Committee Reports::Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, 2006::01 February, 2007::Report


Tithe an Oireachtais


An Comhchoiste um Fhiontraíocht agus Mionghnóthaí


Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2006


agus


Clár Oibre 2007


Feabhra 2007


Houses of the Oireachtas


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Annual Report 2006


and


Work Programme 2007


February 2007


Annual Report 2006 and Work Programme 2007


Table of Contents

1.

Content and Format of Report

2.

Functions and Powers

3.

Chairman, Vice Chairman, Convenors and Membership

4.

Meetings, Attendance and Recording

5.

Number and Duration of Meetings

6.

Work of the Committee

7.

Groups and Individuals attending before Committee

8.

Reports

9.

Travel

10.

Functions and Powers

APPENDIX 1 - Orders of Reference

APPENDIX 2 - Members of the Joint Committee

APPENDIX 3 - Meetings of the Joint Committee

APPENDIX 4 - Meetings of the Dáil Select Committee

APPENDIX 5 - Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee

APPENDIX 6 - Work Programme 2007

1. Content and Format of Report

This report has been prepared pursuant to Standing Order 84 (3), (4), (5) and (6) (Dáil Éireann) and Standing Order 69 (3), (4), (5) and (6) (Seanad Éireann) which provide for the Joint Committee to-


  • undertake a review of its procedure and its role generally
  • prepare an annual work programme
  • lay minutes of its proceedings before both Houses
  • make an annual report to both Houses.

At its meeting on 14th February 2007, the Joint Committee agreed that all these items should be included in this annual report.


2. Functions and Powers

The Dáil Select Committee was established by Order of Dáil Éireann of 16 October 2002 to consider Bills, Estimates for Public Services and the terms of any international agreement involving a charge on public funds which come within the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.


The Dáil Select Committee under the same Order was enjoined with a Select Committee of Seanad Éireann, established by Order of Seanad Éireann of 17 October 2002, to form the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. Among the principal functions of the Joint Committee are to consider –


  • public affairs administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
  • matters of policy for which the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible
  • legislative and expenditure proposals of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
  • scrutiny of EU legislative proposals
  • certain matters relating to bodies under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Orders of Reference of the Dáil Select Committee and the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 1.


3. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Convenors and Membership

Deputy Donie Cassidy was elected as Chairman of the Joint Committee on 13th November 2002. Deputy Martin Brady was elected as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on 25th November 2004. The Chairman of the Joint Committee is also Chairman of the Dáil Select Committee.


Deputies Joe Callanan and Breeda Moynihan-Cronin are the Convenors of the Committee whose function it is to ensure the availability and attendance of Members or their substitutes for meetings of the Committee and, in particular, to ensure Members’ availability for divisions.


The Members of the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 2.


4. Meetings, Attendance and Recording

Meetings of the Joint Committee and Select Committee took place in the Committee rooms in Leinster House 2000. Meetings were in public unless otherwise ordered by the Committee.


Televised coverage of public meetings of the Committee were broadcast live within the Leinster House complex and was available for subsequent public broadcasting by RTE, TV3 and TG4.


An Official Report (Parliamentary Debates) of the public meetings of the Committees is published and may be purchased from the Government Publications Sales Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Official Reports may also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas website at www.oireachtas.ie.


Copies of other reports published by the Joint Committee may be obtained from the Clerk, Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. A list of these reports is set out at paragraph 8.


5. Number and Duration of Meetings

The Joint Committee met on 31 occasions in the year under report. The number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 33 hours. The date and subject matter of each meeting is set out in paragraph 6 below and at Appendix 3.


The Dáil Select Committee met on 8 occasions in the year under report and the number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 11 hours. The date and subject matter of each meeting is set out in paragraph 6 below and at Appendix 4.


Minutes of proceedings of the Joint Committee meetings in public session are attached at Appendix 5.


6. Work of the Committee

6.1 Joint Committee

On the 31 occasions the Joint Committee met, it dealt with the following matters:


  • Reform of the Irish Insurance Market (3rd Phase, 4th Phase and 5th Phase)
  • Hearings on the Employment Permits Bill 2005
  • Statutory Instrument in draft: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Accountancy Bodies) Regulations, 2006
  • IDA Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2004
  • (i) Joint Employment Report 2004/2005 (as part of the National Employment Action Plan process) and (ii) Annual Progress Report 2006 (as part of the new National Reform Programme - Jobs and Growth process)
  • National Framework Committee for Equal Opportunities
  • Small and Medium Size Businesses
  • Developing Young Enterprise
  • Fourth Joint Committee Report: ‘Innovation, Competition and Regulation – Achieving the Balance’
  • North/South matters of interest
  • The impact of Resource Recovery Parks from the perspective of reducing business costs of waste management and job creation
  • (i) An overview of the operations of the Competition Authority, (ii) The effect on the grocery prices arising from the abolition of the Groceries Order and (iii) The clearance by the Competition Authority for the sale of Statoil’s Irish Unit to Topaz
  • Small Business is Big Business
  • Enterprise Ireland, Annual Report and Accounts 2005
  • Health and Safety among Small Businesses
  • Scrutiny of EU legislative proposals

A copy of the Joint Committee’s work programme for 2007 is at Appendix 6.


6.2 Dáil Select Committee

On the 8 occasions the Dáil Select Committee met, it dealt with the following matters:


  • Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005
  • Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005
  • Employment Permits Bill 2005
  • 2006 Revised Estimates for Public Services – Vote 34 (Enterprise, Trade and Employment)
  • Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999
  • Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]
  • Industrial Development Bill 2006
  • Motion re. the Ratification by Ireland of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty

7. Groups and Individuals attending before Committee

In the year under report, the Joint Committee met with the following organisations, groups and individuals:


  • Migrant Rights Centre Ireland
  • IDA Ireland
  • European Anti-Poverty Network
  • Parliamentary Delegation from Russia
  • Parliamentary Delegation from Finland
  • I.B.E.C.
  • The Equality Authority
  • AXA Insurance
  • Hibernian General Insurance
  • Quinn Direct Insurance
  • Mr. Sai Prakash and Dr. Prabhu Kulkarni, Indian Business Forum
  • FBD Insurance
  • Financial Regulator
  • Society of the Irish Motor Industry
  • Health and Safety Authority
  • National Roads Authority
  • Junior Achievement Ireland
  • Mr. Seán Farren MLA, SDLP Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Investment and SDLP members
  • Dr. Niamh Clune, Wealth from Waste
  • Allianz Ireland PLC
  • Personal Injuries Assessment Board
  • Mr. William Prasifka, Chairman, the Competition Authority
  • Assistant Commissioner E. Rock, Traffic, An Garda Síochána
  • Road Safety Authority
  • Small Business Forum
  • Mr. Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Transport
  • Enterprise Ireland
  • National Irish Safety Organisation
  • Officials from the Department of the Taoiseach
  • Officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

8. Reports

8.1 Joint Committee Reports

During the year under report, the Joint Committee published the following reports:


  • Annual Report 2005 and Work Programme 2006
  • Sixth Report: Third Interim Report on Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market
  • Seventh Report: Fourth Interim Report on Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market - Road Safety
  • Eighth Report Examination of the U.K. retail sector, planning system, predatory pricing and the unfair treatment of suppliers
  • EU Scrutiny Report No. 21: COM(2003)689 final: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
  • EU Scrutiny Report No. 22: COM(2004)95 final: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statistics relating to vocational training in enterprises
  • EU Scrutiny Report No. 23: COM(2004)239 final: Communication from the Commission Strengthening the implementation of the European Employment Strategy. Proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. Recommendation for a Council Recommendation on the implementation of Member States’ employment policies
  • EU Scrutiny Report No. 24: COM(2003)644 final: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency and amending Directive 1999/45/EC and Regulation (EC) {on Persistent Organic Pollutants}. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 67/548/EEC in order to adapt it to Regulation (EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals
  • EU Scrutiny Report No. 25: COM(2003)703 final: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Cross-Border Mergers of Companies with Share Capital
  • EU Scrutiny Report No. 26: COM(2004)493 final: COM(2004)493 final: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund

COM(2005)523 final: Amended Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund


COM(2004)488 final: Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing a Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity - PROGRESS


COM(2005)536 final: Amended Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing a Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS


  • EU Scrutiny Report No. 27: COM(2004)725 final: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council Amending Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC Concerning the Annual Accounts of Certain Types of Companies and Consolidated Accounts
  • EU Scrutiny Report No. 28: COM(2005)119 final: Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the seventh framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013). Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the seventh framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007-2011) – Building the Europe of Knowledge

COM(2006) 364 final: Amended proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the seventh framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013). Amended Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the seventh framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007-2011)


COM(2005)439 final: Proposal for a Council Decision Concerning the Specific Programme to be Carried out by Means of Direct Actions by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) Under the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007-2013)


COM(2005)440 final: Proposal for a Council Decision Concerning the Specific Programme “Cooperation” Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) of the European Community Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities


COM(2005)441 final: Proposal for a Council Decision Concerning the Specific Programme “Ideas” Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) of the European Community Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities


COM(2005)442 final: Proposal for a Council Decision Concerning the Specific Programme “People” Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities


COM(2005)443 final: Proposal for a Council Decision Concerning the Specific Programme “Capacities” Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities


8.2 Work in Progress

  • Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market (Review on-going)
  • Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals

9. Travel

The Joint Committee undertook the following travel in accordance with its Orders of Reference in connection with its work programme.


