Other Questions
4. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the development of a framework for a regional enterprise strategy; if the strategy will take into account the differing characteristics and needs of a regions, language needs for example; when it is envisaged that the strategy will be finalised in recognition of its value for sustainable regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23808/14]
View answerThe question relates to the development of a framework for a regional development strategy and asks when the strategy will be finalised given its value for sustainable regional development.
Economic success at regional level depends on all relevant Departments, agencies, and regional and local authorities collectively making strategic choices and working together with community and private sector interests to activate the key strengths of each region. In 2013, there was employment growth shown in all regions.
The Action Plan for Jobs includes a commitment to develop a framework for a regional enterprise strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. The aim is to build on the competitive strengths of the regions and the matters the Deputy referred to in his question, including language strengths, can be addressed. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially in the midlands region, focusing, in particular, on co-ordinating the efforts of the agencies under the remit of my own Department. These include Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the new local enterprise offices, or LEOs.
The overarching objective of the framework is to enhance synergies between the agencies, their client companies and other key stakeholders to maximise the potential for job creation in the region. The pilot framework will identify the key assets and competitive strengths of the midlands region and look at opportunities for sectoral development. My Department’s officials are currently developing the regional enterprise strategy framework in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Forfás. I expect significant progress to be made by the end of this month. My aim is that the pilot framework for the midlands will serve as a model for other regions.
In addition to the regional enterprise strategy framework, the Action Plan for Jobs includes a number of other measures to be taken in 2014 to support competitive regions. For example, each local enterprise office shall publish its enterprise plan and the IDA will commence building new advanced manufacturing facilities in Waterford and Athlone and office space in Letterkenny to help cater for FDI projects. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will develop integrated plans to promote economic and community development in each local authority area. LEOs are implementing a competition to find Ireland's best young entrepreneur at county and national level. In addition, many actions under the entrepreneurship pillar of the Action Plan for Jobs, such as Enterprise Ireland's competitive regional feasibility funds, will support enterprise development and job growth at regional level.
I thank the Minister for his reply. There are a number of aspects to this matter, one of which involves the IDA and the development of one region, as the Minister said. SMEs are also very important and the backbone of the rural economy. The Office of Government Procurement is involved in promoting what is available for SMEs in terms of public procurement not only here, but across the EU. There is approximately €2.4 trillion worth of EU tendering available. Does the Minister's Department liaise with the Office of Government Procurement on that? Will the planned socio-economic committees under local authorities be involved with the Leader elements of the rural development programme to progress regional development?
In the context of working with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I note that broadband was an issue that came up continually during the recent canvassing and it was raised in regard to both businesses and households.
It was outlined in the recent CEDRA report chaired by Pat Spillane. Will there be liaison with that Department as well?
Our agencies support companies in accessing public procurement tenders. Both EI and InterTradeIreland have good programmes to support companies in preparing themselves to bid for public procurement contracts either at home or abroad. It is on supporting the enterprise side that we operate.
The idea behind developing a regional enterprise strategy is to make sure that there is knowledge across all the stakeholders who can help build a competitive advantage in a region using the thinking of the IDA, EI and LEOs and identify a sector's strengths and what we are hoping to build on. The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will be rolled out under Leader companies. We do not seek to usurp to work they do but we need to have clear vision among all stakeholders about where the opportunities are and how we will develop them because that will give an opportunity to others to provide support. Clearly, the education sector in many regions plays a huge part. If it can build networks to support a particular sectoral project in a region where we are building to its strengths, that could immensely enhance the work of IDA and EI in delivering its sectoral ambitions. That is the type of collaboration we are seeking to develop.
5. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which jobs lost have been replaced in each of the past six years to date; if he is satisfied regarding the sustainability of the jobs created over the past two years to date with particular reference to rejecting the criticism from some quarters regarding the numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23795/14]
View answerThe question attempts to ascertain the extent to which reliable statistics are available regarding the jobs lost or replaced over the past six years, with particular reference to the need to ensure progress being made is accurately reflected, given the earlier references to whether figures are reliable.
