Results 1,981-2,000 of 6,431 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Legislative Measures (26 Jan 2016)

Gerald Nash: The Government is committed to the earliest possible implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 and in order to achieve this, approved the delegation of responsibility for its implementation to me as Minister for Business and Employment. I am taking all the necessary steps to bring about implementation of the legislation and significant progress has been made to date. I...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (26 Jan 2016)

Gerald Nash: When we took office in 2011, the programme for Government prioritised action to achieve access to finance for every business, finance which was needed for working capital and to feed investment, expansion, growth and job creation. In spite of recent progress, good access to finance for business remains very high on the agenda of Irish SMEs in the context of national competitiveness, with a...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (26 Jan 2016)

Gerald Nash: I thank colleagues for their contributions. I am very pleased to sponsor the Bill and to have taken responsibility for the legislation when I took office approximately 18 months ago. This is a necessary Bill to assist our small and medium enterprises, SMEs, as best we can. We reviewed the operation of the scheme quite early in its existence and accepted what the independent review...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (28 Jan 2016)

Gerald Nash: I recall Senator White's party colleague, Deputy Dara Calleary, made an identical proposal on Committee and Report Stages in the Dáil. I am not accepting it because this specific area is not appropriate for such legislation. While we foresee a strong role for the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, SBCI, particularly in the operation of counter-guarantees, the Strategic Banking...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (28 Jan 2016)

Gerald Nash: This was also raised in the Dáil by Senator White's party colleague, Deputy Dara Calleary. On Committee Stage in the Dáil, I introduced a comprehensive new Part 3 containing provision for the SBCI to work with the Minister through this legislation to continue to enhance the provision of credit to SMEs. It also provides a role for the Minister to be able to give counter-guarantees...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (28 Jan 2016)

Gerald Nash: I thank Senators for their consideration of this Bill and constructive contributions, as well as those of my Dáil colleagues. As regards the original 2012 legislation, the Government faced an economic and employment crisis and the plight of SMEs was never far from its mind. SMEs account for most employment in this country and were starved of finance, a major challenge for the incoming...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (2 Feb 2016)

Gerald Nash: The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot provide legal advice in relation to an individual’s employment rights situation but I can provide general information that I hope will be of assistance. The Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003 provides that a fixed-term contract employee shall not be treated less favourably than a comparable permanent employee in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Health and Safety Regulations (2 Feb 2016)

Gerald Nash: The provisions of occupational safety and health legislation on the control of asbestos apply with respect to the protection of workers at their place of work and are primarily focused upon prevention. The requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 (No. 10 of 2005) and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 to 2016 apply and must...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Zero-hour Contracts (22 Mar 2016)

Gerald Nash: The Statement of Government Priorities, July 2014 committed to conduct a study on the prevalence of zero hour contracts among Irish employers and their impact on employees and make policy recommendations to Government on foot of this. The University of Limerick was appointed in February 2015, following a competitive tendering process, to carry out a study into the prevalence of zero hour...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (22 Mar 2016)

Gerald Nash: There is no separate legal definition of the term “au pair” in Irish legislation, and individuals described as “au pairs”, “nannies” or “child-minders” are not exempted or treated as separate categories of workers under Irish employment law. Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (14 Apr 2016)

Gerald Nash: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 156 together. There is no separate legal definition of the term “au pair” in Irish legislation, and individuals described as “au pairs”, “nannies” or “child-minders” are not exempted or treated as separate categories of workers under Irish employment law. Ireland’s body of employment...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (20 Apr 2016)

Gerald Nash: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 145 together. There is no separate legal definition of the term “au pair” in Irish legislation, and individuals described as “au pairs”, “nannies” or “child-minders” are not exempted or treated as separate categories of workers under Irish employment law. Ireland’s body of employment...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (26 Apr 2016)

Gerald Nash: There is no separate legal definition of the term “au pair” in Irish legislation, and individuals described as “au pairs”, “nannies” or “child-minders” are not exempted or treated as separate categories of workers under Irish employment law. Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Low Pay (26 Apr 2016)

Gerald Nash: The Low Pay Commission was established last year through the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act 2015 and was one of the key commitments in the Statement of Government Priorities agreed in July 2014. The Low Pay Commission’s main function is to, on an annual basis, examine and make recommendations on the national minimum wage, with a view to securing that the national...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Proposed Legislation (26 Apr 2016)

Gerald Nash: I am not aware that there is a practice of trade union representative blacklisting by employers in Ireland. I would consider blacklisting of workers for whatever reason as an unacceptable practice – particularly if it arose in relation to workers exercising their rights to take part in trade union activities. The Deputy will be aware that there are already legislative protections in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Union Recognition (26 Apr 2016)

Gerald Nash: While Article 40 of the Irish Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to form associations and unions, it has been established in a number of legal cases that the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of association does not guarantee workers the right to have their union recognised for the purpose of collective bargaining. It has been the consistent policy of successive Irish...

Seanad: Health: Statements (21 Jun 2016)

Gerald Nash: I am pleased to contribute to this important debate. I first want to wish my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Corcoran Kennedy, every success in her portfolio. In the previous Oireachtas we both had different roles but I very much enjoyed our engagement in terms of my role as Minister of State with responsibility for business and employment and her role as the very successful...

Seanad: Mental Health: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Gerald Nash: Is the Leas-Chathaoirleach sure about that?

Seanad: Mental Health: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Gerald Nash: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy McEntee, to the House and congratulate her on her appointment. She is passionate about this area of work. Her passion and commitment will make a big difference in the Department. Everyone in this House has admired the work done by her predecessor, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. Even though Deputy McEntee has big shoes to fill she...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Gerald Nash: I would like to share in the expression of sympathy to the people of Turkey after yesterday's horrendous terrorist attack and utterly meaningless loss of life. I share the condolences expressed by Senator Conway-Walsh. I visited Turkey on a number of occasions in recent years, once in an official capacity, and I was really struck by the warmth and hospitality of the Turkish people....