India

a)

Purpose of travel:

Trade Mission by the Taoiseach to India

Date of Destination:

15th to 19th January 2006

Members travelling:

Donie Cassidy TD, Chairman

Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

b)

Purpose of travel:

Ballinasloe for a series of meetings with local interest groups

Date of Destination:

6th March 2006

Members travelling:

Donie Cassidy TD (Chairman), Martin Brady TD, Vice-Chairman, Pat Breen TD, Joe Callanan TD, Phil Hogan TD, Kathleen Lynch TD, Paddy McHugh TD, M.J. Nolan TD, Ned O’Keefffe TD, Senator Paul Coghlan, Senator Terry Leyden and Senator Joe O’Toole

Munich

c)

Purpose of travel:

5th Munich Economic Summit - “Europe and the New Division of Labour”

Date of Destination:

4th to 5th May 2006

Members travelling:

Martin Brady TD, Vice-Chairman, Kathleen Lynch TD and Ned O’Keeffe TD

USA

d)

Purpose of travel:

As part of its continuing examination of Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market

Date of Destination:

18th to 26th June 2006

Members travelling:

Donie Cassidy TD (Chairman), Joe Callanan TD, Tony Dempsey TD and Phil Hogan TD

Ennis, Co. Clare

e)

Purpose of travel:

Ennis for a series of meetings with local interest groups

Date of Destination:

11th September 2006

Members travelling:

Donie Cassidy TD (Chairman), Pat Breen TD, Joe Callanan TD, Phil Hogan TD, Paddy McHugh TD, Senator Paul Coghlan, Senator John Hanafin, Senator Terry Leyden and Senator Joe O’Toole

London, England

f)

Purpose of travel:

PIAB Discussion Forum in London

Date of Destination:

2nd November 2006

Members travelling:

Donie Cassidy TD (Chairman)

10. Functions and Powers

The Joint Committee is currently satisfied with its present procedures and role.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.


Chairman


14th February 2007


APPENDIX 1

Orders of Reference

Committee on Enterprise and Small Business
Orders of Reference

Dáil Éireann on 16 October 2002 ordered:


    1. That a Select Committee, which shall be called the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, consisting of 11 members of Dáil Éireann (of whom 4 shall constitute a quorum), be appointed to consider -
      1. such Bills the statute law in respect of which is dealt with by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment;
      2. such Estimates for Public Services within the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and
      3. such proposals contained in any motion, including any motion within the meaning of Standing Order 157 concerning the approval by the Dáil of international agreements involving a charge on public funds,

      as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.
    2. For the purpose of its consideration of Bills and proposals under paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (iii), the Select Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 81(1), (2) and (3).
    3. For the avoidance of doubt, by virtue of his or her ex officio membership of the Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 90(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.
    1. The Select Committee shall be joined with a Select Committee to be appointed by Seanad Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to consider -
      1. such public affairs administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as it may select, including, in respect of Government policy, bodies under the aegis of that Department;
      2. such matters of policy for which the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is officially responsible as it may select;
      3. such related policy issues as it may select concerning bodies which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by Members of the Government or by the Oireachtas;
      4. such Statutory Instruments made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as it may select;
      5. such proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues as may be referred to it from time to time, in accordance with Standing Order 81(4);
      6. the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and the Joint Committee shall be so authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act;
      7. such annual reports or annual reports and accounts, required by law and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies specified in paragraphs 2(a)(i) and (iii), and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select;
        Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993;
        Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body concerned or by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and
      8. 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.
    2. The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be five, of whom at least one shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and one a member of Seanad Éireann.
    3. The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 81(1) to (9) inclusive.
  1. The Chairman of the Joint Committee, who shall be a member of Dáil Éireann, shall also be Chairman of the Select Committee.”.

Seanad Éireann on 17 October 2002 ordered:


    1. That a Select Committee consisting of 4 members of Seanad Éireann shall be appointed to be joined with a Select Committee of Dáil Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business to consider –
      1. such public affairs administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as it may select, including, in respect of Government policy, bodies under the aegis of that Department;
      2. such matters of policy for which the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is officially responsible as it may select;
      3. such related policy issues as it may select concerning bodies which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by Members of the Government or by the Oireachtas;
      4. such Statutory Instruments made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as it may select;
      5. such proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues as may be referred to it from time to time, in accordance with Standing Order 65(4);
      6. the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and the Joint Committee shall be so authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act;
      7. such annual reports or annual reports and accounts, required by law and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies specified in paragraphs 1(a)(i) and (iii), and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select;
        Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993;
        Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body concerned or by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and
      8. 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.
    2. The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be five, of whom at least one shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and one a member of Seanad Éireann.
    3. The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 65(1) to (9) inclusive.
  1. The Chairman of the Joint Committee shall be a member of Dáil Éireann.”.

APPENDIX 2

Members of the Joint Committee

Members of the Joint Committee


Deputies:

Martin Brady

(FF)1 (Vice-Chairperson)

Pat Breen

(FG)2

Joe Callanan

(FF) (Government Convenor)

Donie Cassidy

(FF) (Chairperson)

Tony Dempsey

(FF)

Phil Hogan

(FG)

Paddy McHugh

(Ind)

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

(Lab)3 (Opposition Convenor)

M. J. Nolan

(FF)

Ned O’Keeffe

(FF)4

Ruairí Quinn

(Lab)5

Senators:

Paul Coghlan

(FG)

John Hanafin

(FF)

Terry Leyden

(FF)

Joe O’Toole

(Ind)6

APPENDIX 3

Meetings of the Joint Committee

Meetings of the Joint Committee


MEETING NO

DATE

SUBJECT

115

10th January 2006

Private Meeting

116

11th January 2006

Consideration of ‘Third Interim Report on Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market’

117

26th January 2006

Hearings on the Employment Permits Bill 2005 – Discussion with the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland

118

1st February 2006

Statutory Instrument in draft: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Accountancy Bodies) Regulations, 2006

119

15th February 2006

IDA Ireland Annual Report 2004: Presentation by the Chief Executive of IDA Ireland

120

1st March 2006

(i) Joint Employment Report 2004/2005 (as part of the National Employment Action Plan process) and (ii) Annual Progress Report 2006 (as part of the new National Reform Programme - Jobs and Growth process) – Discussion with European Anti-Poverty Network

121

22nd March 2006

Discussion with Russian Parliamentary Delegation

122

28th March 2006

Discussion with Finnish Commerce Committee

123

5th April 2006

Scrutiny of EU legislative proposal, presentation by IBEC on: Com (2003) 644: Proposal for a Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

124

12th April 2006

Private Meeting

125

26th April 2006

National Framework Committee for Equal Opportunities - Discussion with Mr. Niall Crowley, Chief Executive Officer, The Equality Authority

126

17th May 2006

Reform of the Irish Insurance Market: Presentations by AXA Insurance, Hibernian General Insurance and Quinn Direct Insurance

127

23rd May 2006

Discussion on Small and Medium Size Businesses with Mr. Sai Prakash and Dr. Prabhu Kulkarni, Indian Business Forum

128

31st May 2006

Reform of the Irish Insurance Market: Presentations by FBD Insurance, Financial Regulator, I.B.E.C. and Society of the Irish Motor Industry

129

14th June 2006

Reform of the Irish Insurance Market: Presentations by the Health and Safety Authority and the National Roads Authority

130

28th June 2006

Developing Young Enterprise - Discussion with Junior Achievement Ireland

131

19th July 2006

Private Meeting

132

26th July 2006

Fourth Joint Committee Report: ‘Innovation, Competition and Regulation – Achieving the Balance’ – Discussion with Department of the Taoiseach

133

27th July 2006

Consideration of ‘Fourth Interim Report on Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market’

