Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1999 > Committee on Enterprise and Small Business > Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, 1999

DÁIL ÉIREANN

TUARASCÁIL

ón gChomhchoiste um Fhiontraíocht agus Mionghnóthaí don bhliain dar críoch 31 Nollaig 1999.

REPORT

of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business for the year ending 31 December 1999.

REPORT

of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business for the year ending 31 December 1999.

Table of Contents

1. Chairmans Introduction

I am pleased to report on the work of this Committee up to 31 December 1999. 1999 has been a busy year for the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. We have completed and published a number of major reports including reports on superstores, ecommerce and Year 2000. We have continued our policy of all members of this all party committee working together in a very consensual way in order to ensure that the maximum amount of work is achieved.

In addition, the Select Committee has dealt with both the Companies Amendment No. 2 Act and estimates for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

We will continue our work into the new Millennium and our Year 2000 work programme is enclosed in this report. Next year we will concentrate specifically on skills shortages and I hope we will have as productive a year as 1999.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

8th February 2000

2. Establishment of Committee

The Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business was established by an order in Dáil Éireann on 13 November 1997 and by order of Seanad Éireann on 19 November 1997. Under Section 2 of the order of Dáil Éireann the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business shall be joined with the Select Committee of Seanad Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business.

Under Standing Order 79A (6) such Select Committee shall, on the anniversary of its appointment in each year following the year of such appointment, make an annual report to Dáil Éireann which shall detail-

(i)the work carried out by the Select Committee; and

(ii)the work in progress by the Select Committee,

and may include, if the Select Committee deems appropriate, the report on its procedures and its role (in which case, a copy of the annual report shall be forwarded to the Committee on Procedures and Privileges), the work programme and minutes of proceedings referred to in paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) respectively of this Standing Order.

The Following Members of Dáil Éireann were appointed to serve on the Joint Committee by order of Dáil Éireann of 20 November, 1997.

Deputies Seán Ardagh, Andrew Boylan, Ivor Callely, Brendan Daly 1, Michael D’Arcy, Joe Higgins, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, John Perry, Pat Rabbitte2 and David G. Stanton.

The Following Members of Seanad Éireann were appointed to serve on the Joint Committee by order of Seanad Éireann of 26 November, 1997.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons, Mary Henry

The first Meeting of the Joint Committee was held on 2 December 1997. Deputy Ivor Callely T.D. was elected as Chairman with Deputy Michael D’Arcy being elected as vice-Chairman.

The Committee, at its meeting of 10 March 1998, established an ad hoc Working Group to examine the feasibility of fact finding visits to countries which had dealt with the impact on small towns of large superstores and also to deal with other matters which might be referred to it by the Joint Committee.

3. Meetings of the Joint Committee and various Subordinate Bodies

The Joint Committee and subordinate bodies met on 37 occasions during the period covered by the report. Details of the meetings are as follows:

4. Legislation

Bills referred to the Dáil Select Committee

The Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 1999 (Bille na gCuideachtaí (Leasú) (Uimh. 2), 1999) was considered by the Select Committee during 1999.

5. Estimates for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

In the course of the period under review, the Dáil Select Committee considered and reported to the Dáil on grants for public services for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

6. Research and Projects undertaken by members of the Committee

USA

Deputy Michael D’Arcy led a delegation of six members to the USA in January 1999. The delegation included Deputies Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, John Perry, David G. Stanton and Tommy Broughan.

The delegation visited Washington initially where they held discussions with officials of the House of Representative Small Business Committee and the Senate Small Business Committee. The discussions covered matters such as access to finance and grants for Small Businesses, superstores, extended and 24 hours trading and ways of protecting workers interests in these circumstances. The delegation also held meetings with Mr. Patrick Molloy, the Assistant Secretary for Commerce and the Small Business Administration Unit which assists US small businesses, particularly with developing partnerships and ventures with foreign companies. Officials from the National Association of State Development Agencies also had discussions with the delegation. Before leaving Washington the delegation also met with Enterprise Ireland officials.

The delegation then travelled to San Francisco where they visited Enterprise Irelands centre. The delegation recommended that staffing and resourcing be increased given the opportunities that appear to exist for Irish companies in this area. The delegation also visited and met with a number of companies in this area.

Russia

A delegation of eight members of the Joint Committee led by the Chairman Deputy Ivor Callely T.D., and including the vice-Chairman, Deputy Michael D’Arcy, Deputy Seán Ardagh, Deputy Noel O’Flynn, Deputy John Perry, Deputy David Stanton and Senator Willie Farrell, visited Russia in July 1999.

The delegation visited both Moscow and St Petersburg and held a number of meetings with Enterprise Ireland officials, with Irish business groups operating in Russia and with Russian parliamentarians and officials.

The delegation reported that there are many opportunities for Irish companies in Russia particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, professional services such as consultancy, business training, telecommunications and in the construction area, pharmaceuticals/healthcare and software and hardware/process control.

They felt that opportunities existed for Irish exporters in the area of food exports - particularly meat now that the BSE crisis is diminishing.

However, while there are opportunities available in Russia now, there are also some problematic issues which must be taken into account such as economic instability, complex tax and customs procedures, lack of reliable credit data, crime and corruption, weak infrastructure and political instability.

East Point Business Park Dublin and Baldoyle Industrial Estate

A delegation of eight members of the Joint Committee visited East Point Business Park and Baldoyle Industrial Estate on 7 September 1999. The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Deputy Ivor Callely, and also included the vice-chairman, Deputy Michael D’Arcy, and Deputies Noel O’Flynn, Nora Owen and David Stanton and Senators Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Paul Coghlan.

The delegation visited a number of firms in both locations and met with Dublin Port officials.

The National Microelectronics Research Centre in U.C.C. and Cork Airport Business Park.

A delegation of eight members visited U.C.C. and Cork Airport Business Park on 14th September 1999. The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Deputy Ivor Callely, and also included Deputies Nora Owen, Noel O’Flynn, David Stanton, John Perry and Batt O’Keeffe and Senators Paul Coghlan and Mary Henry.

The delegation met with the President of U.C.C. and Director of the N.M.R.C. and were given an overview of the work carried on particularly in the N.M.R.C. and the importance of this sector to Ireland. They also visited the Food Department in U.C.C.

The delegation then travelled to Cork Airport Business Park and met with a number of the companies based there.

7. Meetings with Delegations.

The Joint Committee had meetings with delegations from Australia and Hungary.

On 12 October 1999 the Joint Committee met with a delegation from the Public Accounts Committee of the New South Wales Parliament and discussed the use of government incentives to new and exanding industries.

On 16 November 1999 the Joint Committee met with a delegation from the Economic Committee of the Hungarian Parliament and had a wide ranging discussion including such topics as Hungarys admission to the European Union.

8. Summary of work carried out in 1999

The Joint Committee adopted a work programme for 1999 at a meeting held on the 24 November 1998. In the course of the year the Committee concentrated on several issues with particular emphasis being placed on items 9.1.1. and 9.1.2 below.

the implications of the growth in Ireland of superstores and multiples.

Sunday and 24 hour trading.

ecommerce and the opportunities which exist in this area

the implications of European Monetary Union for business.

the Strategy Statement produced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Presentations made to the Joint Committee during 1999 are as follows:

9 Review of the Joint Committees Role and Procedures

The Joint Committee is continuing to monitor its role and procedures on an ongoing basis.

