Results 7,101-7,120 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: That is another reason to tackle this problem. This crime is widespread throughout the country and not only prevalent in a city, on Talbot Street or on any street. The report Mr. Tony Hickey mentioned refers to Meath, Kildare, Waterford city and Limerick. Every county gets a mention when it comes to these reports. What is driving this problem? Is it the current economic situation, was it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: There are many such instances.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: This is the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and we believe there is a major issue in terms of job, Exchequer and tax losses. We recognise, however, that the report from the committee will have to cover all Departments and we will make recommendations to each Minister on what we believe has to be done. I am conscious that we will not get all of the answers today, but we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: We will deal with the first issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I do not want to get into a discussion about shootings and the drugs problem; suffice to say there is a direct link. It is likely that those involved in dealing in drugs make money from engaging in lesser offences, but it is all linked. Is that a fair statement?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: They use the profits where there are major consequences in terms of fines and convictions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: The profits are used to fund other parts of the business. Therefore, there is a link.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: The point is well made. What Mr. Hickey is saying is cases are investigated and a lot of work is being done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: There is much work being done, but it may be a case of rearranging resources to target certain areas to ensure greater benefit.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: That is not the case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I want to keep the debate focused on the issue with which we are dealing. In fairness, the report from the Oireachtas Library and Research Service from which the Senator has quoted relates to the black market and people avoiding paying taxes. I know the subjects are interlinked, but we will try to keep to that issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: The point speakers were making was that people think this is a victimless crime. They do not realise there are job losses and that people can lose a great deal of money.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: On the same point, Mr. Gleeson mentioned the website dodgycigs.co.uk. Were there benefits arising from that, and have there been any reports?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I can inform members that Newbridge is in the top three. Meath came fourth.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: Yes. Waterford city is there, too. I am just letting the Deputy know this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: Perhaps Mr. Hickey would deal now with some of the policy solutions as we must move on. I am conscious that some Senators who have questions may need to leave soon for a vote.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I thank Mr. Hickey for his presentation and apologise for cutting him short. However, we have a copy of the full presentation, which we can go through in more detail when compiling our report. The committee will be able to work on a cross-departmental basis in respect of many of the issues raised by Mr. Hickey. As I understand it, Mr. Hickey's main message is that resources should be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: We will now move to questions from members.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I thank Mr. Gleeson and Mr. Lynam. We will take questions after Mr. Hickey's presentation. Some of us will try to attend the conference to which Mr. Lynam has invited us. We recognise that it is a cross-departmental issue. That is why we invite various Ministers to accompany us when we go around the country to meet various organisations and hear about what is going on. We try to have a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report: Discussion (15 Nov 2012)

Damien English: I had a quick look through Mr. Hickey's presentation and I think most of it is okay.