Results 1,001-1,020 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Unified Patent Court (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: Setting up a local unitary patent court in Ireland will offer users an accessible, cost-effective and more efficient option for broad patent protection and dispute settlement across Europe. Businesses will defend or challenge a patent via a single litigation process rather than costly litigation in each individual member state. Savings for businesses will be significant in this area. That...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Unified Patent Court (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: As I said, my Department is a lead Department here. We are working with other Departments, like the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and, of course, the Department of Justice because we have to set up a new court, but we have to get a referendum passed too. The Deputy and I are around this House long enough to know that passing referendums is not a straightforward...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Unified Patent Court (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: The preparation is quite advanced. Of course, we have to rely on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the work on the electoral commission that is required for the referendum, but that can be done. I am confident that if we choose to do this in the autumn, it will be possible to do it in the autumn, but I think we need to make a wise political decision as to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: On a point of information, is Deputy O'Reilly allowed to take questions from her colleagues in their absence?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Gould had a question.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: It is good delivery for Cork. That is why-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: I could put it on the record.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Colm Burke has been working hard on it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: I will respond on the comments on the Defence Forces. To be clear, PDFORRA was not looking and is still not looking for the right to strike. RACO is certainly not either. What they were looking for and now have-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: -----is a link to ICTU that allows them to be part of the various rounds of pay negotiations that take place. That is what they looked for and have. Nobody apart from Deputy O'Reilly seems to be looking for the Defence Forces to be given the ability to strike, which would not be the right decision for national security issues, which people in the Defence Forces recognise. It is important...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: In spite of challenging headwinds for the global economy in recent years, including the far-reaching impacts of Brexit, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Ireland has continued to perform extremely well in both employment and trade. Reaching 2.57 million in quarter 4 of last year, we now have more people employed than ever before. Female participation in the workplace is at an all-time...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: Later this month I will bring the first implementation plan for the new enterprise strategy to Government for approval. That will focus on the kinds of things the Deputy raised which is ensuring that our enterprise strategy delivers balance across multiple sectors, including food, agrifood, construction, the tech sector, medical devices, the pharmaceutical sector and manufacturing. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: The Government has already acted to put a reserve fund in place. We have contributed to that for some years. The Government will ensure that we do not make the mistakes made in the past of relying on a revenue stream that turns out not to be consistent over time. We will ensure that we invest for the future but there are also many pressures on families today and we also need to respond to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Inflation Rate (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: We had some discussion of this issue yesterday in a committee. I am aware, of course, of views expressed by European agencies and organisations that corporate profits are a contributing factor to inflation. The European Central Bank, ECB, examined the degree to which inflation is being driven by increases in wages compared with profits. It established there has been a significant increase...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Inflation Rate (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: I acknowledge the ECB reports that have come out. The Government, of course, acknowledges the pressures families are under. This is why we have been proactive in limiting the fallout from higher rates of inflation. A total of €12 billion, some 4.5% of national income, has now been provided in direct relief to absorb some of the impacts and ease the burden of inflation on households...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Inflation Rate (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: That is exactly why we held the meeting of the retail forum yesterday and it is also why I took advice from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, regarding options. I would like to get more advice from it concerning the options available to us in the context of delivering more transparency in the food supply chain to ensure consumers are paying reasonable prices. I hope...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Foreign Direct Investment (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates an Early Warning Report system, known as EWRs, through which the enterprise agencies - including IDA Ireland - notify the Department when they become aware of any significant issue arising for client companies that could impact their business in Ireland. While there is no obligation on companies to provide EWRs to the enterprise agencies, employers are legally obliged...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Vacant Properties (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to providing supports that will assist the key stakeholders in towns and villages to make their centres vibrant and vital centres of the community. Many Government Department are working to deliver on this commitment including the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage along with my own Department. ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Site Acquisitions (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: As set out in the Government's White Paper on Enterprise, IDA’s strategy, “Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021-2024” includes ambitious employment targets for 50,000 new jobs and 800 new investments over its 4-year lifecycle to 2024, with half of these new investments to be in regional locations. As part of its Strategy, the IDA will acquire additional...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Policy (11 May 2023)

Simon Coveney: My Department has invested in the development of enterprise hubs through the various regional enterprise funds which drive implementation of the nine Regional Enterprise Plans. Approximately 40 Enterprise Centres and Hubs have been funded under these schemes and are at various stages of development. Enterprise Centres are primarily focused on providing spaces for start-ups, providing...