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APPENDIX 5Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint CommitteeJoint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 28 January 2004.1.The meeting commenced in private at 9.44 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000. 2.Attendance In attendance were Deputy Cassidy (in the Chair) and Deputies Callanan, Hogan, Lenihan, Lynch, McHugh, M.J. Nolan and Wilkinson and Senators Hanafin and Leyden. Apologies were received from Deputy Howlin and Senator Coghlan. 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Item discussed in Private Session 5.Item discussed in Private Session 6.Item discussed in Private Session 7.Item discussed in Private Session 8.Item discussed in Private Session 9.Item discussed in Private Session 10.Adjournment The meeting was then adjourned at 10.35 a.m. until 11 February 2004. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September 2004 Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeThursday, 5 February 2004.The meeting commenced at 9.40 a.m. in Committee Room 1, LH 2000. 1.Attendance In attendance were Deputies Wilkinson (in the Chair), Carty, Hoctor, Howlin, McHugh and Senators Coghlan and Leyden. Apologies were received from Deputies Hogan and Cassidy. Deputy John Carty attended in substitution for Deputy J. Callanan and Deputy Maire Hoctor attended in substitution for Deputy M.J.Nolan. 2.Public Session The Joint Committee went into public session at 9.40 a.m. 3.Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals The Chairman welcomed Mr. Frank Doheny and Mr. Alfie Smith, from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who made a presentation on COM (2003) 380 Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community and Council Regulation (EC) no 2026/97 on protection against subsidized imports from countries not members of the European Community. COM (2003) 799 is also related as it amends Com 380. A discussion ensued with the members and it was agreed that the consultants would be asked to draft a report for consideration by the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee went into private session at 9.53 a.m. The meeting was adjourned at 9.55 a.m. until 9.30 a.m. on 11 February 2004. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 11 February 2004.1.Meeting commenced at 9.33 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster 2000. In attendance were Deputy Cassidy (in the Chair) and Deputies Callanan, Dempsey, Hogan, Howlin, Lenihan, Lynch, McHugh, Nolan and Wilkinson and Senators Coghlan, Hanafin and Leyden. In Private session: 2.Item discussed in Private Session In Public session: The Joint Committee then heard presentations from Mr. Gerry Wrynne and Ms. Aisling O’Reilly from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and from members of IBECs Environmental Policy Committee - Ms. Sinead Hyland (IBEC), Ms. Claire Penny (IBM), Ms. Ciara Lynch (INTEL), Mr. John Hayes (Hewlett Packard) and Mr. Donal Buckley (IBEC) on Com (2003) 453 a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework for the setting of Eco-design requirements for Energy-Using Products and amending Council Directive 92/42/EEC. The Joint Committee agreed that the Clerk would draw up a report reflecting their views for consideration by the Joint Committee at a future date. The meeting was then adjourned at 10.33 a.m. sine die. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 18 February 2004.1.Meeting commenced at 9.33 a.m. in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000. In attendance were Deputy Cassidy (in the Chair) and Deputies Callanan, Dempsey, Howlin, Hogan, Lenihan, Lynch, Murphy, Nolan and Wilkinson and Senators Coghlan and Leyden Apologies were received from Senator Hanafin. 2.In Public session: Presentation by Mr. Frank Fahey, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with responsibility for Labour Affairs. The Minister gave a presentation to the Committee on insurance reform from the point of view of health and safety. He was accompanied by Mr. John Walsh, Assistant Secretary at the Department. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session. When the question and answer session had concluded the Chairman thanked the Minister and his official for their attendance at the meeting. In Private Session: 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Adjournment: As there was no other business the meeting was adjourned at 10.20 a.m. until 2 March. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeTuesday, 2 March, 2004.1.Meeting commenced at 2.37 p.m. in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000. In attendance were Deputy Cassidy (in the Chair) and Deputies Callanan, Dempsey, McHugh, Nolan and Wilkinson and Senators Hanafin and Leyden. Apologies were received from Deputy Lynch. In Public session: 2.Consideration of EU legislative proposals: There were three pieces of proposed EU legislation for scrutiny by the Committee at this meeting. The Chairman suggested and the Committee agreed to take the first two of these together. The first, Com (2003) 356, was a proposal for a Directive concerning unfair business to consumer commercial practices; the second, Com (2003) 443, was a proposal for a regulation on enforcement co-operation. To assist in the scrutiny of these proposals, the following officials represented the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Mr. Eamonn Carey, Ms. Mary Barrett and Ms. Orla McCann, and from the Small Firms Association, Mr. Pat Delaney and Ms. Patricia Callan. Presentations were made by Mr. Carey, Ms. Barrett, Mr. Delaney and Ms. Callan, after which a question and answer session ensued with the members. When this was completed the Chairman thanked the delegations for their assistance in this scrutiny. The third piece of proposed EU legislation to be scrutinized was Com (2003) 46, a proposal to harmonize national laws on the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the EU. A further objective of the proposal is to establish a general framework for the exchange of information between the responsible national authorities. Ms. Anne Coleman-Dunne and Mr. John Rutledge represented the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in the examination of this proposal. Ms. Coleman-Dunne made the presentation, at the end of which Mr. Rutledge gave some opinions. There was then a questions and answer session after which the Chairman thanked the officials for their briefing. The Chairman said that reports would be drafted on all three proposals considered by the Committee today, to reflect the views of the Committee members. 