In the three years before the Government came into office, more than 300,000 jobs had been lost across the economy. The construction, retail and tourism sectors were particularly badly hit and collectively accounted for over two thirds of the job losses. Almost 150,000 jobs were lost in the construction sector alone between the beginning of 2008 and the beginning of 2011.
In 2012, the Government introduced the Action Plan for Jobs as the main policy instrument to tackle the employment crisis and to assist job creation. Now in its third annual iteration, the action plan has set about transforming the operating environment for businesses by seeking to identify and remove barriers to competitiveness and by placing employment on the agenda of every Department. The latest employment figures published by the Central Statistics Office show there was an increase of 42,700 people in employment in the first quarter of 2014, compared to the first quarter of 2013. There was an increase of 63,200 in the numbers in employment in the last two years. These figures are net of reductions in public sector numbers. More than 67% of the jobs created since 2012 have been full time. In the last six months, almost all the jobs created in the economy were full time. The sectors that have consistently performed well are agriculture, food and fishing, accommodation and food services, tourism and professional, scientific and technical activities. These sectors have been the focus for attention under the Action Plan for Jobs.
In 2013, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland client companies had record years for employment creation, generating a total of 12,500 net new jobs in export-focused activities. These patterns suggest the jobs being created are adding value to the economy and have every potential to be sustainable. However, we must continue to focus on sectors that did not experience a jobs recovery over the past two years. The wholesale and retail sector, which we discussed earlier, continues to suffer job losses, while the pattern is similar in the construction sector. There are moves to intervene in both sectors.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Given the housing shortage, particularly in the eastern region, will action be taken to address the issue and, as a result, regenerate activity in the construction sector, on the one hand, and make savings in social welfare rent support on the other?
There is a specific policy instrument for the construction sector. Construction 2020 sets out a series of policy interventions in consultation with sectoral representatives regarding how the housing shortage can be addressed and how the sector, which took a major hit, particularly in the three years prior to 2011, can be stimulated.
Is it possible to assess whether early action can take place given planning permissions are required from local authorities and county development plans must be taken into account? Is it possible to deal with this issue under the strategic infrastructural deficit headings, which have proven to be effective in other areas in the past?
Yes. A specific initiative is under way, particularly aimed at the Dublin region, under the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I can engage further with the Deputy on this.
I thank the Minister of State.
6. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his Department's response to the loss of jobs in a company (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if he has established the proposed task force to deal with this matter; and if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23807/14]
View answerA task force was set up to address the job losses in Dawn Meats in Fethard, County Tipperary. The factory had been operating for almost 40 years, with some employees having worked there for the entire time. They were a wonderful staff and it was a huge blow to the eastern part of south Tipperary, where there is no industry whatsoever. How is the task force progressing? Has it met other agencies and interested parties?
I understand from EI that it has been actively promoting the site concerned to a number of interested parties. I am not in a position to disclose the details of those interactions for commercially sensitive reasons.
However, task forces have been used in the past as part of a response to a sudden loss of a large number of industrial jobs. More recently, other initiatives are increasingly used as an alternative to task forces. In this regard, the establishment of LEOs, recently announced by Government, means that all categories of business, including sole traders, micro businesses and SMEs have access to Government supports and advice. The LEO is the first-stop shop for anyone seeking information and support on starting or enhancing a business.
The active promotion of the site is taking place. EI is actively engaged in seeking to ensure the jobs that were lost are replaced.
I acknowledge the sensitivities of negotiations and so on. However, I am seeking clarity about the make-up of the task force. The Minister of State mentioned EI. What other agencies are represented on it? It is almost a year since the factory closed. The Queally family gave wonderful service and they did their best but the factory was not viable, which is sad. I asked Coolmore representatives at the time if they would be interested because they are the only employer in the area of note. I take on board what the Minister of State said about the county enterprise boards and LEOs but I do not know whether the LEO in Tipperary is properly constituted yet. Will they be similar to Leader companies, which we are debating on Private Members' business?
