Results 5,001-5,020 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (15 May 2014)

Damien English: Amendment No. 66 in the name of Deputy Peadar Tóibín has been discussed already with amendment No. 52. Is the amendment being pressed?

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (15 May 2014)

Damien English: Amendment No. 70 was ruled out of order. Does the Deputy want to raise the issue before we deal with the section?

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014: Committee Stage (15 May 2014)

Damien English: I thank all members for their co-operation to date in respect of the Bill's passage. I also thank the Minister and his officials for their attendance and assistance.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Message to Dáil (15 May 2014)

Damien English: In accordance with Standing Order 87, the following message will be sent to the Dáil: The Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has completed its consideration of the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014 and has made amendments thereto.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility (27 May 2014)

Damien English: 410. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of recent residential rental price increases reported, her plans to reflect such increases that those in receipt of rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22649/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Exemptions (27 May 2014)

Damien English: 515. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in the case of dependant children aged over 18, for example those attending college, his plans to facilitate a water allowance for households containing such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22125/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (27 May 2014)

Damien English: 978. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the establishment of a new category of SPSV licence for situations where non-standard taxi, hackney and limousine services are to be provided, such as the introduction of SPSV licence for tuk tuk style vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22619/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (27 May 2014)

Damien English: They are very busy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: I welcome from the Irish League of Credit Unions Mr. David Matthews, business unit manager, and Mr. Kieron Brennan, CEO. From the Credit Union Development Association I welcome Mr. Kevin Johnson, CEO, and Ms Elaine Larke, head of legal affairs and compliance. From the Credit Union Managers Association I welcome Mr. Sean Murray, training director and CEO of Naas Credit Union, and Mr. Gerard...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: We will take questions after the presentations have concluded. I invite Mr. Kevin Johnson to make his presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: We are running short of time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: I apologise for rushing Mr. Johnson at the end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: I thank the witnesses for their informative presentations. It is clear that money can be made available through the credit unions to invest in SMEs. It is a question of developing a mechanism to invest at a higher volume. Mr. Johnson might provide the paper that he published in 2009 to the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Much of the change in credit unions has happened over the past three years. There are many additional requirements for ILCU members to have particular skills and qualifications to be able to sit on the board. Credit unions, therefore, are much better equipped to take this role on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: An investment bond, although a good way of getting money to SMEs, does not increase credit unions' business. Do credit unions want eventually to get to lending directly to SMEs or is the preference to go the investment route?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: The committee examined the idea of a business bank a couple of years ago.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: I think Deputy Conaghan is trying to express the view of most members that everybody recognises the great work credit unions do and welcomes that they are seeking to play a greater role in terms of SME lending. It is not possible for us to discuss today the past and future role of credit unions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Would Mr. McConville like to comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Am I correct that the commission has identified a role for credit unions in this area but this is not being encouraged by the registrar? Mr. Johnson referred in his presentation to the relationship between the credit unions and the local enterprise boards not being encouraged by the registrar?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Is it your contention that the regulation exists and that only direction and clarity in that area are required, not more rules and regulations? Am I correct?