Results 10,261-10,280 of 11,470 for speaker:Mary Butler

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business of Joint Committee (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I will deal with that matter in private session. Is it agreed that we go into private session? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I remind members, visitors and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are either switched off completely or left in flight mode for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when left in silent mode. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I thank the delegates for their remarks. Ms Buckley referred to banking charges. The joint committee is doing quite a body of work on the cost of doing business. We have already decided to hold a meeting in January with the banking federation and the banks as we are hearing a great deal about how difficult it is for some people to access finance and meet the associated costs. We will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: It is interesting that there has been an emphasis on banking today. At our first meeting, there was a huge emphasis on commercial rates. We spent most of the meeting discussing that issue. When I owned a small shop for 17 years, I was a proud member of RGDATA. I compliment RGDATA, NOffLA and the CSNA. It is nice for small independent shops that are not part of a chain like Centra or Spar...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: It needs to be stated that some local authorities are better than others. I am from Waterford. When I was on the council a few years ago there were incentives by Waterford City Council to try to encourage new businesses. It was quite constrained but there were some rates holidays for specific areas. For the first year, there might have been a 12-month holiday, the second, six months and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: There was no excise increase this year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I understand that but there is stock in hand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: Most consumers do, especially when it comes to cigarettes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: Ms Martyn would you like to make a comment? On a scale of 1 to 5 what is the most difficult thing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: As the Deputy joined us a little late, he may not be aware that we decided to invite representatives of the banks to appear before the committee as we heard a great deal about banking. Does membership of RGDATA or the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association confer any advantages on a smaller retail outlet such as a Londis store in terms of purchasing power? I know Centra stores buy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I did not realise that RGDATA represented such companies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Reilly. Small shops have a social value. We sold our family business. I remember there was a particular lady who could buy everything in one go but she used to come in seven days per week because I was the only person she spoke to every day. As with the post offices, one can never underestimate the social value of the small shop. Members are very much...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator. I thank the witnesses for coming here today to engage with the committee. Before we suspend, I invite Senator James Reilly to take the Chair, as we already agreed, because I must vacate it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: In our private session we determined that we would be bringing in representatives of the banking sector and credit unions, because that is a large part of the cost of doing business in this country. We accept that. I wish to ask Mr. Davitt a question about rates. Does he have suggestions as to how he would change the current assessment mechanism to better reflect the huge difference...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Retirements (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: 144. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on progress implementing the recommendation in the interdepartmental report on fuller working lives (details supplied); the public sector employers with which his Department has been in contact on this matter; if in the context of his statement to Dáil Éireann on 20 June 2017 the review has been completed;...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Minor Works Scheme (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: 169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a minor works grant for a school (details supplied) which was announced on 16 November 2016 will be granted; and if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50078/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: 309. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be approved for new dentures under the medical card dental scheme as an exception due to their medical needs and age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49877/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (28 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: 331. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review the terms of the medical card dental scheme in order that older persons over 70 years of age can be allowed discretion to have dentures provided every two years rather than the current mandatory five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49914/17]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Development (23 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: 21. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will address the fact that the south-east region returns just 45% of the PAYE income tax per head (details supplied) as per the south-east economic monitor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49515/17]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland Site Visits (23 Nov 2017)

Mary Butler: 24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will address the fact that, even though the south east has the highest unemployment figures in the country, only 31 site visits (details supplied) were made by the IDA between January and September 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49514/17]