I acknowledge the points made by the Deputy in regard to the effect of the loss of a company like this to a town like Fethard. In south Tipperary, where Enterprise Ireland is the lead agency in efforts to ensure we replace and create jobs, there are 76 client companies employing more than 2,000 people in full-time jobs. These are the figures for 2013. In excess of €9 million worth of grants has been paid to client companies since 2011. I assure the Deputy that Enterprise Ireland is working actively as the representative State agency in seeking to ensure we can replace the jobs that have been lost. It is actively promoting the site to a number of interested parties as we speak.
The Minister of State has still not provided clarity on the task force. Much was made of the task force by a local Minister of State at the time, Deputy Tom Hayes, and we all welcomed it. I want to know if there is meat on the bones of this. Is there a task force or is there not? Will the task force meet the newly elected councillors for the area, including Councillor Kieran Bourke, who was mayor at the time and worked hard on this issue? Will some Members of the Oireachtas and local representatives from the area meet interested people from the town of Fethard and the factory?
As far as I am aware, there is no formal task force working on this, such as the task force for the south east where all the agencies are working together. I assure the Deputy, however, that the local agencies are working together. Enterprise Ireland is the pre-eminent State agency and it is working proactively on this. It is promoting the site to a number of interested parties. I ask the Deputy to allow that process to take shape. I am sure he will acknowledge that Enterprise Ireland is working with interested parties to seek to replace the jobs that have been lost.
7. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the intended reform of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001 Bill fulfils the programme for Government commitment to reform the current law on employees' right to engage in collective bargaining to ensure compliance by the State with recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. [23803/14]
View answerYesterday, I met the representative of the Paris Bakery at a demonstration outside Leinster House. While I was listening to the speakers, I realised the Government is not friendly towards workers at all and those who thought that voting for Labour would take the extreme edges off Fine Gael have been sorely disappointed with regard to collective bargaining, which is a human right and is included in the programme for Government. Will the Government be clear about introducing collective bargaining?
I do not know whether the Deputy wants me to address the question he has just asked or the one he submitted.
The Government has responded to the needs of workers in many ways. We increased the minimum wage, introduced protections for agency workers and restored the system of wage setting for vulnerable workers that had been ruled unconstitutional by the courts. We continue to develop good labour relations legislation and will soon publish the WRC, workers rehabilitation and compensation Bill, a major reform which will deliver better conditions for both workers and employers. I do not accept, therefore, the premise of the Deputy's preamble to his question.
On 13 September last, I obtained Cabinet approval to develop legislative proposals to reform the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001 to provide for an improved and modernised industrial relations framework that will provide more clarity for employers and more effectiveness for workers in employment where collective bargaining does not take place. When enacted, this legislation will mark the fulfilment of the commitment in the programme for Government to reform the current law on employees' right to engage in collective bargaining to ensure compliance by the State with recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
The legislation will provide a clear and balanced mechanism by which the fairness of the employment conditions of workers in their totality can be assessed where collective bargaining does not take place. It will provide clarity and certainty for employers in managing their workplaces over the years ahead. It will also explicitly prohibit the use of inducements by employers to persuade employees to forgo collective bargaining representation and will provide strong protections for workers who invoke the provisions of the 2001 to 2004 Acts or who have acted as a witness or a comparator for the purposes of those Acts.
The proposals are derived from a lengthy consultation process involving extensive engagement with stakeholders with a view to arriving at broadly acceptable proposals that will operate effectively in practice. The proposals have been welcomed by stakeholders such as IBEC and ICTU. They will ensure the retention of our voluntary system of industrial relations, but also ensure workers have confidence that, where there is no collective bargaining, they have an effective system that ensures they can air problems about remuneration, terms and conditions and have these determined based on those in similar companies and not be victimised for doing so.
I tabled the Protection of Employees (Amendment) Bill in 2012, but Labour and Fine Gael voted against it. This Bill would have prevented the situation we now have in regard to the Paris Bakery. Under the current Government, we have seen an increase in part-time, short-term and zero hours contracts and seen a reduction in Sunday premiums. Workers, therefore, have suffered under the Government.
