Results 12,401-12,420 of 15,080 for speaker:Dara Calleary

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Artificial Intelligence (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: As I said to Deputy O’Reilly yesterday, I invite all Deputies and Senators to come to the audiovisual room on 11 July when Dr. Patricia Scanlon, the national AI ambassador, will answer many of these questions. Regarding the legislation, we are looking at issues like the definition of AI, enforcement and governance, biometric identification and the various foundation models. We want...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: The national digital strategy was launched in February 2022. It restates the Government’s commitment to making Ireland a well-resourced, modern and coherent regulatory framework for digital technology. Advances have been made across many fronts in this regard. We are committing the resources needed by our regulators to operate successfully. For instance, the Government has approved...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: It is definitely worth considering. In order to achieve that aim we need to put our best foot forward particularly regarding the Digital Services Act. We are preparing to have effective and ambitious implementation of the Digital Services Act to ensure that Coimisiún na Meán has the appropriate resources. Inevitably, there will be teething problems. We need to be ready and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Regulations (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: I thank both Deputies. It is good to see Deputy Ring in the Chair. For the information of the House, the country-of-origin principle means that the business activity is regulated in the EU by the member state in which it is established. That has been a core principle of the Single Market, which came into existence for 30 years ago. It goes back to the pre-digital economy. That...

Seanad: Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023: Second Stage (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: Táim an-sásta a bheith sa Seanad chun an Bille tábhachtach seo a mholadh. The Bill transposes Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and the European Council of 25 November 2020 on representative action for the protection of the collective interests of consumers. This directive requires member states to have a mechanism for consumers to seek collective redress...

Seanad: Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023: Second Stage (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and Councillor Murphy. He is welcome to give this speech. The legislation is good news for consumers. It is equally good news for business because it recognises responsible traders and holds to account those traders who flout consumer protection laws. I am confident that once the legislation is enacted, it will strengthen consumers' efforts...

Seanad: Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023: Second Stage (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gceathrar Seanadóir as ucht a ráitis. I thank the Senators for being here on a Thursday and for their contributions. Senator Sherlock did not miss the substance, but I think it is important that we proceed, and that we have this Bill in place. We are continuing to place pressure on the Department of Justice. Senator Gavan referred to the Multi-Party...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Regulation (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: Technologies and their applications continue to advance at pace and it is a challenge globally to develop regulation that is flexible and adaptable to future progression. My Department is active in the negotiations of digital regulation at EU level, and continues to make the case in Europe for the need to strike a balance between measures necessary to secure the digital economy without...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Inflation Rate (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: In my view, profit restraint on the part of firms has an important role to play in reducing headline inflation in the coming years. Recent analysis from the Central Bank of Ireland suggests that profits have contributed significantly to ‘Gross Value Added inflation’ – which is an alternative measure of inflation - in both 2021 and 2022, compared to a lower average...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: European Parliament (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: The draft EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) sets out harmonised rules for the design, development, placement on the market and use of AI systems in the Union. The Regulation aims to ensure the protection of fundamental rights and user safety, as well as to build trust in the development and uptake of AI, thereby enhancing EU investment and innovation. The proposal aims to address the risks...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: Performance has been strong in the first half of the IDA strategy 2021-2024 despite the difficult global economic environment. Total employment in IDA client companies reached 301,475 in 2022 - a 9% increase on 2021 - with over 24,000 net new jobs created. Furthermore, 260 investments of the 400 targeted over the lifetime of the Strategy for regional locations have been won. Employment...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: EU Regulations (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: Officials from my Department have been engaged in the negotiations on the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) since the proposal was published by the Commission in April 2021. The Act will put in place a horizontal EU regulatory framework which will apply to AI designed, developed or used in the EU, addressing the risks generated by specific use cases through a set of complementary,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Consumer Protection (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland and its mission is to make markets work better for consumers and businesses. The CCPC aims to improve consumer welfare across the economy by enforcing over 40 legislative instruments, including product...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: Balanced regional enterprise development continues to be a key policy for me and this Government, and is reaffirmed in the Department’s White Paper on Enterprise. The Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans. The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan covers Laois, Offaly,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Information and Communications Technology (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: AI and other digital technologies are touching and transforming every aspect of our lives. In order to ensure Ireland is prepared for this transformation, Government developed a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy; AI – Here for Good, which was launched in July 2021, and set out a vision that Ireland would be an International leader in using AI to the benefit of our population,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: Balanced regional enterprise development continues to be a key policy for me and this Government, and is reaffirmed in the Department’s White Paper on Enterprise. The Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans. The South-East Regional Enterprise Plan covers Carlow,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Exports Growth (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: My Department regularly explores ways to assist businesses and to create an environment that stimulates their growth. However, it is important that Government intervention is focused on those areas where there is there is a market failure. My Department, working with Enterprise Ireland currently offers a range of supports for exporting businesses, such as training, in-market support, and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 63 together. Balanced regional enterprise development continues to be a key policy for me and this Government, and is reaffirmed in the Department’s White Paper on Enterprise. The Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans. The...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Information and Communications Technology (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: The proposed EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) sets out harmonised rules for the development, placement on the market and use of AI systems in the Union. This Regulation follows a proportionate, risk-based approach where certain particularly harmful AI practices are prohibited, while specific restrictions and safeguards are proposed in relation to certain high-risk areas. The Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (29 Jun 2023)

Dara Calleary: The Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) which was launched in September 2020 provided loans to SMEs and small Mid-Caps until 30 June 2022. No further loans were approved after that date. The scheme closed due to the expiry of the State Aid Temporary Framework. The State aid Temporary Framework was adopted on 19 March 2020 to enable Member States to use the full flexibility foreseen...