134

6th September 2006

Scrutiny of EU legislative proposal, presentations from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Health and Safety Authority on: Com (2003) 644: Proposal for a Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

135

20th September 2006

North/South matters of interest: Discussion with Seán Farren MLA, SDLP Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Investment and SDLP members

136

4th October 2006

The impact of Resource Recovery Parks from the perspective of reducing business costs of waste management and job creation: Discussion with Dr. Niamh Clune, Wealth from Waste

137

11th October 2006

Reform of the Irish Insurance Market: Presentation by Allianz Ireland PLC

138

18th October 2006

Reform of the Irish Insurance Market: Presentation by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board

139

25th October 2006

(i) An overview of the operations of the Competition Authority, (ii) The effect on the grocery prices arising from the abolition of the Groceries Order and (iii) The clearance by the Competition Authority for the sale of Statoil’s Irish Unit to Topaz: Discussion with Mr. William Prasifka, Chairman, the Competition Authority

140

8th November 2006

Reform of the Irish Insurance Market: Presentation by Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock, Traffic, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority

141

15th November 2006

Small Business is Big Business: Discussion with the Small Business Forum

142

22nd November 2006

Reform of the Irish Insurance Market: Discussion with Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Transport

143

30th November 2006

Enterprise Ireland, Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Discussion with the Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland

144

12th December 2006

Health and Safety among Small Businesses: Discussion with the National Irish Safety Organisation

145

20th December 2006

Private meeting

APPENDIX 4

Meetings of the Dáil Select Committee

Meetings of the Dáil Select Committee


MEETING NO:

DATE

SUBJECT

15

31st January 2006

Consideration of the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005

16

21st February 2006

Consideration of the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005

17

8th March 2006

Consideration of the Employment Permits Bill 2005

18

9th March 2006

Consideration of the Employment Permits Bill 2005 (resumed)

19

10th May 2006

2006 Revised Estimates for Public Services – Vote 34 (Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

20

13th July 2006

Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999

21

14th November 2006

Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2006 [Seanad]

22

29th November 2006

(a) Industrial Development Bill 2006


(b) Motion re. the Ratification by Ireland of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty

APPENDIX 5

Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee

Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Tuesday, 10th January, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 2, LH 2000, on Tuesday, 10th January 2006 at 11.42 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Joe Callanan, Kathleen Lynch, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan and Ned O’Keeffe and Senators Paul Coghlan, Camillus Glynn (in part substitution for Senator Terry Leyden), John Hanafin and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputies Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Pat Breen, Phil Hogan and Brendan Howlin.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1.16 p.m. until Wednesday 11th January 2006 at 11.30 a.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


26th January, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 11th January, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 11th January 2006 at 11.31 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Joe Callanan, Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan and Ned O’Keeffe and Senators Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputies Pat Breen and Brendan Howlin.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 11.38 a.m.


7. Adoption of the draft report ‘Third Interim Report on Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market’


The draft ‘Third Interim Report on Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market was agreed to following a proposal by Senator Leyden seconded by Deputy Callanan. The Chairman read his formal statement to the meeting.


8. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11.46 a.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


26th January, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Thursday, 26th January, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, LH 2000, on Thursday, 26th January 2006 at 9.38 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Joe Callanan, Phil Hogan, Brendan Howlin, Kathleen Lynch, M.J. Nolan and Ned O’Keeffe and Senators Paul Coghlan and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputy Pat Breen.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)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. Item Discussed in Private Session


11. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.54 a.m.


12. Employment Permits Bill 2005 – Presentation by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Bobby Gilmore, Chairperson, Ms. Helen Lowry, Community Worker and Ms. Olga Dubyna a migrant worker on a spouse dependent visa from the Ukraine and currently on the board of The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland to the meeting.


Ms. Lowry and Ms. Dubyna made some opening comments on the Employment Permits Bill 2005.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman and Deputies Howlin, Hogan, Callanan and Lynch. Ms. Lowry, Mr. Gilmore and Ms. Dubyna responded to the questions raised by Members.


The meeting decided to write to the Department of Justice outlining the case made by Ms. Dubyna regarding her residing and that of her children who were unable to join her.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland for attending and for contributing to a very enlightening discussion in preparation for consideration of the Employments Permits Bill 2005.


13. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.31 a.m. until Wednesday 1st February 2006 at 9.30 a.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


1st February, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 1st February, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 1st February 2006 at 9.34 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Brendan Howlin, Kathleen Lynch, M.J. Nolan and Ned O’Keeffe and Senators Paul Coghlan, Terry Leyden and Joe O’Toole (in substitution for Senator Shane Ross).


3. Deferral of minutes of meeting of 26th January 2006 and other matters


It was agreed to defer consideration of the minutes of the meeting of 26th January 2006 and other matters until after the discussion with Michael Ahern T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.


4. Statutory Instrument in draft: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Accountancy Bodies) Regulations, 2006


The Chairman welcomed Michael Ahern T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with special responsibility for trade and commerce and his Department Officials to the meeting. The Minister gave a presentation on the Statutory Instrument in draft: Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Accountancy Bodies) Regulations, 2006.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers: Chairman, Deputy Howlin and Senators Leyden and O’Toole.


The Statutory Instrument in draft was agreed. The Clerk was instructed to send the appropriate message to each House, accordingly.


Senator Joe O’Toole made a declaration to the effect that he had been appointed Vice-Chairman of the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority.


5. Suspension and Private Session


The meeting was suspended at 9.43 a.m. and resumed at 9.44 a.m. It was agreed to go into private session. The Committee went into private session at 9.44 a.m.


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Item Discussed in Private Session


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.09 a.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


15th February, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 15th February, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 15th February 2006 at 9.38 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Kathleen Lynch, Paddy McHugh and M.J. Nolan and Senators Paul Coghlan, Terry Leyden and Mary White (in substitution for Senator John Hanafin).


Senators Fergal Browne and Jim Walsh were also in attendance.


Apologies were received from Deputies Phil Hogan, Brendan Howlin and Ned O’Keeffe.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


(v)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vi)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(viii)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. Item Discussed in Private Session


11. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.46 a.m.


12. IDA Ireland Annual Report 2004: Presentation by the Chief Executive of IDA Ireland


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Sean Dorgan, Chief Executive; Mr. Martin Burbridge, Secretary and Head of Corporate Services and Mr. George Bennett, Head of Communications to the meeting.


Mr. Dorgan circulated a briefing document to the meeting and outlined the salient points in the annual report.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers: Chairman, Deputies Nolan, Lynch, Callanan, McHugh and Breen and Senators Leyden, Coghlan, White, Browne and Walsh.


Senator Walsh made a declaration of interest to the effect that he had an interest in an advance factory in New Ross, Co. Wexford.


13. Any Other Business


(i)Business of the Select Committee


The meeting noted that consideration of the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 will commence Committee Stage in Select Committee on Tuesday 21st February 2006 at 2.00 p.m.


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.59 a.m. until Wednesday 1st March 2006 at 9.30 a.m.


Martin Brady, T.D.,


Vice-Chairman.


1st March, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 1st March, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 1st March 2006 at 9.41 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, (in the Chair), Joe Callanan, John Curran (in part substitution for Deputy Ned O’Keeffe), Tony Dempsey, Kathleen Lynch, M.J. Nolan, Ned O’Keeffe and Ollie Wilkinson (in part substitution for Deputy M.J. Nolan) and Senator Peter Callanan (in substitution for Senator Terry Leyden).


Apologies were received from Deputies Donie Cassidy, Chairman and Senator Paul Coghlan.


3. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session.


4. Discussion with European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland: (i) Joint Employment Report 2004/2005 (as part of the National Employment Action Plan process) and (ii) Annual Progress Report 2006 (as part of the new National Reform Programme - Jobs and Growth process)


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Paul Ginnell, Policy and Support Worker, European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland (EAPN Ireland); Mr. Eric Conroy, Secretary General, Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed; Ms. Orla O’Connor, Policy Worker, National Women’s Council of Ireland and Mr. Philip O’Connor, Co-ordinator of Dublin Employment Pact and EAPN Ireland representative on EAPN Europe Employment Task Force to the meeting.


Mr. Ginnell, Mr. Conroy, Ms. O’Connor and Mr. O’Connor made opening remarks.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers: Vice-Chairman, Deputies Lynch, Curran, Callanan and Dempsey.


It was agreed to forward the submission to the Departments of the Taoiseach; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Education and Social and Family Affairs and to return to the matter later in the year.


5. Suspension and Private Session


The meeting was suspended at 10.30 a.m. and resumed at 10.33 a.m. It was agreed to go into private session. The Committee went into private session at 10.33 a.m.


