Results 18,481-18,500 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Other Questions: Departmental Communications (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: In any such discussions there is confidentiality around individual items. There is commercial confidentiality. There is confidentiality that is recognised in our freedom of information process. Where there is a negotiation or a deliberative process one does not have a right of access to all the papers that might be engaged in. It is recognised in every freedom of information legislation...

Other Questions: Departmental Communications (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy rightly said, they are under restriction. If they get access to confidential documents it is to inform them and it is not for them to pass it on.

Other Questions: Departmental Communications (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: There are certain restrictions but in general we make everything available that we can and the Commission makes everything available that it can.

Other Questions: Departmental Communications (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: It has made huge efforts to do so and has a whole document on transparency.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: The truth is that any free trade agreement offers opportunities for sectors to grow. In the case of Ireland and the United States, there is ample and clear evidence of that. For example, in terms of our growth in software and business services, 60% of that growth has been in the US market. That is a very strong market for us and if there can be better access to that market, we can gain...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IDA Supports (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: No, that it not the case. There is a well developed joint strategy between Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, under which competition for domestic contracts is not supported by either agency. However, companies in BPO which are internationalising are entitled to support from IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland in the growth of their overseas business. As the Deputy knows, a company such as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IDA Supports (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: I can. There is an agreement and we would not tolerate a situation where Enterprise Ireland might subsidise one company and IDA Ireland another, both of which would be competing for taxpayers' money. That would be unthinkable, but that is not to say Enterprise Ireland does not talk to companies that are internationalising and which may also have Irish business. It is fine to talk to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: We did have a comprehensive discussion in the Oireachtas. Three committees met together for an extensive discussion, with questions and answers, when there was a much more meaningful exchange than we could have had here. Members were able to raise concerns and the meeting ran for several hours. It was very fruitful and all shades of opinion were represented. The issues have also been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: The truth is that economies need growth strategies. In the case of Ireland, our strategy has been very much based on export-led recovery. In our dealings with the United States 70%, or 125,000 people, are employed by US companies in Ireland. In the case of Irish companies, some €2 billion worth of trade is done with US companies. Both categories have grown rapidly. Ireland has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IDA Supports (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: IDA Ireland is involved in the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland to service international markets. It is not involved in the day-to-day operational or decision-making functions of companies. There is a growing tendency across the world for companies to outsource certain business functions. Companies in Ireland are part of this trend. In all sectors, companies use the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Law (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: I agree with my colleague, Deputy Nash, that this has been an appalling case. It certainly has raised issues that deserve attention. In the context of company law, the liquidation of OCS Operations Limited is currently in the hands of liquidators under the supervision of the High Court. While the liquidation is at an early stage, I understand the High Court was informed at the hearing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Law (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: As the Deputy knows, this section has not been tested in the courts.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Law (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: However, the section provides that on the application of the liquidator or any creditor of a contributory company that is being wound up, the court, if it is satisfied that it is just and equitable to do so, may make an order. The legislation sets out the various issues which the court will examine, including the extent to which the related company took part in the management of the company...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Law (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: There are two issues here. One is the behaviour of the directors, and there is an obligation on the liquidator to report to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement on the behaviour of the directors. The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is an independent office. It is not led or said by a Minister or anybody else. That is the important strength of the office. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Law (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: -----the court will have regard to the extent to which the related company took part in the management and the conduct of the related company. What the court will have regard to is clearly set out. Once again, however, it is not up to a Minister to make a judgment.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Company Law (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: A judgment must be made by the courts. That is the position with company law in any country. The Oireachtas drafts the provisions but the court must apply them.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Losses (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: Immediately after the announcement by the company concerned, I established an inter-agency group to coordinate the response to the proposed job losses. The group, chaired by Enterprise Ireland, is seeking to secure alternative employment for the area affected and to ensure that departing workers have access to supports they need from State agencies for retraining, access to social welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Action Plan for Jobs (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: Since the start of the national Action Plan for Jobs process in 2012, employment across the economy as a whole has increased, and has exceeded the Government's initial target of having 100,000 people at work by 2016. However, we are conscious that not all regions are yet fully experiencing the benefits of the recovery. While the national Unemployment Rate now stands at 9.7%, some areas -...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: The aim of the EU-US trade negotiations is to reduce barriers to trade in order to promote jobs and investment. Because of our close trading links with the United States, Ireland would be a major beneficiary of such an agreement. The independent study commissioned by my Department carried out by Copenhagen Economics estimates that the benefits in Ireland would be proportionally greater...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (15 Jul 2015)

Richard Bruton: I am not aware that there is a practice of trade union representative blacklisting by employers in Ireland. I would consider blacklisting of workers for whatever reason as an unacceptable practice – particularly if it arose in relation to workers exercising their rights to take part in trade union activities. The Deputy will be aware that there are already legislative protections...