10 Reports Produced by the Joint Committee

The Joint Committee have produced a number of reports in 1999. Copies of these reports are available from the Committee Secretariat.

Report on Superstores

The Joint Committees major report and recommendations on superstores, covering space limitations, environmental considerations, the Groceries Order etc.

Proceedings with Regard to Superstores

This two hundred and twenty one page report contains the transcripts of all public meetings held by the Joint Committee on the subject of Superstores.

The Impact Of Ecommerce On Small And Medium Sized Enterprises

This initial report makes a number of recommendations on the way forward for Ireland with regard to ecommerce. The Joint Committee intend to make a further report on the subject during 2000.

Report on the experience of successful entrepreneurs in small business and those who failed and are struggling

This report looks at the real experiences of a number of entrepreneurs and makes recommendations on how entrepreneurs could be aided and advised at an initial stage in order to make success more likely.

To ascertain the impact (if any) of the major U.K. multiple store chains on distributors and agents in Ireland.

This report surveys a number of distributors and agents and describes their response to the changes that increased centralized disbritution has made for them.

A Report on Sunday and 24 Hour Trading

This report surveys a number of organisations on their attitudes to Sunday and 24 hour trading and makes recommendations, which were discussed in detail and carried forward to the main Report on Superstores.

Minutes of the Public Sessions of the Committee.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS

Minutes of meeting of 14 December 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.10 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies: Ivor Callely (in the Chair), Brendan Daly, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, and David Stanton.

Apologies were received from Deputy D’Arcy.

Senators: Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox and Jim Gibbons.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 30 November 1999 were agreed.

4.Private Session - Report on Entrepreneurs

The Joint Committee went into Private Session and it was agreed that members who wished to make any amendments to the report prepared by Deputy Noel O’Flynn should notify such amendments to the Clerk in advance of the next meeting which would be on 11 January 1999 and that the report would be taken again on that day.

5.Private Session - Correspondence

Correspondence received from the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency was noted.

Correspondence received from the Korean Federation of Small and Medium Business, regarding a conference at the end of October 2000 entitled “New Opportunities in the Knowledge Based Economy“ was discussed and it was agreed to refer this to the Working Group for their consideration.

Correspondence from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding illustrative tables on the draft Insurance Bill was noted.

A request from a group of Finnish MPs to meet the Joint Committee in January 2000 was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk should try and arrange this meeting for Thursday 20th January around 11.00 a.m.

6.Private Session - Proposal re arranging information seminar on digital broadcasting.

A proposal to hold an information session in the New Year on digital broadcasting was discussed and it was agreed that the Joint Committees on Heritage and the Irish Language and Public Enterprise and Transport should be involved. Some discussion ensued on the type of information that would be useful and on which Departments and groups could be asked to be involved and it was agreed that this suggestion would be progressed.

7.Public Session - ecommerce

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Dermott Jewell, Chief Executive of the Consumers Association of Ireland who made a presentation on e-commerce. A question and answer session then ensued covering areas such as regulation, the question of service providers making “free time“ available at specified times and fraud.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Jewell for his contribution and he withdrew.

8.It was agreed that the draft work programme for the Year 2000 and Annual Report for 1999 would be circulated for consideration at the next meeting.

It was further agreed that a draft report on ecommerce would be circulated in advance of the next meeting.

9.Adjournment

The Chairman thanked the members of the Joint Committee for their continued hard work and co-operation over the past year and wished members and support staff a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

The meeting was then adjourned until 11 January 1999 at mid-day.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

January 2000

JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS

Minutes of meeting of 30 November 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.10 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies: Andrew Boylan, Ivor Callely (in the Chair), Brendan Daly, Michael D’Arcy, Joe Higgins, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, John Perry and David Stanton.

Apologies were received from Deputies Ardagh and Rabbitte.

Senators: Paul Coghlan, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry.

Senator Camillus Glynn attended in substitution for Senator Margaret Cox.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 16 November 1999 were agreed. The minutes of 17 November 1999 were agreed with the addition of the name of Mr. Victor Finn of the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society on the list of attendees.

4.Public Session Presentation on Ecommerce

The Chairman then welcomed the Data Protection Commissioner Mr. Fergus Glavey and his colleague Mr. Tom Lynch who made a presentation on ecommerce with particular regard to data protection. A question and answer session ensued.

5.Adjournment

The meeting was then adjourned until Tuesday 14 December at 5.00 p.m. in G2.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

December 1999

Minutes of meeting of 17 November 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 2.16 p.m. in Room G5 to hear presentations on the Copyright and Related Rights Bill 1999.

2.In attendance were:

3.Some discussion ensued as to the advisability of hearing all of the groups on the same day and it was finally agreed that there would be no time limit as to the presentations, that each group would be heard and that transcripts of the meeting would issue to each member of the Joint Committee as soon as they were available.

4.Presentations were made by the following groups:

5.Following the hearing of presentations a question and answer session ensued.

6.Deputy D’Arcy took the Chair at 4.54 p.m. and Deputy Lenihan took the Chair at 5.43 p.m. Deputy Callely resumed the Chair at 5.50 p.m.

7.The Chairman and a number of members expressed their thanks to the delegations for their presentations and also asked that the Clerk thank the staff of the Office for their assistance.

8.The meeting was adjourned at 7.49 p.m. until 30 November 1999 at 5.00 p.m.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

November 1999

Minutes of meeting of 16 November 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.10 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Apologies were received from Deputy Pat Rabbitte, Nora Owen

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 12 October 1999 were agreed with the following sentence added at paragraph 6 “The delegation agreed to revert to the Joint Committee with regard to examples of the illustrative table and with UK statistics“.

4.Meeting of Joint Committee on 17 November 1999 re Copyright and Related Rights Bill.

The Chairman referred to the briefing session arranged for the meeting on 17 November 1999 on the Copyright and Related Rights Bill. Some discussion ensued as to the format of the meeting and it was agreed that as much time as necessary would be taken for the meeting.

5.Visit of Hungarian Delegation

The Chairman welcomed members of the Hungarian Economic Committee, chaired by Dr. Janos Latorcai. A discussion ensued between the members of the delegation and of the Joint Committee covering the EU and the ways in which governments can address the needs of small and medium sized businesses.

6.Presentations on the Year 2000

The Chairman then welcomed the following delegations:

Mr. Michael McKenna and Mr. Gerry Wrynne, from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Mr. John Brady from Enterprise Ireland.

Mr. Kieran Crowley and Ms. Siobhán Masterson from the Small Firms Association.

Mr. Ronan Tynan from Esperanza Productions.

Each delegation made a presentation on the Year 2000 following which a discussion ensued with the members covering issues such as reasons for non-compliance, the benefits of running a final advertising campaign, tax relief and mentoring.

The Chairman thanked the delegations and also thanked Mr. Patrick O’Beirne of the Irish Computer Society who was in the gallery. The delegations then withdrew.

The Joint Committee then agreed to issue a press release urging those firms which were not yet compliant to urgently achieve compliance and urging the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to run a final advertising campaign in the run up to the millenium.

7.Correspondence

Correspondence received from Mr. Fergus Lowndes of CP2000 was discussed and noted. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr. Lowndes thanking him for his submission but that time would not allow inviting him to make a presentation at the meeting.