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Item Discussed in Private Session


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.35 a.m. until Wednesday 22nd March 2006 at 9.30 a.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


22nd March, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 22nd March, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 22nd March 2006 at 9.36 a.m.


2.Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Joe Callanan, Brendan Howlin, Paddy McHugh and M.J. Nolan and Senators Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden.


3.Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


(v)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vi)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(viii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ix)Item Discussed in Private Session


(x)Item Discussed in Private Session


(xi)Item Discussed in Private Session


(xii)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.43 a.m.


9. Discussion with the Russian Parliamentary Delegation


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Vladimir Asiev, Head of the Delegation; Mrs. Alexandra Burataeva; Mr. Evgeniy Ivanov; Mr. Victor Kazakov; Mr. Victor Kolesnikov; Ambassador Vladimir Rakhmanin, Embassy of the Russian Federation; Mr. Andrei Nedosekin, Counsellor, Embassy of the Russian Federation and Ms. Maria Jakovleva, interpreter to the meeting.


Mr. Asiev gave a short presentation on the Russian Federation and the reasons for visiting Ireland.


A question and answer session followed to which the following Members participated: Chairman and Deputies Howlin and Callanan and Senators Leyden, Hanafin and Coghlan. Mr. Asiev, Mrs. Burataeva and Mr. Ivanov responded to the questions.


The Chairman thanked the delegation for what was an informative exchange. Mr. Asiev responded in thanking the Chairman and Members for receiving the delegation.


10. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.32 a.m. until Tuesday 28th March 2006 at 2.15 p.m.


Martin Brady, T.D.,


Vice-Chairman.


28th March, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Tuesday, 28th March, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 1, LH 2000, on Tuesday, 28th March 2006 at 2.25 p.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Martin Brady Vice-Chairman (in the Chair), Joe Callanan, Brendan Howlin, MJ Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson (in substitution for Deputy Ned O’Keeffe) and Senators Paul Coghlan and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from the Chairman Deputy Donie Cassidy and Deputy Tony Dempsey.


3. Discussion with Economy Committee of the Finnish Parliament


The Vice-Chairman welcomed Mr Jouko Skinnari Chairman and Members of the Economy Committee of the Finnish Parliament to the meeting. The Vice-Chairman also welcomed Ambassador Seppo Kauppila who accompanied the delegation to the meeting.


Mr Skinnari made some opening remarks which was followed by a question and answer session. The following members participated in the discussion Vice-Chairman and Deputies Howlin and Callanan.


The following Members of the Finnish Delegation participated also Mr Martin Saarikangus and Mr Arto Bryggare and Ambassador Kauppila.


At conclusion of the discussion the Vice-Chairman thanked the delegation for what had been a very good exchange of views. Mr Skinnarri acknowledged the shortness of the meeting but expressed the wish that the Joint Committee might undertake a visit to Finland in the future when he was sure many more issues could be teased out.


4. Suspension and Private Session


The sitting was suspended at 3.25 p.m. and resumed in private session at 3.27 p.m.


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3.30 p.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


5th April 2006


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 5th April, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 5th April 2006 at 9.34 a.m.


2.Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Joe Callanan, John Carty (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady), Phil Hogan, Kathleen Lynch, Paddy McHugh and M.J. Nolan and Senators Paul Coghlan and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputies Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman and Ned O’Keeffe.


3.Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.37 a.m.


7. Discussion on COM(2003)644 - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)


The Chairman welcomed Ms. Marian Byron, Director, Irish BioIndustry Association and Assistant Director, Pharmachemical Ireland; Mr. Tony Briscoe, Head of the IBEC Health and Safety Unit; Mr. Donal Buckley, Head of the IBEC Environment Unit; Ms. Kathryn Raleigh, Director of the ICT Association and Ms. Fiona Lyons, INTEL to the meeting.


Ms. Byron and Ms. Lyons made some opening comments on COM(2003)644.


The following contributed to the ensuing debate, Chairman and Deputies Hogan, Lynch and Callanan.


The Joint Committee agreed to invite representatives of the Health and Safety Authority and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to a future meeting of the committee to discuss the proposal.


8. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.12 a.m. until Wednesday 12th April 2006 at 11.00 a.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


12th April, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 12th April, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 2, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 12th April 2006 at 11.06 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Bernard Allen (in substitution for Deputy Phil Hogan), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Kathleen Lynch and M.J. Nolan and Senators Paul Coghlan, Maurice Cummins (in part substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan), Camillus Glynn (in part substitution for Senator John Hanafin), John Hanafin and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputies Tony Dempsey, Phil Hogan and Ned O’Keeffe.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


The minutes of the meeting of 5th April 2006, which had been circulated in advance, were agreed and signed.


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Item Discussed in Private Session


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11.31 a.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


26th April, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 26th April, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 26th April 2006 at 9.43 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Joe Callanan, John Carty (in substitution for Deputy Tony Dempsey), Kathleen Lynch, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan and Ned O’Keeffe and Senators Terry Leyden and Joe O’Toole (in substitution for Senator Shane Ross).


Apologies were received from Senator Paul Coghlan.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.45 a.m.


6. National Framework Committee for Equal Opportunities - Discussion with Mr. Niall Crowley, Chief Executive Officer, The Equality Authority


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Niall Crowley, Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Richard Fallon, Head of Development, Equality Authority to the meeting.


Mr. Crowley gave a verbal presentation on The National Framework Committee for Equal Opportunities, copies of which had been circulated in advance.


The following contributed to the ensuing debate, Chairman and Deputies Lynch and Callanan and Senator O’Toole.


The Chairman thanked Mr. Crowley and Mr. Fallon for contributing to the discussion.


7. Any Other Business


(i)Business of the Select Committee:


Members noted that consideration of the 2006 Estimates will commence in Select Committee on Wednesday 10th May 2006 at 9.30 a.m.


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.28 a.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


17th May, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 17th May, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 17th May 2006 at 9.38 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Tony Dempsey, Phil Hogan, Kathleen Lynch, M.J. Nolan and Ruairí Quinn (in substitution for Deputy Brendan Howlin) and Senators Paul Coghlan, Terry Leyden and Joe O’Toole (in substitution for Senator Shane Ross).


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.43 a.m.


8. Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market (4th Phase): Presentations by AXA Insurance, Hibernian General Insurance and Quinn Direct Insurance


The Chairman welcomed the representatives of:


Hibernian General Insurance - Mr. Dick O’Driscoll, Managing Director; Mr. Brian Huston, Director and Ms. Laura Booth, Executive Manager


AXA Insurance - Mr. John O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer


Quinn Direct Insurance - Mr. Colin Morgan, General Manager and Ms. Sylvia Goldrick.


Mr. O’Driscoll, Mr. O’Neill and Mr. Morgan gave detailed presentations on the Irish Insurance Market.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Lynch, Nolan, Quinn, Dempsey, Breen, Callanan and Senator O’Toole. All of the representatives responded to the questions raised by Members. Supplementary questions from Deputies Quinn and Breen were responded to.


Senator Joe O’Toole made a declaration of interest in the debate as he was the Vice-Chairman of the P.I.A.B.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of AXA Insurance, Hibernian General Insurance and Quinn Direct Insurance for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11.15 a.m. until Tuesday, 23rd May 2006 at 2.30 p.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


23rd May, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Tuesday, 23rd May, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Tuesday, 23rd May 2006 at 3.05 p.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Joe Callanan, Tony Dempsey, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan and Ollie Wilkinson (in substitution for Deputy Ned O’Keeffe) and Senators Paul Coghlan and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputies Pat Breen, Ned O’Keeffe and Ruairí Quinn.


3. Minutes of the meeting of 17th May 2006


The minutes of the meeting of 17th May 2006, which had been circulated in advance, were agreed and signed.


4. Correspondence


(i)Correspondence from Seán Farren MLA, SDLP Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Investment


A letter from Mr. Seán Farren MLA, SDLP had been circulated, seeking a meeting with the Joint Committee to discuss North/South matters of interest. The request was agreed to and a meeting will be arranged as soon as possible.


5. Discussion on Small and Medium Size Businesses with Dr. Prabhu Kulkarni and Mr. Sai Prakash, Indian Business Forum


The Chairman welcomed Ambassador Saurabh Kumar; Dr. Prabhu Kulkarni, Indian Country Director of the Asia Trade Forum of the Irish Exporters Association; Mr. Sai Prakash, Erin Consultants, Bangalore and Mr. Cliff Anderson, Astec Consulting to the meeting.


Ambassador Kumar made some introductory remarks followed by presentations by Dr. Kulkarni and Mr. Prakash.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Callanan and Dempsey.


