Results 18,721-18,740 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: Equally, it is important that the way in which those write-downs are done is fair and is not giving undue favour to anyone, which is absolutely enshrined in these terms of reference. Paragraph 2(b) of the terms of reference deals with material deficiencies in the performance of functions by those acting on behalf of IBRC. Again, this is going to look into the way in which individual...

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: I welcome the debate and thank the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, for establishing this inquiry. It is a very important investigation which should occur. We are entering the final acts of a saga that started well over 15 years ago in respect of Anglo Irish Bank. I remember that I sat on the Opposition benches over that period and saw this unfolding. It started with the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cross-Border Co-operation (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: Since 2012, Ireland’s relative international competitiveness as measured by a range of international indices improved. We have moved from 20th to 16th in the IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook and from 29th to 25th in the WEF Global Competitiveness Report. In addition, the World Bank’s most recent “Doing Business” report shows Ireland is now ranked 13th...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Regional Development (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: At the launch of the Regional Action plan for Jobs in February this year, the Government announced that an additional €150m over 5 years would be made available to IDA Ireland for a capital investment programme to help attract more multinational investment and jobs into each region. The programme will build on the recent investment by IDA Ireland in facilities in Athlone and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Human Rights Issues (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: I have not participated in a trade mission to Bahrain this year. I also understand that Enterprise Ireland has not organised or planned any trade mission to Bahrain during 2015. With regard to the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world, this is a priority for the Government and cooperation with our European Union partners provides an important and effective channel...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Exports Controls (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: My Department is responsible for controls on the export of military items from Ireland. Under Irish law, military export licences have to be sought in respect of the goods and technology, and any components thereof, listed in the Annex to the Control of Exports (Goods and Technology) Order, S.I. 216 of 2012, which reflects the EU Common Military List. No licences for the export of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: The EU Commission’s mandate to negotiate with the United States on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) includes in the scope (paragraphs 22 and 23) investment protection and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). The stated aim of negotiations on investment is to negotiate investment liberalisation and protection provisions on the basis of the highest levels...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: The EU Commission’s mandate to negotiate with the United States on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) includes in the scope (paragraphs 22 and 23) investment protection and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). The stated aim of negotiations on investment is to negotiate investment liberalisation and protection provisions on the basis of the highest levels...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Seirbhísi trí Ghaeilge (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: De réir a hoibleagáidí faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, tá mo Roinnse tiomanta do chumarsáid a dhéanamh le cliaint ar mian leo a ngnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge. Tá Scéim Ghaeilge 2010 – 2013 mo Roinnse, atá le fáil ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne, ag cur le Prionsabail Seirbhís...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Services Provision (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for assisting start-ups, business development and job creation in each local area. The LEOs can provide advice and direction, covering all government supports and requirements, to anyone who wishes to start or expand a business. The LEOs can also provide funding for projects that meet certain criteria, in certain...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Supports (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: I am informed by IDA Ireland that the property mentioned by the Deputy is not in the ownership of the agency. IDA Ireland is aware, however, of the availability of this property but has not had any client requirements for this type of facility. If the owners of the property so wish they can request IDA to include the facility on the agency’s database for marketing. However, as the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: According to my Department’s records, since the EU Council’s decision in June 2013 to start negotiations with the US on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), 586 representations on TTIP have been received, 566 of which were from private citizens. The remainder were from organisations including trade unions’ representatives, county councils, the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Commissions of Investigation (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 to 417, inclusive, together. No Commissions of Investigation have been established under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Appeals Tribunal (28 May 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Employment Appeals Tribunal is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations. I am informed by the Employment Appeals Tribunal that it does not engage the services of stenographers at its hearings. Parties to a hearing may, however, engage such services for the purpose of making transcripts and all costs in...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Appeals Tribunal (28 May 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Employment Appeals Tribunal is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations. In relation to the personnel involved in the Tribunal, a secretariat carries out the administrative functions and Members are appointed to hear and decide on cases lodged with it under the various employment rights Acts that come under...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (28 May 2015)

Richard Bruton: Gift cards are subject to general consumer protection legislation, in particular the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 on unfair, misleading and aggressive commercial practices and of the European Communities (Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts) Regulations 1995. Some gift cards, such as the One4all card issued by the Gift Voucher Shop or the gift cards issued by some shopping...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Labour Court (27 May 2015)

Richard Bruton: The Labour Court’s statutory mandate is to provide a fair, independent and cost effective means of resolving workplace related disputes. The Labour Court is committed to providing a hearing date without undue delay and that it will deliver a decision or recommendation within a reasonable timeframe following the hearing. On average the Labour Court can provide a hearing date within...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (27 May 2015)

Richard Bruton: I am not satisfied with the current regulation of gift cards. My Department’s Scheme of a proposed Consumer Rights Bill which I launched on Monday includes a number of proposals aimed at strengthening the rights of consumers who purchase gift cards. The Scheme provides that contracts for the supply of a gift card or voucher must not include a term that makes the card or voucher subject...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Disputes (27 May 2015)

Richard Bruton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together. I understand that the factory in question is a Bord na Móna peat briquette factory which is operating in a competitive and challenging energy sector, for which my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has responsibility. I understand further that the company has accepted an invitation to appear before...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: All-Island Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2015)

Richard Bruton: I thank the committee. I would like to introduce Mr. Stephen Curran, an official in the Department who deals with this area and with international investment. I welcome the opportunity to speak to the committee. As members may know, I meet twice yearly, in the North-South Ministerial Council, with the Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, who up to now was Ms...