Results 121-140 of 10,353 for speaker:Niamh Smyth

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Exports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I assure the Deputy, even though I am only in the Department for a couple of weeks, that, working with the Minister, Deputy Burke, we are sure and we have very strong controls in place. As part of their assessment, my officials seek the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of all applications for export licences, including those with the end destination of Israel. Both my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Exports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputies for their questions. They are very legitimate questions to ask. I am assured by the Departments - our own Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs - that they do a really robust risk assessment around those applications. If the officials are not confident or have any question marks over them, they refuse those licences.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Exports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I do not but I will get that for the Deputy. I will get a detailed written reply on the issues the Deputies have raised. In fact, I might ask the Department to have a conversation with the Deputies on the legitimate questions they have raised today.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Business Supports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: My Department established the digital transition fund as part of Ireland's national recovery and resilience plan with the objective of driving the digital transformation of enterprise in Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Burke, spoke earlier about the drive that is being made by the Department to ensure all businesses across Ireland reach those targets. The fund was specifically designed to aid...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Exports (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I congratulate Deputy Bennett. It is lovely to say "Deputy Bennett", having worked with her and known her well in Monaghan County Council. I am sure they are all incredibly proud of her down there. Well done. My Department is the national competent authority with responsibility for export controls, including controls on defence-related exports and export of dual-use goods. Controls on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Deputy Collins for his question. There are now 26,026 people employed in Enterprise Ireland-supported companies in County Cork, a net increase of 846 jobs during 2024. There was also positive job creation recorded across the three LEOs based in County Cork, with 3,076 jobs supported by 618 LEO clients. This represents a net gain in 2024 of 119 jobs. The FDI performance in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I take the Deputy's point. Balanced regional development is a key priority for the Government and all TDs who are from more rural parts of the country. I will raise the Deputy's specific questions with the Department following this. The number of jobs in Enterprise Ireland-supported companies in County Cork has increased by 846 since 2023, with 26,026 now employed in the county by those...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Development (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy. I will take a note of the specific areas he asked about. We all want to create the balanced regional development the Deputy has spoken about. The introduction of AI may allow companies to do that and allow people to work in more rural parts. We will focus on that with Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the LEOs to see how we can support them in achieving that.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Export Controls (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: My Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of dual-Use goods. Controls on the export of dual-use items are administered by my Department, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: We now have a number of targeted supports in place to drive increased adoption of technology among businesses. Our approach this year will be to drive awareness through our Enterprise Agencies, the LEO network, and the business representative bodies. While Tech companies are rapidly adopting new technologies, much of my Department’s focus is on driving increased usage of AI among...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The Government recognises the transformative potential of AI and other advanced technologies, and the importance, in particular for competitiveness and productivity, of ensuring that enterprises are supported to adapt to and adopt new technologies. As outlined in the Government response to the Competitiveness Challenge report, the Government welcomes this recommendation by the National...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: A Refresh of Ireland's National AI Strategy was published in November 2024. This refresh takes account of the significant developments in AI technology and regulation since the original Strategy was published in 2021. The National AI Strategy sets out a whole of government approach to putting the necessary enablers in place, including a supportive innovation ecosystem, a secure data and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Policy (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The Digital Transition Fund was established as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan with the objective of boosting the use of digital technologies in enterprises. The Grow Digital Portal was developed under the Digital Transition Fund and launched in July 2024. This Portal provides businesses with a toolkit to help identify the opportunities that digitalisation...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Data (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The information available to my Department relates to the number of companies incorporated with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). My Department does not have data in relation to the premises used by such companies including the rateable valuation, or otherwise, of such premises. I have been informed by the CRO that there were 23,652 new company incorporations in 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (20 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: A Refresh of Ireland's National AI Strategy was published in November 2024. This refresh takes account of the significant developments in AI technology and regulation since the original Strategy was published in 2021. The National AI Strategy sets out a whole of government approach to putting the necessary enablers in place, including a supportive innovation ecosystem, a secure data and...

Maximising Artificial Intelligence: Statements (19 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank everybody who took part in a very frank, honest and open debate. I really appreciate it. Everybody has pointed to aspects of its potential and the opportunity in democracy, healthcare, education and down to the everyday. You do not need to be a tech expert to get the benefit when we think about public transport, as Deputy Gould said. Deputy Conway-Walsh has been here for all the...

Maximising Artificial Intelligence: Statements (19 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: Okay. The Government has had the AI advisory council in situ since 2024. I thank everybody for their contributions. They were very thought-out and passionate. I am on all sides because AI can be groundbreaking and has huge potential for the country. There is nobody in this Chamber who is uncaring or inconsiderate where climate and global effects are concerned. We will do it in a green...

Maximising Artificial Intelligence: Statements (19 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I am sure it can. My apologies.

Maximising Artificial Intelligence: Statements (19 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I am pleased to take the floor of the House today as Ireland’s first Minister of State who has artificial intelligence, AI, in their title. We are living in a time of great change, unpredictability and opportunity. I am determined that my mandate as Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will deliver and maximise the benefits of AI for our businesses,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Corporate Governance (19 Feb 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) Directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 5 July 2024 and entered into force on 26 July 2024. The Directive provides for a two-year transposition period, until 26 July 2026, in order to provide Member States with sufficient time to transpose the Directive...