Results 1-20 of 8,675 for speaker:Peter Burke

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Direct Investment (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: Developing next generation sites is essential for Ireland to remain competitive if we wish to attract further large-scale, high-value manufacturing opportunities such as major semiconductor and biopharma investments. The next generation site approach will be plan-led, streamlining development and reducing planning risks, and provide pre-permitted, utility-intensive sites, enabling swift...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Direct Investment (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I am happy to work with Deputy Aird in Laois to ensure that Laois continues to grow. We have our advanced planning permit, which we are now working with IDA Ireland and Laois County Council on for our advanced building solution. It is important that we can reduce lead times and give certainty in that regard. We had a great day at Midland Steel, where we have 70 jobs. It is a good example...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Direct Investment (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Aird for raising Leprino Foods and the 132 jobs there, which are valued. I know it is working under a timeline at the moment. We are working so hard with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, looking at a prospectus for a site, because it is a highly valued building. It is highly regulated and utility-rich. It provides a significant offering for a company. We are working really...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Burke for all his work in this area. I was with him recently in Cork. We had a great meeting looking at all the opportunities there and met many people from the community. I will say three quick things. First, the Department is working on a scheme for small manufacturing sites for businesses. There is huge demand, particularly for manufacturing and engineering...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I am happy to work with the Deputy on all those areas. He has been a firm advocate for business competitiveness, which is key. In the new infrastructure proposals the Government will be bringing forward in February, it will be key to look at our ports and such authorities to ensure we are quickly able to get the key infrastructure enhancements into those areas. On the national planning...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Ward for this very important question. The Government recognises that the cost of doing business has been an issue for firms in recent years arising from both the wider inflationary trends and Government-mandated changes in the form of improvements to working conditions across a range of areas. It is important to note that costs for firms, as measured through the CSO's...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: First, I would robustly challenge the premise that big businesses in the economy are not good. They employ people. Many franchises provide huge employment in many rural parts of our economy. Let us focus on what we are doing as a Government in the sector the Deputy referenced. First, we increased the PRSI threshold for those on the living wage. We brought forward moderations to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I note the Deputy's concerns but I have not seen any workable framework under the European VAT directive that allows for differentiation on turnover. I have not seen it yet. I have not seen any workable proposal in relation to that. My point is very clear. There are 228,000 jobs supported in our hospitality sector. Many of them are in regional parts of our country and the vast majority...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regional Development (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Burke for his very important question. Balanced regional development is a Government priority and a central component of the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 is to support balanced regional enterprise development. My Department and its agencies work to support this agenda in several ways, including through the work of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, local enterprise...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Artificial Intelligence (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: The Deputy makes valid points on this. The Government has not made a decision yet. We are going through a lot of the issues and seeking advice on them. Hopefully, in the coming months, we will be able to go to Government with a memorandum on the final structure. Enforcement and independence are key. It is important we have public trust in artificial intelligence. Some of the areas the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Artificial Intelligence (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: Absolutely. We will consider them as part of our deliberative process. The enterprise committee will be key in our approach. The private sector has done a lot of good things with AI. Insight is the largest research centre in Europe. It is based in Trinity College and shows us how we can commercialise research based in tertiary education. We do have a lot to do from a public service...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Promotion (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for this important question. Enhancing cross-Border co-operation and connections is a key ambition of this Government and tourism is an important asset we have to realise together. Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination and works closely with colleagues in Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Promotion (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: We are working closely with our partners in Northern Ireland to expand our brands, particularly Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. There is ground for expansion there. I met with Minister Archibald in London last week. We were doing an expo together. It is great to see everyone together trying to push Ireland as a destination. We have discussed a number of areas which we will be supporting...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Promotion (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: Last year was a bumper year for tourism and it is a big challenge to replicate that. However, we have to look at the evidence and the facts. Some 12% fewer seats came into our country because of the airport cap. That was a very significant challenge for the tourism sector. That will not be the case for the winter ahead. I think there will be approximately 9% more seats in the winter...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Artificial Intelligence (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy. The establishment of the AI office of Ireland is a strategic initiative of this Government. I am delighted to have secured start-up funding of €1.4 million as part of budget 2026 for the office's establishment. The AI office will act as a central co-ordinating body for the implementation of the AI Act in Ireland and will also provide a focal point for the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Company Closures (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for this very important question. It relates to a matter which is very close to my heart due to the fact that there is a depot in Mullingar. I very much understand the business model and the pressures that employees and their families face as a result of what happened. Receivership is a long-standing legal mechanism for the enforcement of a security. Usually in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Company Closures (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: I am fully aware of the gravity of the situation, particularly for franchisees and small self-employed contractors. The delivery of parcels is a matter of contract law. Delivery timelines relating to orders and the position regarding refunds are very much set out in consumer legislation and, from the point of view of the businesses involved, contract law. I have mentioned this matter to my...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Company Closures (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: There are huge challenges in our economy in respect of the turnover of jobs, which I, as Minister, can see. There is huge opportunity, but there is also a turnover of jobs every week. The Government is acutely aware of this and is supporting employees through it. It is clear that the Corporate Enforcement Authority is responsible for policing company law. If there any issues, they...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Directives (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: This is about simplification. One of the key issues is the need to support our SMEs to ensure the burden placed on them is not inappropriate. With regard to each of the issues mentioned, a risk-based approach will continue, which is important. Stakeholder involvement will be core to the directive, which is also very important. With regard to harmonised civil liability, obviously...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Directives (13 Nov 2025)

Peter Burke: As the Deputy is aware, simplification and burden reduction is a key issue at EU level with a view to improving EU competitiveness and ensuring there are no disproportionate burdens on business, particularly SMEs. In this context, the omnibus on sustainability was published in February 2025. I wish to acknowledge the work undertaken by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Tourism...