I note the Minister's promised reform on the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001, but the proposal is convoluted. The concern is that if the legislation does not require employers to recognise trade unions, it will not deliver in regard to Ireland's international commitments or the programme for Government. If we do not have union recognition, we do not have collective bargaining. It is as simple as that. Does the Minister intend to retain the voluntary system of industrial relations? If so, he is reneging on the commitment in the programme for Government. Workers deserve better. They should not have to jump through hoops to get to lengthy procedures. They should not have to stage sit-ins in the likes of the Paris Bakery, Vita Cortex, Lagan Bricks or any other company. These are outstanding issues that could be resolved if the Government grasped the opportunity facing it.
What is happening here is that we are respecting the voluntary system which has been important and successful in Ireland. However, where a company chooses not to engage in collective bargaining, we are providing a mechanism whereby workers can ensure they will not be victimised as a result of that practice and they can take their case under these Acts. This will provide clarity and provide clear definitions for accepted bodies, the bodies that constitute collective bargaining. There have been disputes as to whether these accepted bodies are genuinely independent and the legislation will clarify that. It will also protect workers from victimisation and ensure that only trade unions can take action under this measure. It also prohibits inducements, which have been found in conflict under the Wilson case. Our approach is entirely in line with our obligations under the various legal judgments.
The key or crux is that if it is a voluntary system, we do not have collective bargaining. If, instead of having a voluntary system, the Minister is just substituting a convoluted, complex legal process through which workers are forced to use the courts to try to grab back their rights, this makes it more difficult for workers to ensure their rights are upheld. In all of this, there must be a fair balance between workers' and employers' rights. However, providing a voluntary system where employers can make the decision on whom they will negotiate with negates the heart of collective bargaining and of all the decisions taken by the International Labour Organization, the European Court of Human Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitution. All of these documents point to freedom of association, people being able to represent themselves as workers, and employers' recognition of workers in those efforts.
The Constitution of course respects freedom of association, but it also respects the voluntary nature of these processes. The Deputy will be aware that our system has been examined by the ILO and found to be in conformity with the requirements. I agree with the Deputy that this is a balanced approach and that it does not fulfil all of the ambitions of either the employers' groups or the workers' groups. My officials and I have engaged over a lengthy time with both sides to find a solution that is fair and balanced. That is what we are delivering. It is not possible for a solution to suit only one side or the other. What is arrived at must be a balanced measure, which is what we have delivered.
8. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the policy approach he is taking to the creation of jobs in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23811/14]
View answerIt seems to me that this Government has given up on rural Ireland in that every step of the way it is taking decisions that are doing serious damage to it. I would like the Minister to outline his policies for the creation of rural industry and to say whether he believes it is not possible to create industry in rural Ireland.
The Action Plan for Jobs is the Government's key policy instrument to assist job creation. Its aim is to support enterprises to create employment throughout the whole of the country and in all regions. The creation of jobs in rural areas in particular can be supported by strong co-ordinated policies at regional level across all of the relevant State bodies, working together with local stakeholders. The Deputy will be aware that in 2013 there was employment growth in all regions. In this context, the Action Plan for Jobs contains a number of measures to be taken in 2014 to support competitive regions. These include a commitment to develop a framework for a regional enterprise strategy, which will better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises.
A core element of the Action Plan for Jobs has been the reform of the system for delivery of support to micro and small enterprises by dissolving the county and city enterprise boards and replacing them with local enterprise offices within the local authority structure under a service level agreement with Enterprise Ireland. This reform offers a one-stop shop for start-ups and small business, introduces innovations for the promotion of start-ups, including the microfinance fund and the recently announced €2 million county-based competition to find Ireland's best young entrepreneur, and enlists the considerable strength of the local authority network behind the creation of jobs. Many local authorities have been innovative in creating opportunities for enterprise development, and the reform aims to build on this. Another important development this year will be the preparation of the operational programme for the new EU rural development programme period of 2014 to 2020. The local development and Leader element of this programme will fund initiatives to support the economic development of rural Ireland and address issues such as social inclusion and poverty reduction.
