Results 7,101-7,120 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (4 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Common Commercial Policy, including trade, is an exclusive competence of the European Union under the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union. The European Commission acts as lead negotiator on behalf of all EU countries regarding trade agreements with non-EU countries. Member States (in Council) approve negotiating directives (or mandates) before negotiations begin, are...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Small and Medium Enterprises (4 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I note the findings of the Central Bank vulnerability analysis of Irish SME credit exposures,  in particular, the improvement in the condition of the aggregate performing SME portfolio overall. I also note that high vulnerability exposures are not concentrated in any particular region or regions, that borrowers in the Accommodation and Food and Wholesale and Retail sectors account for...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (4 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. Any international agreement entered into by the European Union with a third country or group of third countries may, depending on its content, be concluded as an EU-only agreement (i.e. without the Member States also being parties to that agreement) or as a "mixed" agreement (i.e. with both the EU and the Member States being parties...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permits Eligibility (4 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that not enough information has been provided to determine whether the person (details supplied) qualifies for an employment permit. In order to work in the State all non-EEA nationals require a valid employment permit unless exempt under permission from the Department of Justice and Equality. In order to apply for an employment...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: On the first opportunity I have had to do so, I congratulate Deputy Troy on his appointment as spokesman on business, enterprise and innovation. The Deputy has raised a number of questions and I will try to address them. I appreciate fully and recognise the concerns of beef farmers on this deal. It is important to remember that the deal has been negotiated at EU level where the Government...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Does the Deputy want me to answer the question about competitiveness?

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Very well. According to the IMD world competitiveness ranking, Ireland is the third most competitive country in the EU. As the Deputy knows, there has been a great deal of investment through Enterprise Ireland that encourages companies to invest in innovation and to look at new ways of doing things. This Friday, I will attend a seminar on how we can increase productivity in our small and...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Regarding labour conditions, the parties to the agreement agree that there should be no lowering of labour or environmental standards to attract trade and investment.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: They also agree that the trade agreement should not constrain the right to regulate on environmental or labour matters, including in situations where scientific information is not conclusive. The parties commit to respecting International Labour Organization, ILO, conventions on forced labour, non-discrimination at work, child labour, freedom of association and the right to collective...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: It must be remembered that it is only an agreement in principle. It still has to go through a legal refinement process which could take up to two years. It will have to be voted through by a qualified majority at the Trade Council and also go through the European Parliament. On top of this, the EU-Mercosur agreement will be a mixed agreement which will require the involvement of the...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: There is a clear dispute resolution mechanism that will be included in the deal. Again, it will be part of the legal agreements.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: There is a complete chapter on sustainable development, which means that there is a big focus on it.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Either of the parties may resort to the trade dispute settlement mechanism. If one party considers that the other has failed to comply with one or more obligations in the trade part of the agreement, as a first step in the process, consultation will allow for an amicable resolution of the dispute. If the consultation fails, the complaining party may request the establishment of an...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: On sustainable development, all EU free trade agreements include a trade and sustainable development chapter, which seeks to ensure that partners follow international requirements in the three pillars that comprise sustainable development, namely economics, the environment and social issues. By linking the benefits of enhanced market access to commitments to follow international labour and...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: No, it is not just words.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: No, I do not agree with the Deputy.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Let me finish. On 27 February, EU Commissioner Malmström unveiled a 15 point plan to make the EU trade and sustainable development chapters more effective. Contained in this plan was a commitment to more assertively enforce the commitments under the trade and sustainable development chapters in free trade agreements. Our engagements allow us to influence the Brazilians and others on...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy was not here for the start of the debate.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I will give the Deputy an example of a trade agreement in which the EU has demonstrated its willingness to initiate withdrawal procedures, namely the case of Cambodia, where there are concerns regarding serious human rights and labour rights violations. In February 2019, the European Commission started the process that could lead to the temporary suspension of Cambodia's preferential access...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Does the Deputy want me to answer or does he want to keep talking?