Results 2,541-2,560 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Other Questions: Trade Relations (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Everything is being done diplomatically for Ibrahim Halawa. For example, various submissions have been made to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade by different lawyers and non-governmental organisations. At all times, the key question guiding our approach is what stands the best chance of securing positive progress for Ibrahim Halawa at the earliest possible opportunity. The...

Other Questions: Trade Relations (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Our priority is to see that Ibrahim Halawa is returned to his family and that he can continue his studies. We want to provide every possible consular support for his welfare where he remains in detention. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, has been in regular contact with his Egyptian ministerial counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, and the Taoiseach has twice met...

Other Questions: Trade Relations (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Government will continue to be measured in its approach. That is the best consular advice we have received. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, has regular contact with his Egyptian counterparts while our Taoiseach has met with the Egyptian President on two occasions. We will continue to do our best to ensure the earliest possible release for Ibrahim Halawa.

Other Questions: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The 13th formal round of the EU-US free trade negotiations took place from 25 April to 29 April 2016 in New York. Progress was made on the two texts on regulatory co-operation and good regulatory practices. Substantial progress was achieved on the small and medium-sized enterprise chapter and on the provisions of customs and trade facilitation. This would simplify customs procedures and...

Priority Questions: Export Controls (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The Deputy has mentioned the export of sophisticated technology. I remind her that the Department may refuse an export licence and has done so on many occasions. We denied four licences in 2011, one licence in 2012, four licences in 2013, eight licences in 2014, five licences in 2015 and one licence to date in 2016. We have very rigorous checks. I will make sure they are maintained. If...

Other Questions: IDA Site Visits (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: While I am satisfied that the position is improving, I want to see more being done. I expect IDA Ireland to promote every location actively. There is no doubt that site visits outside main population centres have increased. Since 2015, IDA Ireland has been working towards the targets set out in its strategy, Winning: Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019. Under this strategy, ambitious...

Other Questions: IDA Site Visits (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I note the Deputy's comments. I assure him that I will take an interest in this matter. I can tell him that the eight regional development plans are on my desk. We are working our way through them. We will be meeting the implementation group soon. We will sit down to review the progress that has been made on the regional plans so far in 2016, with a view to developing the 2017 regional...

Other Questions: IDA Site Visits (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am never happy and am always striving for more. I will make sure land is available for advance factories. We are building three such factories at the moment. There are plans for others. We want to make it easier to do business in Ireland. I will make sure advance factories are available. We are talking about IDA Ireland today, but I am also working with local people on the ground,...

Other Questions: IDA Site Visits (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I will come back to the other one.

Priority Questions: Export Controls (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department is responsible for licensing the export of dual-use items. All applications for the export of dual-use items are reviewed by my officials on a case-by-case basis. The licensing process centres on ensuring, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end user for the stated end use and will not be used for illicit purposes. My officials seek...

Priority Questions: Export Controls (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I have read the report on transfers and transparency. We do not feature in these reports as we do not have an arms industry and do not export small arms and light weapons. However, I take the Deputy's point that we manufacture components in the data industry that may be used. However, we are very careful and any application that comes to my Department undergoes strong and rigorous checks....

Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am pleased Deputy Collins has raised this issue. Overall, the National Competitiveness Council has concluded that Ireland's cost base has improved over the past five years. We are now ranked seventh in the IMD World Competitiveness Centre report. However, we cannot be complacent. Ireland remains a relatively high-cost location for several key business inputs. Significant cost...

Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I assure Deputy Collins that my Department is working hard on this. We have the Action Plan for Jobs and the regional action plans to ensure that jobs come into the country. Competitiveness is on the top of our agenda as well as bringing in jobs. We are looking at wages. Wages are mainly set in the private sector. I mindful of the issues Deputy Collins has raised, including, the cost...

Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (15 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: We have identified the issues relating to broadband in the programme for Government. I will be working with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Humphreys, on this issue. I am aware of it. I am from County Galway and I know there is little broadband in Milltown, County Galway. This is on my priority list. Deputy Collins referred to road infrastructure. I was in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: State Bodies Data (14 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The mission of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) is to improve the compliance environment for corporate activity in the Irish economy by encouraging adherence to the requirements of the Companies Acts, and bringing to account those who disregard the law. The Office's staff comprise a multi-disciplined team of accountants, administrators and lawyers and civil servants...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I have Government responsibility for the development, promotion and co-ordination of innovation, research and development policy and programmes. I am delegating responsibility for research and innovation policy and programmes to Minister of State, Mr Halligan, TD. Innovation 2020, Ireland's new cross Government strategy for research and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Minimum Wage (14 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 606 and 607 together. I understand there have been no applications to the Labour Court under Section 41(1) of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 since its enactment. The National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 provides (in Section 41) that the Labour Court may exempt an employer from the obligation to pay an employee or employees entitlements otherwise payable to them...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Personal Injury Claims (14 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 608, 609 and 612 together. The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is the statutory body responsible for the assessment of compensation for personal injuries, without the need for legal proceedings. Section 53(3) of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 provides that the Board shall be independent in the performance of its functions. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Legislative Reviews (14 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together. In June 2014, Minister Bruton, the then Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation commenced a public consultation on the operation andimplementation of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Acts, 2003 and 2007, with a viewto identifying any areas relating to the scope, powers or operation of the legislation which might require change....

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Expenditure (14 Jun 2016)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My Department did not incur any expenditure in 2015 on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine. Copies of this publication are provided free of charge by the publisher for circulation amongst staff in the Department.