The Taoiseach recently launched the report of the commission for the economic development of rural areas, CEDRA, as per a commitment under the Action Plan for Jobs. This report contains a number of recommendations to support rural job creation and will be considered shortly by the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and jobs.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
Other measures which are being taken by Government that will have a positive impact on the jobs potential of rural areas include the national broadband plan, which includes a major fibre build-out to rural areas through investment by both the private and public sector, and the focus on supporting domestically trading sectors such as construction and retail. These sectors provide employment to almost every community in the country, and the Action Plan for Jobs contains a number of measures to support them as well as other sectors which have particular potential for rural job creation, including agriculture, food, the marine and tourism.
I do not know where to start. Has the Minister ever created jobs in a rural area and does he know how much investment is needed to create sustainable jobs? What is the maximum grant aid that can be provided by these new bodies, which are the former bodies under new names in an effort to play the quango game? What is the rationale behind the IDA owning all of the industrial land in rural Ireland while Enterprise Ireland is charged with creating jobs there? What is the average investment required to create 100 jobs in one setting in rural or urban Ireland? Does the Minister believe that the supports available in this regard are adequate? In my experience of creating jobs - I do have hands-on experience of creating jobs in rural Ireland - the type of supports being provided by the local authorities will not create significant employment.
Thank you, Deputy.
Will the Minister accept, in the context of the boast of 60,000 jobs having been created, that the 30,000 jobs created not in the agri-industry sector but in the agriculture and fisheries sectors are a myth? Will he also accept that it is a little bit strange that Deputy Deasy continually complains in this House about the lack of jobs in the south east when, according to those statistics, that is the greatest growth area in the country, far exceeding growth in Dublin?
The devastation of rural areas in this country was brought on by Fianna Fáil when in government through its creation of a construction boom which could not be sustained. Some 60% of construction employment in rural Ireland was lost in the space of three years. That is what created the huge vacuum in rural Ireland. The Government is now seeking to build sustainable and long-term sectors that are export-oriented into the future. We are building on core strengths in rural areas, such as food and tourism. We are seeing success in those sectors.
I do not denigrate anyone who sets up a business and is deemed self employed, be that in agriculture or in related sectors. It is the 15,000 or so people who start up their own businesses each year who create most of the employment. Two thirds of all net employment is by new start-ups. Through the local enterprise offices, we are providing a suite of measures that allow instant access to all areas of support in respect of new business ideas from the Deputy or any of his colleagues. These businesses are supported by the State through mentoring and, where appropriate, grant aid, access to capital, microfinance and seed and venture capital. There are a suite of supports available.
Thank you, Minister.
These supports are available to enterprises in all parts of the country. We need to build on the strengths of rural Ireland. That is what the local enterprise offices will do. They will have the heft of the local authorities behind them. The Deputy knows as well as I do that-----
Will the Minister answer the specific question I asked him? What is the maximum grant available?
-----there are 115 community enterprise centres across the country working with the local authorities. These are powerful tools that can drive opportunity. We are seeking to exploit those.
I asked the Minister what is the maximum grant that the new local enterprise offices can provide. Perhaps the Minister will also explain, in the context of the person seeking assistance, what is the significant difference between the new agencies and the former county and city enterprise boards.
Does the Minister believe the rationale for the fact that the IDA is the landowner of rural industrial estates while Enterprise Ireland and the new local enterprise offices will be providing the support? For example, with regard to the IDA estate in Roundstone, there is a million to one chance that the IDA will bring foreign direct investment in there. What is the logic in the IDA rather than Enterprise Ireland having that portfolio?
The Minister referenced the work done by the previous Government in respect of rural development. Will he explain the logic behind this Government's abolition of the post of Minister with responsibility for rural development before, three years later, commissioning a report whose first recommendation was the establishment of a Minister with responsibility for rural development?
