Results 7,121-7,140 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

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

Heather Humphreys: On the economic sustainability assessment, as the Deputy knows, we have committed to carrying out same on this proposed trade deal. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, had previously contracted Copenhagen Economics, an internationally renowned trade and economics consultancy, via a public tender process, to undertake a study of the economic...

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

Heather Humphreys: Yes.

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

Heather Humphreys: We have done a preliminary analysis but it covers all the trade agreements. What we need to do now is a specific analysis-----

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

Heather Humphreys: It was only announced a week ago. We have to do a specific analysis of that. We will do a full economic impact assessment to include the impact on the beef sector and the impact of Brexit and we will also do an environmental sustainability assessment. That is quite a comprehensive body of work and it will take some time to do that. The good news is that we have time because it will take...

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

Heather Humphreys: It is an agreement in principle.

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

Heather Humphreys: No, it is not. The details are not all in it.

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

Heather Humphreys: It is not all bad; it is not all good.

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

Heather Humphreys: No, I have not.

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

Heather Humphreys: I will just go through the ratification process again because I do not want to give misinformation. It has to go through the legal process. It is our current understanding that it will be an association agreement with Mercosur. While the trade agreement element falls under the exclusive competence of the Commission and is, therefore, ratified by member states in Council under qualified...

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

Heather Humphreys: As part of the agreement, we have a full chapter on sustainability. That is why we need to hold this person to account. Bolsonaro has had to recommit to the Paris Agreement to get the deal, and accept a mechanism whereby the EU polices his government's adherence to the Paris Agreement. I do recognise the concerns raised by the Deputies about the Brazilians' track record on climate change...

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

Heather Humphreys: To elaborate further on the comment about cars and beef, approximately 60 companies in Ireland are involved in sub-supply to the automotive industry and employ approximately 7,000 people. The companies range in size from large to emerging players. In Irish terms, automotives cover a broad range of vehicles including trucks, buses and off-highway vehicles. Trade deals have been good for...

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

Heather Humphreys: I will let the Deputy continue.

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

Heather Humphreys: There are 7,000 jobs in the automotive sector. That is not to be laughed at or made light of.

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

Heather Humphreys: To be clear, we have worked with like-minded countries. I co-signed a letter with the Belgian trade minister outlining our concerns about the deal, not least in respect of the beef industry. We will continue to work with our colleagues in Europe. We will carry out an economic impact assessment and examine specifically the impact it will have on the beef industry. We will also examine the...

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

Heather Humphreys: There are benefits in this agreement for the SME sector. There are also benefits for the dairy sector with quotas for cheese and infant formula. The SME sector will have much greater access to the procurement process in Mercosur countries. They will also have an easier process and an agreed customs procedure that will make it much easier and more cost effective for them to do business in...

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

Heather Humphreys: To clarify, this is an association agreement which means it covers trade and other matters. If it is an association agreement, as it is being presented by the EU, it will have to come before the Dáil to be voted on. My preference would be to have it come back to the Dáil but the Commission may decide to seek a provisional application, which would mean the trade aspects of the deal...

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

Heather Humphreys: No, the Commission may decide that but it is a decision for it. I have no guarantee that it will or will not do so. We will do everything we can to forge alliances and minimise the impact of the deal. It has good parts and we should accept that but there are challenges for the beef sector. We will do all we can to minimise the difficulties it presents for the beef sector.

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

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputies for their contributions this evening. As the Minister, Deputy Creed, said, we want to get the best possible deal for the country and we will work towards that. The key word is balance and as a Government we need to go through this deal in detail and see whether it strikes the right balance for Ireland. I recognise and appreciate the very genuine concerns expressed by...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ticket Touting (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition and consumer law in the State.  Section 9(5) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides that the CCPC is independent in the performance of its functions.  As these functions include the day-to-day operational work arising...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Working Holiday Programmes (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) is an agreement with other governments which allows young people of both countries to fund an extended holiday through temporary work. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has responsibility for the Working Holiday Authorisation scheme on the basis of the reciprocal arrangements agreed for Irish citizens travelling and working in...