Results 1,021-1,040 of 1,494 for speaker:Deirdre Clune
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Question 58: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she is taking to protect and support small business here; her views on the continued lack of credit available to viable businesses; the effect she estimates the credit shortage will have on small business; the further action she will take to deal with the problem of credit flows and small business;...
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: How does the Tánaiste's answer square with last week's ISME survey, which found that 58% of companies have been refused credit by banks, an increase from what was found in a previous survey? The survey also found that 83% of SMEs feel the banks are making it difficult for them to access credit and that European Investment Bank loans have not been marketed to SMEs. Following the banks'...
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Has the Tánaiste considered providing a State-backed Government-guaranteed loan scheme specifically for SMEs, similar to that which operates successfully in the UK? This would be of benefit. It has worked to facilitate loans directly to SMEs in the UK.
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Not a specific State-backed guarantee.
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Question 59: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to reduce Government controlled costs imposed on small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20229/09]
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: The Minister referred to energy, wages and local authority charges, which are the bugbear of many small and medium enterprises. This country has extremely high energy costs; they are the second highest in Europe. These costs could be controlled through a different approach to our regulatory model. Labour costs are very high. Already this year the retail sector will be obliged to introduce...
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Our party has called for a freeze of local authority charges. I noticed the Taoiseach commented on this issue recently as well. Has the Minister held consultations on this issue with local authorities and county and city managers? It is an enormous cost burden on small businesses but, having been a member of a local authority, I am aware that it can be a soft touch for local authorities at...
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Perhaps the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government could increase the local government fund.
- Business Regulation. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Does that mean the Employment Law Compliance Bill has been dropped?
- Research Funding. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: I recently asked the Tánaiste a question about the discover science and engineering programme, for which funding has been halved from â¬5.25 million in 2008 to â¬2.68 million this year. In her reply, she recognised that the programme provides very good value for money and plays an important role in encouraging young people to study science and technology. Given its importance for future...
- Research Funding. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: The programme is for second level students as opposed to research and development in third and fourth level.
- Research Funding. (19 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: That does not square with the Government's ambitions.
- Finance Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: That is right.
- Finance Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: I wish to share my time with Deputies Connaughton and Hayes.
- Finance Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill, which implements the statement of the Minister for Finance on the recent supplementary budget. I must comment on the contribution of the previous speaker, particularly with regard to the situation in which we find ourselves currently. To say the economic difficulties we are facing are due entirely to international circumstances...
- Banks Recapitalisation. (13 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Question 63: To ask the Minister for Finance if a recapitalisation request from Anglo Irish Bank has been communicated to him; and his view on the performance, the challenges and the future for the bank. [19027/09]
- Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (7 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Question 90: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on a constitutional referendum to amend Article 40.6.1 of the Constitution to remove the reference to blasphemy in that provision of the Constitution; the effect such a change or the lack of such a change would have on the constitutional protection of freedom of speech; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Written Answers — Science and Technology Sectors: Science and Technology Sectors (6 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the latest estimate of the value of science and technology focused companies to the economy here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17447/09]
- Written Answers — Science and Technology Sectors: Science and Technology Sectors (6 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the potential of future growth in the science and technology sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17448/09]
- Written Answers — Science and Technology Sectors: Science and Technology Sectors (6 May 2009)
Deirdre Clune: Question 129: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the strategies she has in place to promote science and technology in both education and business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17449/09]