In regard to the difference between the former county and city enterprise boards and the local enterprise offices, first, we have created a centre of excellence in Enterprise Ireland which, for the first time, will drive small business and start-ups. We will have a national policy for start-ups and micro-business, which will have service level agreements with the local enterprise offices. This means there will no longer be 35 independent boards in operation. New businesses will be subject to service level agreements, thus ensuring uniform quality and a maximisation of the resources of the network. The LEOs are located within the local authorities, which means they will have the might and heft of the local authorities, which provide many enterprise supports, behind them.
The Deputy smirks. Perhaps he would consider reading the county and city managers' report on enterprise supports, which states that more than 2,000 of the measures being operated by local authorities are designed to support enterprise development.
Ar mhaithe leis féin a dhéanann an cat crónán.
Those initiatives which are successful will be mainstreamed into other local authorities. We are, I believe, creating a powerful alliance of the former county and city enterprise boards with their local experience, local authorities with their resources and Enterprise Ireland as a centre of excellence driving innovation.
We already have innovative tools. Microfinance is available to county enterprise boards-----
What is the maximum grant?
I am dealing with the list of questions-----
I asked specifically about the maximum grant.
The maximum grant depends on the merit of each proposal.
What is the maximum?
There is no maximum for any proposal that emerges. State aid sets the maximum for those proposals suitable for development. Each proposal is considered on its merits. Grants are only available to export-oriented businesses and we have not changed policy in this respect. There is no ceiling on what can be done for any individual proposal made.
9. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress on ratification of the European Union’s trade agreement with Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23802/14]
View answerColombia has had 60 years of conflict, at the heart of which has been the question of land and land grab. According to Karol Balfe of Christian Aid Ireland, Colombia has more internally displaced people than anywhere else on Earth, with an estimated 4.9 million to 5.5 million people displaced. The European Union is seeking the ratification of a trade agreement with Colombia and it is leaving it to the Government to ratify it. I call on the Minister not to ratify it and to ensure there is debate on the floor of the House about the ratification.
The free trade agreement between the European Union and its member states on the one part and the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Peru on the other is an agreement within the meaning of Article 29.5.2° of the Constitution. Ratification by Ireland is therefore subject to prior approval of the Dáil. It is my intention to seek the necessary approval of Dáil Éireann during the course of this year.
While I am aware of the potential economic benefits of this agreement for Colombia and Peru, I am also aware there is a debate as to the value of these agreements to support and enhance human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and more broadly the sustainable development of these countries. I want to mention a few important points, especially in the context of Colombia.
Sustainable development and concerns for social and human rights are at the heart of the sustainability chapter of the agreement with Colombia. This is emphasised by the fact that, from the outset, Article 1 of the agreement has stipulated that respect for democratic principles, fundamental human rights and the rule of law is an essential element of the agreement. During its negotiation, Ireland, including officials from the Department, strongly promoted the inclusion of provisions to reflect this essential element. The inclusion of a sustainable development chapter provides the EU with an important means to contribute to supporting positive social reforms and to the greater protection of human rights in Colombia. Furthermore, the establishment of a special committee, with representatives from Colombian civil society, to monitor implementation of the sustainability provisions demonstrates how the EU can develop real leverage for promoting its values and expectations through this agreement.
The elaboration by Colombia and Peru in October 2012 of roadmaps on human rights, labour rights and environmental protection clearly demonstrates how the agreement can incentivise an agenda for change. Against this background, I believe the agreement with Colombia will be instrumental in encouraging economic and social progress reinforced by arrangements that strengthen the voice and role of civil society in favour of the progressive development of human and labour rights. This is also recognised by the European Parliament, which last year voted to approve the agreement.
A total of 70,000 civilians have been killed in Colombia over 20 years and there are widespread systematic human rights violations. These are directly linked to the extremely unequal distribution of land, power and wealth. The Minister has a major opportunity to carry out very important leverage by not ratifying this trade agreement. The European Parliament previously refused to ratify the agreement and called for a binding roadmap on human rights, environmental rights and labour rights. Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist and hundreds are killed every decade. According to a number of human rights organisations, Colombia is not delivering with regard to a binding roadmap on human rights. There is no independent monitoring committee for which the European Parliament called. The EU strategic framework and action plans on rights and democracy called for European rights impact assessments to be carried out prior to trade agreements. All these organisations state the trade agreement is not strong enough to enforce the necessary improvements in human rights. Either we strengthen it or, if we cannot do so, we desist from ratification.