3.Any other business and adjournment: It was decided in the context of the successful visit to Athlone earlier in the month, that the Committee’s next visit to the regions would be to Wexford, in the south-east region of the country, to meet with local businesses and State agencies operating there. The members from Wexford were to liaise with the Chair and the Clerk on possible dates. As the hearings in relation to the insurance inquiry were scheduled for the next few months the Chair suggested that it wouldn’t be until at least June, at the earliest, that he could foresee this trip happening. As there was no other business the meeting was adjourned at 4.00 p.m. until 31 March at 9.30 am. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 10 March 2004.1.Meeting commenced at 9.32 a.m. in Committee Room 3, in Leinster House 2000. 2.Attendance In attendance were Deputies Cassidy (in the Chair), Callanan, Carty, Dempsey, Howlin, Lynch, McHugh, Murphy, MJ Nolan and Senators Hanafin and Leyden. Deputy Carty attended in substitution for Deputy Wilkinson. Apologies were received from Deputies Lenihan and Wilkinson. In Private Session: 3.Item discussed in Private Session Meeting went into Private session at 9.32 a.m. 4.Public Session The Meeting went into public session at 9.43 a.m. 5.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Chairman welcomed Mr. P.J. Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Courts Service, Mr. Brendan Ryan, Director of Corporate Services and Ms. Marie Ryan, Principal Officer. Mr. Fitzpatrick made a presentation on the Courts Service and this was followed by a question and answer session with the members. The Chairman thanked Mr. Fitzpatrick for his contribution and the witnesses withdrew. In Private Session: 6.Item discussed in Private Session The meeting then went into private session at 10.40 a.m. 7.Adjournment The meeting was then adjourned at 10.42 a.m. sine die. _________________________ Donie Cassidy T.D. Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 24 March, 2004.1.Meeting commenced at 9.34 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000. In attendance were Deputy Cassidy (in the Chair) and Deputies Callanan, Dempsey, Howlin, Lynch, McHugh, Murphy and Wilkinson and Senator Leyden. In Private Session: 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Any other business and adjournment: Item discussed in Private Session As there was no other business the meeting was adjourned at 10.00 a.m. until 31 March at 9.30 am. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 31 March 2004.1.The meeting commenced in public session at 9.35 a.m. in Committee Room 4, LH 2000. 2.Attendance In attendance were Deputies Cassidy (in the Chair), Callanan, Carty, Dempsey, Hogan, Howlin, Lenihan, Lynch, McHugh and Wilkinson and Senators Coghlan, Hanafin and Leyden. Deputy Carty attended in substitution for Deputy Callanan for part of the meeting. 3.Norwegian Delegation The Chairman welcomed the Norwegian Ambassador, His Excellency Truls Hanevold, and a delegation from the Business and Trade Standing Committee of the Norwegian Parliament led by Mr. Olav Akselsen, Chairman of the Committee and including Ms. Aud Gaundal, Ms Grethe Fossli and Mr. Bendiks Harald Arnesen. The Chairman welcomed the delegation to Ireland and an exchange of views took place on various matters including EU membership, trade, planning matters in relation to industrial developments, taxation etc. H.E. Mr. Hanevold addressed the meeting briefly regarding his recent appointment to Ireland. The Chairman thanked the Norwegian delegation for their attendance. 4.Suspension The meeting was suspended at 10.30 a.m. The meeting resumed in public session at 3.02 p.m. 5.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Chairman welcomed the Tánaiste who made a presentation on reform of the Irish Insurance Market. This was followed by a question and answer session with the members. 6.Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4.04 p.m. to 9.30 a.m. on 1 April 2004. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September, 2004.v Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeThursday, 1 April 2004.1.The Joint Committee met in CR3, LH2000 at 9.34 a.m. in public session. 2.Attendance In attendance were Deputies Cassidy (in the Chair), Callanan, Dempsey, Howlin, McHugh, Murphy and Wilkinson and Senators Coghlan, Hanafin and Leyden. Apologies were received from Deputies Hogan, Lynch and Nolan. 3.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Minister for Justice, Minister McDowell, attended and made a presentation on Reform of the Irish Insurance Market. A question and answer session followed the presentation which covered such areas as the need for an inquiry into personal injury action legal costs, penalty points, speed cameras, traffic corps. The Chairman thanked the Minister for his presentation and particularly for his agreement to begin an inquiry into personal injury legal costs, as recommended by the Joint Committee. 4.Suspension The meeting was suspended at 10.46. The meeting reconvened at 12.02 p.m. in private session. 5.Item discussed in Private Session 6.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Joint Committee went into public session at 12.12 p.m. The Chairman welcomed the following groups: AXA Insurance — represented by Mr. John O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Pat Healy, Executive Director and Mr. Paul Moloney. Hibernian represented by Mr. Dick O’Driscoll, Managing Director, Mr. Brian Heuston, Director and Ms. Laura Booth, Executive Manager. Quinn Direct represented by Mr. Kevin Lunney, Financial Services Director, Ms. Sylvia Coldrick, Underwriting Manager and Mr. Shane Morrision, Financial Planning Director. FBD Insurance represented by Mr. Philip Fitzsimons, Chief Executive and Mr. Adrian Taheny, Director of Marketing and Sales. The Irish Hotels Federation represented by Mr. John Power, Chief Executive and Mr. Richard Bourke, President. The Alliance for Insurance Reform represented by Mr. Mark Whitaker and Mr. Barry English. Each group made a brief presentation which was followed by a question and answer session with members. 7.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 2.30 p.m. until Wednesday 7 April 2004 at 11.30 a.m. when the Chairman advised the members that IFSRA would be making a presentation. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September 2004 Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 7 April 2004.1.The Joint Committee met at 11.45 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000. In attendance were Deputies Cassidy (in the Chair), R. Bruton, T. Dempsey, P. Hogan, B. Howlin, P. McHugh and O. Wilkinson and Senators Coghlan and Leyden. Deputy R. Bruton attended in substitution for Deputy G. Murphy. Deputy Michael Finucane also attended. 