Results 20,481-20,500 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Let me finish. On 27 February, EU Commissioner Malmström unveiled a 15 point plan to make the EU trade and sustainable development chapters more effective. Contained in this plan was a commitment to more assertively enforce the commitments under the trade and sustainable development chapters in free trade agreements. Our engagements allow us to influence the Brazilians and others on...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy was not here for the start of the debate.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I will give the Deputy an example of a trade agreement in which the EU has demonstrated its willingness to initiate withdrawal procedures, namely the case of Cambodia, where there are concerns regarding serious human rights and labour rights violations. In February 2019, the European Commission started the process that could lead to the temporary suspension of Cambodia's preferential access...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Does the Deputy want me to answer or does he want to keep talking?

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: On the economic sustainability assessment, as the Deputy knows, we have committed to carrying out same on this proposed trade deal. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, had previously contracted Copenhagen Economics, an internationally renowned trade and economics consultancy, via a public tender process, to undertake a study of the economic...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Yes.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: We have done a preliminary analysis but it covers all the trade agreements. What we need to do now is a specific analysis-----

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: It was only announced a week ago. We have to do a specific analysis of that. We will do a full economic impact assessment to include the impact on the beef sector and the impact of Brexit and we will also do an environmental sustainability assessment. That is quite a comprehensive body of work and it will take some time to do that. The good news is that we have time because it will take...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: It must be remembered that it is only an agreement in principle. It still has to go through a legal refinement process which could take up to two years. It will have to be voted through by a qualified majority at the Trade Council and also go through the European Parliament. On top of this, the EU-Mercosur agreement will be a mixed agreement which will require the involvement of the...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: There is a clear dispute resolution mechanism that will be included in the deal. Again, it will be part of the legal agreements.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: There is a complete chapter on sustainable development, which means that there is a big focus on it.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Either of the parties may resort to the trade dispute settlement mechanism. If one party considers that the other has failed to comply with one or more obligations in the trade part of the agreement, as a first step in the process, consultation will allow for an amicable resolution of the dispute. If the consultation fails, the complaining party may request the establishment of an...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Regarding labour conditions, the parties to the agreement agree that there should be no lowering of labour or environmental standards to attract trade and investment.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: They also agree that the trade agreement should not constrain the right to regulate on environmental or labour matters, including in situations where scientific information is not conclusive. The parties commit to respecting International Labour Organization, ILO, conventions on forced labour, non-discrimination at work, child labour, freedom of association and the right to collective...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Does the Deputy want me to answer the question about competitiveness?

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Very well. According to the IMD world competitiveness ranking, Ireland is the third most competitive country in the EU. As the Deputy knows, there has been a great deal of investment through Enterprise Ireland that encourages companies to invest in innovation and to look at new ways of doing things. This Friday, I will attend a seminar on how we can increase productivity in our small and...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: On the first opportunity I have had to do so, I congratulate Deputy Troy on his appointment as spokesman on business, enterprise and innovation. The Deputy has raised a number of questions and I will try to address them. I appreciate fully and recognise the concerns of beef farmers on this deal. It is important to remember that the deal has been negotiated at EU level where the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ticket Touting (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition and consumer law in the State.  Section 9(5) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides that the CCPC is independent in the performance of its functions.  As these functions include the day-to-day operational work arising...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Working Holiday Programmes (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) is an agreement with other governments which allows young people of both countries to fund an extended holiday through temporary work. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has responsibility for the Working Holiday Authorisation scheme on the basis of the reciprocal arrangements agreed for Irish citizens travelling and working in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Retail Sector (9 Jul 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has responsibility for the E-Commerce Directive (2000/31/EC) and the Statutory Instrument that transposed the Directive – European Communities (Directive 2000/31/EC) Regulations 2003 (SI No 68 of 2003). The E-Commerce Act 2000 is dealt with by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The Digital Single Market (DSM) agenda, led by my...