Results 25,341-25,360 of 26,825 for speaker:John McGuinness

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.

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

John McGuinness: I say to Deputy Hayes and his party that my party is prepared to do it. Fianna Fáil and the Minister for Finance have indicated clearly the need for that reform. If all parties in this House were to recognise this and put action behind their words, they would support us in the effort to bring about the change that is necessary to create a dynamic public service that will deliver in this...

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

John McGuinness: Outside in the real world there is an acknowledgement of the success of Government policy in regard to, for example, the SME sector. Yet, on the other side of the House yesterday, there was nothing but criticism and no acknowledgement of the achievements of the Government and small businesses, which work to pay their taxes so they can be spent on projects designed for the betterment of the...

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

John McGuinness: It is a shame on the Opposition that it would not recognise what is happening and would criticise the constructive work that has been undertaken by the commercial sector in this country.

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

John McGuinness: The Opposition criticised the constructive work being undertaken by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, organisations which go to the coalface with Irish and foreign companies and impress on them the need to do more business in Ireland. Those organisations are successful in their efforts. I have attended a number of trade missions since my appointment in July. I have worked with many small...

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

John McGuinness: The members of the Opposition must learn from the facts of commerce. There is a clear story to be told but they did not tell it because they were afraid to do so.

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

John McGuinness: They should have the courage to stand up and give support where it is necessary. They are afraid to do so because they are hurt by the facts. What they seem to forget is that the people know the truth; they know of the jobs we are creating and the tax they are paying, and they know they are successful, against the odds——

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

John McGuinness: I am making my remarks. Those on the other side of the House refuse to listen to the truth and acknowledge what is happening out there. They do not understand that the people at the coalface——

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

John McGuinness: ——doing all of this business, are the ones who look at the House and tell us how foolish the Opposition look in the context of what is being achieved.