The Chairman thanked Ambassador Kumar; Dr. Kulkarni, Mr. Prakash and Mr. Anderson for attending and for contributing to what was an informative exchange.


6. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4.15 p.m. until Wednesday, 31st May 2006 at 9.30 a.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


31st May, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 31st May, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 31st May 2006 at 9.36 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan, Ned O’Keeffe and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin, Terry Leyden and Joe O’Toole (in substitution for Senator Shane Ross).


Apologies were received from Deputies Tony Dempsey and Breeda Moynihan-Cronin.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


(v)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vi)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Item Discussed in Private Session


9. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.51 a.m.


10. Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market (4th Phase): Presentations by FBD Insurance, Financial Regulator, I.B.E.C. and Society of the Irish Motor Industry


The Chairman welcomed the representatives of:


FBD Insurance - Mr. Philip Fitzsimons, Chief Executive; Mr. Andrew Langford, Finance Director and Mr. Niall Higgins, Claims Director


Financial Regulator - Mr. Patrick Neary, Chief Executive; Mr. Frank Brosnan, Insurance Supervision Department and Mr. John Pyne, Consumer Information Department


I.B.E.C. - Mr. Tony Briscoe, Assistant Director


Society of the Irish Motor Industry - Mr. Cyril McHugh, Chief Executive; Mr. Jim Cusack, President; Mr. Ian MacNeill, Deputy President and Mr. Alan Nolan, Deputy CEO.


Mr. Fitzsimons, Mr. Neary, Mr. Briscoe and Mr. McHugh gave detailed presentations on the Irish Insurance Market.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Quinn, Callanan and Breen and Senator O’Toole. All of the representatives responded to the questions raised by Members.


Senator Joe O’Toole made a declaration of interest in the debate as he was the Vice-Chairman of the P.I.A.B.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of FBD Insurance, Financial Regulator, I.B.E.C. and Society of the Irish Motor Industry for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


11. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11.56 a.m. until Wednesday,14th June 2006 at 9.30 a.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


14th June, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 14th June, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 14th June 2006 at 9.38 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Joe Callanan, Tony Dempsey, Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Paul Coghlan, Terry Leyden and Joe O’Toole (in substitution for Senator Shane Ross).


3. Expressions of Sympathy


The meeting extended its sympathies to the family of the late Charles Haughey, former Taoiseach. The following Members spoke: - Chairman, Deputies Hogan, Quinn and Callanan and Senators Leyden and O’Toole.


4. Minutes of the meeting of 31st May 2006


The minutes of the meeting of 31st May 2006, which had been circulated in advance, were agreed and signed.


5. Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market (4th Phase):Presentations by the Health and Safety Authority and the National Roads Authority


The Chairman welcomed the representatives of:


Health and Safety Authority - Mr. Tom Beegan, Chief Executive; Ms. Mary Dorgan, Assistant Chief Executive, Prevention Services and Mr. Robert Roe, Programme Manager, Policy and Technical Services


National Roads Authority - Mr. Michael Egan, Head of Corporate Affairs and Mr. Harry Cullen, Senior Project Manager, Safety Engineering


Mr. Beegan and Mr. Egan gave detailed presentations.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Hogan, Quinn, Callanan and Dempsey. All of the representatives responded to the questions raised by Members.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of the Health and Safety Authority and the National Roads Authority for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


6. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11.41 a.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


28th June, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 28th June, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 28th June 2006 at 9.34 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Joe Callanan, Phil Hogan, M.J. Nolan, Ned O’Keeffe and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Paul Coghlan, Terry Leyden and Mary White (in substitution for Senator John Hanafin).


Apologies were received from Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin.


3. Minutes of the meeting of 14th June 2006


The minutes of the meeting of 14th June 2006, which had been circulated in advance, were agreed and signed.


4. Temporary Chairperson


Deputy Callanan acted as temporary Chair from 9.36 a.m. on the nomination of Deputy Hogan.


5. Developing Young Enterprise - Discussion with Junior Achievement Ireland


The Chairman welcomed Ms. Della Clancy, Executive Director and Ms. Alva O’Sullivan, Marketing & Communications Director, Junior Achievement Ireland to the meeting.


Ms. Clancy and Ms. O’Sullivan gave a presentation on the work of Junior Achievement Ireland.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Deputies Callanan, Hogan, Quinn and O’Keeffe and Senators Leyden and White. All of the representatives responded to the questions raised by Members.


It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Department to invite the senior officials responsible for County Enterprise Boards with a view to discussing the actions being taking to promote enterprise. Further, it was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Minister and request that he make provision in the Estimates of his Department to fund the work of the Junior Achievement Ireland.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of Junior Achievement Ireland for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


6. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.18 a.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


19th July, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 19th July, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 19th July 2006 at 11.30 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Johnny Brady (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Tony Dempsey, Jimmy Devins (in part substitution for Deputy Joe Callanan), John Ellis (in part substitution for Deputy M.J. Nolan), Phil Hogan, M.J. Nolan, Ned O’Keeffe and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Peter Callanan (in part substitution for Senator John Hanafin), Paul Coghlan, Camillus Glynn (in part substitution for Senator Terry Leyden), John Hanafin and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputy Paddy McHugh and Senator Joe O’Toole.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


(v)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vi)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(viii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ix)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


(A)Item Discussed in Private Session


(B)Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12.04 p.m. until Wednesday, 26th July 2006 at 11.30 a.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


26th July, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 26th July, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 26th July 2006 at 11.33 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Tony Dempsey, Jimmy Devins (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman), Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh, Ned O’Keeffe and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Fergal Browne (in part substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan), Paul Coghlan, Camillus Glynn (in part substitution for Senator Terry Leyden), Paschal Mooney (in substitution for Senator John Hanafin) and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputy M.J. Nolan and Senator Joe O’Toole.


3. Minutes of the meeting of 19th July 2006


The minutes of the meeting of 19th July 2006, which had been circulated in advance, were agreed and signed.


4. Non-payment of redundancy monies to former employees of Greencore


The Committee noted that it had been agreed at its meeting of 19th July 2006 to invite representatives from the Trade Unions and from Greencore to discuss the non-payment of redundancy monies to former employees of the company. The Committee were informed of the fact that discussions involving both parties were taking place at the National Implementation Body and no useful purpose would be served with the Committee discussing the matter at present.


5. Correspondence


(i)Correspondence from Mr. Michael Moynihan TD re. Greencore


The meeting noted the support received in correspondence from Mr. Michael Moynihan TD supporting the case made by former workers at Greencore/Irish Sugar Mallow, Co. Cork.


6. Fourth Joint Committee Report: ‘Innovation, Competition and Regulation – Achieving the Balance’ – Discussion with Department of the Taoiseach


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Philip Kelly, Assistant Secretary; Ms. Audrey O’Byrne, Public Service Modernisation Section; Ms. Tríona Quill, Better Regulation Unit, PSM Section and Ms. Sabha Greene, Department of the Taoiseach to the meeting.


Mr. Kelly gave a detailed presentation.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Hogan and Callanan.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of the Department of the Taoiseach for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


7. Suspension and Private Session


The meeting suspended at 12.13 p.m. and it resumed in private session at 12.16 p.m.


8. Item Discussed in Private Session


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1.27 p.m. until Thursday, 27th July 2006 at 2.15 p.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


6th September, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Thursday, 27th July, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Thursday, 27th July 2006 at 2.16 p.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Joe Callanan, John Creegan (in substitution for Deputy M.J. Nolan), Tony Dempsey, John Ellis (in part substitution for Deputy Ned O’Keeffe), Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh and Ned O’Keeffe and Senators Paul Coghlan, Maurice Cummins (in part substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan), Camillus Glynn (in part substitution for Senator Terry Leyden), John Hanafin, Paschal Mooney (in part substitution for Senator John Hanafin) and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputies M.J. Nolan and Ruairí Quinn and Senator Joe O’Toole.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 2.23 p.m.


7. Adoption of the draft report ‘Fourth Interim Report on Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market’


The draft ‘Fourth Interim Report on Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market was agreed. The Chairman read his formal statement to the meeting.


8. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 2.31 p.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


6th September, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 6th September, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 2, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 6th September 2006 at 11.30 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Tony Dempsey, Phil Hogan, John McGuinness (in part substitution for Deputy Tony Dempsey), Paddy McHugh, Dan Neville (in part substitution for Deputy Pat Breen), M.J. Nolan, Noel O’Flynn (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady), Ned O’Keeffe and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Fergal Browne (in part substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan), Paul Coghlan, Michael Finucane (in part substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan), Camillus Glynn (in part substitution for Senator John Hanafin), John Hanafin and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputy Martin Brady and Senator Joe O’Toole.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


(v)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vi)Item Discussed in Private Session


(vii)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 11.39 a.m.


