Results 481-500 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: While the former Taro building in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary is in private ownership, the State development agencies remain available to assist in marketing the site and plant to any prospective buyers. It should be noted that Shannon Development's efforts in Roscrea are concentrated on marketing the Roscrea Business & Technology Park and that whatever about the outcome on the Taro building,...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 provide that a private limited company is required to file an annual return once in each calendar year. An annual return consists of the relevant form and a set of accounts whether audited or unaudited. Each company has nine months and 28 days from its accounts year-end date to complete and file its annual return. The fee for filing an annual return on time...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can confirm that my own Office and the Offices of the Ministers of State at my Department endeavour to respond to all representations made to us as expeditiously as possible notwithstanding the volumes received. My Department commits the same effort to processing representations as speedily as possible from Oireachtas Members where the representation is made directly to officials....

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (17 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The specific issue raised concerning the training of workers and apprentices now falls within the remit of my colleague, An Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms Mary Coughlan, TD, who also now has responsibility for FAS. In regard to job creation at Dublin airport and related services, last September, the establishment of Dublin Aerospace Ltd, a new aviation maintenance...

Written Answers — Trade Relations: Trade Relations (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government's Asia Strategy, which ran for the ten years up to the end of 2009, was instrumental in developing Ireland's Trade and other links with the key Asian economies. The success of the Asia Strategy has been striking. Exports to the eight countries has risen from €4bn in 1999 to €9.6bn in 2009, well ahead of the target of €9bn. The number of Irish companies with a presence in...

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: As Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Innovation my priority is to ensure that the business environment is supportive of enterprise and export growth and encourages growth in all areas of the economy including entrepreneurs. The Government's sustained investment under the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation has led to year on year increases in R&D and innovation projects in...

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government has implemented a comprehensive new, sustained growth in business, exports and jobs, based on increasing levels of productivity, competitiveness and innovation. In terms of direct supports to companies, last year the Government introduced the Employment Subsidy Scheme (Temporary) in the context of rising unemployment to help employees retain their jobs while at the same time...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: While I am very concerned at the continuing high level of unemployment as indicated by the May Live Register figures, it has to be regarded as positive that the figures have largely stabilized in recent months and the current priority for Government is recovery and growth. As the Taoiseach made clear in a recent speech, the whole thrust of Government policy in relation to the restoration of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Minister for Finance has previously indicated that a €3 billion adjustment in spending will be required in 2011 to continue the process of stabilising the public finances. In this context, I am currently reviewing all programme areas under my Department's remit to identify any potential expenditure reductions that might contribute to the Minister for Finance's target. The outcome of...

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Consumer protection law obliges traders offering a product for sale to indicate the selling price and, where appropriate, the unit price of that product and to ensure that the indication of the selling price and of the unit price is clearly visible. Complaints in relation to products being offered for sale where the price or unit price is not clearly visible should be brought to the attention...

Written Answers — Corporate Governance: Corporate Governance (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I note the findings of this report. As regards listed companies (those on the main market of the Irish Stock Exchange), these are subject to the provisions of the Combined Code which applies on a "comply or explain" basis. The code has recently been reviewed and revised in light of the financial crisis. The revised code recommends that all directors of such companies should be subject to...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The October 2009 Renewed Programme for Government committed the Government to act on recommendations contained in Competition Authority reports within nine months of their publication. The recommendations made by the Competition Authority result from studies it carries out on various sectors or professions at regular intervals and usually contain a suite of recommendations, aimed at improving...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Government has taken decisive action in order to get credit flowing again. The Bank Guarantee Scheme, the 2009 Recapitalisation Scheme, the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank and the establishment of the National Assets Management Agency have all contributed to the stabilisation of the banking sector with a view to facilitating the flow of credit. The 2010 Recapitalisation package...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: Under the Companies Acts every company is required to file an Annual Return with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The filing of this return ensures transparency for all interested parties conducting business with a company. Almost 85% of companies now have a current return filed with the CRO compared with 13% of companies in 1997 filing an annual return on time. The CRO has...

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: I am pleased to report that the outcome of the meeting was extremely positive. The takeover company has committed to investments already planned by the acquired company and this investment programme will be implemented over the next two years. Agreements have been reached with all key employee groups at locations in Dublin and Kerry regarding a redundancy programme which will reduce the...

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The commitment referred to covers a wide range of support services and grants provided through a number of different Departments, including my Department, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and through their respective agencies. Insofar as my Department and its enterprise...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The National Competitiveness Council's report, "Benchmarking Ireland's Performance", provides a comprehensive assessment of Ireland's competitiveness on an annual basis. Our competitiveness is derived from a complex set of factors, not all of which are within our control. The factors with the greatest influence on our competitiveness are costs, productivity and exchange rates with our trade...

Written Answers — Prompt Payments System: Prompt Payments System (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: In accordance with the Government's decision of 19 May 2009, all Departments are required to pay their business suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Departments are also required to report quarterly to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation on their performance in meeting the target. Composite details of the information received are published by my Department....

Written Answers — Credit Supply Clearing Group: Credit Supply Clearing Group (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Credit Supply Clearing Group was established in May 2009, with bank, business and State representation. The Group is responsible for identifying patterns of events where the flow of credit to viable businesses appears to be blocked and for seeking to identify credit supply solutions relating to these patterns. The Group works to provide a clear picture of any emerging lending patterns...

Written Answers — Corporate Governance: Corporate Governance (16 Jun 2010)

Batt O'Keeffe: The remarks attributed to the Minister for Finance in the interview in question would, no doubt, have been made with the banking sector in particular in mind. Policy responsibility for the banking sector is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. In this regard, the Deputy may be aware that the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator have launched a consultation paper recently...