Parliamentary questions

Industrial Development

Shane Cassells

25. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to expand her Department's efforts and resources in terms of creating investment and business in the north County Meath region which is the most deprived area of County Meath according to the 2016 Pobal HP deprivation index; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49611/17]

Brexit Issues

Niamh Smyth

26. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the plans in place to protect businesses along the Border in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49453/17]

Enterprise Support Services Provision

Aindrias Moynihan

27. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports available for small and medium enterprises in view of the fact that the 2018 to 2020 expenditure report states the Government, through budget 2018, will respond to the immediate and longer term impact of Brexit across the enterprise agency supported client base; her plans for new supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49614/17]

Economic Competitiveness

Thomas P. Broughan

28. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the negative reports internationally of Ireland's housing and rental market are impacting on the work of bringing foreign direst investment to Dublin and other cities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49517/17]

Economic Policy

Bernard Durkan

29. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department continue to foster opportunities for indigenous and foreign direct investment here; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to continue to do this notwithstanding obstacles arising from a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49609/17]

Arms Trade

Clare Daly

30. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the increase in the value of licences for arms exports from Ireland, issued by her Department, from €23 million to €132 million between the last six months of 2016 and the first six months of 2017; her further views on the fact that this is the first time since six monthly reports began to be published that the value of licences for arms exports has exceeded €100 million; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49607/17]

Departmental Agencies

Maurice Quinlivan

31. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to increase the staffing and budget allocations for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority in preparation for the new functions they will assume under the Companies (Statutory Audits) Bill 2017. [49575/17]

Regional Aid

Thomas Byrne

32. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on whether the EU regional aid status of Kells and north Meath granted in 2014 has had a positive impact in terms of local investment or incentives and grants to encourage employers to locate in the area; and if she is of the view that enough had been done to promote Kells and north Meath as a location for investment and business development. [49465/17]

IDA Ireland Jobs Data

James Browne

33. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of newly created IDA supported jobs in County Wexford in each of the years 2012 to 2016; the number of IDA site visits made to County Wexford in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017 involving new and prospective IDA partners; her future development plans for creating jobs in County Wexford over the next three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49459/17]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports

Niall Collins

34. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the report by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement on a trial (details supplied) will be published. [49594/17]

Job Creation Targets

Aindrias Moynihan

35. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the envisioned breakdown of the 35,000 planned new jobs by those coming from foreign direct investment, indigenous enterprises and region in view of the fact that the 2018 to 2020 expenditure report states the Government plans to grow the number of jobs supported by the various enterprise agencies from 435,000 to 470,000 in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49615/17]

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Paul Murphy

36. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the investor courts system contained in the CETA agreement between the EU and Canada with regard to the advantageous position it provides to investors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49589/17]

Ministerial Travel

Mick Wallace

37. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on her recent trade and investment mission to the United Arab Emirates; the groups she met; the issues discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49605/17]

Brexit Issues

Maurice Quinlivan

38. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contingency plans her Department is putting in place for businesses for the possibility of a no deal Brexit. [49573/17]

Brexit Staff

Thomas P. Broughan

39. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons in her Department and agencies under its aegis who are solely working on Brexit related matters; if she will increase these numbers throughout 2018 as negotiation talks progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49463/17]

Brexit Documents

Niall Collins

40. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication of all external reports commissioned by her Department since June 2016 regarding Brexit, in tabular form; and if all such reports have been or will be published. [49596/17]

Industrial Development

Jackie Cahill

41. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the targeted and strategic plan she has to attract the high value data management industry here in view of the attraction of Ireland to this global industry in the areas of climate, availability of green energy, access to research and a graduate workforce and our EU membership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49454/17]

Trade Strategy

Micheál Martin

42. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if officials in her Department have a role in monitoring developments on the concentrated effort of China opening its markets and dominance in world trade; and if there will be increased resources allocated to Ireland's agencies in China. [45044/17]