8.Adjournment

The meeting was then adjourned until Wednesday 17 November at 2.00 p.m. in G5.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

November 1999

Minutes of meeting of 2 November 1999

The Joint Committee met at 5.05 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House.

1Attendance

Deputies Sean Ardagh, Andrew Boylan, Ivor Callely, (Chairman), John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, Pat Rabbitte, John Perry and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry.

Apologies were received from Deputy Michael D’Arcy, Vice‑Chairman.

2Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 19 October 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

3Correspondence

The first item discussed was a letter from the Hungarian Embassy stating that a delegation from the Economic Committee of the Hungarian Parliament would be visiting Dublin on 16 November. It was agreed that the delegation would be invited to attend the Joint Committees meeting on that date at 5.00 p.m. and that briefing material would be circulated as soon as possible.

The next item discussed was an invitation to the Logistics Conference in Dublin on 22 November 1999. It was agreed that two members should attend at a cost of ú265 each and that interested members would contact the Clerk.

A letter from Mr. Svedjar was discussed regarding the way some aspects of the Finance Provisions Act affects small businesses. The contents were noted and it was agreed to pass the letter onto both the Finance and Public Service Committee and the Environment and Local Government Committee for their consideration.

4Presentation by Professional Insurance Brokers Association

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Pat O’Connell Chairman and his colleagues, Ms. Geraldine Layden, Mr. Terry Hardiman and Ms. Anne Hession of the Professional Insurance Brokers Association.

Mr. O’Connell and Ms. Layden made a presentation covering their concerns on the proposed Insurance Bill. A question and answer session with the members followed covering such areas as disclosure, a level playing field vis a vis the banks disclosure of costs, lifetime costs, transparency, disclosure of group and non‑life insurance costs and the single regulatory authority.

The Chairman thanked the delegation for their contribution and they withdrew.

5Presentation by officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Ronnie Sheehan and Mr. Tommy Murray from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who made a presentation on the draft Insurance Bill 1999.

A question and answer session then followed with the members covering such areas as the Single Regulatory Authority, prudential supervision, medical indemnity insurance, car insurance and the question of controlling access to the industry. The delegation agreed to revert to the Joint Committee with regard to examples of the illustrative table and with UK statistics.

The Chairman thanked the delegation for their presentation and they withdrew.

6Any other Business

It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Government Chief Whip to express the Joint Committees view that there would be ample time between the date of publication of the proposed Insurance Bill and its passage through both Houses and the Committee.

It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to determine a means of obtaining regular briefings on regulations made for the Joint Committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.10 p.m. until 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 16th November 1999 at which meeting the Hungarian delegation would be present, Year 2000 compliance would be reviewed and the consultants would present their draft report on the challenges facing the distributive trade.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

November 1999

Minutes of meeting of 19 October 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.00 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Andrew Boylan, Ivor Callely, Brendan Daly, Michael D’Arcy, Conor Lenihan, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox and David Norris.

Apologies were received from Deputy Pat Rabbitte, Deputy John Perry and Senator Mary Henry.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 12 October 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising

It was agreed that in future attempts would be made to ensure that any briefing material provided would be available well in advance of the meeting so that if necessary any questions on it could be raised with the parties providing such material.

Some discussion ensued on the meeting with Boots. The Chairman informed the meeting that the Food Drink and Tobacco Federation had confirmed that the figure of £20 million quoted on their briefing was a net figure. However they point out that the figures Boots are quoting relate to the entire Boots chain i.e. new Boots shops, the HCR chain and the Connors chain. It was agreed that the Joint Committee would keep a watching brief on the situation and would invite Boots in again. The Chairman also passed on the thanks of the Food Drink and Tobacco Federation to the Joint Committee for their work in this area.

4.Joint Committee Reports

The reports were discussed and it was agreed to change the titles from “fact finding visit“ to “research visit“. It was also agreed to reference the report along the lines of dub99.001, cork99.

The closing of Seeland in Cork was discussed and the Joint Committee agreed that it was important that it be replaced with an appropriate business.

It was agreed that the reports be adopted and laid before the Houses.

5.It was agreed that a press launch should be arranged in December for the superstore report and that all reports produced by the Joint Committee over the past eighteen months should be available at that launch. It was agreed that the relevant people from the retail sector etc should be invited to that launch also.

6.It was agreed that the two outstanding rapporteur reports should be considered by the Joint Committee between now and Christmas and that the Clerk would liaise with the two Deputies involved with a view to arranging dates for this.

7.Ecommerce

It was agreed that the Clerk should draw up an interim report on ecommerce and that it might be useful to invite in such guests as the Consumer Rights Association and the Data Protection Commissioner to discuss the area. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Deputy John McGuinness to discuss other relevant guests in view of his expertise in this area.

It was agreed that the Clerk should investigate the possibility of launching ecommerce reports in a location such as City West etc.

8.Year 2000

It was agreed that the Joint Committee would seek information from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the relevant agencies regarding Year 2000 compliance and that it would hold a meeting on the subject by November 16th 1999.

9.Work Programme - Year 2000

Items for the Year 2000 work programme were discussed and the following issues were suggested for inclusion:

employment, apprenticeship schemes, pharmaceutical area and possible shortage of skills as people tend to look towards IT rather than science and biotech area, enterprise awareness in the school curriculum, health and safety, cross border groups, county enterprise boards, car insurance for young drivers, cost of compliance, EU regulations, effect of 1996 Young Persons Employment Act, research and development.

It was agreed that the Clerk would draw up a draft work programme for consideration at a future meeting.

It was agreed that the work programme should have a specific theme for example skills.

It was agreed that the Clerk would investigate and obtain the views of the relevant umbrella organisations on the following two areas:

apprenticeship schemes including difficulties in obtaining qualified instructors.

shortage of pharmaceutical graduates

It was agreed that the cross boder area should be looked at and that the Clerk should liaise with Deputy John Perry and Andrew Boylan in view of their knowledge of this area.

10.The meeting was adjourned at 6.05 p.m. until 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 2nd November 1999.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

2 November 1999

Minutes of meeting of 12 October 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 3.45p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Andrew Boylan, Ivor Callely, Brendan Daly, Michael D’Arcy, Joe Higgins, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, John Perry and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry.

Apologies were received from Deputy Pat Rabbitte and Senator Margaret Cox.

3.Deputy D’Arcy took the Chair in the unavoidable absence of the Chairman.

With the agreement of the Committee, Deputy Lenihan took the Chair at 4 p.m.

Deputy Callely took the Chair at 4.15 p.m.

4.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 20 July 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising

It was agreed that the Committee would meet the Professional Insurance Brokers Association regarding the new insurance bill. A provisional arrangement has been made for them to come in on Tuesday 2 November.

5.Visit of a Delegation from the Parliament of New South Wales

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Joe Tripodi, Mr Ian Glachan and Ms. Yael Larkin from the Public Accounts Committee of the New South Wales Parliament. Mr Tripodi then outlined the work of his committee, which at present is investigating the provision of government incentives to new and expanding industries both in the U.K. and in Ireland. A short exchange of views followed.

6.Presentation by Boots

The Chairman welcomed the delegation from Boots - Mr. Nick Hudson, Chemist Marketing Controller, Mr. Ian Wright, Company Director and Ms. Deirdre Burns, Area Manager for Ireland. The delegation then made a presentation on the continuing development of the Boots chain in Ireland since they last met with the Committee, and in particular the issue of Irish distributors and manufacturers.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session, during which the Committee expressed concern at the reduction in the number of Irish suppliers to the Boots chain, despite commitments and reassurances given to the Committee at a previous meeting with Boots.

