Results 21,141-21,160 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Preparations (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Government has been consistent and clear in saying that we will not accept a hard border on this island. The EU and UK both accept that avoiding a hard border is essential. This has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the Prime Minister and the EU. If the withdrawal agreement does not enter into force, our objective will, of course, be more difficult to achieve. We are not planning for a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Preparations (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: It will be on Irish ports, yes.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The advice of the Attorney General was sought on the publication of the Report of the Director of Corporate Enforcement prepared under section 955(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2014. Because of section 956 of the Companies Act 2014 the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation is prohibited from publishing reports prepared pursuant to section 955 of the Act. This advice is very clear....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Preparations (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. My Department has conducted extensive research on a wide range of issues affecting businesses with regard to Brexit. In February 2018, my Department published an independent expert study undertaken by Copenhagen Economics entitled, "Ireland and the Impact of Brexit". This study examined the implications of Brexit for the economy and trade and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Supports (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I met Commissioner Margrethe Vestager last week. She acknowledged that we had the greatest exposure to, and would be the most impacted by, Brexit. The EU stands ready to act urgently. There has been a great deal of contact between my officials and a team at the Commission's office and we have been doing a lot of work in that regard. I am satisfied that the Commissioner is fully aware of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. On 19 December, the Government published our contingency action plan, which outlines our approach to no-deal Brexit planning. As part of that plan, the Government last week published the general scheme of a Bill that would be necessary in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The draft omnibus Bill - the miscellaneous provisions (withdrawal of the United...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Considerable work has been done with businesses through the agencies, including local enterprise offices, InterTradeIreland and Enterprise Ireland. A large number of supports have been provided to businesses. We identified these legislative measures as being necessary to help businesses in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It means we can give them extra supports. Some 85% of Enterprise...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I will answer the last question first. There has been a good uptake of the Brexit working capital loan facility. Almost €15 million of it has-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Businesses have to decide what suits their financial planning. The facility is available and easily accessed and I have heard no complaints about people being unable to access it, but availing of it must be in line with their financial requirements. If someone borrows money, he or she still has to pay it back. Businesses are considering it and it is available to them. As we get closer to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Supports (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department and its agencies are working to provide extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken in the coming weeks. Brexit is one of my top priorities and was central to my decision-making on the allocation of the additional...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Supports (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I accept the figures that were announced by the Department of Finance, which relate to a no-deal Brexit. They show that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, our economy would grow but at a slower rate. The Department of Finance forecasts GDP growth of 2.7% in 2019, which is down from the budget 2019 estimate of 4.2%, while in 2020 growth is predicted to be under 1%, which is down from the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: White Collar Crime (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The Government’s current programme to combat “white collar crime” is set out in the package of “Measures to enhance Ireland’s corporate, economic and regulatory framework”, which was published on 2 November 2017. That package is designed to ensure that Ireland’s reputation as a country with a top tier business environment is underpinned by a...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Since my appointment as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have made regional development, enterprise and sustainable jobs growth my top priorities. I am pleased that we are making progress across all regions, including Sligo and the North West region. The Regional Enterprise Plans are crucial in meeting the Government's ambition to create an additional...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department and its agencies are providing extensive supports, schemes and advice to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming weeks. I am very aware of the specific vulnerabilities of key sectors such as agri-food, construction products and engineering sectors to Brexit, and no more so than in the Border counties....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permits Data (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I am very well aware of the skills shortages currently being experienced in the construction sector. The issue is all the more pressing given the strong economic growth being experienced and the high demand being placed on the sector to respond to a range of construction needs across the economy. I have also met with Construction Industry Federation representatives to discuss the labour...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Data (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Regional development remains an absolute priority of mine. I am focused on both supporting and sustaining current regional employers and working to create new economic and job opportunities across the country. The recent performance of IDA Ireland, the State Agency tasked with promoting inward investment into Ireland, demonstrates the progress we are making in this context. By the end of last...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Data (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Regional development, not just in the Border area but across Ireland, remains a key priority for me and my Department and its Agencies are focused on strengthening investment and job creation all over the country.  The recent annual results of the IDA demonstrate that we are making significant strides. In 2018, for example, 56% of all net new jobs created by the Agency were in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Preparations (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department and its agencies are providing extensive supports, schemes and advice to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming weeks. We are working in all regions, no more so than in the Border counties where there are very specific vulnerabilities due to the integrated nature of business supply chains, labour markets...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The reduction in foreign direct investment (FDI) referenced in last year's UNCTAD report relates to the movement of cash assets following the enactment of the US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in late 2017. While I understand some US firms in Ireland have repatriated such financial resources since that legislation came into force, there has been little...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (31 Jan 2019)

Heather Humphreys: My Department and its agencies are working to provide extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in Cork and across the Country in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming weeks. The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), including LEOs in...