Results 20,241-20,260 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will bring the concerns raised by the Deputy to the attention of the Minister and the Minister of State and ask them to respond to him directly. Hurricane Ophelia had various impacts. It is important to recognise the point made by the Deputy about the damage done and determine whether anything can be done to address it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am having discussions with the Attorney General on the report which raises complex legal issues. Therefore, I am not in a position to confirm when and if I will be in a position to publish it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not in a position to say when I will publish it. I have received some legal advice from the Attorney General and will have further conversations with the Attorney General and my officials.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand it will be published next Tuesday.

Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: No.

Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017: First Stage (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: No.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banking Sector (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition and consumer law in the State. Section 9(5) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides that the CCPC is independent in the performance of its functions, including carrying out investigations of suspected breaches of competition law. As...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Design and Crafts Council (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland is a company limited by guarantee and is therefore established under and regulated by the Companies Act.  The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland receives funding through Enterprise Ireland for the purposes of promoting crafts and design initiatives. The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s Financial Statements for 2015 have been...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Competitiveness (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The World Bank’s annual Doing Business report sheds light on how easy or difficult it is for a local entrepreneur to open and run a small to medium-size business when complying with relevant regulations. The most recent report (published on October 31 2017) shows Ireland has achieved an overall ease of doing business ranking of 17th out of 190 economies, an improvement of one...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I received a report under Section 955(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2014 from the Director of Corporate Enforcement on 23 June.  This Report addresses the issues highlighted by Judge Aylmer in his ruling in the case of DPP v Sean Fitzpatrick. The report sets out the facts relating to the case and does not purport to be an investigation or an enquiry. The Report has been the subject of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Legislative Programme (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Companies (Statutory Audits) Bill 2017 was published on 6 November 2017.  The necessary requirements of the EU Audit Directive and Regulation were transposed in June 2016 to meet the EU deadline by way of statutory instrument (S.I. 312 of 2016). The Bill elevates S.I. No. 312 of 2016 and enhances it, therefore much of the draft legislation is already on the statute book but through...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government is fully committed to increasing the supply of affordable and quality housing.  That is why it has published the ‘Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan’ which includes financing measures, better use of existing homes, new construction and rental sector improvements.  These steps will first and foremost ensure Irish people are better able to buy and rent...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Funding (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Further to the Deputy's question of 26October, I am informed by IDA Ireland that spending on market analysis on property solutions is covered by the IDA’s capital budget. For 2017 the capital allocation from the Exchequer to the Agency was €137m.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Planning Issues (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together. In respect of the facility referred to by the Deputy, IDA Ireland has been engaged in ongoing discussions with the company involved. This included continuous engagement regarding the initial plans to situate the investment in Athenry and throughout the subsequent planning and legal processes. The Government has also regularly...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: A Rescue and Restructure scheme was recently notified to the Directorate General for Competition as one element of my Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit.  The scheme was notified as a precautionary measure. Since the decision of the UK last July to exit the EU, this Department has been working with Enterprise Ireland and other stakeholders to develop a...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: International Agreements (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The main reason that there are no mutual recognition agreements on occupational first aid qualifications with other Countries is that no request to enter into such an agreement has been received from another Country to date. A request to enter into a mutual recognition agreement from another Country would require an assurance that the occupational first-aid training standard...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Brexit Loan Scheme will provide affordable working capital financing to Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit, or will be in the future. The Scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through commercial lenders to get much needed working capital into Irish businesses. The criteria for the Brexit Loan Scheme, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Severe Weather Events Response (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together. I would first of all like to express my condolences to the families of Fintan Goss, Clare O’Neill and Michael Pyke who tragically lost their lives during Storm Ophelia. Storm Ophelia was, of course, an unprecedented weather event in Ireland and while overall the event was well managed there are certainly lessons to be...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Retail Sector (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department, as part of its remit in supporting the retail sector to facilitate sustainable employment growth, is undertaking a number of initiatives aimed at supporting indigenous businesses to build their online presence. This is in acknowledgment of the increased spend of Irish consumers online, and the need to assist Irish businesses to compete in this space. The Retail Consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Company Returns (15 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the conditions for qualification for the audit exemption is that the annual returns and financial statements of the company are filed on time.  Companies have up to ten months from the end of their financial year to file their financial statements. The requirement for a company to file its annual return on time is an important transparency measure.  The financial statements...