Results 821-840 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Legal Cases (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The shortcomings and investigative practices of the ODCE highlighted by Judge John Aylmer in the case of the DPP v. Sean Fitzpatrick are completely unacceptable.  They fell far short of the standard impartial, unbiased and thorough investigation we expect and demand. My predecessor, the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Mitchell O’Connor, wrote to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Legal Cases (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is very important that any action taken is in line with fair procedures, due process and natural justice and with full knowledge. I must be very aware of that. I do not want to take any action that would exacerbate the situation. The rights of persons named in the report would have to be respected and legal advice in respect of publication will have to be obtained. However, my...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is no decision on that yet but the person will be independent and as soon as I have made a decision, I will inform the House.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We should acknowledge that the work IDA Ireland has done in recent years to attract foreign direct investment has been very impressive. The results can be seen and there is a pipeline of very good projects in companies which want to invest in Ireland, some of which I have already met. It is unfortunate that a dispute has arisen. IDA Ireland received clear advice about appearing before the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to see the review. We need to get resolution first so that we have all the details and can move on to do the review. I understand from IDA that, to date, the Succeed in Ireland programme, operated by Connect Ireland, has generated approved projects with the potential to deliver 2,831 jobs, of which 575 have been verified as delivered on the ground with a further five, notified...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government is investing heavily in promoting and supporting the need for businesses to become Brexit-ready. I agree with the Deputy that we need companies to think very clearly about the challenges posed by Brexit. Ever since the result of the UK referendum, the agencies under my remit have been highly engaged in encouraging and supporting companies to prepare for Brexit. Enterprise...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 4 together. As announced previously, my Department will soon be commissioning an independent review of the Succeed in Ireland programme. That review, which will be carried out after details of the initiative’s full and final costs are available, will equip us with a thorough understanding of the programme’s results and its contribution...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am somewhat constrained in what I can say about this because it is essentially a dispute between the two bodies. There is a difference of opinion as to how many jobs the contract has delivered, the verification process and other details in the operation of the contract. I am hopeful the dispute will be settled in a mutually acceptable way for both sides, and I expect both sides to try to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Departmental Programmes (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have given the Deputy the number of submissions to the Department. I will check if the people who made submissions were advised as to whether they would be public or private, but if it is feasible to publish them, I have no objection to it. It might be helpful for people to see those submissions. I will certainly check it out and revert to the Deputy on that. We need every initiative...

Neighbour Disputes (Vegetation) Bill 2017: First Stage (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: No.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Thomas Byrne is very energised about this.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the relevant Minister to liaise directly with the Deputy and bring him up to date on what actions are being taken.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do not have the date and I will have to ask the relevant Minister to get back to the Deputy on it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am glad to be able to tell the Deputy that the heads of that Bill were cleared at Cabinet on 9 May. I assume it will now go for pre-legislative scrutiny.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I recognise the importance of the matter and it is very important that BreastCheck has been extended for women aged between 65 and 70. Timely access to BreastCheck is very important and I absolutely agree with the Deputy in that respect. There is a system in place so if there is an urgent referral from a GP, such as outlined by the Deputy, arrangements can be made so the person can be seen...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The family courts Bill must go for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Deputy asked about the timeframe for her own Bill. Once the pre-legislative work has been done it will be a matter for the Business Committee to determine the precise timetable around it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I cannot claim the credit.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: More than half of households will be unaffected by the phasing out of flat fees. For those on flat fees, waste collectors will have an alternative usage option in place before the phase-out.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This measure is targeted at helping everybody in the State to make a contribution to ensuring that we protect our environment. These are very important changes and families-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jun 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----or households can contact their existing service providers today to find out what are their charges and discover if they will be affected by the new arrangements. The new system will commence in the autumn after the Department has implemented the regulatory changes. The phase-out will be over 12 months. In the meantime, families will be able to see the existing charging options and...