The Chairman thanked the delegation for attending the meeting and added that in view of members continuing concerns, the Committee would like to meet with Boots again at some future date.

9.Any Other Business

Senator Coghlan raised the issue of a brief visit to London to meet with the Competition Authority and the Office of Fair Trade. It was agreed that a formal proposal should be submitted to the Committee for consideration

10.Next Meeting

The Committee agreed to meet again on Tuesday, 19 October, to discuss the reports from the Committees visits to Cork and to Dublin and also to discuss the superstore report. It was also agreed hat the Committees year 2000 work programme would be discussed at the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

October 1999

Minutes of meeting of 20 July 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 12.05 p.m. in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Andrew Boylan, Ivor Callely, Brendan Daly, Michael D’Arcy, Joe Higgins, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Nora Owen and John Perry.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry.

Senator Labhras O’Murchú attended in substitution for Senator Margaret Cox.

Apologies were received from Deputies Rabbitte and Stanton and Senator Cox.

3.Deputy D’Arcy took the Chair in the unavoidable absence of the Chairman.

Deputy Callely took the Chair at 12.30 p.m. and Deputy D’Arcy took the Chair at 1.05 p.m.

4.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 6 July 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

5.Presentations on Proposals regarding a Single Regulatory Authority for Financial Services.

Mr. Maurice O’Connell, Governor, and Ms. Mary O’Dea of the Central Bank

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Maurice O’Connell and Ms. Mary O’Dea from the Central Bank. Mr. O’Connell made a presentation on issues relating to regulation of Financial Services and a question and answer session took place with the members covering topics including a perceived gap in current regulations on the conduct of business, EMU, the IFSC and whether the prudential and consumer side of regulation should ideally be separated.

Ms. Carmel Foley, Director, Mr. Cathal O’Gorman and Mr. Paul O’Donovan of the Office of Consumer Affairs.

Ms. Foley made a presentation on issues relating to regulation of Financial Services and a question and answer session followed with the members which covered topics including strengthening Consumer Protection, information sharing among regulatory authorities, the insurance and banking ombudsman and the importance of competition for consumers rights.

Mr. Gerry Shanahan and Mr. John Pyne of MSF

Mr. Shanahan and Mr. Pyne of MSF then made a presentation to the Joint Committee on issues relating to the regulation of Financial Services and a question and answer session with the members followed including such issues as the likelihood of staff leaving the public sector and not transferring to the proposed new regulatory authority and the implications which the Euro had for staffing levels in the Central Bank.

6.Correspondence

The letter received from Boots was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk would contact Boots and arrange a meeting with them as soon as possible after the recess. It was agreed that the Clerk should liaise with the Convenors in arranging dates.

7.Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2.00 p.m. sine die.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

July 1999

Minutes of meeting of 6 July 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.45 p.m. in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Andrew Boylan, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness and Batt O’Keeffe.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox.

Deputy Seamus Kirk attended in substitution for Deputy Noel O’Flynn.

Apologies were received from Deputies Ardagh, Callely, D’Arcy, O’Flynn, Owen, Perry, Rabbitte and Stanton.

Apologies were received from Senators Farrell and Henry.

3.Election of Chairman.

Deputy Conor Lenihan was nominated as Chairman due to the unavoidable absence of the Chair and vice-Chair.

4.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 22 June 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

5.Presentations by Baltimore Technologies and AVEdge

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Paddy Holohan from Baltimore Technologies and Mr. Leo Casey and Ms. Orla Byrne from AVEdge. Each group made a presentation which covered issues including ecommerce, how their own company operated and the important issues they saw in the ecommerce arena.

A question and answer session followed which included such issues as the slowness of banks to adopt electronic banking, the adaptation to ecommerce by the financial sector, how to incentivise businesses to go online, the importance of education and training, the preparedness of SMEs and the advantages of ecommerce over more traditional systems.

6.Correspondence

The response received from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which referred to some questions which they had not had time to deal with at their presentation to the Committee on 11 May 1999 was noted. The Chairman said this would be circulated to all members.

The correspondence received from Irish Life was discussed and it was agreed to advise Irish Life that it was not within the Committees remit to investigate individual cases and that they may wish to consider reviewing this matter to the Insurance Ombudsman.

The correspondence received from Deputy Owen was discussed and it was agreed that the Governor of the Central Bank, MSF and the Director of Consumer Affairs should be invited to the next meeting of the Joint Committee on 20th July which would be arranged by the Clerk for noon.

The correspondence received from Minister Jacob regarding the Year 2000 compliance of British Nuclear Fuel Stations was noted.

7.Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6.45 until Tuesday 20th July 1999 at 12.00 noon.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

July 1999

Minutes of meeting of 22 June 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.15 p.m. in Room G5 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely in the Chair, Andrew Boylan, Michael D’Arcy, John McGuinness, Nora Owen, John Perry, Pat Rabbitte and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry.

Apologies were received from Deputy Ardagh.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 26 May 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

4.Correspondence

The letter received from Boots was discussed and it was agreed that in response the Clerk should write to Boots directly requesting them to attend an urgent meeting of the Joint Committee.

A letter received from Coolmore Foods which referred to the success of their business relationship with Tescos was noted by the Joint Committee.

5.Year 2000 - Presentation by Officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Mr. Michael McKenna and Mr. Gerry Wrynne from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Mr. John Brady from Enterprise Ireland then made a presentation to the members of the Joint Committee covering Year 2000 issues particularly with regard to the question of mentoring programmes. Their presentation covered surveys carried out, mentoring programmes, the question as to whether legislation would be beneficial and the radio campaigns being currently carried out in addition to other issues.

A question and answer session with the members followed covering issues including as tax relief for Year 2000 expenditure, mentoring programmes and legislation regarding immunity, the compliance of Government Departments, difficultes in the supply chain relating to overseas trading partners, the question of growth preventing concentration on the Year 2000 issues and the surveys carried out by various organisations.

It was agreed that the transcripts of the meeting of 26 May 1999 and the relevant part of todays meeting would be laid before both Houses with a request that a debate be carried out in both Houses on the matter.

It was further agreed that the Joint Committee would hold another meeting on this matter in September.

It was further agreed that the Clerk would write on behaf of the Joint Committee to Minister of State Jacob, to express the concerns of the Joint Committee with regard to the Year 2000 readiness of nuclear power stations in the U.K.

The Chairman thanked the witnesses for their contributions and they withdrew.

6.Ecommerce - Presentation by Officials from the Department of Public Enterprise

Mr. Brendan Touhy and Mr. Niall O’Donnchú made a presentation to the Joint Committee covering areas including the importance of ecommerce to Ireland, the telecoms infrastructure and regulatory environment, the advantages Ireland had currently, the penetration of cable and future planned legislation.

A question and answer session followed with the members which covered areas including a flat rate for Internet access, the speed of change in this environment and the difficulties and challenges for SMEs in benefiting from ecommerce.

The Chairman thanked the delegatin for their contributions and they withdrew.

7.Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7.15 p.m. until Tuesday 6th July 1999 at 5.00 p.m.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

July 1999

Minutes of meeting of 26 May 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 2.00 p.m. in Room G5 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely in the Chair, Seán Ardagh, Andrew Boylan, Michael D’Arcy, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, John Perry and David Stanton.

