Results 8,801-8,820 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Charities Regulation: Charities Regulation (18 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: My Department's primary role is in implementing the Government's policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job-creation. We also have a remit to ensure fair competition in the marketplace, to promote consumer protection and to support a balanced employment rights regime. Our activity is, therefore, primarily focused on:...

Written Answers — Charities Regulation: Charities Regulation (18 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: ·facilitating the start-up and growth of indigenous enterprises,

Written Answers — Charities Regulation: Charities Regulation (18 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: ·increasing exports,

Written Answers — Charities Regulation: Charities Regulation (18 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: ·improving competitiveness, ·encouraging innovation and growth through investment in research and development, ·promoting fair competition for businesses and consumers, ·upholding company law, ·safeguarding the right of workers, including their entitlement to occupational safety and health, and ·facilitating a positive industrial relations environment. In this context, funding provided...

Loan Guarantee Scheme (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: As I outlined to the House on several occasions in recent months, most recently on 2 December 2010 in reply to Question No. 98, my officials are working with their colleagues in the Department of Finance, the Credit Review Office, Enterprise Ireland and Forfás to address access to credit issues for viable SMEs, including the option of a loan guarantee scheme to assist the working capital...

Loan Guarantee Scheme (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank the Deputy for his acknowledgement that our priority is to protect taxpayers' money. We also want to ensure that the banks which have made a commitment of €12 billion up to 2012 meet that commitment. Mr. John Trethowan, who is leading the group that is working on a credit guarantee scheme, admits there is a sector within the broader SME sector comprising start-up, high-technology...

Loan Guarantee Scheme (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: The review group met in November and December last and another meeting is due. In the interim I have asked Enterprise Ireland to work with the banks. We are looking, for instance, at mechanisms that can be used by the banks to make use of the funds that are available under the European Investment Fund. That is also subject to review. I cannot give a date when the review will be completed....

Enterprise Support Services (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: The existing examinership process is effective and fair for companies of all sizes, large and small. The examinership provisions are contained primarily in the Companies (Amendment) Act 1990 and are widely recognised to have operated successfully in the two decades since their introduction, a period which has seen both sides of the economic cycle. The fundamental principle of the...

Enterprise Support Services (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: I understand where the Deputy is coming from and I too am anxious that the process be expedited as much as possible. However, there is an important element that we cannot ignore, which is maintaining an impartial involvement. The courts afford that and thus ensure there is confidence in the process. As I said, proposals that have been submitted to the Department in regard to a so-called...

Enterprise Support Services (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: While the Department does not keep statistics on the number of examinerships, the Insolvency Journal website has noted a dramatic decrease in 2010 in the number of companies seeking protection from creditors by placing themselves in examination.

Job Creation (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base to facilitate job creation and job retention. The National Recovery Plan, published by the Government on 24 November 2010, provides a blueprint for Ireland's return to sustainable economic growth. It identifies the areas of activity, which will provide increased...

Job Creation (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: We should address three issues concerning job creation. The first one is to provide sufficient capital to agencies so they have money to expend and ensure that targets are met. IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the enterprise boards have sufficient cash and are satisfied that they can meet their targets given the capital provided. Second, the trade strategy itself outlines into 2015 the...

Job Creation (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am glad the Deputy raised that issue because our strategy targets emerging economies in India, Brazil, China and the Middle East. I have visited three such countries on trade missions. I was due to visit Brazil but could not do so at the time. We are targeting those markets, however. To this end, I am calling in all the ambassadors of emerging economies to make them aware of our purpose...

Job Creation (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: In that way, we will make them fully aware of the export opportunities that Ireland can provide for their respective countries.

Small Business Sector (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy is getting excited.

Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: In fulfilment of the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997, my Department prepared and submitted to me a draft Statement of Strategy 2011-2013 for my consideration. The Department subsequently arranged for this draft to be forwarded to the Department of An Taoiseach for consultation in accordance with the revised guidelines for the preparation of strategy statements issued by...

Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: Last year, which was a very tough year, the IDA created more than 10,000 jobs. The net increase was approximately 1,750 because there were significant job losses permeating from 2009. Job losses in Dell in Limerick spilled over from 2009 into 2010. Nevertheless, there was a net increase of 1,750. The IDA has indicated clearly to my Department that it does not believe job losses will be as...

Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: Wrong again.

Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: Wrong again.

Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Jan 2011)

Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Bruton looks like a teacher with a finger wagging. I am too old for that.