2.Item discussed in Private Session The Joint Committee went into private session at 11.45 a.m. 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Public Session The Joint Committee went into public session at 11.47 a.m. The meeting was suspended at 11.48 a.m. until 11.53 a.m. The meeting was again suspended at 12.35 p.m. until 12.51 p.m. The Joint Committee went into public session at 12.51 p.m. 5.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Chairman welcomed Dr. Liam O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Mr. Patrick Neary, Prudential Director, Mr. Frank Brosnan and Ms. Sharon Donnery, from the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and Mr. Tony Briscoe from IBEC. Following the presentations, a question and answer session took place with the members 6.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 1.16 p.m. to 9.30 a.m. on 21 April 2004. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September, 2004 Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 21 April 2004.1.The Joint Committee met at 9.45 a.m. in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000. In attendance were Deputies Cassidy (in the Chair), J. Callanan, P. Hogan, K. Lynch, O. Wilkinson and Senators P.Burke, J. Hanafin and E. Scanlon. Apologies were received from Deputies T. Dempsey and M.J. Nolan. Senator P. Burke attended in substitution for Senator P. Coghlan and Senator E. Scanlon attended in substitution for Senator T. Leyden. 2.Item discussed in Private Session The Joint Committee went into private session at 9.46 a.m. 3.Item discussed in Private Session The Joint Committee went into public session at 9.46 a.m. 4.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Chairman welcomed Mr. Liam Kelleher and George Hennessy, from the Construction Industry Federation, Mr. Jim O’Mahony and Mr. John Bisset from Coyle Hamilton, Mr. Mike Murphy, Ms. Tanya Murphy and Mr. Gary Owens from the Mike Murphy Insurance group and Mr. David Dillane from Dolmen Insurance Brokers Ltd. Following the presentations, a question and answer session took place with the members. 5.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11.40 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. on 28 April 2004. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 28 April 2004.1.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 4, in Leinster House 2000 on Wednesday 28th April 2004 at 9.36 a.m. 2.Attendance In attendance were Deputies D. Cassidy (in the Chair), J. Callanan, T. Dempsey, P. Hogan, C. Lenihan, K. Lynch, P. McHugh, G. Murphy, M.J. Nolan, O. Wilkinson and Senator T. Leyden. Apologies were received from Deputy B. Howlin and Senator P. Coghlan. 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Public Session Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Chairman welcomed Mr. Joe Grogan, Mr. John Deegan, Mr. Kieran McHugh, Mr. Peter Lyons, Marsh Ireland to the meeting. Mr. Grogan gave a detailed presentation on the operations of Marsh Ireland. A question and answer session ensued with the members. At the conclusion of the debate The Chairman thanked the representatives of Marsh Ireland for attending and for participating in the debate. Suspension The meeting was then suspended at 10.42 a.m. until Wednesday 28th April 2004 at 2.30 p.m. The meeting resumed at 2.37 p.m. The vice Chairman, Deputy Conor Lenihan T.D. took the Chair. Reform of the Irish Insurance Market Mr Michael Kemp, Mr. Michael Horan from the Irish Insurance Federation, Mr. Julian James, Mr. John Murphy, Mr. Ray McGovern and Mr. Mark Swinbank from Lloyd’s and Mr. Brendan Murphy and Mr. Sean Maher from Allianz attended. Following presentations by each group a question and answer session ensued with the members. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4.22 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on 29th April 2004. _________________________ Donie Cassidy T.D. Chairman 28 September 2004 Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeThursday, 29 April 2004.1.The Joint Committee met at 9.37 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000. In attendance were Deputies Cassidy (in the Chair), J. Callanan (in the Chair: 9.53 a.m. — 10.04 a.m.), T. Dempsey, P. Hogan, K. Lynch, O. Wilkinson and Senators P. Coghlan and T. Leyden. 2.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Chairman welcomed Mr. Paul Lynch, Mr. David Cowman, Mr. Donagh McSharry, Mr. Paul Kavanagh from the IBA and Mr. Diarmuid Kelly, Mr. John Hogan and Mr. Derek Fitzgerald from PIBA. Each group made a presentation on Reform of the Irish Insurance Market which was then followed by a question and answer session with the members. 3.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10.48 a.m. until 9.30 a.m. on 5 May 2004. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 5 May 2004.1.The Joint Committee met at 9.38 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000. In attendance were Deputies Cassidy (in the Chair), J. Callanan, T. Dempsey, P. Hogan, K. Lynch, O. Wilkinson and Senator T. Leyden. 2.Public Session The Joint Committee went into public session at 9.38 a.m. 3.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Chairman welcomed Minister Frank Fahey who made a presentation on the Health and Safety Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session with the members. 4.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9.58 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on 6 May 2004. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeThursday, 6 May 2004.1.The Joint Committee met at 2.36 p.m. in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000. In attendance were Deputies Cassidy (in the Chair), J. Callanan, T. Dempsey, B. Howlin, C. Lenihan, P. McHugh, O. Wilkinson and Senators P. Coghlan and T. Leyden. 2.Item discussed in Private Session The Joint Committee went into private session at 2.36 p.m. The Joint Committee went into public session at 2.38 p.m. 3.Reform of the Irish Insurance Market The Chairman welcomed Minister Seamus Brennan, who made a presentation on Reform of the Irish Insurance Market. This was followed by a question and answer session with the members. Following the presentation the Chairman thanked all members for their co-operation and attendance at the hearings on Insurance. The meeting went into private session at 3.39 p.m. 4.Adjournment It was agreed to adjourn at 3.44 p.m. to 9.30 a.m. on 12 May 2004. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 12 May, 2004.The Joint Committee met at 9.32 a.m. in private session in Committee Room 4, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Phil Hogan; Kathleen Lynch; M.J. Nolan; Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan; Terry Leyden. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Any other business/Adjournment: As there was no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 10.08 a.m. until Tuesday 18 May, 2004. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 19 May, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 9.40 a.m. in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Phil Hogan and Gerard Murphy. Senators: Paul Coghlan and Terry Leyden. 2.Oireachtas Scrutiny of EU Proposals: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment were invited to make a presentation to the Committee on Com (2003) 799 which was a proposal to amend basic anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulations. However, as the proposal had already been adopted by Council in March, 2004 it was decided that a note to the Committee to that effect would suffice. A presentation was then made by Conor O’Mahony of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Alan Reilly of the Food Safety Authority regarding Com (2003) 689 which is a revised regulation on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. After the presentation a question and answer session with the members was held after which the Chairman thanked the representatives from both organizations. The meeting then went into private session. 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Item discussed in Private Session 5.Any other business/Adjournment: As there was no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 10.28 a.m. until Tuesday 25 May, 2004. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 28 September, 2004. The Joint Meeting of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business and the Joint Committee on Social and Family AffairsProceedings of the Joint CommitteeTuesday, 25 May, 20041.The meeting which was a joint meeting with the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs commenced at 2.33 p.m. in private session. 2.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Dan Boyle (in substitution for Deputy Paudge Connolly), Joe Callanan, John Carty, Donie Cassidy, Seymour Crawford, Tony Dempsey, Kathleen Lynch, Paul McGrath (in substitution for Deputy Phil Hogan), Paddy McHugh, William Penrose, Dan Wallace and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, Maurice Cummins [and Camillus Glynn and Kieran Phelan (in substitution for Senators Terry Leyden and Diarmuid Wilson respectively)]. Apologies for inability to attend were received from Deputy Charlie O’Connor and from Senators Kate Walsh and Diarmuid Wilson. Bishop Roy Warke, Reverend Robert Whiteside, Ms Lesley Whiteside, Ms Ann Purdon, Ms Elizabeth Moore and Mr Oisin Coughlan (Christian Aid) representing the Parishioners and Friends of the Church of Ireland parishes of St Nicholas, Almoritia, St Bigseach, Kilbixy, St Etchen’s, Killucan and All Saints, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.attended in connection with Item 4. It was decided that Deputies Cassidy and Penrose (chairmen of the respective Joint Committees) would jointly chair the meeting. The Joint Committee went into public session at 2.36pm. 3.Presentation on Fair Trade Issues by a delegation of Parishioners and Friends of the Church of Ireland parishes of St Nicholas, Almoritia, St Bigseach, Kilbixy, St Etchen’s, Killucan and All Saints, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. A delegation of Parishioners and Friends of the Church of Ireland parishes of St Nicholas, Almoritia, St Bigseach, Kilbixy, St Etchen’s, Killucan and All Saints, Mullingar, Co Westmeath comprising Bishop Roy Warke, Rev Robert Whiteside, Ms Lesley Whiteside, Ms Ann Purdon, Ms Elizabeth Moore, and Mr Oisin Coughlan (Christian Aid) conveyed the greetings of Reverend Richard Clarke, Bishop of Meath and Kildare and made a presentation to the meeting in relation to Fair Trade issues. It was decided to write to the Ministers for Social and Family Affairs and Enterprise, Trade and Employment endorsing the position taken by the delegation. It was also decided, in particular, that (1) the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business should seek an annual meeting with the Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs regarding the publication of the national trade policy statement and that the committees should ask the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and development to present the statement and discuss it with the two committees, (2) that the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business call on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to publish an annual report on progress in implementing the national trade policy statement and (3) that the meeting at (1) should occur annually to consider the progress report and discuss it with the two relevant Ministers. It was further decided that the Joint Committees should write to the catering outlets within the Oireachtas requesting that only fair trade tea and coffee be used in the outlets and that the Joint Committees should similarly urge the departments of state whose remits they consider (and the state agencies reporting to these departments of state) to likewise use only fair trade tea and coffee in their respective catering outlets and that the Joint Committees be advised of progress regarding changeovers. The Joint Committee went into private session at 3.46pm 4.Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3.48pm. _________________________ Donie Cassidy T.D. Chairman 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday 2 June 20041.The Joint Committee met at 10.41 a.m. In attendance were Deputies Donie Cassidy (in the Chair), J. Callanan, T. Dempsey, B. Howlin, P.McHugh, M.J. Nolan, O. Wilkinson and Senator T. Leyden. Deputy J. Breen also attended. Apologies were received from Deputy K. Lynch. 2.Public Session The Joint Committee went into public session at 10.41 a.m. 3.Presentation by the Irish Road Haulage Association The Committee heard a presentation from the Irish Road Haulage Association regarding recent increases in fuel costs. Appearing before the Committee were Mr. Eamon Morrissey, President, Mr. Sean Murtagh, Mr. Eugene Drennan, Mr. Jimmy Quinn and Liam Brewer. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session with the members. The Committee agreed to forward copies of the presentation to the Tanaiste and the Minister for Finance. Following a request from the Chairman, the delegation agreed to prepare a submission to the Committee on the reform of the insurance market, with particular reference to the cost of commercial insurance. 