Deputy Pat Carey attended in subsitution for Deputy Brendan Daly.

Senators Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell and Jim Gibbons.

Apologies were received from Deputies McGuinness and Owen and Senator Coghlan

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 25 May 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

4.Presentations on Year 2000

Presentations on the Year 2000 issue and in particular its effect on SMEs were made by:

Mr. Pat Delaney and Mr. Kieran Crowley from the Small Firms Association;

Mr. Liam Kelly, Mr. Patrick O’Beirne and Mr. Tony O’Farrell from the Irish Computer Society;

Mr. Ronan Tynan from Esperanza Productions;

Mr. Gerry Wrynn and Mr. Ronald Long from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Ms Renee Browne and Ms Joan McCluskey from Enterprise Ireland.

A wide ranging question and answer session followed with the members including such issues as mentoring programs, the question of tax relief on Year 2000 expenditure, the responsibility of firms for ensuring that they were Year 2000 compliant, possible difficulties which could arise dealing with non-Year 2000 suppliers particularly in other countries and the benefits or otherwise of Year 2000 compliant statements.

It was agreed that the officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment would be invited to the next meeting of the Joint Committee to further discuss the issue particularly that of mentoring.

It was further agreed that Minister of State Treacy be written to asking for his views on the mentor programme.

5Adjournment

The meeting was then adjourned until Tuesday 22nd June at 5.00 p.m.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

June 1999

Minutes of meeting of 25May 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.10 p.m. in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely, in the Chair, Deputies Sean Ardagh, Michael D’Arcy, Conor Lenihan, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe and David Stanton.

Senators Willie Farrell.

Senator Bourke attended in substitution for Senator Coghlan.

Apologies were received from Deputies Owen and Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox and Mary Henry.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 11 May 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

4.Correspondence:

Correspondence from Musgraves was received and discussed by the members. It was agreed that the Clerk would obtain copies of the report commissioned by Musgraves and distribute this to members. The Chairman said that he had attended the launch of the report and that it was very valuable and that it made considerable reference to the work done by the Joint Committee.

The submission received from Dunnes Stores which had been circulated to members was noted.

5.Public session: Presentation by Mr. Alfie Kane and Mr. Gerry O’Sullivan of Telecom Éireann.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Alfie Kane, Chief Executive of Telecom Éireann and Mr. Gerry O’Sullivan, Director of Corporate Affairs.

Mr. Kane made a presentation which covered the importance of ecommerce for the Irish economy and particularly for SMEs. He described Telecom Éireanns strategy on ecommerce and the development of the infrastructure to allow ecommerce to develop. He dealt with the issue of electronic payment for services and also with the work Telecom were doing to increase awareness and involvement in the area.

A question and answer session followed which covered such topics as cost of connections, the possibility of the whole country being a local call area, the security of ecommerce, the Year 2000 issue as it affects Telecom, whether call centres are low cost industries and vulnerable to technological change, problems with 1550 lines, the question of a flat rate for the Internet, the possibility of having each Health Board region as a local call region and the cost of upgrading the copperwire network.

6.Senator Farrell took the Chair at 6.04 p.m.

7.Senator Farrell thanked the delegation for their very interesting and useful presentation and at 6.25 p.m. adjourned the meeting until Wednesday 26 May at 2.00 p.m. in Room G5.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

May 1999

Minutes of meeting of 11May 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.10 p.m. in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely, in the Chair, Deputies Andrew Boylan, Brendan Daly, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, John Perry and David Stanton.

Senators Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry.

Apologies were received from Deputies D’Arcy and Rabbitte,

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 5 May 1999 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

4.Correspondence:

Correspondence from the Private Insurance Brokers Association was discussed and it was agreed that in view of the importance of meeting them before September that perhaps the Clerk would arrange for a meeting between Deputies Owen and Rabbitte and Senator Cox and the P.I.B.A. as soon as possible which would then be reported back to the Joint Committee.

The correspondence received from Boots and the response issued was also briefly discussed.

5.Presentation by officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on e-commerce.

Mr. John Kelly and Mr. Padraig O’Connell from the Department, Mr. John O’Brien from Forfás and Mr. Neil O’Connell and Ms. Jennifer Condon of Enterprise Ireland then made a presentation on ecommerce.

This covered issues such as a definition of ecommerce, the value of business currently carried out using ecommerce, items which inhibited ecommerce in Europe and Ireland, the main issues for Ireland, EU Regulation and education and training. The proposed EU directive on legal aspects of ecommerce was also discussed.

A question and answer session with the members followed which covered whether government Departments were using ecommerce in their own business, whether regulation would slow down development, the lack of differences in grants for highly skilled and unskilled workers, security and confidentiality, the effect of ecommerce on the Food industry, research and development and training.

6.Adjournment

The Chairman adjourned the meeting until 11 May 1999 at 5.00 p.m. in G2 at which meeting Mr. Alfie Kane, Chief Executive of Telecom Éireann would make a presentation on ecommerce.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

May 1999

Minutes of meeting of 5 May 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 9.45 a.m. Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely, in the Chair, Deputies Andrew Boylan, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness and Noel O’Flynn.

Deputy Dick Roche attended in substitution for Deputy Brendan Daly, Deputy Eoin Ryan attended in substitution for Deputy Batt O’Keeffe, Deputy Jim O’Keeffe attended in substitution for Deputy John Perry.

Deputies John Gormely and Matt Brennan also attended.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell and Jim Gibbons. Senator Ann Leonard also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputies Seán Ardagh, Michael D’Arcy, Nora Owen and David Stanton and from Senator Mary Henry,

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 27 April 1999 were agreed.

4.Ecommerce Report:

The report prepared by Deputy John McGuinness as rapporteur on behalf of the Joint Committee was adopted without amendment by the Joint Committee. It was agreed that it should be laid before the Houses and also published on the Oireachtas website. It was further agreed that the report should be sent to the Tánaiste and the Minister for Public Enterprise.

5.Other Business

The members discussed the fact that Dunnes written submission had not yet been received. It was agreed that the Clerk should write again to Dunnes expressing strongly the Joint Committees desire to receive this submission particularly given the importance of Dunnes Stores to the Irish food market and Irish consumers.

The Chairman informed the members that Deputy Stanton had suggested holding an urgent meeting on the Year 2000 isuse. Deputy Stantons suggestion to hold a meeting on this issue was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk would arrange a meeting to which the Irish Computer Society, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Small Firms Association and other interested parties would be invited.

It was agreed that the Clerk would obtain information regarding the operating of scanning machines in supermarkets and would circulate members with this, and that the Joint Committee may invite experts to a future meeting to hear evidence on this.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Committee would be on Tuesday 11 May at 5.00 p.m. at which there would be a presentation by officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on ecommerce.

The Chairman informed the meeting that Mr. Alfie Kane, Chief Executive of Telecom Éireann would attend the Joint Committee meeting on 25 May 1999 on the ecommerce issue.

The Chairman reminded the members that the Estimates meeting would be on Thursday 13 May at 11.30 a.m.

The Chairman also reminded the members that two members of the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce would be interested in meeting members at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday 13 May.