Gambling Legislation

Seán Sherlock

43. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures taken under gambling legislation to monitor excessive in-game purchases for children under 18 years of age. [49687/17]

Brexit Expenditure

Stephen Donnelly

44. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the spend on social media campaigns by her Department and the agencies under its aegis on issues related to Brexit; the spend by campaign per platform and State agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49754/17]

Foreign Direct Investment

Bernard Durkan

45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she remains confident of this country’s ability to attract foreign direct investment here notwithstanding issues raised at EU level to the effect that enterprises setting up headquarters here and liable for 14.5% corporation tax may also be compelled to collect taxes on foot of profits made in other jurisdictions; if this is likely to dissuade foreign direct investors coming here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49774/17]

Foreign Direct Investment

Bernard Durkan

46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she will take to counter the EU interpretation of the tax regime applicable to foreign direct investments here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49775/17]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has put in place, or is putting in place, measures to offset the impact of Brexit here with particular reference to exports and imports with the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49776/17]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has identified the sectors most likely to be negatively impacted by Brexit; the steps taken to alleviate such an impact; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49777/17]

Industrial Development

Bernard Durkan

49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which innovation remains an integral part of this country’s campaign to maximise its industrial impact in terms of effective trading, efficiency and modernisation with particular reference to competing on EU and world markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49778/17]

Trade Missions

Bernard Durkan

50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which new trade deals have been entered into following recent promotional tours by herself and bodies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49779/17]

Trade Promotion

Bernard Durkan

51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she expects innovation to continue to become a primary issue in the course of trade discussions, negotiations and investment in the indigenous and the foreign direct investment sector here in terms of cost benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49780/17]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to encourage an even distribution of job creating investment throughout the regions with particular reference to the need to encourage and ensure industrial development everywhere on par with the greater Dublin region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49781/17]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has promoted, supported and-or grant aided job creating investment throughout the regions in 2016; her plans in this regard in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49782/17]

Jobs Data

Bernard Durkan

54. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created in 2016 in the indigenous sector; the number of such jobs created through foreign direct investment in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49783/17]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which technology, education and the availability of suitable business and housing accommodation continue to be an issue in regard to the creation of further employment throughout the entire country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49784/17]

Enterprise Data

Bernard Durkan

56. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of small job creating enterprises set up in the past 12 months; the number of jobs involved; the degree to which this programme can continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49785/17]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she remains satisfied that this country continues to be an active location for indigenous and foreign direct investment; the extent to which competition in the market place is evident in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49786/17]

Knowledge Development Box

Bernard Durkan

58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the knowledge development box continues to be an asset in securing investment in jobs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49787/17]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to engage with investment and job creation interests in Northern Ireland with a view to maintaining the best possible relationship of a mutually beneficial nature with Northern Ireland and the EU in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49788/17]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to engage with investment and job creation interests in Northern Ireland with a view to maintaining the best possible relationship of a mutually beneficial nature with Northern Ireland and the EU in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49789/17]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

61. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which this jurisdiction remains competitive and attractive for jobs in both the manufacturing and services sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49790/17]

Departmental Agencies Staff Data

Michael McGrath

62. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the staffing levels at the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority; if she is satisfied with the levels of staffing; if the authority is in a position to fulfil its functions effectively with existing resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49815/17]

Legislative Programme

Niall Collins

63. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the Second Stage of the Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill as referenced in the autumn legislative programme for 2017 is due to take place. [49827/17]

IDA Ireland Site Visits

Niall Collins

64. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the IDA collates feedback from prospective clients following site visits; if commonalities in feedback regarding site visits are outlined in annual published reports; and if so, the name of such reports. [49828/17]

IDA Ireland Expenditure

Niall Collins

65. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of spending from the IDA's capital budget spent on market analysis of property solutions in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [49830/17]

Brexit Documents

Niall Collins

66. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the research study commissioned by her Department, Sectoral Implications Arising from Brexit: Most Exposed Sectors, is due to be completed and published. [49832/17]

