Results 9,341-9,360 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Small and Medium Enterprises. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I need to outline the programmes available.
- Small and Medium Enterprises. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: These include a mentor network, the Enterprise Ireland export orientation programme, Leadership for Growth, the innovation voucher initiative and the Enterprise Start programme. There are programmes within the seventh EU framework on research and development. There is a finance and investment programme on venture capital, for which I announced an additional â¬500 million last week. Other...
- Small and Medium Enterprises. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: We are, within the European Union, introducing a small business Act but due to the antics of the Opposition I was unable to attend a meeting on that which was a retrograde step.
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Does the Deputy think we are stupid or something? We are not stupid.
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Is the Deputy blaming that on me being in the Department? That is just another sweeping remark.
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Is the Deputy so naive as to think that global economics have no impact on what is happening in the world?
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: What, for example?
- Unemployment Levels. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The finance spokesperson for Fine Gael keeps telling us to cut expenditure.
- Official Engagements. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I visited the east coast and the mid-west of the United States from 1 to 7 November on a promotional programme, organised by IDA Ireland, which is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland. The objective of this visit was twofold. My first objective was to cement relationships with US companies that have a presence in Ireland and to...
- Official Engagements. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The access we received was superb. The views expressed by those who are in Ireland at present is that this is a good place in which to do business. Ireland is perceived to be pro-enterprise and has a flexible and talented workforce and this is the basis on which many people make decisions to come here. Ireland's investment in research and development is of great importance to them....
- Departmental Agencies. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: In his report on non-commercial semi-State bodies published in May 2008, the Comptroller and Auditor General reviewed the issues raised in one specific FÃS internal audit report. I discussed this matter with the director general of FÃS and have expressed my concerns about the issues raised by both the Comptroller and Auditor General and the internal audit report, and in particular, the need...
- Departmental Agencies. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Yes.
- Departmental Agencies. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: It is a matter for Deputy Penrose to make his own determinations. I have received a written assurance from the director general that the matters raised in the audit committee have been addressed and that correct procedures have been put in place. Regarding the board, I have met its chairman regularly, who every Deputy would agree is a fine individual, and its director general. I have also...
- Departmental Agencies. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Nor should scarce resources be targeted anywhere other than at those most in need. It is the intention of the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, and the rest of our team to progress matters as expeditiously as possible.
- Departmental Agencies. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I have answered that question.
- Departmental Agencies. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I appreciate the Deputy's views and I know that FÃS offered to take him and his party's leader through the issues, but that only his leader took up the offer. I believe the Deputy indicated that he was not interested.
- Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Members of the board of Enterprise Ireland are appointed under section 9 of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998. The Act provides that members shall be appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, and that the former shall designate one member of the board as chairperson. The Act specifies that a member of...
- Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I know.
- Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: This is a question on Enterprise Ireland.
- Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The views expressed by the Member opposite are a disgrace.