Results 8,221-8,240 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Renewed Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to "implement a Code of Practice for doing business in the Grocery Goods sector, to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the Code and if necessary to put in place a mandatory code". The Government will give effect to this commitment by including a specific...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The proposal for a Consumer Rights Directive was published in October 2008 and brings together in updated and consolidated form four existing Directives on doorstep selling, distance sales, consumer sales and guarantees, and unfair contract terms. Unlike the Directives it is intended to replace, the proposal has been drafted on a full harmonisation basis and, if adopted on this basis, would...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I intend, subject to consistency with EU competition law, to give effect to the Government commitment in "Towards 2016" regarding the exemption of certain specified categories of vulnerable workers from competition law in the Bill being prepared to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. Work on the draft heads of this Bill is now at an advanced stage and I intend to...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Regulations to bring the Services Directive [Directive 2006/123/EC] into law under the European Communities Acts are almost finalized. I hope to sign the Regulations within the next four weeks.

Written Answers — Energy Policy: Energy Policy (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under Commission Regulation (EC) 244/2009 on the ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps (lightbulbs), as amended by EU Regulation (EC) 859/2009, inefficient incandescent lightbulbs are being phased out throughout the EU on a staged basis from 1st September 2009. They are being replaced by more energy efficient alternatives such as new improved halogen lightbulbs, compact...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Jobs and economic growth are about direct and indirect measures. My Department and the state agencies have a role to play in both directly supporting business and ensuring that the policies pursued across Government are consistent and support our overall national objectives of reducing unemployment, regional development and building the smart economy. My Department and its agencies,...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The remarks attributed to the Minister for Finance in the interview in question would, no doubt, have been made with the banking sector in particular in mind. Policy responsibility for the banking sector is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. In this regard, the Deputy may be aware that the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator have launched a consultation paper recently...

Written Answers — Enterprise Stabilisation Fund: Enterprise Stabilisation Fund (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Enterprise Stabilisation Fund (ESF) was established by Government in 2009 as a 2 year scheme to support viable but vulnerable exporting companies experiencing difficulties because of the current economic climate. Some €78m is currently being provided under the ESF for 2009 and 2010. At the 30th April 2010, 197 projects from 193 companies had been approved €72m under the ESF, of which...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: There are currently a total of 16 EU Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2012. Three of these Directives are currently overdue: (i) Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual and consolidated accounts (due to be transposed shortly); (ii) Directive 2008/112/EC on classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures (due to be transposed shortly) and...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Tánaiste and then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD, met with Ryanair CEO Mr. Michael O'Leary on Tuesday 16 February, followed by a letter she wrote to Mr. O'Leary on 18 February and letters she received from him on 19 February and 25 February. Mr. O'Leary also responded on 19 February to a letter of 18 February from Shannon Development, one of the agencies...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: In relation to my Department, the main rationalisation relates to the decision to merge the National Consumer Agency (NCA) and the Competition Authority. At the time the merger of the two bodies was announced, work on the review of the operation and implementation of the 2002 Competition Act was well underway. The submissions received following a public consultation process were being...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am aware of the closures and significant job losses in the retail sector and my Department has taken such action as is open to it to alleviate the difficulties being experienced in the sector. The second call for the Employment Subsidy Scheme included the retail sector and I understand that subsidies were awarded to 178 retail companies. As a result of receiving 1,315 employment...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas: Disadvantaged Areas (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: One of the high level goals set out in the recently launched IDA strategy document, entitled "Horizon 2020", is that, in the period 2010 to 2014, 50% of FDI projects will be located outside of Dublin and Cork. Building on existing regional strengths to ensure Ireland's economic development and optimising regional spread in overseas investments is central to IDA's core activities. This...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Consumer protection law obliges traders offering a product for sale to indicate the selling price and the unit price of that product and to ensure that the indication of the selling price and of the unit price is clearly visible. Complaints in relation to products being offered for sale where the price or unit price is not clearly visible should be brought to the attention of the National...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Responsibility for education and training services rests with the Department of Education and Skills. In response to the announcement of redundancies in the company, I established an inter-agency team comprising Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the relevant County Enterprise Boards, FÁS, the Department of Social Protection together with my own Departmental officials. The primary focus of...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The consultation paper recently published by the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator relates specifically to financial institutions and insurance undertakings. Policy responsibility for the financial sector rests with my colleague the Minister for Finance. For my part, I welcome the publication of the consultation paper. I understand this initiative is part of a wider strategy to...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Competition (Amendment) Act 2006 prohibits grocery goods undertakings from engaging in anti-competitive conduct. Specifically undertakings are prohibited from compelling another undertaking to make any payment or grant any allowance for the advertising or display of goods. The Act also places specific prohibitions on retailers from compelling suppliers to make payments for providing...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: In accordance with the Government Decision of 19 May 2009 all central Government Departments are required to pay their business suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Departments are also required to report quarterly to my Department on their performance in meeting this target. The first returns by Departments covered the period 15 June to 30 September 2009 and were published...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Membership of the High Level Group comprises eight senior public servants, representatives from business organisations (IBEC, ISME, SFA, IBF), a representative from ICTU, and an academic representative. Details of the membership of the Group is as follows. In addition my Department provides Secretarial support to the Group and supports and coordinates the cross-Government drive to reduce...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (12 May 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together. The High Level Group on Business Regulation was set up in 2007 to provide a forum for dialogue between business and Government. Its objective is to find ways to reduce administrative burdens on business arising from regulation. The Group acts as a clearing house for specific red tape issues raised by business, and engages with the...