Results 25,161-25,180 of 26,653 for speaker:John McGuinness

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (30 Jan 2008)

John McGuinness: My Department has made enquiries into the matter and it is unclear what company is being referred to in the question. Insofar as the Deputy is seeking information which is publicly available at the Companies Office I would refer him to that office.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I wish to share time with a number of other Deputies and understand the allocation of times has been agreed by the House.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I compliment Deputy Higgins on bringing forward the Bill because there is merit in certain aspects of it. I listened carefully to his contribution last night which was delivered with the usual passion and commitment that we have grown used to hearing from him. In the context of the Government's response and having examined what the Bill entails, it is complex in terms of an overall...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: And the Government, yes. Nobody should be excluded because we are all stakeholders in finding a solution. We are all aware of the serious investment made by pharmacies as regards business transacted and the valuable service delivered to local communities. In addition, there has been ongoing development of pharmacies, as there is a need to continue to invest heavily in them. We must also...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: Certainty is needed for such businesses, employment and investment pending. The uncertainty and doubt should be taken out of the equation. Whatever pressure can be brought to bear by way of this debate which was facilitated by bringing the Bill before the House, if applied properly, will encourage the HSE to see that there is almost cross-political support for some form of initiative to...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: We need to remove that uncertainty and doubt in their interests because those who attend pharmacies are generally ill.

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I acknowledge there is an issue concerning section 4 and support the general ongoing review of the Bill in that context. Equity is a different issue but we must understand the complexities and try to focus on the intent of the Bill because activity does not replace action which is required. I do not subscribe to the remark made to the effect that what Deputy Higgins was proposing was...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I respect the work done by the county enterprise boards. I want to see them coming forward with initiatives on marketing their own areas. Within the work they do is the answer to some of the queries that have been put to me in this debate, including Tech-Check in terms of technology and the support from the mentoring system, which is available for every company. I was a member of the...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I thank Senators for their contributions to this debate. It is an opportunity for me to listen to all parties and what they have to say on the SME sector and the State agencies that guide us through this process to sustain jobs and win new contracts, be they IDA or Enterprise Ireland. Senators John Paul Phelan and Alex White referred to the public service, one with regard to its...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: Yes, but everyone of us has an obligation, the Opposition as much as anyone else.

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: Let us move ahead in partnership and acknowledge what needs to be changed. I am up for it, and everybody else should be up for it also.

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: We must do business on behalf of Ireland.

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I thank the Seanad for giving me the opportunity to discuss the issues in regard to small and medium-sized enterprises, an area in which I am especially interested. When I look at the membership of the Seanad, however, I wonder why I was invited, particularly when one focuses on competitiveness in the economy. There is an array of talent here which I am sure could make a great contribution...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: This is essential and could be easily piloted in that region so that we can experience at first hand what it is like to grow into an Enterprise Ireland client, grow from there into a bigger company, use the technology and educational infrastructure and ensure we are ready for the next curve within our economic development. We must be ahead of that curve and the only way we can do it is to...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: They are responsive, they have the technology and a willingness and expertise to engage with the SME sector and business across the board. They are successful, not in catching people out but in assisting business to meet its obligations. If one is meeting obligations, one does not look on the Revenue Commissioners as a great scourge, as one may have done many years ago. The system is...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: We must change how people view this matter. I was involved in business and I started out in difficult times when people were obliged to pay interest rates of 20%. When one approached one's bank manager in the 1980s, one was seen as a chancer. Now, because the scene has changed, one is viewed as an entrepreneur and one may sometimes be in a position to extract even more money from banks to...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I commend the budget to the House. We have had a lengthy debate on what turned out to be a very prudent budget from the Minster, Deputy Cowen. It is a budget for its time and reflects what is needed for the economy as we approach a difficult period in 2008. Deputy Kenny referred this morning to the public service and then attempted to drive a wedge between me and my party with regard to...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I remind Deputy Kenny that my party is a broad church of thought and opinion, and that it has the internal flexibility to allow the voicing of one's opinion, including on how one feels different Departments should be directed. His weasel words on my remarks did not work. In his speech he showed no courage whatsoever with regard to putting forward a vision for this country and explaining...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: I listened carefully because I am not afraid to admit that some of his suggestions with regard to reform of the public service are absolutely necessary, and are similar to opinions I had voiced previously. However, he presented his opinion as if that opinion was only expressed by the Opposition, which is simply untrue. It has been expressed time and again by members of my party——

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

John McGuinness: ——and by Ministers, including the Minister for Finance. We all recognise that. It is a question of who is prepared to take the steps to bring about that reform.