Results 1,701-1,720 of 26,705 for speaker:John McGuinness
- Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)
John McGuinness: It is important that we record the matter. Deputy Stagg has delivered a great deal of negative comment.
- Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)
John McGuinness: I would not like to be looking into his glass. Of course we must deal with the banks. I recognise there is an issue with how they draw down that money from Europe. I believe there is a necessity on the part of Government to urge and pressurise and to ensure that the small and medium enterprise sector is supported to the extent that it continues to be viable in the future.
- Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)
John McGuinness: The small and medium enterprise sector has created 800,000 jobs. Some 95% of these companies emerged from the activities of county enterprise boards, Enterprise Ireland and the activities of the IDA. Let us consider the knowledge economy and research and development. Although we lost 70 jobs in County Kilkenny today, I respect what happened there. I will support the workers to ensure their...
- Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)
John McGuinness: That is to misrepresent what I said.
- Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (26 Nov 2008)
John McGuinness: The European Union provides support to European small and medium-sized enterprises in different forms such as grants, loans and, in some cases, guarantees. Support is available either directly or through programmes managed at national or regional level, such as the European Union's Structural Funds. SMEs can also benefit from a series of non-financial assistance measures in the form of...
- Written Answers — Small Business Sector: Small Business Sector (26 Nov 2008)
John McGuinness: My Department provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), Enterprise Ireland, and FÃS, through whom assistance is delivered directly to small businesses in the North Dublin region. Enterprise Ireland's activity is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing and internationally traded...
- Seanad: Shoppers Task Force: Motion (3 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: Except in hurling.
- Seanad: Shoppers Task Force: Motion (3 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: I thank the Labour Party for tabling this timely and worthwhile motion. I have listened carefully to the contributions of Members on this topic which is close to my own heart and background. I come from the retail sector as I worked as a grocer in my own corner shop trying to make a living following in the footsteps of my parents. I witnessed significant changes in the shopping patterns of...
- Seanad: Shoppers Task Force: Motion (3 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: Local authorities should be acutely aware of what is going on in their communities and businesses.
- Seanad: Shoppers Task Force: Motion (3 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: Local authorities should heed the constant call by public representatives, who are sensitive and understanding about this issue, to freeze their rates and examine their planning mechanisms to ensure reasonable planning applications relating to change of use and so on, which are not contentious, are approved expeditiously to enable economic activity. The fees and charges applied to planning...
- Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (9 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were set up in 1993 to provide support for micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. The CEBs deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and they can provide both financial and...
- Written Answers — Small Business Sector: Small Business Sector (9 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: The current financial situation is challenging for SMEs. I have met with the SFA and ISME to discuss a range of issues of concern to the SME sector. A primary concern is access to bank credit. The banking sector is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D. My officials and I have been working closely with the Minister and officials of his Department...
- Written Answers — Irish Exports: Irish Exports (9 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: Over the last five years the contribution of net exports to Irish economic growth has fluctuated year on year. In 2003 it was +1.49%; in 2004 +0.43%; in 2005 it was negative, at -1.29%; in 2006 +0.21% and in 2007 net exports contributed +2.64% to economic growth. For the first half of 2008 the relevant figure was +1.42%. In the calendar years 2003-2007, annual growth in total Irish exports...
- County Enterprise Boards. (10 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: The 35 county and city enterprise boards, CEBs, are the principal deliverers of State support to the micro-enterprise sector in Ireland. They provide support to businesses with ten or fewer employees in the start-up and expansion phases and they promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. As locally based...
- County Enterprise Boards. (10 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: There is a lot in what the Deputy is saying. I suggest it is time we had a full and broad discussion at the committee of which he is Chairman, the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, about enterprise boards, the SME sector and so on, and how we are engaging with them. It should be remembered that from 1993 to 2007 almost â¬190 million was given out to the boards in grants....
- County Enterprise Boards. (10 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: I remind the Deputy that 20,000 companies have received assistance over the years from enterprise boards, and 35,000 jobs have been created.
- County Enterprise Boards. (10 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: That is also why I want more.
- County Enterprise Boards. (10 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: I have a firm belief in that sector. We should engage with such businesses to find out what supports we can give them in the context of their demands and the new economic circumstances, and that is exactly what I am doing. I am willing to consider new ways of supporting them and to discuss with the Deputy's committee what we can do within that budget and in view of the 16% increase we have...
- Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: The collection of taxes and the issue of attachment orders are the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners. It is therefore not appropriate for me to comment on the execution of, or the administrative arrangements applying to attachment orders. Neither the Tánaiste nor I have had discussions with the Revenue Commissioners or with the Department of Finance in respect of attachment orders...
- Small and Medium Enterprise. (10 Dec 2008)
John McGuinness: That is the Deputy's idea.