Results 1,621-1,640 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: The Minister for Finance has issued guidelines to public contracting authorities aimed at operating their tendering processes in a manner that facilitates increased participation by SMEs, while ensuring that all purchasing is carried out in a manner that is legal, transparent and secures optimal value for money for the taxpayer. The guidelines also highlight practices that are to be avoided...

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: It is important to compare like with like. It is important to compare data from economies of similar size.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Comparing Ireland to Germany, for example, in the context of public procurement is not fair.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I am talking about countries of like size.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Some 95% of all public procurement contracts are filled by Irish companies. We are an open, global trading economy. We win far more contracts overseas than we would if we took the course many people are suggesting and narrowed our focus to make it difficult for others to tender for Irish contracts. We are winning a sizeable share of public procurement contracts, particularly in the United...

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: These are SMEs. They are small software companies that are winning substantial contracts right across the public sector in the United Kingdom. It is important that we do not say Irish SMEs are unable to tender for public procurement contracts either in Ireland or abroad. They are doing it very effectively and 95% is the figure.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: We have started unbundling some of the larger contracts to make it more amenable to small and medium firms to tender for contracts. We are looking at this in the most imaginative and strategic way possible. We must understand that many Irish companies, including small and medium-sized companies, are winning contracts abroad.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: The Deputy is clearly keeping a very close eye on what the Government is doing. At present, the Government is reviewing the whole area of construction. We are looking at it on a sectoral basis to see where we can make contracts more amenable to the small and medium-sized sector.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: It is being carried out at present. We are very conscious of the need to make it easier for small and medium-sized firms to tender. There are some areas of Irish public procurement for which no Irish company can tender because they may not have expertise in the area, may not have the capacity or may not be producing the required product. This is the case in the medical, military and other...

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: This issue was publicised recently. Most State agencies and the State itself pay within 15 days of receipt of invoice. Approximately 97% of payments are made in that time. Contracts between private companies and individuals is another issue. The State does not get involved in that. Terms of credit is an issue between a vendor and a purchaser.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: We are conscious that terms of credit are being extended way out and this is putting huge pressure on small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those that are supplying larger companies with products, goods and services. However, that is a civil matter for the people concerned.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: The State cannot be involved in every aspect of life. When two people are drafting a contract, it is important that there are clear terms and conditions about when payment scheduling is arranged.

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I am only trying to give advice to the Deputy and to the broader business community. Individual contracts can be drafted and are drafted continually. Until recently the terms of reference were always very vague but credit terms have extended quite substantially. We are conscious of the pressures this is putting on people.

Seanad: Government Agencies (14 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. The issue of late payment has been a source of concern for small businesses for sometime because of many factors such as the economic downturn and the lack of credit in the broader economy. This has created huge difficulties in accessing credit and receiving payment in the small and medium enterprise sector. To assist businesses and set...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (14 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Standard reply.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (14 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Coughlan, sends her apologies. I thank the Senator for raising this matter and acknowledge his deep interest in the school in question as well as in the broader Midleton area. If I received an invite from him or the board of management, I would be delighted to visit the school. As he knows, we are always reluctant to trespass on...

Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Why would he?

Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Do not frighten us all.

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (20 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I am delighted to speak to the Private Members' motion. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the economy. This has been well established by the statistics for the numbers they employ and the goods and services they provide for larger companies. This is critically important. Senator Carty referred to the need to attract foreign direct investment. Having a small and...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (20 Oct 2010)

Billy Kelleher: That is what would happen if the Government shied away from its responsibility. The House heard a number of veiled references to the Fianna Fáil Party. As a practising politician, I will accept some blame for what my party did or did not do. That said, we cannot airbrush the fact that my party has been at the centre of building the economy and trying to ensure we are competitive, have a...