Results 5,041-5,060 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014: Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (10 Jun 2014)

Damien English: I welcome representatives from the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, MRCI, to discuss the forthcoming Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014, which we are hoping to take later this month. I welcome Ms Gráinne O'Toole, workplace rights and forced labour co-ordinator, Mr. Enamur Chowdhury, a volunteer and activist, Mr. Waseem Yousaf, who will speak for Mr. Mohammed Younis, and Mr. Pablo...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014: Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (10 Jun 2014)

Damien English: We can ask the Department before the Committee Stage to look into that for us. Does the MRCI work with other organisations across Europe?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014: Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (10 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Does anyone have questions or concluding comments? On behalf of the committee, I thank the witnesses for coming before us and telling us their stories and about their work. They have been fighting the system over the years and I thank them for it. The select committee will consider Committee Stage of the Bill on 26 June after which the Dáil will deal with Report Stage. No doubt...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: On behalf of the committee, I extend céad míle fáilte - 100,000 welcomes, as we say in Ireland - to Mr. Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director General for Enterprise and Industry at the European Commission. We are delighted that he was able to accept our invitation to come to Dublin. I also welcome Mr. Stephane Lebrun, head of unit at the Directorate General of Enterprise and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: I thank the director general for his comments. I welcome all the initiatives he outlined to fight the cause. Those members who were not present will find the submission informative and useful. There is no doubt the director general is trying to champion many of the causes encountered by the committee. It will certainly help the cause if Europe is at one with what we are doing nationally.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: We will take all the questions before Mr. Calleja Crespo responds. I call Deputy Lawlor, followed by Deputy Kyne.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Perhaps we can squeeze in two more.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Although I am conscious we are short of time, Mr. Calleja Crespo might address two further issues, either now or at a later stage. When one talks of entrepreneurs, a major point to come through all the committee's meetings concerns the appetite for risk. I am conscious it is probably the same across Europe and while the aim is to encourage a lot more youth entrepreneurship, even in the case...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: If Mr. Calleja Crespo finishes that point, we can then finish over lunch. He might address that issue first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Perfect.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Yes, most of the members will be able to join us for lunch.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Damien English: That would be most helpful. On behalf of the committee, I thank the director general and his colleagues for their engagement with the committee. We can continue our discussion over lunch and any outstanding issues can be dealt with in correspondence. The meeting has provided the committee with much food for thought. Our report, which will summarise stakeholders' views and outline our...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (12 Jun 2014)

Damien English: 138. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the commemorative activities he will undertake in September 2014 to mark the centenary of the passage into law of the Home Rule Act on 18 September 1914; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25161/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (17 Jun 2014)

Damien English: 756. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his Department have had discussions with the Canadian authorities regarding the introduction of a reciprocal agreement where holders of driving licences from both jurisdictions can simply apply to transfer their licences without the requirement of sitting the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25341/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Growth and Job Creation in Town and Village Centres: Discussion (17 Jun 2014)

Damien English: Everyone is welcome. We will discuss the policy options to support business growth and job creation and retention in town and village centres. I welcome Mr. Stephen Lynam, director of Retail Ireland, Mr. Stephen Sealey, managing director of Brown Thomas, and Mr. Bob Parker, director of operations at Clerys. Ms Leesa Kavanagh, director of retail at Arnotts, is not present. By virtue of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Growth and Job Creation in Town and Village Centres: Discussion (17 Jun 2014)

Damien English: I thank Mr. Sealey. Mr. Parker will add a few words.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Growth and Job Creation in Town and Village Centres: Discussion (17 Jun 2014)

Damien English: I will group some questions now. I call Deputy John Lyons followed by Senator Feargal Quinn and Senator Mary White.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Growth and Job Creation in Town and Village Centres: Discussion (17 Jun 2014)

Damien English: The Deputy will get me in trouble.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Growth and Job Creation in Town and Village Centres: Discussion (17 Jun 2014)

Damien English: To clarify, the whole country will be covered in this discussion on retail, and not just Dublin, whose main streets are Grafton Street and O'Connell Street. We are examining the retail sector in all towns and villages.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Growth and Job Creation in Town and Village Centres: Discussion (17 Jun 2014)

Damien English: In fairness, many towns are covered in the presentation. Two owners of businesses in the centre of Dublin are present but-----