6.Adjournment

The Chairman adjourned the meeting until 11 May 1999 at 5.00 p.m. in G2.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

May 1999

Minutes of meeting of 27 April 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.05 p.m. on 27 April 1999 in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely, in the Chair, Deputies Seán Ardagh, Andrew Boylan, Michael D’Arcy, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, John Perry, Pat Rabbitte and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry.

Apologies were received from Deputy Nora Owen.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 13 April 1999 were agreed.

4.Other Business

Boots:

The actions of Boots in reducing the numbers of suppliers and distributors was discussed. The Chairman informed members that Boots had agreed to attend a meeting of the Joint Committee to discuss the situation and that the Clerk would arrange a date as soon as possible.

Senator Henry spoke of the contacts she had had over the past two weeks with suppliers and distributors who dealt with Boots and said that almost all of them felt that they had been treated badly. She said that phrases including “arrogant“, “ready to bypass all regulations“, “no respect for Irish goods“, “curt“ etc were used in describing their dealings with Boots. She also said that a number of suppliers had expressed their thanks to the Committee for continuing to monitor this issue. A number of Deputies and Senators made similar points regarding treatment of Irish suppliers.

It was agreed that it would be important to determine the precise levels and numbers of suppliers affected and that the Clerk would contact the Small Firms Association who had raised the issue in an effort to obtain exact numbers.

Dunnes:

It was agreed that the Clerk would formally write to Dunnes Stores and request that the written submission be provided as soon as possible given the importance of Dunnes in the retail food market.

Genetically modified food:

Senator Henry said that a number of suppliers had raised the question of verifying imports for genetically modified organisms which a number of supermarkets now required and suggested that this might be something which the Committee could look at.

5.Ecommerce - Presentations by Dell Computer Corporation and Davy Hickey Properties

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Tim McCarthy and Mr. Barry Collins from Dell who made a presentation covering issues such as Dells experience of ecommerce and the effect it was having on their business, the importance of ecommerce in increasing market share, the effect of ecommerce in transcending geographical borders, the increasing power of the consumer in terms of ecommerce and the changes which ecommerce and the growth of the Internet could have on traditional distribution channels.

The Chairman then welcomed Mr. Brendan Hickey of Davy Hickey Properties who spoke of the way that changes in technology were affecting the way business is carried out. He spoke of the importance of infrastructure both in terms of fibre optic cable and also the road infrastructure. He spoke of the effects which ecommerce was having including rationalization of banks, share dealing on the Internet which is changing the patterns of share trading, the different types of companies which are trading successfully on the Internet and he also described how City West was set up and developed.

A question and answer session with the members followed which covered areas such as price equality, the quality of Irish graduates, the rate of change of the industry, opportunities for small and medium enterprises, Y2K compliance, the reasons why Scandinavian countries have moved ahead in terms of infrastructural development, legal issues and mailshot issues.

The Chairman thanked the two delegations for their valuable presentations and they withdrew.

6.Select Committee Meeting to consider Department Estimates

The Chairman informed the meeting that Thursday 13 May at 11.30 a.m. had been agreed with the convenors and the Tánaiste for this meeting and that this meeting would take place instead of the Joint Committee meeting that week.

7.Visit from Cape Town Chamber of Commerce

The Chairman informed the members that two members of Cape Town Chamber of Commerce were interested in meeting members of the Joint Committee and that this meeting had been arranged for 10.30 a.m. on Thursday 13 May 1999 i.e. an hour in advance of the Select Committee meeting.

8.Adjournment

It was agreed that the Clerk would liaise with the convenors in order to arrange meeting dates for the next two weeks.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Ivor Callely

Chairman

April 1999

Minutes of meeting of 13 April 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.01 p.m. on 13 April 1999 in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely, in the Chair, Deputies Michael D’Arcy, Joe Higgins, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, John Perry, Pat Rabbitte and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell and Mary Henry.

Apologies were received from Senator Jim Gibbons.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 30 March 1999 were agreed.

4.Correspondence

The reply received from Tescos to the Joint Committees request for information on the overcharging controversy was noted by the Joint Committee.

The letter received from the Food, Drink and Tobacco Federation was discussed and it was decided that the Clerk should write to Boots seeking immediate clarification on the numbers of suppliers and distributors affected. It was also agreed that Boots would be invited to a future meeting of the Joint Committee to discuss these issues. It was also agreed that the Clerk would contact the Food, Drink and Tobacco Federation to attempt to obtain precise figures as to the number of suppliers and distributors affected. Senator Henry said that she would contact some of the people she had spoken to while preparing her report to determine what their position was.

5.Working Group

It was agreed that the working group would meet to discuss possible fact finding visits which would be of benefit to the Joint Committees work and would report back to the Joint Committee at a later date.

6.Sunday and 24 Hour Trading.

The Chairman welcomed the six groups invited to the meeting to make presentations on Sunday and 24 Hour Trading.

Fr. John Brady S.J. described how Sunday Trading has been in operation to a significant extent since 1990. He referred to the need for balance in life and to the significance of Sunday as a separate day. He also referred to the EU Directive on Working Time and the need to protect workers health.

Mr. Michael Campbell of RGDATA said that the debate on Sunday and extended trading was being driven by the multiples. He described the need for legislation in this area and referred to his recommendations regarding legislation based on size of shop. He suggested that all shops should be banned from opening on Christmas Day, St. Patricks Day and Easter Sunday. He also stated that should legislation be brought in, the penalties imposed must be real and enforced. He stated that it was unfortunate that Tescos were not present.

Mr. Gerry Clarke of the National Federation of Retail Newsgents stated that the main concern must be whether large scale Sunday and extended hours trading was good or bad for the community. He referred to Panorama investigations on bad practice carried out by multiples in the U.K. He said that his organisations view was that shops over 3,000 square feet should be completely banned from Sunday Trading.

Mr. Dermott Jewell of the Consumers Association of Ireland said that the two issues of Sunday and 24 hour trading were separate issues. He said that balance is necessary and referred to the fact that today shopping can be a leisure activity. He said that Sunday Trading provides both work and income. With regard to 24 hour trading he said that he could see no reason or demand for an increase in the small number of shops operating in Dublin for 24 hours. He said that he was concerned that in the future 24 hour working could develop in the financial and other industries to benefit from cheaper call charges and to ensure maximum use of premises space and that this could lead to a demand for 24 hour trading.

Mr. Owen Nulty of Mandate said that control through legislation was absolutely necessary. He referred to the question of workers being exploited, of their health and security. He spoke of the question of a constitutional referendum being required to amend article 43.2 before legislation could be enacted to restrict trading hours. He said that many of the jobs being created were part time and that many workers did not see any future in the industry due to the hours and due to lack of a career path.

Mr. Michael Ryder of Easons said that Easons had originally been sceptical of the benefits of Sunday Trading but that their experience originally in Tallaght had demonstrated both the value of Sunday Trading to the company and its popularity with consumers. He said that Easons paid a premium for staff who worked on Sundays and that it was a popular day to work on for many staff. He referred to the fact that it had proven difficult in the U.K. to enforce regulations on restrictions of hours of trading. He also referred to the question of Internet trading which effectively provides for 24 hour trading 365 days a week.