4.Any other business oThe Chairman advised the meeting that he had been contacted by Tesco who advised him that they would not be in a position to appear before the Committee until September. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to defer its consideration of the supermarket retail sector until mid-September. oThe Committee agreed that as part of its consideration of the reform of the Irish insurance market, it should carry out fact-finding visits to countries where a Traffic Corp is in operation, such visits to take place in late June. The Clerk was requested to make the necessary inquiries and report back to the next meeting. 5.Item discussed in Private Session The Joint Committee went into private session at 11.32 a.m. 6.Item discussed in Private Session 7.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11.36 am. _________________________ Chairman Donie Cassidy T.D. 28 September 2004 Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 16 June, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 9.36 a.m. in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Phil Hogan, Kathleen Lynch; Gerard Murphy; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin, Terry Leyden and Camilluss Glynn. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: 4.Discussion with representatives from the Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on issues arising in relation to the recent Prime Time investigation into immigrant workers in certain industries in Ireland. This meeting had been convened to consider the above matter and to allow the Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment present their view to the Committee on this matter. Ms. Denise Charlton, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Mr. Derek Stewart, Solicitor and member of the Immigrant Council’s Steering Committee made the first presentation to the Committee. There was then a question and answer session with members. After the presentation the Chairman thanked the delegation. There was then a presentation made by Mr. John Walsh and Mr. Sean Gorman of the Employment Rights and Industrial Relations and Labour Force Development Divisions of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment — also in attendance from those Divisions were Mr. Michael Cunniffe, Mr. Fergus McCafferty and Mr. Eddie Nolan — all made contributions. After the presentation a question and answer session with the members was held after which the Chairman thanked the representatives from the Department. 5.Item discussed in Private Session As there was no other business, the Committee adjourned at 11.33 a.m. sine die. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 20 July, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 30 June, 2004.The Joint Committee met in private session at 9.38 a.m. in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Brendan Howlin; Kathleen Lynch; Paddy McHugh; Gerard Murphy; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, Terry Leyden and Kieran Phelan. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: 4.Discussion with representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on Com (2004) 96, a proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and Council establishing a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible. Mr. Kieran Grace, from the Department, made the presentation. He was accompanied by Mr. Tom Sheedy from Enterprise Ireland, who assisted with questions from members. When the question and answer session that followed had concluded and the Committee agreed that the proposal didn’t warrant further scrutiny, the Chairman thanked the delegation. 5.There was a second discussion with officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on Com (2004) 177 — an EU proposal for a Directive on statutory audit of annual accounts and consolidated accounts. After the presentation the Chairman thanked the delegation. At this briefing the Department was represented by Mr. Philip Donnegan and Mr. Dermot Sheridan. After Mr. Donnegan concluded his presentation there was a question and answer session with members. When this concluded the Committee agreed that this proposal did not warrant any further scrutiny and the Chairman thanked the delegation 6.Any Other Business: As there was no other business, the Committee adjourned at 10.28 a.m. until Tuesday 13 July. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 14 July, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 12.36 pm Committee Room 1, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Brendan Howlin; Conor Lenihan; Kathleen Lynch; Paddy McHugh; Gerard Murphy; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. The Chairman proposed and it was agreed due to time constraints that all correspondence would be deferred until the Committee’s next meeting and that the meeting would continue in private session. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Any Other Business: The meeting adjourned at 3.28 pm until Friday 16 July at 10.30 am. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 20 July, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeFriday, 16 July, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 10.37 a.m. Committee Room 3, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Phil Hogan; Brendan Howlin; Paddy McHugh; Gerard Murphy; M.J.Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. The Chairman proposed and it was agreed that the meeting would continue in private session. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Any Other Business: The meeting adjourned at 10.48 a.m. until Tuesday 20 July at 2.30 p.m. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 20 July, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 20 July, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 2.36 p.m. in Committee Room 4, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Michael Finneran, Kathleen Lynch; Paddy McHugh; Gerard Murphy; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paddy Burke, Paul Coghlan, Camillus Glynn, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. Deputy Michael Finneran attended in substitution for Deputy Conor Lenihan. Senator Paddy Burke attended in substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan for part of the meeting and Senator Camillus Glynn attended in substitution for Senator John Hanafin for part of the meeting. Apologies were received from Deputy Brendan Howlin. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: 4.Discussion with representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on two EU legislative proposals. Mr. Padraig Cullinane, Ms. Marie Dempsey and Mr. John Maher represented the Department. Mr. Cullinane delivered the briefing on Com (2004) 239 regarding a proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States and a Recommendation for a Council on Com (2004) 96, a proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and Council establishing a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible. When the question and answer session that followed had concluded and the Committee agreed that the proposal didn’t warrant further scrutiny, the Chairman thanked the delegation. 5.The second discussion was with an official form the Central Statistics Office on Com (2004) 95 which concerns a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statistics relating to vocational training in enterprises. Mr. Gerry O’Hanlon delivered the briefing on this proposal. Again, after the presentation and question and answer session had concluded and the Committee agreed that the proposal did not warrant further scrutiny, the Chairman thanked the delegation. In Private Session: The Joint Committee went into private session at 3.37 p.m. 6.Any Other Business: As there was no other business, the Committee adjourned at 3.44 p.m. sine die. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 28 September, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeTuesday, 28 September, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 4.02 p.m. in Committee Room 1, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; John Carty; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Jim Devins; Michael Finneran; Brendan Howlin; Paddy McHugh and Gerard Murphy. Senators: Paddy Burke; Paul Coghlan; Geraldine Feeney and John Hanafin. Deputy Michael Finneran attended in substitution for Deputy Joe Callanan for part of the meeting. Deputies Jim Devins and John Carty attended in substitution for Deputies Tony Dempsey and Ollie Wilkinson respectively for the meeting. Senator Paddy Burke (Leas-Chathaoirleach) attended in substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan for part of the meeting. Senator Geraldine Feeney attended in substitution for Senator Terry Leyden. Apologies were received from Deputies Kathleen Lynch and M.J. Nolan and Senator Terry Leyden. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Item discussed in Private Session 5.Item discussed in Private Session 6.Any Other Business: As there was no other business, the Committee adjourned at 4.38 p.m. until Wednesday 6th October 2004 at 9.30 a.m. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 20 October, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 6 October, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 9.33 a.m. in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Phil Hogan; Kathleen Lynch; Paddy McHugh; Gerard Murphy; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: The Committee then went into public session to discuss the Annual Accounts of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland with the Chief Executives of both agencies. The first presentation was made by the Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland, Mr. Frank Ryan, who was accompanied by Mr Feargal Ó Móráin, Director, Corporate Services & Policy, Applied Research and Investment Services; Ms Julie Sinnamon, Manager, Corporate Development and Human Resources and Mr. Paddy Hopkins, Manager, Corporate Services. Many of the members paid tribute to Mr. Ryan on his recent appointment to the position of Chief Executive and congratulated Enterprise Ireland for its contribution to current economic boom in Ireland. After a comprehensive briefing there was a question and answer between members and the delegation after which the Chairman thanked the delegation. The second discussion was with the Chief Executive of the Industrial Development Agency of Ireland, Mr. Sean Dorgan. Mr. Dorgan was accompanied by Mr. Dermot Clohessy, Head of Regional Development & Property and Mr. Enda Connolly, Head of Education, Skills & Research and Press. The Chairman followed the same format as before, beginning with a presentation from Mr. Dorgan, followed by a question and answer session with members. After a very fruitful discussion to which most members contributed, the Chairman thanked the delegation. Again, Mr. Dorgan and his staff were congratulated for the excellent job that this State Agency was doing for the people and country. In Private Session: As there was no other Business, the Committee adjourned at 11.37 a.m. until 20 October. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 20 October, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 20 October, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 9.36 a.m. in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Phil Hogan; Brendan Howlin; Paddy McHugh; Gerard Murphy and M.J. Nolan. Senators: John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. Substitutions: Deputies John Denehey and Dan Wallace substituted respectively for Deputies Tony Dempsey and Ollie Wilkinson. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: The Committee then went into public session to hear a presentation from the European Anti Poverty Network, represented by Mr. Brian Carty, European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland; Ms. Brid O’Brien, Pavee Point; Ms. Orla O’Connor, National Womens Council of Ireland and Mr. Philip O’Connor, Dublin Employment Pact. The meeting with this group was convened at their request to discuss the National Employment Action Plan 2004. After an exchange of views between the Anti-Poverty Network and members the Chairman thanked the group for their presentation. The Committee next met with the Irish Wheelchair Association represented by Mr. Seamus Thompson, Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Hugh Farrell, Regional Manager, Midlands region. After a very comprehensive briefing there was a question and answer between members, after which the Committee agreed that it would forward copies of all documentation to both the Minister for Health and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to a possible vote transfer of the funding for Community Employment from its current home in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Department of Health. The Chairman and members paid individual tributes to this organization for its work in the area of disability over the years and thanked the delegation for the presentation. In Private Session: As there was no other Business, the Committee adjourned at 11.50 a.m. until 2 November, 2004. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 2 November, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeTuesday, 2 November, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 2.41 pm in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Phil Hogan; Brendan Howlin; Kathleen Lynch; Paddy McHugh; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan; John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. Substitutions: Senator Camillus Glynn substituted in part for Senator John Hanafin. Also attending: Senator Mary White and Senator Fergal Quinn. In Public session: The Chairman welcomed the appointment of the Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen T.D. to the Committee, in substitution for Deputy Gerard Murphy, who was appointed Vice-chairman of the Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights. He also welcomed the Consultants working on the groceries prices issue to the Committee. 2.Minutes: The draft minutes of the meeting of 20 October were circulated and agreed by members. 3.Correspondence: •A letter received from the Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland thanking the Committee for its recent meeting with them and for the compliments the Committee paid to the Agency and offering assistance whenever the Committee proceeds with its plans to visit the regions as mentioned at that meeting was noted. •A letter received by the Clerk from Dunnes Stores declining the Committee’s invitation to appear before them today was read out to the Committee and discussed. The Committee members individually expressed concern that representatives of the company could not attend the meeting. The Chairman stressed, that as a conduit to the industry from the Government and as consumer watchdog on the government’s behalf, the Committee expected all major participants to play their part in assisting this Committee in its investigations into this issue. In that regard the Committee agreed to invite Dunnes Stores to attend a meeting on 15 December on the same topic, at which the Minister will be presenting. It hoped that this was ample time for them to prepare a detailed analysis of the situation for presentation to the Committee. •Aldi also sent a letter to the Clerk declining the invitation to appear before the Committee. This was also discussed and again members expressed disappointed at the fact that they had refused to co-operate. •The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Michéal Martin, has requested that he defer meeting with the Committee on the multiples issue until 15th December, in the morning, if possible. This request was agreed to by the Committee. •Marks and Spencers have also asked if they could defer meeting with the Committee as they have a new store opening this week in Blanchardstown and said they would like to present to the Committee at a later date or if this is not possible, to make a written submission to the Committee. The Committee agreed to invite them in a t a later date. On the following items of correspondence, the Committee agreed to defer discussion on them until the end of business at the next meeting on the same issue, on 3 November: •The TASTE Council which represents the Irish artisan and speciality food industry, whose work is co-ordinated by An Bord Bia, requested in their submission an opportunity to address the Committee. •The Dublin Meath Growers Association also made a submission to the Committee and asked that they be given an opportunity to address the Committee. This request was supported by a letter sent to the Chairman by Deputy Mary Walace. •A letter from Retail Ireland, a representative body for the retail sector in Ireland, which is affiliated to IBEC and was established over the summer, also requesting an opportunity to address the Committee regarding the grocery prices issue. 4.Presentations on the grocery prices issue: The Committee then went on to hear presentations from Tesco’s Ireland and Superquinn on the above issue. They firstly heard form Tesco’s Mr. Dermot Breen, Director and Mr. Gordon Fryett, Chief Executive. After the presentation there were detailed questions by members after which the Chairman thanked the delegation for their presentation and requested their continued co-operation if there was any follow-up required by the Committee on this issue. The Committee next met with Superquinn, represented by Senator Fergal Quinn, Chairman of Superquinn and Mr. Eamonn Quinn, Deputy Chairman. Again, after a very comprehensive briefing there was a question and answer between members, after which the Chair thanked both gentlemen for their presentations. In Private Session: As there was no other Business, the Committee adjourned at 5.31p.m. until 3 November at 11.30 am. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 10 November, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 3 November, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 12.43 p.m. in Committee Room 1, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Pat Breen; Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Phil Hogan; Brendan Howlin; Kathleen Lynch; Paddy McHugh; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. Also attending: Deputies Ned O’Keeffe and Peter Power. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: 4.Presentations on the Grocery Prices Issue: The Committee then went into public session to hear presentations from RGDATA and the BWG group on the above issue. RGDATA were the first group to present and were represented by Ms. Tara Buckley, Director General, Mr. Ray Ryan, President, Mr. Jim Marshall, Director and Mr. John Pettitt, a member of RGDATA. The Chairman welcomed the delegation, before inviting Ms. Buckley to make the presentation. There were then individual shorter presentations by each member of the delegation. There was then a question and answer session by members with the group after which the Chairman thanked the delegation for such a comprehensive presentation. The Committee next met with BWG Foods Ltd (BWGFL), represented by Mr. Leo Crawford - Group Chief Executive, Mr. John O’Donnell - Group Finance Director, Mr. Conor Whelan - Managing Director and Mr. Simon Marriott - Trading Director - BWG Foods Ltd. Mr. Crawford made the presentation, after which there was a question and answer with members to which all members of the delegation contributed. The Chairman then thanked the delegation for their briefing. 5.Any Other Business: As there was no other Business, the Committee adjourned at 3.54 p.m. until 10 November, 2004 at 9.30 a.m. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 10 November, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 10 November, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 9.30 a.m. in Committee Room 4, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Pat Breen; Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Phil Hogan; Brendan Howlin; Kathleen Lynch; Paddy McHugh; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. Also attending: Deputies Ned O’Keeffe and Peter Power. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: 4.Presentations on the Grocery Prices Issue: The Committee then went into public session to hear presentations on the grocery prices issue by the Competition Authority, Lidl Ireland GmbH and the Musgrave Group. The Competition Authority was the first to present and was represented by Dr. John Fingleton, Chairman and Ms. Carol Boate, Division Manager, Advocacy Division. After a very comprehensive briefing there was a detailed question and answer session with Dr. Fingleton, after which the Chair thanked him for his presentation. The next two presentations from Lidl and Musgraves were then both taken together, with the managing director of Lidl Ireland GmbH, Mr. Patrick Kaudewitz, beginning. The Committee then heard from Musgraves represented by Mr. Seamus Scally, Group Managing Director; Mr. Chris Martin, Group Finance Director, and Mr. Donal Horgan, Managing Director, Musgrave SuperValu Centra. When both groups had completed their presentations there was a joint question and answer session with both, after which the respective groups were thanked by the Chairman. 5.Any Other Business: As there was no other business, the meeting was suspended until 2.30 pm that afternoon to meet with Professor David Weissbrodt and Amnesty International on EU Business Norms. 6.Resumption of meeting at 2.30 pm: Item discussed in Private Session 7.Presentation by Professor David Weissbrodt of the University of Minnesota Law School on EU Business Norms. Professor Weissbrodt gave a presentation on his views on the above topic, accompanied by Mr. Colm Ó Cuanacháin, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, after which there was a short question and answer session. The Chairman thanked Professor Weissbrodt and Mr. O’Cuanacahin for attending the meeting and for their presentation. As there was no other business, the meeting was adjourned until 9.30 a.m. on 11 November 2004. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 8 December, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeThursday, 11 November, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 9.30 a.m. in Committee Room 1, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Pat Breen; Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Brendan Howlin; Paddy McHugh; M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan and Terry Leyden. Apologies were received from Deputy Kathleen Lynch. In Private session: 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: 4.Presentations on the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill, 2004. The Committee went into public session to hear a presentations from the Council of Civil Liberties, represented by Ms. Aisling Reidy, Director and Mr. Malachy Murphy, Co-chair; from IBEC represented by Mr. Tony Briscoe, Assistant Director and Mr. Fergus Whelan, Unions Services Officer, Irish Congress of Trade Unions; Mr. Eamon Devoy, Chairman Health & Safety Sub-Committee; TEEU Mr. Sylvester Cronin, Director Health & Safety Policy, SIPTU and Ms. Louise O’Donnell, Assistant General Secretary, IMPACT and from the CIF represented by Mr. Dermot Carey, Safety Services Executive and Mr. Peter McCabe, Director. The Chairman welcomed the delegations, before inviting Ms. Reidy to begin on behalf of the Council for Civil Liberties, followed by IBEC, the CIF and ICTU. There was then a question and answer session by members with each group after which the Chairman thanked each delegation for their respective presentations. In Private Session: 5.Any Other Business: As there was no other Business, the Committee adjourned at 10.50 a.m. until 8 December. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 8 December, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeThursday, 25 November, 2004.The Joint Committee met in private session at 11.34 a.m. in Room A, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Pat Breen; Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Kathleen Lynch and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden. 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session 4.Any other business: As there was no other business, the Committee adjourned sine die. _________________________ Deputy Donie Cassidy, Chairman. 8 December, 2004. Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small BusinessProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 8 December, 2004.The Joint Committee met in public session at 9.38 a.m. in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, a quorum being present. 1.Attendance: The following members attended: Deputies: Martin Brady; Pat Breen; Joe Callanan; Donie Cassidy (Chairman); Tony Dempsey; Phil Hogan; Brendan Howlin; Kathleen Lynch; Paddy McHugh; and Ollie Wilkinson. Senators: Paul Coghlan and Terry Leyden. In Private session: 2.Item discussed in Private Session 3.Item discussed in Private Session In Public Session: 4.Presentations on the on the revised auditing directive (or 8th Directive), scrutinized by the Committee on 30 June 2004 under scrutiny of EU legislative proposals. The Committee went into public session to hear a presentations from the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies in Ireland represented by Mr. Terence O’Rourke from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and Chairman of CCAB-I; Mr. Brendan Murtagh from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; Mr. Eamon Siggins from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland and Ms. Heather Briers from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. Mr. O’Rourke delivered the address to the Committee. There was then a question and answer session by members. At the conclusion of same, the Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment supporting the CCAB-I’s view that the audit threshold in Ireland at €1.5 million is too low and should be brought in line with the threshold which operates in most of Europe, of €7.5 million, as it is too onerous on SME’s. The Chairman then thanked the delegation for their presentation. In Private Session: 5.Any Other Business: As there was no other business the meeting was adjourned at 10.30 a.m. until Wednesday 15 December. _________________________ Donie Cassidy, T.D., Chairman. 13 January, 2005. |
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