Results 1,401-1,420 of 6,430 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Topical Issue Debate: Job Losses (3 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: I appreciate Deputy Lowry's remarks and reiterate the Government's commitment to working with the task force, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and other relevant agencies to ensure we can continue to attract employment and industry to the area. The aim is to address the issues that will emerge after the closure of the Lisheen site. It is an attractive site and I have learned more about it in...

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: Commission a report. You would want a strong shelf for your reports.

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: You did not build a single house.

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: Bertie.

Palestine: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: I agree with the proposers of this motion - and, I think, with all balanced and informed opinion - that the status quois untenable and dangerous. We are also agreed that what is needed is an early resumption of negotiations, with clear parameters and with a specific timetable. I believe in a free, sovereign, independent and democratic Palestine living peacefully side by side with Israel....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: As Deputy Calleary knows, the Minister, Deputy Bruton, commissioned a major report on the strategy for the manufacturing sector, which was published in April 2013. The strategy identifies an additional 20,000 jobs that can be created in manufacturing by 2016 and proposes key actions across a range of areas, including access to new funding, management training and support, cost reduction, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: Manufacturing has been an important sector in Ireland since the 1960s when it was ramped up. However, there has been a noticeable decline in employment in the sector in recent years and, in fact, dating back to the 1980s. There has been a similar trend across the developed world; other industrialised countries such as Germany, the USA, the Netherlands and Korea have experienced similar...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services Provision (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: There have been increases in manufacturing, particularly in the agri-business and food sectors. There would have been a concern about the patent cliff, but pharma is performing extremely well, too, as we can see in the job announcements made recently. Early in the new year Enterprise Ireland will launch its results for this year and I expect them to be very positive. I do not have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wage-setting Mechanisms (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: The OECD Employment Outlook 2014 contains data on the incidence of low and high pay in OECD countries. In this context, the report defines the incidence of low pay as referring to the share of workers earning less than two thirds of median earnings. It ranks Ireland in fourth position, not second, with a figure of 21.8%, behind the United States, Korea and Israel, with figures of 25.3%,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wage-setting Mechanisms (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: I certainly support wage rises in profitable companies and where circumstances allow. To answer the Deputy's question concisely about where I stand on the national minimum wage, clearly, we are in the process of setting up the low pay commission. I am in favour of ensuring changes to the national minimum wage on a progressive basis where circumstances allow. While clearly we are creating...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wage-setting Mechanisms (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: The last thing I can be accused of is shying away from my responsibilities to protect the interests of low paid workers by ensuring the jobs we create pay well. We are revising and reframing the legislative framework to ensure we can do this. Since Deputy Paul Murphy arrived in the House a few weeks ago, I have not found him engaging on these issues to ensure we can develop the framework...

Other Questions: Job Creation (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: I thank Deputy Durkan for tabling this question. As he will be aware, Enterprise Ireland is the agency under the aegis of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with responsibility for the development of Irish enterprise - the majority of which can be classified as small and medium sized - thereby deepening Ireland’s footprint in world markets and supporting employment...

Other Questions: Job Creation (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: There has been significant infrastructural development throughout the country during the past ten to 15 years or more as a result of the efforts of successive Governments. The various regions are well placed to attract foreign direct investment and ensure that indigenous enterprises can grow. They are also well placed in the context of ensuring that companies can export. In that context,...

Other Questions: Job Creation (17 Dec 2014)

Gerald Nash: This is not directly my area of responsibility. The Minister of State, Deputy English, is the expert on this. However, I am aware that Ireland has in the recent past ranked highest in terms of draw down of innovation vouchers from the European Union. Horizon 2020 is a significant element of that, ensuring that Irish companies continue to invest in research and innovation. Having led...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Farm Safety (14 Jan 2015)

Gerald Nash: Table of Expenditure on Farm Safety Initiatives 2011 to 2014. Year Expenditure * 2011 €264,481 2012 €589,870 2013 €449,669 2014 €327,953 Total €1,631,973*The annual figures for expenditure include some cross sectoral initiatives. As some of the advertising initiatives span more than one year, the figure given is an estimate of the expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Farm Safety (14 Jan 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am particularly concerned at the high level of farm fatalities and it goes without saying that safety in agriculture will continue to be a high priority for the HSA and for the Government in 2015. As the HSA and the Department of Agriculture and Food have a common interest in promoting safe working in the agriculture sector opportunities for collaborative action are proactively sought...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Water Meters Installation (14 Jan 2015)

Gerald Nash: The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (the Act) applies to Irish Water and all other employers/contractors engaged in activities relating to the installation of water meters and the Health and Safety Authority retains all powers conferred on it by the Act. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 duties are placed on employers in regard to the retention and...

Topical Issue Debate: Company Closures (29 Jan 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this issue. I am concerned about this closure announcement for Carrickmacross. Not only is it confirming a large number of job losses, but it was totally unexpected, and the manner in which the news was broken to long-serving staff was a poor reflection on the company. The way in which this devastating news was given to Bose staff was uncaring, cold and...

Topical Issue Debate: Company Closures (29 Jan 2015)

Gerald Nash: It was devastating news indeed. I am in the happy position of knowing quite a number of Bose workers from my constituency of Louth, especially people in the Ardee and Dundalk areas. They enjoyed their experiences and were very committed to the company. Like me, they were very disappointed at the sudden turn of events. The IDA and Enterprise Ireland are extremely annoyed at the turn of...

Seanad: Workplace Relations Bill 2015: Second Stage (4 Feb 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am pleased to have the opportunity to introduce this Bill to the Seanad. The Bill, which has passed all Stages in the Dáil, has been recognised as progressive legislation which will provide for a fundamental reform of the State's existing employment rights and industrial relations structures and deliver an independent world class workplace relations service which is easy to use,...