Results 201-220 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: International Agreements (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The main reason that there are no mutual recognition agreements on occupational first aid qualifications with other Countries is that no request to enter into such an agreement has been received from another Country to date. A request to enter into a mutual recognition agreement from another Country would require an assurance that the occupational first-aid training standard...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Brexit Loan Scheme will provide affordable working capital financing to Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit, or will be in the future. The Scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through commercial lenders to get much needed working capital into Irish businesses. The criteria for the Brexit Loan Scheme, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Severe Weather Events Response (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together. I would first of all like to express my condolences to the families of Fintan Goss, Clare O’Neill and Michael Pyke who tragically lost their lives during Storm Ophelia. Storm Ophelia was, of course, an unprecedented weather event in Ireland and while overall the event was well managed there are certainly lessons to be...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Retail Sector (14 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department, as part of its remit in supporting the retail sector to facilitate sustainable employment growth, is undertaking a number of initiatives aimed at supporting indigenous businesses to build their online presence. This is in acknowledgment of the increased spend of Irish consumers online, and the need to assist Irish businesses to compete in this space. The Retail Consultation...

Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2017: First Stage (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: No.

Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017: First Stage (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: No.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will bring the concerns raised by the Deputy to the attention of the Minister and the Minister of State and ask them to respond to him directly. Hurricane Ophelia had various impacts. It is important to recognise the point made by the Deputy about the damage done and determine whether anything can be done to address it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am having discussions with the Attorney General on the report which raises complex legal issues. Therefore, I am not in a position to confirm when and if I will be in a position to publish it.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not in a position to say when I will publish it. I have received some legal advice from the Attorney General and will have further conversations with the Attorney General and my officials.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand it will be published next Tuesday.

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ireland has already begun that process by introducing country-by-country reporting and the OECD-compliant knowledge development box. Ireland is playing a strong role in ensuring that this issue is dealt with at an international level.

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ireland is taking strong action at international level-----

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----as I have made clear. Indeed, we are one of the leaders internationally. It needs to be addressed internationally. Regarding Deputy Boyd Barrett's point on the escrow account, the Minister has made it clear that the Department of Finance is working on this matter. It is one of the most complex international transactions that the Department has ever had to deal with, but the...

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: At international level, the focus is on examining whether new rules are needed to reflect the increasing digitalisation of global business. This issue needs to be examined internationally. The agreement on the anti-tax avoidance directive by all EU member states was another significant step towards the implementation of the BEPS reports to which I referred. Ireland will implement the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I welcome the fact that a statement has been signed by the cultural institutions. They are already bound by strong governance protocols. The key point is to ensure that those are implemented. As I told Deputy Howlin, ongoing monitoring and reporting mechanisms are necessary. We have strong rules on board membership and the role of directors and the new Charities Regulator will ensure that...

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will ask the Minister to answer.

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is priority legislation. My understanding is that there was some discussion at the committee yesterday as to whether it required pre-legislative scrutiny. I will communicate directly with the Deputy on that matter, but I am keen to have the Bill before the House as soon as possible. Progress has been made.

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: He will give a more detailed statement in regard to some of the issues the Deputy has raised and in regard to some of the discrepancies the Deputy mentioned. As I said, the Deputy has raised a number of issues in regard to this. The Minister of State has expressed his regret and I certainly accept that he has done that.

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department this morning issued an email to all Department staff to remind them again of the policies and procedures that are in place. It is important to note they are in place across the Civil Service, in particular the dignity at work policy and grievance procedure. The dignity at work policy defines what is meant by bullying, harassment and sexual harassment. Indeed, we have been...

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The ICIJ leaks make a number of points about changes in the Irish tax system. It rightly points out that Ireland has already acted to address definitively the issues around stateless and double Irish companies. In the Finance Bill this week - the finance committee is meeting as we speak - the Minister for Finance will be discussing the changes he has already brought forward to our regime...