Results 2,961-2,980 of 15,516 for speaker:Dara Calleary

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I acknowledged the strength of the relationship. I did not have the chance, though James Maloney was due to join us. He is highly thought of among the Irish community and our officials, and he is somebody who is a very good friend. I did not have the chance to meet him. I have to say that the current Canadian ambassador to Ireland is an absolutely wonderful force of energy. She is all...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: On Deputy Shanahan's first point, I did not meet anybody with a Waterford accent, but I met somebody from Newfoundland with the biggest Donegal accent I have ever heard, and she has never been in Ireland. The connections are strong in Newfoundland in particular. We have to ratify every trade deal. All trade deals have to be ratified by the Oireachtas. This is an EU-Canada trade deal so...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Again, I will make the point that the Attorney General is going to make the financial conclusion. Without referring to CETA specifically, we are a small country. We maybe like to think of ourselves as being a bit bigger than we are. We need trade, and we need free and open trade. Trade agreements have been the foundation of our economic success, and our ability to use trade agreements at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: We are by no means the first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I do not have specific figures on food and drink, but I know that Canada exported nearly $82 billion worth of agriculture and food products last year. Enterprise Ireland is trying to identify the opportunities that are there for Irish companies to assist some of that market. As I said, we launched a partnership with Moffett engineering systems, which is the new generation of the Moffett...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Before we conclude, I thank the committee. It was an interesting discussion. I assure members, before they travel out there, of the strength of the relationship, which, as I said, goes back generations, and the ambition on both sides of this relationship in terms of expanding it, not only in business and economically but also culturally and socially. They will get a sense of that strength...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I am conscious that this is subject to agreement but one cannot cherry-pick bits of the deal that suit. The Government has gone through every aspect of the CETA deal and feels it is good for Irish companies and Canadian companies, and that it will strengthen our relationship and even the business and commercial relationship. The Deputy will get a sense of that when she visits. Hopefully,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: The Department and the unit are in regular contact to try to get a sense of progress. We do not have a timeline on it. In fairness to him, and I know from other issues we are dealing with him on, his office is pretty stretched. It is important that we get clarity. The relationship is there, and the potential relationship is absolutely enormous. Building on potential - and using every...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: This was cited by a number of community leaders we met, particularly in Vancouver. Vancouver has become a huge attraction for Irish emigrants and Irish students. It is a very welcoming city and there are huge opportunities there. It was cited that there is a much easier system to manage there. We would like to get people home as well. We hope to bring as many people home as we can, and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Nitrates Usage (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I absolutely agree with the Deputy regarding the vilification of farmers. It is wrong. If we are to have a proper debate on climate change, which is real and happening and will be very real for every person, then vilifying one sector will not allow that. It is wrong and I agree with the Deputy that everybody has to shoulder the burden here. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, deals daily...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Go raibh maith ag an Teachta. Aontaím leis go gcaithfidh daoine a chur in iúl go bhfuil suim acu sna tithe nua san Aird Mhór. He will also be aware of the first home scheme which is delivered via a strategic partnership between the State and participating mortgage lenders. It is targeted at first-time or fresh start buyers and will improve access to newly built homes by...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Nitrates Usage (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue, which is timely in advance of the Commissioner's visit this week. The Government recognises the importance of maintaining Ireland's nitrates derogation and is committed to seeking to maintain it into the longer term. However, to do this, we must all act together to improve water quality. Our current derogation includes a requirement...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I agree with the Deputy that this is a key and foundational sector of our society. The Government has invested significant resources in it and it is expanding the level of investment in resources and skills. The Government seeks to properly and formally recognise the skills within that sector. We will continue to substantially increase the investment being made. I have gone through the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cathasaigh as an scéal seo agus as an gceacht stairiúil. Tuigim anois cérbh as na Déise ach cad as don blaa? I am happy to take this on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and to update the House on this matter. I note that in line with the Affordable Housing Act 2021, responsibility for the administration...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Táim ag tógáil na díospóireachta seo thar ceann an Aire, an Teachta Roderic O'Gorman. I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this issue. As he will know, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth supports and funds mainstream early learning and childcare. Its underpinning policy and philosophy is one of inclusion and meaningful participation...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas le gach Teachta as ucht a bheith páirteach sa díospóireacht ar an mBille seo. A high proportion of the population holds health insurance. The Government remains fully committed to the Sláintecare vision of a universal single-tier health and social care system. Work is consistently continuing within the Department of Health and the HSE to progress...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: 106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the options available to a sports club (details supplied) in County Mayo seeking a fibre broadband connection when civil works have been deemed over budget; if he will intervene in this matter and insist on the works being carried out to facilitate this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50671/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: A dormant club that is registered as a company under the Companies Act 2014 is required to submit an annual return to the Companies Registration Office, in accordance with section 343 of the Act. The annual return is made up of the B1 Annual Return form, the fee, the financial statements (where applicable) and the signature page. A company may avail of a dormant company audit exemption...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (16 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: 132. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 7 November 2023 if, given the time that had elapsed to date and given the duress being suffered by the community of Crossmolina as a result, he will place a deadline for the return of the information referred to from the OPW. [50420/23]

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I thank Senator Chambers for raising this issue and it is important that it is raised and discussed. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, who has addressed the matter previously. She recognises the importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and to communities in every corner of Ireland. She has a particular interest in the development of the tourism...