Results 5,021-5,040 of 6,412 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (25 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: I find it quite depressing that somebody who claims to be of the left seems to be so anti-jobs and anti-employment. I do not inhabit the world in which Deputy Coppinger lives. I believe our State agencies should be supported in creating jobs.

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (25 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Deputy Coppinger would do a very good job if she returned to the thousands of her constituents who work in the foreign direct investment sector and explained to them she is not in favour of State support for Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, which support many of the jobs those constituents have and in which they work extremely hard.

Other Questions: Action Plan for Jobs (25 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: The Action Plan for Jobs is a multi-annual strategy initiated in 2012 to ensure a cross-Government approach to optimising the environment for enterprise, such that a net additional 100,000 jobs will be created by 2016. Good progress is being made on the implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014. Ireland's ranking in terms of competitiveness and ease of doing business continues to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Relations (25 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: It is a matter in which I am interested personally apart from the fact that I am the Minister of State with responsibility for it. I understand that the issues involved in the dispute in question have been referred to the Labour Court. From the industrial relations point of view, it is important that the court can make determinations on the relevant questions of employment law. I have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Relations (25 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: As the Deputy is aware, I recently published the heads of the proposed industrial relations (amendment) Bill 2014. The heads of the Bill are available and are currently the subject of pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. I will set out the two main purposes of the Bill. First, it will provide for the reintroduction of a mechanism for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Industrial Relations (25 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: The Deputy's initial question asked whether enterprise-level agreements will be sectorally applied. Those agreements would not be sectorally applied, of course, because they are agreed between two contracting parties, in many respects. Broadly speaking, the registered employment agreements would be applied across a sector, as was the case with the registered employment agreements system...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: That information comes from an MLA member and long-standing MP. If people doubt the veracity of what I say, they should check that information.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: It is a load of nonsense that Sinn Féin continues to insist there are no water charges in Northern Ireland. There are.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: This is paid through the massive household tax in Northern Ireland, but it is inevitable that because of the introduction of tens of thousands of water meters in Northern Ireland, we will see direct charging for water there soon. The charges there have been only postponed until 2016, until the general elections in Northern Ireland and here are over.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: It is also claimed north of the Border that staff working on the maintenance of the water network are receiving threats from armed gangs over the issue. Sinn Féin wants assurances that those workers will be protected, yet they are strangely silent on the intimidation and threats and sometimes physical violence faced by workers contracted to Irish Water here. Once again, we see one...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: No matter what one does in life, when one gets something wrong one should put one's hands up, admit a mistake was made and correct it when possible. After listening to Deputy Troy, nobody on this side of the House, in particular those in the Labour Party, will take any lectures from him or his party, a party that, in effect, bankrupted the country.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Over the years Fianna Fáil has perfected the art of arrogance. We have seen here that very few lessons have been learned. It should take a very sharp look at its very recent history and the lack of humility and any sense of apology for the serious mistakes which were made on the route to bankrupting this country. I ask Deputy Troy and his colleagues to reflect on that before they make...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: As a Government we have accepted that mistakes were made in setting up this major public utility. The timeline involved was very ambitious and any public utility of this magnitude would require a seven to ten year lead-in period. We wanted to do it over three years and found it very difficult to do so. We have put our hands up and the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, has admitted that mistakes...

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: They must be putting something in it.

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Certainly. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his interest in this matter and for agreeing to this discussion. I look forward to the continued engagement of Senators both at committee level and in this House with legislation I will be bringing forward on this matter. It is important to say that I will be taking direct responsibility for the credit guarantee scheme. We intend to amend the...

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: I will respond in reverse order, if that is agreeable. I thank Senator Healy Eames for her remarks. It would be very useful if she could send me on the information to which she referred. I will be happy to respond to her in that regard in due course. I was interested to hear her refer to a particular index or score sheet. Ireland is at the top, or very close to the top, of many global,...

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Senator Gilroy referred to the local enterprise offices as being part of the ecosystem for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. I think they will be a critical piece of the infrastructure. Now that they are aligned with the local authorities, the really important thing is for them to infuse those authorities with an enterprise culture. As Senator White will be aware, my...

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: Absolutely. I accept that. I was one of the people behind the driving of that agenda over an 11 year or 12 year period. A host of supports are available. All of us as public representatives have to do a really critical job. Regardless of whether we are in government or in opposition, we need to alert our constituents and those we represent to the products and supports that are out there....

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: It is.

Seanad: Access to Finance for SMEs: Statements (19 Nov 2014)

Gerald Nash: I am very pleased to be here this afternoon. This is the first opportunity I have had to address this august Chamber and I look forward to doing so. I also look forward to the engagement this afternoon and the development of our ongoing relationship. I thank Members for the invitation to address the House on the important issues of SME access to finance and financing for growth. The...