Results 4,721-4,740 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Land Ownership (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the land to which the Deputy refers is currently under negotiation between IDA Ireland and an interested party that would use the property for industrial activity. The proposed sale of the property is entirely in line with the Agency's statutory obligations.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: An EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be the EU’s largest trade deal to date, and is four times the size of the trade agreement with Japan. It aims to eliminate trade tariffs between the EU and the Mercosur region.  Irish exporters are currently subject to trade tariffs, barriers and restrictions, when exporting to Mercosur, while imports from Mercosur,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Jobs Data (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The goal under the 2016 Programme for a Partnership Government was to deliver an extra 200,000 jobs by 2020, of which 135,000 will be outside of Dublin. With a strong focus on job creation and retention, the annual Action Plans for Jobs provide a framework to achieve this objective. Between June 2015 and January 2016, my Department published eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs, aimed at...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Portfolio (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am informed that the HP site is not in IDA Ireland ownership. I understand, from the IDA, the property was placed on the open market in July 2017 and that HP has engaged agents to handle its sale. However, the IDA is engaging closely with HP about the facility and the Agency is aware of contact between prospective buyers and the company. The IDA will continue to draw...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Data (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together. The table provides a breakdown of grants paid by IDA Ireland to its client companies between 2013 and 2016. The figure provided for Dublin includes payments to the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training. Details of grants paid in 2017 will be available early next year. It is important to note that...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Section 955(1)(a) Report from the Director of Corporate Enforcement has been the subject of detailed consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. On the advice received from the Attorney General, I do not have a legal power to publish statutory reports prepared pursuant to section 955 of the Companies Act, 2014. The Companies Act 2014 contains strict confidentiality...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Section 955(1)(a) Report from the Director of Corporate Enforcement has been the subject of detailed consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.  On the advice received from the Attorney General, I do not have a legal power to publish statutory reports prepared pursuant to section 955 of the Companies Act, 2014.  The Companies Act 2014 contains strict...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The European Commission acts as lead negotiator on behalf of the EU Member States in Trade negotiations. The EU follows closely the situation of indigenous peoples' rights in Brazil. There are regular contacts with indigenous peoples' representatives, civil society, and Brazilian authorities. Indigenous peoples' rights are addressed in the context of the EU-Brazil High Level Dialogue on...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (12 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together. The EU is currently negotiating a trade agreement with the four founding members of Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). A further round of high-level talks on the EU-Mercosur FTA took place from 29 November to 8 December 2017. The European Commission acts as lead negotiator on behalf of the EU Member States in Trade...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: State Aid (13 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Government has always been clear that its absolute preference is to maintain the closest possible trading relationship between the UK and EU, including Ireland, based on a level playing field.  This is an aim shared by the EU, and by the UK itself. Phase 2 of the Article 50 negotiations will  address how the overall framework for a future relationship between the EU and the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Promotion (13 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Ireland is one of the world's most open, export-based economies.  For Ireland, with a small domestic market, expansion to other markets is a prerequisite for our economic prosperity.  Export growth in Ireland has been exceptionally strong in recent years, reaching a new record level of €259 billion last year. The Government is strongly committed to promoting diversified...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Promotion (13 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Promoting diversified export markets in light of the potential impacts of Brexit is a key priority for my Department and its agencies.  It is imperative that Irish companies respond to the challenges Brexit will bring now, and do not wait until the Brexit negotiations are complete.  This will include maximising opportunities to not only sustain and grow their exports to the UK, but...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Staff (13 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has not specifically recruited technical experts in legal and trade negotiations in respect of Brexit, but has drawn on the experts in these areas across the Department.  These officials are best placed to deal with the Department’s response to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, and have been assigned to additional postings in the areas across the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permit Applications (13 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I am pleased to be in the Seanad today. This is my first time in the new Seanad Chamber and I compliment the Cathaoirleach on the wonderful work that has been done to adapt the ceramics room to suit the needs of the Seanad. The room looks lovely and I wish Senators well in their sojourn here in this temporary accommodation. I was involved in the works...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permit Applications (13 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I take on board the points raised by the Senator and I would be happy to receive a submission from her on that. Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of upskilling our resident workforce. The work of the hospitality skills oversight group in driving practical...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Work Permit Applications (13 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Thank you.

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

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will be aware of the various research projects underway in my Department to help build an understanding of the possible implications of Brexit on Ireland for enterprise, consumers and trading relations. These studies will provide an evidence base to inform Ireland’s policy positions as part of the wider negotiation on the UK’s future relationship with the EU and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Missions Data (14 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Proposals for trade missions are developed by Enterprise Ireland in consultation with my Department on the basis of priority markets and specific interests of Enterprise Ireland client companies. Enterprise Ireland’s proposals for 2018 are currently under consideration and have not yet been finalised. Once finalised, Enterprise Ireland will submit the proposals to me for approval and...

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

Heather Humphreys: In this year’s, Action Plan for Jobs, we made the decision to place a specific focus on strengthening the rural and regional economy. Last Monday 11thDecember 2017, I announced the results of the first round of the new €60m competitive Regional Enterprise Development Fund. This Fund allows us to drive growth in key sectors or geographies across the country and build on our...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Commencement of Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Details of Acts, or parts of Acts, for which I have responsibility and which have not been commenced, and the reasons that commencement orders have not been made, are set out in the table. Act/Section of Act that has not been Commenced Reason Commencement Order has not been made Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Act (No. 31 of 2017) The Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments)...