9. Discussion on COM(2003)644 - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)


The Chairman welcomed the representatives of:


Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment - Ms. Anne Marie O’Connor and Ms. Aisling O’Reilly


Health and Safety Authority Dr. Sharon McGuinness, Assistant Chief Executive, Chemicals Policy and Services Division; Ms. Majella Cummins and Ms. Marie McCarthy


Ms. O’Connor and Dr. McGuinness made some opening comments on COM(2003)644.


The following contributed to the ensuing debate, Chairman and Deputies Callanan, Quinn and Nolan.


Deputy Callanan acted as temporary Chair from 12.10 p.m. on the nomination of Deputy Nolan.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Health and Safety Authority for attending. The Committee agreed that the proposal didn’t warrant further scrutiny and asked the consultant, Mr. John Kissane, to draw up a report for consideration.


10. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session. The Committee went into private session at 12.28 p.m.


11. Item Discussed in Private Session


12. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12.30 p.m. until 20th September 2006 at 11.30 a.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


20th September, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 20th September, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 4, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 20th September 2006 at 10.35 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, Chairman (in the Chair: 10.53 a.m. – 12.11 p.m.), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman (in the Chair: 10.35 a.m. – 10.50 a.m.), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, John Ellis (in substitution for Deputy Tony Dempsey), Jim Glennon (in part substitution for Deputy M.J. Nolan), Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan, Ruairí Quinn and Joe Walsh (in substitution for Deputy Ned O’Keeffe), and Senators Paul Coghlan, Camillus Glynn (in substitution for Senator John Hanafin) and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin and Senator Joe O’Toole.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Suspension and Public Session


The sitting was suspended at 10.50 a.m. and resumed in public session at 10.53 a.m.


9. North/South matters of interest: Discussion with Seán Farren MLA, SDLP Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Investment and SDLP members


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Seán Farren MLA (North Antrim), Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr. John Dallat MLA (East Derry), Spokesperson on Finance and Personnel, Ms. Dolores Kelly MLA (Upper Bann), Spokesperson on Social Services and Ms. Nuala O’Neill to the meeting.


Mr Farren made some opening remarks which was followed by a question and answer session. The following members participated in the discussion, Chairman, Deputies Hogan, Callanan, Brady and Breen and Senators Leyden and Coghlan.


The following Members of the delegation participated also Mr. John Dallat MLA and Ms. Dolores Kelly MLA.


At conclusion of the discussion the Chairman thanked Mr. Farren and the delegation for attending and for participating in what had been a very good exchange of views.


10. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12.11 p.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


4th October, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 4th October, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 4th October 2006 at 9.30 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, Chairman (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, John Carty (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman), Paddy McHugh and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Paul Coghlan, Terry Leyden and Joe O’Toole.


3. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session.


4. Correspondence


(i)Correspondence from Mr. Simon Gentry requesting the committee meet with VISA


The meeting was advised that Mr. Gentry was acting as a lobbyist on behalf of VISA. It was agreed that it was inappropriate to meet with Mr. Gentry.


5. Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals


The meeting noted the following proposals which had been referred to the Joint Committee for information:


COM (2006) 288


Proposal for a Council Decision on authorizing Member States to ratify, in the interests of the European Community, the 2006 Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention of the International Labour Organisation.


COM (2006) 470


Proposal for a Council Regulation imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain plastic bags and sacks originating in the People’s Republic of China and Thailand, and terminating the proceeding on imports of certain plastic sacks and bags originating in Malaysia.


COM (2006) 343


Proposal for a Council Decision authorizing the conclusion of the agreement to renew and modify the agreement on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS) between the European Community and Australia, Canada, the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, Korea, Japan and the United States of America.


COM (2006) 456


Proposal for a Council Decision on the application of certain guidelines in the field of officially supported export credits.


COM (2006) 420


Proposal for a Council Decision on the signature on behalf of the Community of the additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Romania, of the other part, on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (and)


Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Romania, of the other part, on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (PECA).


The meeting noted that the following proposals had been referred to the Joint Committee for further scrutiny and were awaiting advice from Mr. John Kissane, Consultant:


COM (2006) 495


Proposal for a Council Regulation repealing the anti-dumping duty on imports of synthetic staple fibres of polyesters originating in Australia, India, Indonesia and Thailand and terminating the proceedings in respect of such imports, following expiry reviews pursuant to Article 11(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96, and terminating the partial interim review pursuant to Article 11(3) of such imports originating in Thailand.


COM (2006) 472


Proposal for a Council Regulation imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain footwear with uppers of leather originating in the People’s Republic of Chine and Vietnam.


6. The impact of Resource Recovery Parks from the perspective of reducing business costs of waste management and job creation: Discussion with Dr. Niamh Clune, Wealth from Waste


The Chairman welcomed Dr. Niamh Clune and Mr. Doug Johnson, Wealth from Waste to the meeting.


Dr. Clune made some opening remarks which were followed by a question and answer session. The following members participated in the discussion, Chairman, Deputies Callanan and McHugh and Senators O’Toole and Leyden. Dr. Clune and Mr. Johnson responded to the questions raised by Members.


Deputy Callanan acted as temporary Chair from 9.54 a.m. on the nomination of Deputy McHugh.


It was agreed to write to the following: -


(a)Mr. Michael Martin TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the employment of the presentation.


(b)Mr. Dick Roche TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the environmental aspects.


(c)Mr. Eamon Ó cuív TD, Minister for the Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on funding under the Community Development Programme.


At conclusion of the discussion the Chairman thanked Dr. Clune and Mr. Johnson for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


7. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.19 a.m. until Wednesday, 11th October 2006.


Martin Brady, T.D.,


Vice-Chairman.


11th October, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 11th October, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 11th October 2006 at 9.40 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman (in the Chair: 9.42 a.m. – 10.36 a.m.), Joe Callanan (in the Chair: 9.40 a.m. - 9.42 a.m.), Kathleen Lynch (in substitution for Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin), Paddy McHugh and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Paul Coghlan and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputy Donie Cassidy, Chairman and Senator Joe O’Toole.


3. Temporary Chairperson


Deputy Callanan acted as temporary Chair from 9.40 a.m. until 9.42 a.m. on the nomination of Senator Leyden.


4. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session.


5. Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market (5th Phase):Presentation by Allianz Ireland PLC


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Brendan Murphy, Director, Group Chief Executive; Mr. Sean Maher, Director Risk Management and Mr. Damien O’Neill, Associate Director, Direct Insurance, Allianz Ireland PLC to the meeting.


Mr. Murphy and Mr. Maher gave a detailed presentation on the Irish Insurance Market.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Vice-Chairman, Deputies McHugh and Callanan and Senators Leyden and Coghlan. The representatives responded to the questions raised by Members.


The Vice-Chairman thanked the representatives of Allianz Ireland PLC for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


6. Suspension and Private Session


The sitting was suspended at 10.31 a.m. and resumed in private session at 10.32 a.m.


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


9. Item Discussed in Private Session


10. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.36 a.m. until Wednesday, 18th October 2006.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


18th October, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 18th October, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 18th October 2006 at 9.35 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman, Joe Callanan, Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Paul Coghlan, Joe O’Toole and Mary White (in substitution for Senator Terry Leyden).


Apologies were received from Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


6.Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session.


9. Declaration of Interest


At the commencement of the public session Senator Joe O’Toole made a declaration of interest in the debate as he was the Vice-Chairman of the P.I.A.B.


10. Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market (5th Phase):Presentation by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board


The Chairman welcomed Ms. Dorothea Dowling, Chairperson and Ms. Patricia Byron, Chief Executive, Personal Injuries Assessment Board to the meeting.


Ms. Dowling made some opening comments and Ms. Byron gave a detailed overview of the work of the P.I.A.B.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Hogan, Quinn and Callanan and Senator O’Toole. The representatives responded to the questions raised by Members.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


11. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.58 a.m. until Wednesday, 25th October 2006 when the Joint Committee will meet with Mr. William Prasifka, Chairman of the Competition Authority.


Martin Brady, T.D.,


Vice-Chairman.


25th October, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 25th October, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 25th October 2006 at 9.34 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Martin Brady, Vice-Chairman (in the Chair: 9.42 a.m. – 10.45 a.m.), Joe Callanan (in the Chair: 9.34 a.m. - 9.42 a.m.), Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan and Ruairí Quinn and Senator Paul Coghlan.