Brexit Documents

Niall Collins

67. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the research study commissioned by her Department, Strategic Implications Arising from EU-UK Trading Patterns, is due to be completed and published. [49833/17]

Trade Agreements

Niall Collins

68. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the latest Mercosur trade talks; and her plans to ensure that Irish farmers are protected and that beef does not form part of the final deal. [49834/17]

Brexit Issues

Niall Collins

69. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the plan for a rescue and restructure scheme for businesses here impacted by Brexit submitted to the Directorate General for Competition; if the scheme is intended to provide equity and loans to firms only; the minimum and maximum loan amounts proposed to be permissible under the scheme; if direct grant aid will be permissible under the scheme; the other criteria associated with the scheme; and if the scheme adheres to existing state aid rules in operation at EU level. [49835/17]

Departmental Reports

Maurice Quinlivan

70. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the titles of reports that her Department received in 2016 that have yet to be made public; and the reason each has not been published, in tabular form. [49836/17]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports

Maurice Quinlivan

71. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the report from the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement on an investigation (details supplied) will be published. [49837/17]

Industrial Relations

David Cullinane

111. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) has refused to implement Labour Court recommendation LCR 21574 recommending enhanced redundancy terms in respect of employees working for a subsidiary being made redundant; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that the company refused to allow the workers to be represented by a union of their choice and that in rejecting the appeal against the workers being made redundant the company described the Labour Court recommendation as inappropriate and out of line with company policy and stated that the workers’ involvement in the union was a contributory factor to the negative outcome of the appeal; and if she will consider contacting the company to express their views on its treatment of workers and apparent contempt for the State’s industrial relations machinery. [49531/17]

Ministerial Responsibilities

James Lawless

108. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to the former Taoiseach's statement in September 2016, the detail of the 11 areas of responsibility of the Minister of State, Deputy John Halligan; if responsibilities have been added or removed in the interim; and if she is satisfied with the way in which duties under each of the 11 areas have been carried out. [48751/17]

International Agreements

Peadar Tóibín

109. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to ratify the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances in the future; if there is a timeframe for doing so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49032/17]

Retail Sector

Catherine Murphy

110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 556 of 22 November 2016, if she has had updates from or engagement with the groups the former Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation addressed at the retail consultation regarding a differential in euro and sterling in the context of retail sales here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48730/17]

Brexit Issues

Stephen Donnelly

111. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the preparations made in her Department in the event of no agreement being reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the terms of the UK's exit from the EU; and if such preparations involve the drawing up of detailed and specific contingency plans in the event of a hard Brexit and a trade regime based on WTO tariffs. [48770/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Catherine Murphy

112. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of providing external coaching and-or training services for staff development in her Department over the past five years and to date in 2017, by cost per year, in tabular form; the company that delivered the training courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48799/17]

Departmental Functions

Niall Collins

113. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the social partners or employment policy experts were consulted before the decision was made to transfer labour affairs functions in her Department to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; if her officials carried out an impact assessment of the transfer of functions; and if so, if she will publish same. [48822/17]

Brexit Issues

Micheál Martin

114. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the preparations her Department is making in the event of there being a hard Brexit, in particular following Michel Barnier's comments on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48895/17]

Weather Events Response

Bríd Smith

115. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on whether the health and safety Acts need to be amended after Storm Ophelia in order that accidents commuting to and from work during severe weather conditions can be negated. [48909/17]

Job Creation

Niamh Smyth

116. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of a project (details supplied); the number of jobs that will be created as a result; the services that will be provided by this facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48931/17]

IDA Ireland

Jackie Cahill

117. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will engage with the IDA with regard to a site (details supplied) as a location for the construction of a major data centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48958/17]

Work Permits Applications

Peter Burke

118. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a work permit delay (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49034/17]

Departmental Communications

Jonathan O'Brien

119. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the domain names registered to or owned by her Department or through a third party company. [49063/17]

Parliamentary Questions Costs

Mattie McGrath

120. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the average costs associated with processing and answering written and oral parliamentary questions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49117/17]

