latest data available is to the end of the third quarter of 2016, during which there were 489 site visits countrywide. The breakdown by county of those visits is provided in the enclosed table. In 2015, 57% of site visits were to locations outside of the capital, up from 43% in 2014. Figures for 2016 shows that this trend is...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Directives (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The EU Audit Directive 2014/56/EU was transposed by means of a statutory instrument in June, 2016. I signed the European Union (Statutory Audits) (Directive 2006/43/EC, as amended by Directive 2014/56/EU, and Regulation (EU) No 537/2014) Regulations 2016 (S. I. No. 312 of 2016) on 15 June 2016 and they took effect on 17 June 2016. This Statutory Instrument gives effect to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Legislative Programme (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 was published on 5 August 2016 and is scheduled for Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 2 November. As matters stand, the Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is scheduled to take the Bill through Committee Stage on 22 November. The timeframe for passage and enactment thereafter will depend on the availability of parliamentary time.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) represents a modern high standard Agreement which has the ability to set a new global standard for Trade Agreements. It will increase access to public contracts, open up markets for services and offer predictable conditions for investors. For the first time, Canadian provinces, territories and municipalities will open their...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Proposed Legislation (2 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am aware of the public concern about the secondary sale of tickets for entertainment and sporting events. The issues around ticket resale are not straightforward and it is important that any possible legislative or other response is based on a thorough examination of the secondary ticket market and its relationship to the primary ticket market. I am currently considering in conjunction...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am deeply engaged with the enterprise agencies - Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland - to ensure sufficient supports are in place to safeguard Irish jobs and exports following the Brexit referendum. I am in ongoing communication with these agencies through my chairing of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation's Brexit co-ordination group, which includes the chief executives of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The €3 million mentioned by the Deputy will be used by the enterprise agencies to employ approximately 50 people. It is not the case that this is the only money we have secured. As I said in my answer, we got an extra 10% in the budget. That money will be of assistance in the context of Brexit. I am fully aware of the challenges for the Irish small and medium-sized enterprise...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: When I was in the UK yesterday, I met a number of people who are negotiating the Brexit deal for the UK. I wish to tell the Deputy that they do not know what they are doing and they do not know when they will be invoking Article 50. That is the first thing. It would be very irresponsible of me to give the Deputy chapter and verse about some fund today when it might be out of date tomorrow....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Quinlivan for his question. Sustaining and increasing employment and economic opportunity in the regions remains a key priority, especially in light of the Brexit vote. As Minister with responsibility for jobs and enterprise, I wish to assure Deputy Quinlivan that I have placed Brexit at the top of the agenda for my Department and the agenda of the enterprise development...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Deputy Quinlivan keeps talking about €3 million. Actually, the relevant figures are €52 million and €3 million. The €3 million figure is a current allocation and the €52 million figure is a capital allocation. The allocations are to help IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland to deal with Brexit. I am keen to clear that up.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The allocation is for IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland to help them to deal with Brexit and save jobs in this country as well as to explore opportunities that are available. Deputy Quinlivan asked about meetings with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. My Department is represented on the national planning framework steering...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am not going to repeat it. The relevant figures are €3 million and €52 million to help towards Brexit and to help the enterprise companies. This is the first time that we have secured a 10% increase in the budget in the past 15 years. I cannot spell it out in a stronger way. Deputy Quinlivan referred to InterTradeIreland. Obviously, the company has a major role in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IDA Site Visits (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I have a question before me which was sent in formally by Deputy Collins and I will answer it. Regional development is a priority of mine and a priority of this Government. Growing and sustaining foreign direct investment outside the country's main urban areas is a key part of our efforts in this context. To achieve this, we are continuing to make the case to prospective investors that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IDA Site Visits (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I hear the Deputy very clearly but it is not all about site visits. Many of the foreign direct investment, FDI, companies already here decide themselves, with the help and support of the IDA, to increase the workforce and there will not be a site visit. I made the point very strongly that the FDI companies decide where they want to go. I was on a trade mission recently in the west coast of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IDA Site Visits (3 Nov 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: There were 40 site visits to Limerick by 40 different companies. That does not take into account the companies that are there already that might be thinking of expanding. To date, in 2016 up to the end of the third quarter, there have been 39 site visits. That is a huge improvement. Deputy Quinlivan, who is in the Chamber, has attended many of the job announcements there. Limerick is a...