Results 2,321-2,340 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I want to respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Unfortunately the Ministers of State, Deputy Pat Breen and Deputy John Halligan, cannot be here this afternoon due to official commitments and they asked me to pass on their apologies to the committee for their absence. Depending on the committee’s work programme, it might like to consider inviting them to a future meeting to discuss the impacts of Brexit on areas within their remit....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Financial services is an area where Ireland could see increased foreign direct investment on foot of Brexit. The reasons for that are well documented. Ireland is remaining as a member of the EU and the eurozone and our capital has become internationally recognised as the home of an array of international financial service providers. Ireland's proximity to the UK and the fact that we are an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I can tell the Deputy that the IDA has stated publicly that it has had site visits to Ireland and there is genuine interest. Obviously, on a confidential level, I cannot be specific and, to be honest, the IDA does not always tell me what the companies are. However, we are expecting early decisions in quarter 1 of 2017. I am optimistic that it will happen.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Chairman asked about the appointment of a Minister for Brexit. Brexit touches on all Departments to a greater or lesser extent. As such, it requires a whole-of-Government response. My Department is a key player in the Government-wide committee structure working to prepare for negotiations on the UK exit from the EU with a focus on minimising risks and maximising opportunities. This...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Deputy mentioned the report published by the House of Lords. The Government contributed to the report and the Irish ambassador to the UK appeared before the committee. Also, senior officials contributed key reports and findings to the committee in order to make sure the House of Lords was aware of Ireland's unique position. It will be game on when Article 50 is triggered. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: On 6 December Mr. Michel Barnier gave his first press conference since being appointed the EU Commission's chief Brexit negotiator. On that occasion he noted that we are in uncharted territory and explained his personal understanding of border issues on the island of Ireland. He also underlined his commitment to preserving the success of the Good Friday Agreement. I believe the European...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: That is absolutely correct. Our Department has funded IDA Ireland by €250,000, which was announced for the first time in this committee, to make sure that it gets out there and can compete. Positive messages, our track record and our education and skills base were mentioned. Our educational institutions will respond to companies coming into Ireland. Limerick is a very good example...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Dublin is doing very well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I attended the implementation of the working plan in Waterford and I pay tribute to the group down there. It is superb. It has very much got behind the regional action plan for the south east. Overnight something like 10,000 construction jobs were lost in the south-east area. Its unemployment rate is still higher than the national average but it has bucked the trend and grown employment...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: As the Deputy knows, these bodies received €3 million extra in current funding. Some €1.7 million will be distributed to Enterprise Ireland; €750,000 to IDA Ireland; €150,000 to Science Foundation Ireland; €150,000 to the Health and Safety Authority, which falls under the REACH programme, to which we are responding; and €250,000 to the Department for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: We do not have quantitative analysis on that but we have spoken to the SFA, ISME and IBEC and have set up groups to make sure we find out that information, rather than not knowing exactly what is going on. We do know that there is pressure on agrifood, construction and timber exports into the UK, but the answer to the Deputy's question is that we do not know qualitatively exactly how people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I would not give names. Enterprise Ireland has spoken to 1,500 companies and they have identified the 400 companies it may need to have discussions with. We will make sure that no stone remains unturned to ensure the companies stay in Ireland. Some companies may choose to locate part of their base outside Ireland. We do not know how many but I can assure the Deputy that Enterprise Ireland...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department is concentrating on trade, enterprise and entrepreneurship and ensuring that our export companies are so minded. We are also working on foreign direct investment. I am not sure if I understand the thrust of the question. Is the Deputy referring to migration from the UK?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The meetings between the Irish and UK officials on the common travel area is led by the Department of Justice and Equality. It will be negotiated. My understanding is that when one is talking about migration, the issue is the first country they arrive in, that is the country that has to deal with it. We need skills and we need to have people available to come to Ireland that have the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The funding cap on InterTradeIreland has been lifted very recently. It did take a while.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: On an early warning system, we have an internal one in the Department, but I am open to suggestions. The Senator asked about Enterprise Ireland's staffing numbers. In 2010, there were more employees than the current 659 employees. Enterprise Ireland has brought about a strong downsizing and reorganisation in recent years to support clients in meeting the challenges of new sectors, markets,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: We work closely with the Department of Education and Skills. As the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, was Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation previously, he fully understands what is needed from trade, as well as what we need to get from his Department. The Senator mentioned India. The Minister of State, Deputy Breen, was on a trade mission to India where...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will finish by saying that appointments will be made shortly to the National Skills Council by the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure that we have that skills base.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Economic Impact of Brexit: Discussion (Resumed) (15 Dec 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Let me say that I find this committee and its members very helpful. We all want to do the right thing for Ireland, which is evident in the committee.