Results 1,181-1,200 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I have not as I am only here a short time. We are working very expeditiously. With regard to the Company Law Review Group, there can be further discussions on-----

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: The work is very advanced and it has had much co-operation from Deputies opposite. For the reasons outlined, unfortunately I cannot accept the amendment and I ask the Deputy to withdraw it in view of the commitments already given to this House in the context of past legislation and in ample enforcement available through the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Financial...

Written Answers — Export Credit Insurance: Export Credit Insurance (2 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: The initial phase of the accelerated tendering process, whereby expressions of interest were invited, has been finalised. Completed tenders from the short- listed candidates, for the provision of the forensic examination of the credit insurance market, are due within the next week. These tenders will then be evaluated and it is hoped to award a contract shortly thereafter. It is intended...

Small Businesses Report. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I am aware of various surveys carried out by ISME. The results of individual surveys from the enterprise and banking sectors can be useful in highlighting the generality of the credit supply issue but they must all be examined in the context in which they are carried out and the methodologies applied. The banks' recapitalisation package was about securing the long-term health of the...

Small Businesses Report. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I am well aware of the survey. Mr. Mark Fielding, CEO of ESME attended one of the seminars I held in Dublin to discuss the whole issue. I have also met the county enterprise boards and chambers of commerce throughout the country. We invited regional bank representatives and the representatives of broader industry from farming to the chambers of commerce to the seven meetings to date. I...

Small Businesses Report. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: As I stated at the outset, ISME's survey was useful in that context. Mr. Fielding raised this issue at one of our seminars and the banks gave an undertaking they would re-advertise through their staff or inform their staff of the importance of the EIB's funding. The major banks have drawn down the funding. It is not for normal credit and short-term working capital, as criteria apply. It...

Small Businesses Report. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: -----and other Deputies.

Small Businesses Report. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: The EIB's money will begin to flow into businesses quickly. The banks took on board views expressed at the regional seminars and in ISME's survey and undertook to educate their staff regarding the EIB's funding.

Proposed Legislation. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: In the context of the Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009, the Government and the social partners agreed to the implementation of a series of measures, including the introduction of legislation, to strengthen the existing system for the making of both employment regulation orders and registered employment agreements and to provide for their continued effective operation. The Bill to...

Proposed Legislation. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: We urge all parties involved in the present dispute to use the industrial relations machinery available to them and engage with the Labour Relations Commission because this is having a profound impact on the economy, as well as the immediate issue. The purpose of the Bill is to strengthen the joint labour committees and the employment regulation orders. There was a commitment to streamline...

Proposed Legislation. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: We wish to amalgamate them in order to have fewer of them.

Proposed Legislation. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: There are two issues at stake; first and foremost there was a commitment in Towards 2016 that there would be a streamlining of the JLCs. As there are too many of them, we wanted to streamline them in order to have strong representation. There is also the issue of the independence of a chairperson. Since then there have been challenges to the way we make the orders and it is required in the...

Proposed Legislation. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: What issues?

Proposed Legislation. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: We will examine the issue of the independence of the chair but ultimately there is representation from both sides. Very often it is split exactly in half and the independent chair has the casting vote.

Proposed Legislation. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: Is the Deputy suggesting that one side should have a majority? That would not work either. It is important to get the balance right.

Proposed Legislation. (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: There are difficulties with the current strike and there is an element of that in this issue. We would like to see the JLC system strengthened and broadly representative. The issue of the independent chair can be considered but the two fundamental issues are the legislation to strengthen the JLC system and the streamlining of the JLCs themselves.

Written Answers — Companies Registration Office: Companies Registration Office (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I am satisfied that the majority of submissions received by the Companies Registration Office are being recorded, scanned and made available for public inspection within the published target times. Checking and registration times are also generally on target. However, I am aware of delays in the registration of Business Names and Notifications of Changes of Director/Secretary. The Office is...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: A properly functioning banking sector is an essential element for the maintenance and development of enterprises, especially SMEs. Government focus has been on creating a fit for purpose banking system as is evidenced by the bank guarantee scheme, the recapitalisation scheme, the nationalisation of Anglo Irish and the establishment of the National Assets Management Agency. Substantial...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: These matters are being considered by me in the context of company law and by the Minister for Finance as part of his reform of the banking sector. The Company Law Consolidation and Reform Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. It sets out the corporate duties of directors, company secretaries and auditors on a general basis across all sectors. The Bill...

Written Answers — Export Credit Insurance: Export Credit Insurance (7 Jul 2009)

Billy Kelleher: Officials from this Department have engaged with their counterparts in other relevant Departments, particularly the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Finance and the Department of the Taoiseach, on the issue of Export Credit Insurance. In addition, the Tánaiste has discussed this matter with the Taoiseach and with her cabinet colleagues. The position on the...