3. Temporary Chairperson


Deputy Callanan acted as temporary Chairman from 9.34 a.m. until 9.42 a.m. He was proposed by Deputy Hogan and seconded by Deputy Ruairí Quinn.


4. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session.


8. (i) An overview of the operations of the Competition Authority, (ii) The effect on the grocery prices arising from the abolition of the Groceries Order and (iii) The clearance by Competition Authority for the sale of Statoil’s Irish Unit to Topaz - Discussion with Mr. William Prasifka, Chairman, Competition Authority


The Chairman welcomed Mr. William Prasifka, Chairman; Mr. John Evans, Divisional Manager, Policy Division; Mr. Declan Purcell, Director of Advocacy Division and Mr. Ciarán Quigley, Secretary of the Competition Authority to the meeting. Mr. Prasifka gave a detailed presentation.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Vice-Chairman, Deputies Hogan, Quinn, McHugh, Callanan and Nolan and Senator Coghlan. Mr. Prasifka responded to the questions raised by Members.


The Vice-Chairman thanked Mr. Prasifka and his colleagues for attending and for contributing to a very enlightening discussion.


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.45 a.m. until Wednesday 8th November 2006.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


8th November, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 8th November, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 8th November 2006 at 9.36 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Joe Callanan, John Carty (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady), Tony Dempsey, Jimmy Deenihan (in part substitution for Deputy Phil Hogan), Phil Hogan, Paddy McHugh, Breeda Moynihan-Cronin, M.J. Nolan, Ned O’Keeffe and Ollie Wilkinson (in part substitution for Deputy Tony Dempsey) and Senators Paul Coghlan, Joe O’Toole and Jim Walsh (in substitution for Senator Terry Leyden).


Apologies were received from Deputy Ruairí Quinn.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.40 a.m.


8. Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market (5th Phase): Presentation by the Road Safety Authority and Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock, Traffic, An Garda Síochána


The Chairman welcomed the representatives of:


Road Safety Authority - Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive Officer


and


An Garda Síochána - Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock, Traffic and Inspector Con O’Donohue, Traffic.


Mr. Brett and Assistant Commissioner Rock made their opening statements.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Callanan, Moynihan-Cronin and Dempsey and Senators O’Toole and Coghlan. Both Mr. Brett and Assistant Commissioner Rock responded to the questions raised by Members.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.59 a.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


15th November, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 15th November, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 15th November 2006 at 9.40 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Paddy McHugh, M.J. Nolan, Ned O’Keeffe and Ollie Wilkinson (in substitution for Deputy Tony Dempsey) and Senators Paul Coghlan and Joe O’Toole.


3. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session.


4. Minutes of the meeting of 8th November 2006


The minutes of the meeting of 8th November 2006, which had been circulated in advance, were agreed and signed.


5. Correspondence


(i)Certain information requested from insurance companies for PIAB


The correspondence received from Allianz had been received following a request for information on claims which had been sought by PIAB and was noted. It was further noted that a copy had been forwarded to PIAB.


6. Small Business is Big Business: Discussion with the Small Business Forum


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Joe Macri, Chair of the Small Business Forum & Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland and Ms. Marie Bourke, Secretariat to the Forum & Department Manager, Enterprise Division of Forfás to the meeting. Mr. Macri gave a detailed presentation.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Callanan and Breen and Senator O’Toole. Mr. Macri and Ms. Bourke responded to the questions raised by Members.


At the conclusion of the discussion the Chairman indicated that this could be an area of interest in future Work Programmes.


The Chairman thanked Mr. Macri and Ms. Bourke for attending and for contributing to a very enlightening discussion.


7. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10.26 a.m. until Wednesday 22nd November 2006 when the Joint Committee will meet with Minister Martin Cullen to discuss ‘Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market’.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


22nd November, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 22nd November, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 22nd November 2006 at 9.35 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Pat Carey (in substitution for Deputy Tony Dempsey), John Carty (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady), Paddy McHugh, Breeda Moynihan-Cronin, M.J. Nolan and Ned O’Keeffe and Senator Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputies Phil Hogan and Ruairí Quinn and Senator Joe O’Toole.


3. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session.


4. Reforms to the Irish Insurance Market (5th Phase):Discussion with Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Transport


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Transport to the meeting. The Minister for Transport gave an update on actions he had taken and was proposing in relation to road safety.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies O’Keeffe, Moynihan-Cronin, Callanan, McHugh, Breen, Nolan and Senator Leyden.


The Chairman thanked Mr. Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Transport for attending and for contributing to a very important debate.


5. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session. The Committee went into private session at 11.03 a.m.


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Item Discussed in Private Session


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11.07 a.m. until Thursday 30th November 2006 when the Joint Committee will meet with Enterprise Ireland.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


30th November, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Thursday, 30th November, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 2, LH 2000, on Thursday, 30th November 2006 at 9.34 a.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, John Carty (in part substitution for Deputy Tony Dempsey), Tony Dempsey, Paddy McHugh, Breeda Moynihan-Cronin, M.J. Nolan, Ned O’Keeffe and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin and Terry Leyden.


Apologies were received from Deputy Phil Hogan and Senator Joe O’Toole.


3. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


4. Item Discussed in Private Session


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Public Session


It was agreed to go into public session. The Committee went into public session at 9.37 a.m.


7. Enterprise Ireland, Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Discussion with the Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland


The Chairman welcomed Mr. Frank Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Feargal Ó’Móráin, Executive Director, Ms. Julie Sinnamon, Manager, Corporate Development and Human Resources, Mr. Paddy Hopkins, Manager, Corporate Services and Ms. Rosemary Sexton, Director of Enterprise Ireland North East Region to the meeting.


Mr. Ryan gave a detailed presentation on the annual report.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputies Callanan, Quinn, Breen, O’Keeffe and Dempsey and Senators Leyden and Hanafin.


Mr. Ryan and Mr. Ó’Móráin responded to the questions raised by Members.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of Enterprise Ireland for attending and for contributing to a very important debate


8. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11.15 a.m. sine die.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


12th December, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Tuesday, 12th December, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 2, LH 2000, on Tuesday, 12th December 2006 at 2.07 p.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Joe Callanan, Charlie O’Connor (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady) and Ruairí Quinn and Senators Paul Coghlan, John Hanafin, Terry Leyden and Joe O’Toole.


Apologies were received from Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin.


3. Health and Safety among Small Businesses: Discussion with the National Irish Safety Organisation


The Chairman welcomed Mr. John O’Shaughnessy, President; Mr. Niall Doyle and Mr. Brian Whelan from the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) to the meeting.


Mr. O’Shaughnessy and Mr. Doyle gave a detailed verbal presentation on the National Irish Safety Organisation.


The following Members participated in the ensuing questions and answers – Chairman, Deputy Callanan and Senators O’Toole and Leyden.


Mr. O’Shaughnessy and Mr. Doyle responded to the questions raised by Members.


The Chairman thanked the representatives of the National Irish Safety Organisation for attending and for contributing to the discussion.


4. Suspension and Private Session


The sitting was suspended at 2.33 p.m. and resumed in private session at 2.34 p.m.


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Item Discussed in Private Session


9. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 2.39 p.m. until Wednesday, 20th December, 2006 at 12.00 p.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


20th December, 2006.


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Minutes of meeting of Wednesday, 20th December, 2006


1. The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 20th December 2006 at 12.04 p.m.


2. Attendance


The following Members were in attendance:- Deputies Donie Cassidy, (in the Chair), Pat Breen, Joe Callanan, Tony Dempsey, John Ellis (in substitution for Deputy M.J. Nolan), Michael Finneran (in substitution for Deputy Martin Brady), Phil Hogan and Ned O’Keeffe and Senators Fergal Browne (in part substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan), Paddy Burke (in part substitution for Senator Paul Coghlan), Paul Coghlan, Camillus Glynn (in part substitution for Senator Terry Leyden), John Hanafin, Terry Leyden and Joe O’Toole.


Apologies were received from Deputies Paddy McHugh, Breeda Moynihan-Cronin, M.J. Nolan and Ruairí Quinn.


3. Temporary Chairperson


Deputy Callanan acted as temporary Chairman from 12.04 p.m. until 12.06 p.m. on the nomination of Deputy Hogan.


4. Private Session


It was agreed to go into private session.


5. Item Discussed in Private Session


6. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


(v)Item Discussed in Private Session


7. Item Discussed in Private Session


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


(v)Item Discussed in Private Session


8. Travel Reports


The meeting noted the following travel reports of the Joint Committee:


(i)Item Discussed in Private Session


(ii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iii)Item Discussed in Private Session


(iv)Item Discussed in Private Session


(v)Item Discussed in Private Session.


