Results 4,381-4,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the inflationary pressures that Ireland and other economies were already experiencing in the wake of the supply chain disruptions brought about as a result of the pandemic. The war and the necessary introduction of sanctions against Russia is also disrupting supply chains and leading to large rises in international prices for energy, food and other...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: It is true that energy costs have greater impacts on business in Ireland. That is partly as a result of our geography. We are an island on the edge of Europe and things have to be brought here by boat and by plane before being put on trucks and trains to be transported further. It is also partly down to the way our population is distributed. Responsibility for the area of data centres...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: My understanding of the operation of the PSO levy is that it is there to subsidise renewable energy and energy produced from peat. Given that the price of producing energy is now so high, it is no longer necessary. That is why it will be got rid of or become a negative levy towards the end of the year. I do not know how the timing of that works. I would have to talk to the Minister,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Unions (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I have a very clear view on this. I believe there should be pay rises. I do not say that lightly. I say that as somebody who signed off on a 3% increase in the minimum wage only a few months ago. The Minister of State, Deputy English, has also signed off on pay increases in various different sectors. Indeed, the Government has a pay deal with our own employees,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The promotion and protection of human rights is a foreign policy priority for the Government. We consistently raise our concerns on human rights through the most effective and appropriate channels, including bilaterally, particularly through our mission network. The Deputy will be aware that international trade is a competence vested in the European Commission under the EU treaties,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The way we structure free trade and our trade relations is on a number of tiers. We have the European Union, which is a free trade area of which we are part. It is a single market with unrestricted trade. There is a series of countries with which we have free trade agreements. Very often in these agreements there are chapters on human rights, trade and labour rights. There are the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Of course we do not pursue a trade-at-any-cost policy. Part of my job and the job of the Minister for Finance is to sign off on sanctions. Regularly on my desk are statutory instruments that impose trade sanctions and investment sanctions on various countries. The Deputy would not always have been the most supportive of them, quite frankly, such as those we introduced against Russia in...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Official Travel (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I visited Saudi Arabia from 12 – 15 November 2021 as part of an Enterprise Ireland-led trade mission to the Gulf region. The trade mission was organised by Enterprise Ireland and had the participation of 60 Irish companies and organisations. Irish business-to-business interests are growing in the Gulf region. Exports by Irish companies to the UAE and Saudi Arabia in 2020, even against...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme. The Sick Leave Bill is intended to provide a level of protection to workers who may have no company sick pay schemes and cannot afford to miss work. The Bill has been published and is available on my Department’s website. Taking account of the current economic climate the initial period covered by employers will...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Programmes (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: On February 9th, Minister Paschal Donohoe and I attended the launch of the Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme in Tangent on the TCD campus. The programme will provide vital venture capital to innovative Irish companies at seed stage and is an important step in developing and growing the Irish equity ecosystem. Totalling €90 million, the programme is made up of a €30 million...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Redundancy Payments (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 67 and 74 together. My officials have been monitoring the situation carefully and have been working closely with the Department of Social Protection in order to assist affected employees during this difficult time and we will continue to be as responsive as we can to the issues as they unfold. During this period of uncertainty, I am glad to report...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: National Minimum Wage (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge the cost of living is rising rapidly and that those on lower incomes are being disproportionately affected. In relation to the minimum wage, since its establishment in 2015, the Low Pay Commission has been responsible for making annual recommendations to Government on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage. Since the establishment of the Low Pay Commission,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Brexit Issues (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 164 together. Brexit has fundamentally changed the trading relationship between Ireland and the UK and will continue to impact that trading relationship. The focus of Enterprise Ireland is on supporting clients to adapt and succeed in a post-Brexit environment, sustaining existing export sales and accelerating the diversification of Irish exports. ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Living Wage (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has been clear in its belief that a legacy of the pandemic must be better pay, terms and conditions for everyone, but particularly for those on low pay. We are committed, therefore, to honouring the Programme for Government commitment to progressing to a living wage over the lifetime of this Government. In doing so, we need to recognise that many businesses have been badly...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: In Budget 2022, this Department allocated €31.8m to fund the Local Enterprise Offices, which represents a 5% increase in funding from 2021. The additional funding provided will allow each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices to enhance the role they play in supporting local and regional development. The Local Enterprise Office, South Dublin, has been allocated €907,798 for...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Official Travel (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 41 together. I visited Saudi Arabia from 12 – 15 November 2021 as part of an Enterprise Ireland-led trade mission to the Gulf region. The trade mission was organised by Enterprise Ireland and had the participation of 60 Irish companies and organisations. Irish business-to-business interests are growing in the Gulf region. Exports by Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Foreign Direct Investment (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: IDA Ireland’s property investment is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland and local LEO’s respective client base. It is essential that regions and counties such as Mayo have competitive, sustainable property offerings to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs. IDA Ireland has publicly committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Government knows that many workers place huge social value on workplace flexibility, and remote working plays a central role in enabling that increased flexibility to support a better work/life balance. There has been a significant long-term shift in attitudes to remote work amongst both employers and workers throughout the country. The Government is committed to increasing remote work...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I fully appreciate the distress the situation with P&O is causing for the affected workers. Ireland has a strong suite of employment rights legislation to protect workers. It applies to workers – national and non-national - on board Irish registered ships. As I understand it, the general rule in relation to ships that are not Irish registered is the flag state, the state where...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Company Closures (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I once again extend my sympathies to all employees and subcontractors of Roadbridge who have been impacted by these developments and I know this news is very concerning for all involved. Enterprise Ireland has been in regular contact with the company including engaging in discussions with the acting CEO of Roadbridge and the Receiver to investigate whether any Roadbridge contracts can be...