My belief, which is shared by other European Union governments and the European Parliament, is that leverage will be achieved by operating this agreement to deliver the changes rather than refusing to ratify the agreement and sitting on our hands. The agreement provides respect for democratic principles and human rights as I outlined. It also includes public participation in these matters. A meeting between the EU and civil society took place earlier this year to open dialogue with citizens and other NGOs to examine how the sustainable development provisions are being implemented. This was the first open meeting of the sub-committee on trade and sustainable development established under Article 15 of the agreement. The sub-committee will report back on progress and this provides a tool with regard to whether the agreement progresses.
In 2012, the European Parliament called for the inclusion of a comprehensive human rights chapter in addition to the social and environmental chapters in all future trade agreements. There is no such chapter in this trade agreement. In 2013, there was an increase in social protests, which led to a peak in violence, as a result of the opposition by the people of Colombia to the trade agreement. Security forces in Colombia used excessive force during the protest by the people against this specific trade agreement, and 70 protesters, including community leaders, were killed. To state the trade agreement is a vehicle for positive change is nonsense. I commend the work of Christian Aid, Trócaire, the Latin America Solidarity Centre, ICTU, Justice for Colombia and all the other groups working to try to get the EU to desist from this. While the Chamber must ratify the agreement, Members should at least be given the ability and right to debate it before ratification. It will all sound very well when we pass a vote, but usually people come in here and do not know what they are voting for. We should be given an opportunity to debate this and the Teachtaí Dála who vote on it should educate themselves on the ramifications of its ratification.
The trade agreement between the EU and Colombia contains robust human rights provisions which permit unilateral and immediate suspension in the case of grave human rights violations. Ireland and the European Parliament played a significant role in encouraging strong measures in this regard. The agreement includes a number of binding commitments to implement core labour and environmental conventions. Human rights provisions have been elaborated further in roadmaps dealing with human, labour and environmental rights provided by Peru and Colombia at the request of the European Parliament. We have included these provisions, established oversight committees and we have committees engaging with civil society. We also have the right to withdraw if this does not leverage the type of change Europe seeks to achieve. This agreement provides commitments to deliver and leverage in the event it does not. The alternative outlined by the Deputy of not ratifying it and blocking all interaction does not offer the prospect for which he hopes.
Can we debate it in the Chamber?
The Deputy should use Private Members' time to do so.
Will the Minister offer time?
I doubt Sinn Féin will use Private Members' time.
We will ask the committee to raise the matter.
10. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made to date on implementing the report of the Entrepreneurship Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23792/14]
View answerThis question is on the report of the Entrepreneurship Forum, which was published in the usual style, as the Taoiseach arrived and did a press conference, high-fived everyone, and told them they were great. That was on 23 January. It is now five and a half months later and we have had nothing. Will the Minister update us on the implementation of the recommendations and where the report is at?
I thank the Deputy for tabling the question. In the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, developing a better environment for entrepreneurship is a key disruptive reform. The work of the Entrepreneurship Forum has been a valuable input to identify areas for fruitful initiative. The Department is developing a national policy statement on entrepreneurship. As part of this process, the forum’s recommendations are being evaluated with input from Departments and agencies. Already, a significant number of initiatives have been taken which respond to the forum’s evaluation.