Employment Data

Dara Calleary

121. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated value of the augmented reality and virtual reality industries here; the estimated levels of employment involved in these sectors; the number of companies based in this country operating in these sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49208/17]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

John Curran

122. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has reported yet on the operation of the household waste collection market; her plans to publish this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49318/17]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Data

Maurice Quinlivan

123. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of the 248 public complaints received by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE, in 2016 that resulted in further action being taken by the ODCE; the number that were dismissed; and the number that remain open. [49406/17]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports

Maurice Quinlivan

124. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when a report (details supplied) will be made public in view of the receipt of advice from the Attorney General on same. [49407/17]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Expenditure

Maurice Quinlivan

125. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason over €2.2 million was surrendered back to the State by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in 2016, in view of the fact that no prosecutions or convictions were achieved by this office; and her views on whether this represents an agency that is adequately policing white collar crime here. [49408/17]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Maurice Quinlivan

126. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of times she has met the Director of Corporate Enforcement since coming to office; if she has confidence in the director in view of the collapse of a trial (details supplied) in May 2017 due to the failed ODCE investigation and in view of the fact that no prosecutions or convictions have been achieved by this office in the past two years. [49409/17]

Trade Data

Maurice Quinlivan

42. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses engaged in cross-Border trade with Northern Ireland; the number of persons employed by these businesses; and the value of this trade in 2015, in tabular form. [48516/17]

Research and Development Funding

James Lawless

43. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding agencies that are active here to support research and development activities; the criteria that are applied to funding applications in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48544/17]

Research and Development Funding

James Lawless

44. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which philanthropy or external non-State support is available to support research and development activities here; the agencies or organisations that are involved in such projects; the criteria that are applied to funding applications in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48545/17]

Industrial Relations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

45. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on whether a complainant is left without decision, remedy or route to pursue their grievance through the industrial relations mechanism of the State despite following the industrial relations mechanisms in circumstances in which an adjudication officer of the WRC states that they do not have jurisdiction to hear a case and, following appeal to the Labour Court, the Labour Court states that because no decision had been made by an adjudication office no appeal could therefore be brought before the court. [48554/17]

Industrial Relations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

46. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if there are potential defects in the industrial relations mechanisms of the State, including the WRC and Labour Court, by which a complainant may possibly end up without a decision made on their grievance. [48555/17]

Gender Balance

Mary Lou McDonald

47. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the gender balance on each of the State boards under her remit, in tabular form. [48557/17]

Departmental Functions

James Lawless

48. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the functions of her Department that have been legally delegated to the Minister of State, Deputy John Halligan; the relevant delegation orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48577/17]

Enterprise Ireland Funding

Seán Sherlock

49. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if SMEs that qualify for an audited exemption need audited accounts to access Enterprise Ireland funding across all its funding lines; and if so, the specific funding lines for which audited accounts are required. [48614/17]

Ministerial Travel

Niall Collins

50. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the countries visited by her and others (details supplied) since May 2016; the total travel and accommodation costs incurred for each such visit on overseas ministerial business, in tabular form. [48616/17]

Brexit Issues

Niall Collins

51. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the EU Director General of Competition did not approve the proposed plan she put forward for a rescue and restructure scheme for businesses impacted by Brexit following her meeting with Commissioner Vestager in November 2017; the reasons the EU Director General of Competition and the Commissioner decided not to approve the scheme at this point in time; the specific reasons for same; and if state aid rules issues were raised. [48617/17]

Company Law

Niall Collins

52. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason section 9 of the Statutory Audits Bill 2017 deletes subsection (7) of the Companies Act 2014 (details supplied); her plans to retain the audit exemption for small and micro sized companies as provided for in most other EU member states. [48618/17]

International Bodies Membership

Niall Collins

53. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the joining membership cost and the annual cost for Ireland to become a member of both CERN and the European Southern Observatory. [48619/17]

