Results 9,561-9,580 of 13,254 for speaker:Seán Sherlock

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Innovation Vouchers Initiative (10 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 237, inclusive, together. The Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher Initiative was established in 2007 in order to drive an on-going innovation cultural shift within small enterprise by promoting and encouraging a transfer of knowledge between Ireland’s public knowledge providers and the small business community and creating greater synergies...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Losses (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: It is important to put this on the record of the House, because quite a number of questions have been asked of me.

Topical Issue Debate: Job Losses (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, who is out of the country on Government business. I thank the Deputies for raising this issue and share their concern about the 570 jobs lost at the Merck Sharp and Dohme, MSD, site at Swords and the 150 jobs lost at the Pfizer site in Newbridge, County Kildare. I express my sympathy on...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Losses (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I cannot answer the questions about whether specific meetings have been held. Perhaps we might revert to the Deputies on that point. I do not have the information sought in Deputy Willie O'Dea's first question, but we can find it for him. It is important to note that this is a vital sector in Ireland. We must acknowledge that if some of the entities are facing the patent cliff or are...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I will explain the reasons I do not propose to accept the amendment. I understand Deputy Calleary, in his contribution on Second Stage, indicated that the Minister should consider a simplified version of the independent accountant's report and the application papers for the appointment of an examiner to streamline the application process. The current court process mirrors the requirements...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: In respect of Deputy Calleary's amendments which have been ruled out of order, it is a matter of common sense and prudence for individuals or companies with an intention to procure goods or services to establish first the cost or the estimated cost of these. It would be particularly pertinent in the circumstances in question here. The reforms being carried out are being brought through the...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I take the point. I suppose for the first time in a long time we propose to implement legislation in respect of the matter. That is progress, if one takes the grand historical narrative of the foundation of the State and the particular profession involved.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I propose to bring forward an amendment to section 8 at Report Stage. In response to an amendment proposed by Senator Barrett on Report Stage in the Seanad, I agreed to make an amendment to provide for what he was proposing. This relates to a provision that the regulations which the Minister is proposed to be empowered to make under section 8(2) will be laid before the Houses of the...

Topical Issue Debate: School Curriculum (4 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I agree with the points made by Deputy Simon Harris. We must ask whether we should teach ICT as a specific course or assist teachers in improving teaching and learning across the curriculum through the use of ICT. There is a distinction to be made. It is a cliché but children are digital natives. There is a gap in some areas of the education system in terms of the dynamic through...

Topical Issue Debate: School Curriculum (4 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I thank Deputy Harris for raising this issue. He spoke about certain reports and interventions made by people whom he named within the community. I do not believe there is a view within the Department that all is rosy. As Minister with a particular responsibility for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, education, I can tell the Deputy that the three Ministers within the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Intellectual Property Management (3 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: In order to deliver on a commitment in the Programme for Government which was further articulated in the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, my Department commissioned a Feasibility Study to examine what structures and policies could be developed to make Ireland a world centre for managing and trading in intellectual property. The objectives of the study were to identify and describe the emerging...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Copyright Legislation Review (3 Dec 2013)

Seán Sherlock: A Report entitled “Modernising Copyright” compiled by the independent Copyright Review Committee comprising Dr Eoin O’Dell of Trinity College, Professor Steve Hedley of University College Cork and Ms Patricia McGovern of DFMG Solicitors was published on 29 October 2013 last. The Report followed from the establishment in May 2011 of the Copyright Review Committee to...

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Is it appropriate for me to ask Senator Barrett to flesh out some of the points he made regarding the amendment he wishes to press? Perhaps he could send me a note on any practical mechanisms through which we could look at this again, without prejudice. I refer to the question raised by Senator Barrett on Committee Stage concerning the situation of New Zealand under the decision of 13 June...

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2013)

Seán Sherlock: This is a drafting amendment to section 9 which was recommended by the Parliamentary Counsel. It is designed to correctly reference those sections which come into effect on the enactment of the Bill.

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I do not believe anybody in the House disagrees with the spirit of the submission made by the Senators. All of us agree there was a malaise and a morass regarding auditing and accountancy in a particular period but in dealing with the specific amendments I must be cognisant of whether they are applicable to the legislation before us and I would say that the last amendment was certainly not....

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2013)

Seán Sherlock: On a point of order, are we speaking to amendment No. 4?

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2013)

Seán Sherlock: Thank you.

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2013)

Seán Sherlock: The Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform needs to get involved with the oversight and compliance regimes of the audit sector. Are the penalties sufficient? The penalties imposed between July and October appear to be minuscule compared to what happened among the larger accountancy firms in their preparation of banks' accounts. There are delays to the investigation of...

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I object to the Senator's statement. People do not put words into Ministers' mouths. With due respect, we take advice and make a decision as to whether we accept it. As the Minister of State who is taking this legislation, having taken due regard, I will not accept the amendment. The issue the Senator raises regarding costs and oversight is a policy matter and not appropriate for the...

Seanad: Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Nov 2013)

Seán Sherlock: I will not be accepting this amendment, which proposes the insertion of a new subsection (3) into section 2. However, the latter amends sections 2 to 4, inclusive, of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1990. The addition of a further subsection to section 2, unrelated to any specified section of the 1990 Act, is not legally sound and would not achieve what is intended. Nor is the wording which...