There then followed a question and answer session with the members which covered issues including:

•the lack of female representation among the delegation

•the benefit of Sunday shopping for many women in todays society particularly where both spouses worked,

•the fact that many of the part time jobs created gave women an opportunity to work outside the home without having to pay for childcare,

•the necessity to protect the interests of workers

•the necessity to provide for legislation to avoid exploitation of casual workers,

•the necessity of investment in training in the retail industry

•the absolute need for legislation on hours and the dilemma of dealing with competition law with regard to this,

•the question of how consumer demand could be determined in reality,

•difficulties for suppliers and distributors in dealing with extended hours trading,

•the question as to how culturally impoverished a society was which regarded shopping as the only past-time,

•the question of using shopping centres for other community, cultural or social events,

•planning laws with regard to change of use if a supermarket or centre begins to trade considerably longer hours than heretofore,

•the difference in Europe where Sunday shopping is not common

•the question as to whether a referendum was needed on this issue.

The Chairman said that Tescos had not been invited as they had replied to Deputy Stantons request for a submission in October 1998 stating that they felt that they had appeared before the Joint Committee on 24 February 1998 and 24 March 1998 and felt that they had dealt with the issues there and had nothing further to add.

It was agreed that the Clerk should write to An Tánaiste seeking clarification as to whether the Department had obtained legal advice as to the necessity of a constitutional amendment being made before restrictions on trading hours could be made and if so what this advice stated.

The Chairman invited the delegations present to make further written submissions with specific proposals on these areas.

It was agreed that the Joint Committee may wish to address this issue again.

7.Any other Business

It was agreed that the Clerk would be asked to contact Dunnes to determine when their written submission would be available so that it may be included in the draft report.

It was agreed that the Clerk would liaise with the convenors regarding possible invitees to the next meeting which would deal with ecommerce. It was also agreed that members should contact the Clerk if they have suggestions as to who to invite.

It was agreed that as the Joint Committee was beginning to address the ecommerce area that Deputy McGuinness who prepared a report on this subject as rapporteur on behalf of the Joint Committee would be asked to present his report at the Joint Committees meeting on 27 April 1999.

It was agreed that the Clerk would circulate the draft report amended to reflect the content of todays meeting to members and that proposed amendments to this report should be sent by members to the Clerk.

The meeting was then adjourned until 27 April 1999 at 5.00 p.m.

Ivor Callely

Chairman

April 1999

Minutes of meeting of 30 March 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.20 p.m. on Thursday 30 March 1999 in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely, in the Chair, Deputies Andrew Boylan, Michael D’Arcy, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, , John Perry, David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell and Jim Gibbons.

3Public Session - Presentation by the Irish Hardware Association

The Chairman welcomed the delegation from the Irish Hardware Association, Mr. James Goulding, Secretary General, Mr. Jack White, President and Mr. Eddie Kelly, Vice President.

The Association made a presentation covering the impact which category killer stores would make on the Irish hardware industry should they be allowed set up in this country. They described the size and practices of these stores.

A question and answer session followed which covered issues such as desired maximum size of such stores, the question of the survivial of smaller hardware stores given the increase in the number of fairly large Irish owned hardware and DIY stores and competition law.

4.Other business

It was agreed that the Clerk would issue a letter to Tescos and copy it to An Tánaiste, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment expressing the serious concern of the members of the Joint Committee with regard to the reports of over charging and requesting information regarding Tescos plans for compensating customers.

5.Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned until 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 13 April 1999.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

April 1999

Minutes of meeting of 11 March 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 2.20 p.m. on Thursday 11 March 1999 in Room G5 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely, in the Chair, Michael D’Arcy, Brendan Daly, John Perry, and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry

Apologies were received from Deputies O’Flynn and Owen, and from Senator Cox.

3.Public Session - Presentation by the Food Drink and Tobacco Federation

Mr. Ciaran Fitzgerald and Ms. Ailish Forde of the Food Drink and Tobacco Federation made a presentation which covered the importance of the food, drink and tobacco sector to the Irish economy, the number of new foreign entrants into the Irish market and concerns over the amount of Irish goods which they source, the importance of such new entrants having Irish purchasing offices and the Groceries Order.

There then followed a question and answer session which covered import substitution, centralized distribution, the monitoring of companies such as Tesco who enter into commitments with Government and the beef industry in particular.

4.Presentation by Mr. Patrick Kaudewitz of Lidl GmbH

Mr. Patrick Kaudewitz made a presentation which included a description of Lidl and how they operated in Germany and in Europe and described what their plans were in Ireland. He described Lidls system of retailing which involved a lower number of lines than similar stores and said that Lidl preferred to look at obtaining new sites rather than existing stores.

A question and answer session followed covering centralized distribution, sourcing of Irish products, opportunities for Irish suppliers to sell to Lidl stores abroad and the preferred location of their stores.

5.Other business

It was agreed that a written submission would be accepted from Dunnes Stores. It was also agreed that the Clerk would circulate a draft report before the next meeting which would include transcripts and details of all meetings on the superstore issue held to date.

6.Adjournment

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned until 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 30 March 1999.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

March 1999

Minutes of meeting of 2 March 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 5.05 p.m. on Tuesday 2 March 1999 in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Public Session:

3.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely, Sean Ardagh, Andrew Boylan, Brendan Daly, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, John Perry, Pat Rabbitte and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry

Apologies were received from Deputy D’Arcy and Senator Cox.

Deputy Ivor Callely took the Chair at 5.25 p.m.

4.Presentation by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland.

Mr. Philip O’Reilly, Mr. Simon Nugent and Ms. Carmel Mulroy from the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland made a presentation on issues including transport, local government, education and training and e-commerce.

Following the presentation a question and answer session followed which covered issues such as capping the size of superstores, out of town centres, the prism project, digital signatures, parking, prompt payment legislation and staff shortages.

The Chairman thanked the delegation for their presentation and the delegation agreed to send their policy documents on transport and skills shortages to the Clerk when they were produced.

5.Presentation by Team P.R. Reilly

Mr. Frank Byrne and Mr. Tony Duffy made a presentation on the difficulties that they saw facing the motor parts trade due to the introduction of a large U.K. multiple to the trade in Ireland. They described the changes that they felt would occur to the market infrastructure in Ireland as a result of this.

A quesion and answer session with the members followed which covered issues such as the variation of prices on motor parts between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the number of Irish stores which had been purchased by the U.K. firm and whether they were new sites or existing stores, the question of capping the number of stores and difficulties in supplying to the U.K. stores.

The Chairman thanked Team PR Reilly for their valuable contribution and asked that they would forward a formal submission regarding their concerns about the U.K. multiple and how they were affecting the market in Ireland.

6.Correspondence received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs regarding the South African report was discussed briefly.

Correspondence received from the Food Drink and Tobacco Federation was discussed and it was agreed to invite them to a future Joint Committee meeting.

The number of presentations that the Joint Committee still wished to hear from on the area of superstores was discussed and it was agreed that the Joint Committee would try and meet weekly until the remaining presentations were dealt with.

It was agreed that the next Joint Committee meeting would be held at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 11 March 1999.

Adjournment

7.There being no other business the meeting was adjourned until 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 11 March 1999.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

March 1999

JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS

Minutes of meeting of 25 February 1999.

1.The Joint Committee met at 3.07 p.m. on Thursday 25 February 1999, in Room G5 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely (in the Chair), Deputies Sean Ardagh, Andrew Boylan, Brendan Daly, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe, Nora Owen, John Perry and Pat Rabbitte.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Willie Farrell, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry

Apologies were received from Deputies D’Arcy and Stanton.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

4.Public session: - Presentation by Senator Quinn of Superquinns.