9. Item Discussed in Private Session


10. Item Discussed in Private Session


11. Any Other Business


There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12.35 p.m. until Wednesday, 10th January, 2007 at 2.30 p.m.


Donie Cassidy, T.D.,


Chairman.


10th January, 2007.


APPENDIX 6

Work Programme 2007


Tithe an Oireachtais


An Comhchoiste um Fhiontraíocht agus Mionghnóthaí


Clár Oibre 2007


Feabhra 2007


Houses of the Oireachtas


Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

Work Programme 2007


February 2007


JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS


WORK PROGRAMME 2007


1. BACKGROUND


The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business was established following Orders of Dáil Éireann on 16 October 2002 and of Seanad Éireann on 17 October 2002. Standing Orders 84(4) (Dáil Éireann) and 69(4) (Seanad Éireann) require that –


“As soon as may be following its appointment and thereafter at annual intervals, each Select Committee shall prepare a work programme and shall lay such programme before [Dáil[Seanad] Éireann”.


2. ORDERS OF REFERENCE


Paragraph 2 (a) of the Order of Dáil Éireann on 16 October 2002 and paragraph 1 (a) of the Order of Seanad Éireann on 17 October 2002 empowers the Joint Committee to consider –


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


(vi)such matters of policy for which the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is officially responsible as it may select;


(vii)such related policy issues as it may select concerning bodies which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by Members of the Government or by the Oireachtas;


(viii)such Statutory Instruments made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as it may select;


(ix)such proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues as may be referred to it from time to time, in accordance with Standing Order 81(4)[Dáil Éireann] and 65(4)[Seanad Éireann];


(vi)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and the Joint Committee shall be so authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act;


(vii)such annual reports or annual reports and accounts, required by law and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies specified in paragraphs 2(a)(i) and (iii) [Dáil Éireann] and paragraphs 1(a)(i) and (iii)[Seanad Éireann], and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select;


Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993;


Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body concerned or by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and


(viii)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.”


Accordingly, the items listed in this Work Programme will be considered by the Joint Committee within the parameters defined by these Orders of Reference, as amended from time to time.


3. OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY


The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business is committed to making a constructive contribution to the committee system in the Houses of the Oireachtas and to continuing to assert the proper oversight and accountability role of the Legislature in respect of the Executive. It will endeavour to do this by properly exercising the functions and powers which have been conferred on it by both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.


4. FLUIDITY OF WORK PROGRAMME


The items listed for consideration in this Work Programme are not in any order of priority. The Joint Committee will decide on individual items for review in light of its assessment of a particular need during the year. The Joint Committee is of the opinion that to accord a strict priority and agree a timetable for consideration of the various items would impose too rigid a structure and would not enable the Joint Committee to respond to evolving events during the year. In response to a particular evolving event or an urgent unforeseen matter, it shall, if it deems it necessary to do so, amend this Work Programme to include further items or delete or revise existing items for consideration. Any such amendment of this Work Programme shall be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as may be following such amendment(s).


The Joint Committee has also agreed that, should it not have sufficient time during 2007 to consider an item detailed in this Work Programme, it may include it in next year’s Work Programme should the issue continue to retain its importance and relevance.


5. JOINT COMMITTEE – GENERAL AREAS FOR CONSIDERATION


(a) EU Scrutiny


In light of the increasing importance and influence of the European Union (EU) on national affairs and legislative matters, the Joint Committee will give ongoing priority to EU issues and, in particular, to promptly examine any EU legislative proposal referred to the Joint Committee by the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny.


The Joint Committee will endeavour to have ongoing meetings with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in advance of EU Council meetings (Enterprise and Industry; Internal Market and Services; Trade; Competition and Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities) to enable the Joint Committee to enhance effective oversight of Government policy thinking and to have an input into, and an exchange of views on, topics arising on the agendas of those Council meetings.


(b) Statutory Instruments


The Joint Committee will endeavour to monitor Statutory Instruments (SIs) made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment which are laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and, where it considers it necessary, will discuss particular SIs and matters arising with the Minister at an appropriate time.


(c) Strategy Statement and Departmental Policy Documentation


The Joint Committee will endeavour to consider the ongoing progress made by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on its commitments in the strategy statement and other general related policy documentation (vis. Annual Reports, Corporate Plans, etc.) relating to the Department’s remit.


(d) Oversight of bodies


The Joint Committee has a remit under its Orders of Reference in respect of, inter alia, policy matters, annual reports or annual reports and accounts, overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of certain bodies as it may select which are listed in the Addendum attached to this Work Programme.


(e) Referral of matters by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann


In addition to those issues detailed in this Work Programme, the Joint Committee may be required, from time to time, to consider matters referred to it jointly by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann (e.g. Motions re. International Agreements, Conventions, draft SIs, etc.).


6. JOINT COMMITTEE – SPECIFIC ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION


The Joint Committee intends to review specific major areas of policy falling within the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as outlined below in this section and in section 5 above. As part of that process, the Minister may be invited to appear before the Joint Committee to outline policy decisions/thinking and respond to detailed questions. Where necessary, the Joint Committee may also seek submissions from the public and may, if the need arises, engage persons with specialist or technical knowledge to advise and assist it in its work.


It is intended that the following specific items will be considered during 2007 by the Joint Committee:-


  • Ongoing periodic follow up with Minister on progress made on implementation of recommendations made in Reports published by the Joint Committee during the 29th Dáil
  • Reform of the Irish Insurance Market
  • Consideration of Strategy Statements and Public Service Management Act
  • Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals
  • Meeting with Mr. Charlie McCreevy, EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services
  • Meetings with
    • Commission for Energy Regulation (effect on the consumer and small businesses arising from increased energy costs)
    • Irish American Chamber of Commerce
    • Enterprise Ireland
    • IDA Ireland
    • IBEC
    • ISME
    • European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN)
    • National Consumer Agency
    • Officials from Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • National Disability Authority
    • Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland
    • Personal Injuries Assessment Board
    • Competition Authority

7. TRAVEL


Subject to Standing Order 81(9) [Dáil Éireann] and Standing Order 65(9) [Seanad Éireann], the Joint Committee may decide, subject to financial, administrative and procedural constraints, to undertake travel as it considers necessary to further progress the Work Programme. Such travel may include information seeking visits, attendance at conferences or meetings, etc. within the remit under the Orders of Reference. Reports will be completed for all travel undertaken.


8. DÁIL SELECT COMMITTEE – ORDERS OF REFERENCE


Those members of Dáil Éireann who are members of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business also constitute the membership of the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. In accordance with paragraph 1(a) of the Order of Dáil Éireann, the Select Committee is appointed to consider –


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


(ii) such Estimates for Public Services within the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and


(iii) such proposals contained in any motion, including any motion within the meaning of Standing Order 157 concerning the approval by the Dáil of international agreements involving a charge on public funds,


as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.”


The matters referred to the Select Committee will be considered in tandem with the ongoing work of the Joint Committee but may have a practical effect on the capacity of the Joint Committee to complete its consideration of the items identified in the Work Programme.


9. AGREEMENT OF WORK PROGRAMME


This Work Programme for 2007 of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business and the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business was adopted by the Committee at its meeting on 14th February 2007. In accordance with Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, it was agreed that the Work Programme be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.


Donie Cassidy T.D.


Chairman


14th February 2007


ADDENDUM


Bodies under the aegis of the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment


Offices under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment:


  • Companies Registration Office
  • Competition Authority
  • Employment Appeals Tribunal
  • Labour Court
  • Labour Relations Commission
  • Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs
  • Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
  • Patents Office

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment also has policy responsibility for a number of state-sponsored bodies


  • City and County Enterprise Boards
  • Enterprise Ireland
  • FAS
  • Forfas
  • Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
  • IDA Ireland
  • National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
  • Science Foundation Ireland
  • Shannon Development
  • Shannon Free Zone
  • InterTrade Ireland
  • Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)

1 Martin Brady T.D. replaced Conor Lenihan T.D. by Order of the Dáil on 16th November 2004.


2 Pat Breen T.D. replaced Gerard Murphy T.D. by Order of the Dáil on 20th October 2004.


3 Breeda Moynihan-Cronin T.D. replaced Kathleen Lynch T.D. by Order of the Dáil on 18th May 2006.


4 Ned O’Keeffe T.D. replaced Ollie Wilkinson T.D. by Order of the Dáil on 17th February 2005.


5 Ruairí Quinn T.D. replaced Brendan Howlin T.D. by Order of the Dáil on 18th May 2006.


6 Senator Joe O’Toole replaced Senator Shane Ross by Order of the Seanad on 6th July 2006.