Results 3,761-3,780 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

Public Procurement Contracts (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: I have some brief questions. First, is it not our problem that we overly adhere to a love of everything European? We are too good Europeans. We try to behave while other countries do not. Second, why do we not unbundle more contracts and make them smaller so that more of our firms can compete for them? Third, why do we put contracts together on a three or four year basis rather than a...

Waste Management (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: The pressure arises because the Minister, Deputy Gormley, is pulling in one direction and the rest of the Government is pulling in what is probably the correct direction by addressing the matter in line with the recommendations of Forfás and the NCC. Irrespective of what else happens, this issue will have to be addressed. I ask the Minister of State to bring cohesion to Government policy...

Employment Rights (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply, even though I totally disagree with the last part of it. The following is a statement from one migrant domestic worker: The permit is like a chain around your neck. I couldn't leave my job. I was told by my employer that if I leave I will be illegal here and not be able to find another job. He said that I would be sent back home in...

Employment Rights (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: At what cost?

Employment Rights (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: It will be subjected to more.

Employment Rights (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: In that context, why charge the permit holder anything? The Minister already knows who the permit holders are and has already authenticated their necessary skills. When they want to change employer, why charge them?

Credit Availability (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 69: To ask the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation when the proposed government-backed loan guarantee scheme for viable small businesses will be established; the criteria that will be used for qualification of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36633/10]

Credit Availability (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister for his reply. It is amazing that this review is ongoing since June 2010. Does that demonstrate a mind-boggling level of apathy and lethargy, in the context where small family businesses across the country cannot get the loans they need to keep the show, paying bills to suppliers is a struggle, viable, profitable and well-run businesses are going to the wall because...

Credit Availability (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: What we envisage is a co-guarantee in terms of risk sharing with the banks making a decision on a loan application and the Government stepping in to guarantee 50% of the loan. The benefit of such an arrangement is that there is an alignment of interests between the loan originator and the guarantor. I know the Minister has concerns in that there are ventures for which there is low...

Departmental Agencies (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 71: To ask the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Innovation if has satisfied himself that the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland have sufficient staff and resources to allow them to fully and effectively discharge their functions in view of the current level of unemployment; if approval has now been given for all resources and staffing levels sought by both...

Departmental Agencies (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: In the context of 450,000 unemployed people, the important role performed by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA and their job creation capacities, is it not important that both agencies have more than sufficient staff to enable them to meet their job targets? Is it not unseemly and pathetic that Enterprise Ireland and the IDA have been in negotiations with the Minister regarding recruitment...

Departmental Agencies (13 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: That is well and good. We had great fanfare recently when the Minister and Taoiseach launched a report indicating that 300,000 jobs - 150,000 direct and 150,000 indirect positions - would be created. I understand the BRIC economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China - are expected to play an important role in this regard. I do not know how many staff Enterprise Ireland and the IDA have in...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (12 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 128: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the deterioration of relations between Colombia and Venezuela relations due to accusations by the Colombian administration claiming that the Venezuelan Government is harbouring terrorists [36106/10]

Written Answers — Millennium Development Goals: Millennium Development Goals (12 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 111: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will comment on Ireland's commitment towards those with disabilities with regard to the millennium development goals [36105/10]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (12 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 307: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in the context of the recently imposed prescription charges for medical card holders at 50 cent per item up to a maximum of €10 per month, it is the position whereby a person who is the holder of a medical card has to pay the 50 cent charge whilst similar medicine as required by a person is available free on the long term...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (7 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 54: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the total number of the Garda Reserve recruited to date; if he will list the stations to which they have been allocated; the total number of applicants for the Reserve currently in training; if he is satisfied with the rate of recruitment; when he expects the full complement of 1,500 will be in place; if any restrictions have been...

Written Answers — Garda Inspectorate: Garda Inspectorate (7 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 55: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to indicate which of the recommendations contained in the latest report of the Garda Inspectorate on resource allocation will be implemented during 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35377/10]

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 212: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person who is in receipt of the disadvantaged areas scheme, has had their area of land reduced from 32.49 hectares, which was the base level for 2009 to 22.13 hectares in 2010, notwithstanding that there has been no change in their circumstances or acreage or farm activity, and if same can now be restored to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 303: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to have the disadvantaged areas scheme payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Longford, immediately granted, as same is being held up due to digitisation problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35427/10]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (5 Oct 2010)

Willie Penrose: Question 72: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will restore preventive dental care to medical card patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34686/10]