Brexit Documents

Niall Collins

54. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the latest InterTradeIreland report which shows that 19 out of 20 businesses do not have a plan to deal with Brexit. [48620/17]

Horizon 2020 Strategy Funding

Niall Collins

55. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of Horizon 2020 funding awarded to SMEs on an annual basis per county since it was established, in tabular form. [48621/17]

Company Law

Niall Collins

56. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the review being carried out by the Company Law Review Group into the way in which company law is enforced here; the status of recommendations by the subcommittee on corporate governance preparing for legislative change intended to further refine the corporate governance provisions of the Companies Act 2014. [48622/17]

Company Returns

Michael Healy-Rae

105. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the process in place for the late filing of the annual return form B1 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48351/17]

Action Plan for Jobs

Niamh Smyth

106. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans and the plans of the State's industrial promotion agencies to assist in job creation and in the maintenance of existing employment throughout counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2017. [48276/17]

Company Law

Robert Troy

107. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a matter (details supplied); and the reason for the change. [48381/17]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Alan Kelly

108. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has engaged with the disclosures tribunal; if not, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48425/17]

Qualifications Recognition

Maureen O'Sullivan

98. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason no mutual recognition agreements with other countries on occupational first aid have been agreed to date; and her plans to address this in the future. [47654/17]

Brexit Issues

Eamon Scanlon

99. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the eligibility details of the Brexit loan scheme; the rates that will be available; the loan limits that will apply to borrowers; when the scheme will open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47775/17]

Weather Events Response

Fergus O'Dowd

100. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which her Department responded to the declaration of the status red alert weather warning as regards its own employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47921/17]

Weather Events Response

Fergus O'Dowd

101. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the protocols in place or the rules or guidelines that issued by her Department to employers during a status red weather warning; the guidance that was issued to employers, to the self employed and to those working in the public sector in relation to turning up for work on 16 October 2017 during the status red storm warning; her views on whether binding statutory regulations should be in place to protect workers and save lives (details supplied). [47972/17]

Retail Sector

Robert Troy

102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures she is putting in place to ensure a level playing field, for example, VAT rates and so on, in view of the significant increase in online shopping. [48085/17]

Banking Sector

Thomas P. Broughan

32. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the further steps she is taking to prevent anti-competitive collusion in the banking sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47375/17]

Departmental Funding

Sean Fleming

33. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding paid to the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, which was formerly the Crafts Council of Ireland, in 2015 and 2016; the allocation for 2017; if her Department received a copy of its audited financial statements for 2015; if these will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47455/17]

Economic Competitiveness

Niall Collins

34. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of Ireland's ranking overall when compared with small economies in the latest World Bank Doing Business rankings available for 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47583/17]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports

Niall Collins

35. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the report by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement into a trial (details supplied) will be published. [47584/17]

Legislative Programme

Niall Collins

36. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when Second Stage of the Companies (Statutory Audits) Bill 2017, which will transpose a 2014 EU directive, will take place in Dáil Éireann. [47585/17]

Foreign Direct Investment

Niall Collins

37. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a report (details supplied) on the way in which the housing crisis and the severe housing shortages could harm Ireland’s competitiveness and the ensuing impact this may have on attracting foreign direct investment here. [47589/17]

Departmental Funding

Niall Collins

38. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 6 October 2017, the Exchequer funds given by her Department to the organisations to conduct this study. [47590/17]

IDA Ireland

Niall Collins

39. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to the confirmation by the IDA chief executive (details supplied) that over the past number of months there were concerns about a project in view of the time it was taking to get planning approval; when her attention was drawn to planning issues in this area since taking office; and the steps she took on receipt of this information with senior Department officials and Cabinet colleagues, including the Taoiseach, to ensure the project progressed and the investor did not pull out of the project . [47591/17]

IDA Ireland

Niall Collins

40. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of each occasion and date that a company (details supplied) raised the matter of the planning process for a project in Athenry since 2015 with her, her predecessor, the IDA and her Department; and the steps taken at Cabinet level to ensure the project was not lost. [47592/17]