These include the launch of the local enterprise offices, LEOs, the initiation of a competition to find and to invest in the best young entrepreneurs at local and national level, the creation of a new ICT skills strategy 2014-18, the establishment of Knowledge Transfer Ireland and its online database of innovative ideas, as well as turning those ideas that come from intellectual property through the universities and institutes of technology into new companies. In addition, a review of mentoring is being prepared by Forfás and a review of tax supports is under way for entrepreneurs. The initiatives also include an assessment of how the agencies in the Department can deliver targeted improvements in the environment for business, particularly for start-ups, and the preparation of a strategy statement 2014-16 by Enterprise Ireland with new ambitions for high-potential start-ups. There is a strong belief that the start-ups area offers huge opportunity for enhanced performance and jobs growth by the Irish enterprise sector and the Government is determined to facilitate this through a national policy statement on entrepreneurship.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. He can imagine the frustration of business people and entrepreneurs who are successful, who have created jobs, who have taken the risk and who put their valuable time, which they do not really have, into producing a report. The report was presented in a clear and cogent manner and there is no rubbish associated with it. However, they now are being told their views are being assessed. These are people who have walked the walk. This concerns the frustration of the business community in respect of getting involved in a project like this. The proposals probably now are being assessed by numerous interdepartmental committees in the traditional sense. Is there not an argument for implementing the report, given that the recommendations come from people who know what they are talking about and who have the experience?
I have a number of specific queries in this regard. One recommendation was that sharing of maternity leave would be allowed between partners. However, this proposal was voted down by Government parties when Fianna Fáil introduced a Bill on this issue last year. Second, the report by the Entrepreneurship Forum was scathing in its remarks on personal guarantees and their use in lending. However, the pillar banks are still using and frankly abusing personal guarantees. Third, there was a specific recommendation that Ireland could become a European trade hub for China. What has happened since January to further this recommendation? In particular, I am anxious to ascertain what additional resources are being committed in the context of the remarks made earlier by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, regarding new IDA and Enterprise Ireland personnel. Have additional personnel been assigned to China to achieve the aim of enabling Ireland to become a European trade hub?
Many of the recommendations made actually cut across measures that are being implemented anyway. It is unfair to suggest that the Government is not engaging proactively with the recommendations. It acknowledges wholeheartedly the role played by the chairman and individual members in bringing forward these recommendations. I can tell the Deputy that, internally, there is no sense of lethargy about engaging properly. However, he must acknowledge that if one is to take all the recommendations, of which there are at least 69, one must have some sort of process to ensure the State agencies can respond and that there is an interdepartmental response.
As I outlined already in my initial reply, the Government has launched the local enterprise offices, which will cut across a lot of the recommendations made. Similarly, the ICT skills strategy will cut across a lot of the recommendations that were made, as will the review by Forfás on mentoring. Consequently, there is no sense that the Department is not engaging with the recommendations. I assure the Deputy and those people who have been in contact with the Deputy and who may have expressed concerns that the Government is absolutely and utterly intent on ensuring that the national policy statement will reflect the views put forward and the recommendations proposed.
I will come back to the Minister of State after a further supplementary question from Deputy Calleary.
While I genuinely acknowledge the Minister of State's response, the greatest threat to entrepreneurship is an interdepartmental committee. Any sense of entrepreneurship or ambition tends to get parked and choked within such a committee. Were there a commitment that this matter is being dealt with and led at ministerial level and that the Minister of State, together with the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, intend to drive on this report themselves rather than parking it in the Amazonian wilderness of many interdepartmental committees, I might then have some faith in the process.
I did not answer the question on the number of people who have been assigned. A number of people have been appointed through Enterprise Ireland in Asia, comprising ten new people across Asia. I can get a specific figure for the Deputy in respect of China.
To my mind, the interdepartmental approach works quite rapidly at present. If one examines again the recommendations made in the Entrepreneurship Forum report, it is evident that the Government is moving rapidly and actually was ahead of some of the recommendations in respect of outcomes, particularly, for example, with regard to the higher level sector where there is a strong move towards ensuring that research works in a way that turns those good ideas into good jobs. The Government has created Knowledge Transfer Ireland and has ensured there are more post-doctoral and PhD programmes. For instance, there are specific arrangements pertaining to the Irish Research Council on having more enterprise-facing PhD programmes. That is one recommendation that already is under way. The point must be made that while the Government acknowledges the recommendations and is working towards meeting them, it will reflect these outcomes through the national policy statement.