At 3.47 the Joint Committee went into public session and Senator Quinn made a presentation describing his opposition to the provisions of the Groceries Order and the difficulties it caused Irish operators in the retail food trade.

A wide ranging question and answer session followed with the members which covered such issues as why exactly Senator Quinn thought it necessary to repeal the Groceries Order if he had found a legal way of operating within it, why Senator Quinn had not raised this issue at his previous presentation to the Joint Committee and how Superquinns saw the practice of “hello money“ as benefiting the consumer.

5.RGDATA

Mr. Michael Campbell of RGDATA, made a brief presentation in which he stated that RGDATA did not wish to see the Groceries Order repealed as it had operated well and had benefited the industry in general over the past number of years.

6.Dublin Meath Growers

Mr. Simon Walsh, Manager of the Dublin Meath Growers made a presentation which described the success his company had had in bringing together a number of growers and their experiences in dealing with Tescos.

A question and answer session followed covering topics such as the varieties of vegetables grown, importation of vegetables, whether Dublin Meath Growers supplied to other customers and their plans for the future.

7Dublin City Centre Business Association

Mr. Brian Goff, Chairman of the Dublin City Centre Business Association made a presentation which described the work of the association.

A question and answer session followed which covered issues such as out of town shopping centres, car parking, the huge increase in the amount of shopping space in the greater Dublin area and the reduction in crime as a problem for shoppers in central Dublin.

8.The Chairman proposed that when the transcripts of the meeting had been returned from witnesses, that the transcripts and minutes of the meeting should be laid before the Houses. This was agreed by members.

9.Adjournment

The meeting was then adjourned until 5.00 p.m. on 2 March 1999.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

March 1999

JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS

Minutes of meeting of 16 February 1999.

1. The Joint Committee met at 5.09 p.m. on Tuesday, 16 February 1999, in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely (in the Chair), Sean Ardagh, Andrew Boylan, Thomas Broughan, Brendan Daly, Joe Higgins, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Nora Owen, Batt O’Keeffe, John Perry, and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox, Jim Gibbons and Mary Henry

Apologies were received from Deputies D’Arcy and Lenihan and from Senator Farrell.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

It was agreed that the Clerk would issue a letter to Senator Farrell passing on the good wishes of the members of the Joint Committee for a speedy recovery.

4.Presentation by the Small Firms Association and representatives of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Mr. Pat Delaney and Mr. Kieran Crowley addressed the meeting on their recent proposals regarding initiatives which could be taken to deal with labour shortages in the Irish market.

A question and answer session with the members ensued which covered the reasons why there were job vacancies while so many people were unemployed, the rates of pay of the jobs available, the minimum wage, whether non-EU nationals should be allowed to work and the current work permit schemes which exist, State training courses, the contribution employers make towards training and upskilling their employees and whether asylum seekers should be allowed to work.

Mr. Pat Nolan of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment then made a presentation particularly regarding a survey carried out by Fás and detailing the response from employers to that survey and wage rates which were being proposed by those companies.

A question and answer session with members followed which covered the growth in the labour market, the perception that people may be better off claiming Social Welfare benefits than working, childcare, women coming back into the workforce and community employment training schemes,

The witnesses then withdrew.

5.It was agreed that the clerk would invite Mr. Goff of the Dublin City Business Association and the Irish Hardware Suppliers Association to future meetings. It was also agreed that the Clerk would contact Aldi with a view to inviting them to a future meeting.

5.Adjournment

The meeting was then adjourned until 5.00 p.m. on 2 March 1999.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

March 1999

JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS

Minutes of meeting of 2 February 1999.

1. The Joint Committee met at 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 2 February 1999, in Room G2 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

Deputies Ivor Callely (in the Chair), Andrew Boylan, Thomas Broughan, Michael D’Arcy, Brendan Daly, Joe Higgins, Conor Lenihan, John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Batt O’Keeffe and David Stanton.

Senators Paul Coghlan, Margaret Cox and Willie Farrell.

Apologies were received from Deputies Owen and Perry and Senators Gibbons and Henry.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

4.Correspondence

It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Mr. Andrew Street to follow up on the correspondence from Dunnes Stores.

5.Presentation by Mr. Steve Costello and Ms. Phil Doyle of Marks & Spencers.

Mr. Costello and Ms. Doyle made a presentation to the Joint Committee members on Marks and Spencers experience in Ireland and their plans for the future. A question and answer session followed which covered the sourcing of products in Ireland including fruit and bread, community involvement, use of chemicals to preserve fruit, oppportunities for Irish suppliers to quote to Marks and Spencers centralized system, out of town centres, branding of goods as Irish made, Sunday trading, impact of the Euro and selling of Irish beef.

Deputy D’Arcy took the Chair at 5.20 p.m.

Following the presentation it was agreed that Marks and Spencers would be asked to communicate with the Clerk regarding the use of chemicals.

5.Adjournment

The meeting was then adjourned until 5.00 p.m. on 16 February 1999.

Ivor Callely T.D.

Chairman

February 1999

Appendix 1

Members of the

JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS

Appendix 2

Members of the

SELECT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS

Appendix 3

Orders of Reference - Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Order of 20 November 1997:

(1) (a)That a Select Committee, which shall be called the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, consisting of 14 members of Dáil Éireann (of whom 4 shall constitute a quorum), be appointed to consider such-

(i)Bills the statute law in respect of which is dealt with by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and

(ii)Estimates for Public Services within the aegis of that Department, as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.

(b)For the purpose of its consideration of Bills under paragraph (1)(a)(i), the Select Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 78A(1), (2) and (3).

(c)For the avoidance of doubt, by virtue of his or her ex officio membership of the Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 84(1), the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (or a Minister or Minister of State nominated in his or her stead) shall be entitled to vote.

(2)(a)The Select Committee shall be joined with a Select Committee to be appointed by Seanad Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business to consider-

(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as it may select, including bodies under the aegis of that Department in respect of Government policy,

(ii)such matters of policy for which the Minister in charge of that Department is officially responsible as it may select,

(iii)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister in charge of that Department pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and shall be authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act, and

(iv)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(b)The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be 5, of whom at least 1 shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and 1 a member of Seanad Éireann.

(c)The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 78A(1) to (9) inclusive.

(3)The Chairman of the Joint Committee, who shall be a member of Dáil Éireann, shall also be Chairman of the Select Committee.

— Séamus Ó Braonáin, Aire Stáit ag Roinn an Taoisigh.

Orders of Reference - Seanad Éireann

Seanad Éireann

Order of 26 November, 1997:

(1) (a)That a Select Committee consisting of 5 members of Seanad Éireann shall be appointed by Seanad Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, to consider-

(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as it may select, including bodies under the aegis of that Department in respect of Government policy,

(ii)such matters of policy for which the Minister in charge of that Department is officially responsible as it may select,

(iii)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister in charge of that Department pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and shall be authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act, and

(iv)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(b)The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be 5, of whom at least 1 shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and 1 a member of Seanad Éireann.

(c)The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 62(A) (1) to (9) inclusive.

(2)The Chairman of the Joint Committee shall be a member of Dáil Éireann.

¹Appointed in the place of Eoin Ryan. (2nd April, 1998).

²Appointed in the place of Thomas Broughan (24 February, 1999).

* Appointed in the place of Eoin Ryan. (2nd April 1998).

** Appointed in the place of Thomas Broughan