Results 4,001-4,020 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: The point speakers were making was that people think this is a victimless crime. They do not realise there are job losses and that people can lose a great deal of money.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: On the same point, Mr. Gleeson mentioned the website dodgycigs.co.uk. Were there benefits arising from that, and have there been any reports?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I can inform members that Newbridge is in the top three. Meath came fourth.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: Yes. Waterford city is there, too. I am just letting the Deputy know this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: There are many such instances.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: This is the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and we believe there is a major issue in terms of job, Exchequer and tax losses. We recognise, however, that the report from the committee will have to cover all Departments and we will make recommendations to each Minister on what we believe has to be done. I am conscious that we will not get all of the answers today, but we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: We will deal with the first issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I do not want to get into a discussion about shootings and the drugs problem; suffice to say there is a direct link. It is likely that those involved in dealing in drugs make money from engaging in lesser offences, but it is all linked. Is that a fair statement?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: They use the profits where there are major consequences in terms of fines and convictions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: The profits are used to fund other parts of the business. Therefore, there is a link.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: The point is well made. What Mr. Hickey is saying is cases are investigated and a lot of work is being done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: There is much work being done, but it may be a case of rearranging resources to target certain areas to ensure greater benefit.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: That is not the case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I want to keep the debate focused on the issue with which we are dealing. In fairness, the report from the Oireachtas Library and Research Service from which the Senator has quoted relates to the black market and people avoiding paying taxes. I know the subjects are interlinked, but we will try to keep to that issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: A key to addressing this is the use of concentrated efforts.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I have a few questions before we wrap up the discussion. To return to the point Mr. Frank Gleeson and Mr. Stephen Lynam made, their report shows that the potential loss here is close to €1 billion. If we implemented all their recommendations, how much of that lost income could be recoup? I am conscious they cannot solve every problem. Do that have a figure for what could be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: That is another reason to tackle this problem. This crime is widespread throughout the country and not only prevalent in a city, on Talbot Street or on any street. The report Mr. Tony Hickey mentioned refers to Meath, Kildare, Waterford city and Limerick. Every county gets a mention when it comes to these reports. What is driving this problem? Is it the current economic situation, was it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: Would Mr. Gleeson be able to estimate the number of jobs that would arise from doing this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: It would be helpful if the energy retail industry could do a detailed comment on the Irish Road Haulage Association report because we are trying to influence a major decision on energy costs. Our motivation is job creation and tax collection. One assumes the measure would be self-financing. The association has done a great deal of work but it would be good to have the view of Retail...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: Mr. Hickey mentioned the intention to introduce plans for tobacco and to change the design on the boxes and so on. There are always pros and cons to most of these suggestions and changes.