Results 3,481-3,500 of 4,491 for speaker:John Perry

European Union (Accession of the Republic of Croatia) (Access to the Labour Market) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (25 Jun 2013)

John Perry: Section 3 amends the Employment Permits Act 2003 so that Croatian nationals who have equivalent EU employment rights do not need an employment permit. In conclusion, I would be happy to expand on any of the provisions during the course of this debate if Deputies wish to raise any particular issues and we will have an opportunity during Committee Stage to examine the Bill in detail. I look...

European Union (Accession of the Republic of Croatia) (Access to the Labour Market) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (25 Jun 2013)

John Perry: This has been a very interesting and informative debate and I thank Deputies for their comments. From a business point of view, this is the right thing to do, as well as from the viewpoint of international friendship. I recently went to Zagreb and there are tremendous business opportunities for SMEs. There are many similarities between the sectors in Croatia and Ireland. The Croatian...

European Union (Accession of the Republic of Croatia) (Access to the Labour Market) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Jun 2013)

John Perry: I wish Croatia, the 28th member of the European Union, every possible success. I have no doubt accession to the Union will present significant opportunities for the country. The terms of Croatia's accession were agreed during the Irish Presidency in 2004 and the country will accede to the European Union on the day after our 2013 Presidency, which has received great acclamation, concludes....

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Fishing Industry Development (26 Jun 2013)

John Perry: First, let me convey the apologies of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, who cannot be here this evening to take this debate as he is involved in CAP negotiations in Luxembourg. I am conscious, as we speak today about the fishing sector in Waterford and the south east, that this has been a particularly difficult few weeks for the fishing community of...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Fishing Industry Development (26 Jun 2013)

John Perry: I will convey the concerns of the Senator to the Minister, who I have no doubt will deal with them directly.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Schools Building Projects (26 Jun 2013)

John Perry: I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Quinn, who regrets very much that it cannot be here. I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the current position in regard to the application for major capital funding for a proposed community school in Ennistymon. As the Senator will be aware, the three post-primary schools in Ennistymon have...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Schools Building Projects (26 Jun 2013)

John Perry: I am not able to answer that question directly. As the Minister stated, section 42 will facilitate the transfer of the properties, which is very important, and the Government has agreed to accept the property. Section 42 only commenced in March. The Minister said he will be in a position to consider further how the project could be progressed. I suggest the community group dealing with...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (9 Jul 2013)

John Perry: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Senator for raising the matter. I appreciate his interest in Portlaoise courthouse and the issues relating to its existing location on the Main Street in Portlaoise. As the Senator will appreciate, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (9 Jul 2013)

John Perry: The Government is conscious of the value of providing for an excellent court system and has continued to provide substantial resources to the service, with a supplementary estimate of €5 million provided last year on top of the original net budget of €54.1 million. However, the Senator will appreciate that no area is exempt from the financial constraints of the past few years....

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Data Protection (9 Jul 2013)

John Perry: I am here on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, who is unable to be present. I thank Senator van Turnhout for raising this important subject. In the first instance, I will briefly set out the background to the European Commission's proposals for reform of data protection law. The centrepiece of existing EU legislation on personal data protection is Directive...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Data Protection (9 Jul 2013)

John Perry: I will be happy to supply the Senator with a copy of my script. The European Commission tabled proposals for a radical shake-up of the existing data protection framework. Those proposals undoubtedly comprise one of the most important reform packages being discussed at EU level at present. Data protection affects all of us, whether in a private capacity as individuals, in a business or...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: VAT Rates Application (9 Jul 2013)

John Perry: I am taking the debate on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, who conveys his apologies to the Senator for not being here to reply. I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to today's debate and to respond to Senator Landy's motion concerning the equity of Ireland's VAT rates. The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of European...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: VAT Rates Application (9 Jul 2013)

John Perry: As regards the 9% VAT rate, it is important to note that every reduction costs a considerable amount of money. As to the numbers employed in the tourism sector, research was carried out by the Department and published in the medium term fiscal statement in November 2012. This report entitled Measuring the Impact of the Jobs Initiative examined where the VAT reduction had been passed on and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (10 Jul 2013)

John Perry: The policies being pursued by the Department are having a positive impact in supporting enterprises and job creation. Despite international and domestic difficulties, there was an annual increase in employment of 20,500 people, net of public sector reductions, in the first quarter of 2013. The unemployment rate decreased from 15% in the first quarter of 2012 to 13.7% in the first quarter of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (10 Jul 2013)

John Perry: The objective of the Government is very clear in the actions of the Minister and his team, which have been very effective. For the first time since 2008, 20,500 jobs have been created in a single quarter, net of public sector reductions. Some 1.8 million people are at work. Exports from companies supported by Enterprise Ireland are worth €16 billion. This is worth €30...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (10 Jul 2013)

John Perry: That is not what I am saying. I am pointing to the opportunities available within the economy. We have introduced a range of initiatives to assist business, including the micro-finance fund, the loan guarantee scheme and the credit guarantee scheme. A sum of €4 billion has been targeted for bank lending. We are constantly meeting the financial institutions to discuss how people...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (10 Jul 2013)

John Perry: The Government has a very clear plan, which is more than can be said for the Deputy's party. We are not cherry-picking figures but simply stating the facts. Some 20,500 jobs were created in one quarter, net of public sector reductions. The opportunities are available, despite the difficulties facing the economy. We have a clear plan of action. The Action Plan for Jobs is in place and we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (10 Jul 2013)

John Perry: Deputy Tóibín can be very selective too in what he picks on. Deputy Tóibín should get his facts clear. Some 20,500 net jobs have been created in the private sector, net of public sector jobs.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (10 Jul 2013)

John Perry: Enterprise Ireland, with €16 billion, is the highest ever and its turnover in Ireland is €30 billion.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (10 Jul 2013)

John Perry: An initiative announced by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, of giving €10,000 in respect of long-term unemployed people-----