Micheál Martin
Ceist:91. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy on implementing in full the Manning report on Seanad Éireann; and the status of same. [48744/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeanad Reform
Ceisteanna (91)
Freagraí scríofa
In the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government stated its commitment to pursuing the implementation of the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform (the Manning Report) and I intend to honour this commitment.
One of the recommendations of the Report, published in 2015, was the establishment of an Implementation Group to oversee implementation of the reforms contained in the Report.
As my predecessor previously said in the House, he agreed with a suggestion made some time ago by Deputy Martin that this Group should be based in the Oireachtas and should comprise members of the Dáil and Seanad from all parties and groups, with access to independent expert advice as required. He wrote to Party Leaders in September last year seeking their agreement to this approach and their intention to participate.
I would like to progress this and have asked Minister of State John Paul Phelan to engage with the Parties.
Strategic Communications Unit
Ceisteanna (92, 93, 94)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:92. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the detail the director and staff in the strategic communications unit sought and were provided with when they consulted with their counterparts in the UK and the Netherlands regarding strategic communications; the format the consultation took; and if meetings took place. [48745/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMicheál Martin
Ceist:93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the six procurement contracts issued in respect of the strategic communications unit; and the status of same. [48746/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMicheál Martin
Ceist:94. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committee under which the remit of the strategic communication unit falls. [48747/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 to 94, inclusive, together.
The Director and a member of staff in the Strategic Communications met with their counterparts in the UK and the Netherlands to learn at first hand how both countries went about the streamlining and optimisation of government communications, from the perspective of the citizen. Both countries have adopted a whole of Government approach to communications with the citizen placed at the centre.
Their communication systems aim to simplify how government information is communicated to the public so that it is delivered in a coherent, accessible and cost effective manner.
The procurement contracts issued in my Department are as follows:
|
TENDER |
|
Research and Insight |
|
Pitch Specialist |
|
Creative Services |
|
Digital Creative Services |
|
Design Services |
|
Media Buying |
Standstill letters or letters awarding contract issued in 3 cases (Research/Pitch/Creative) - Decision made not to award a contract in the mini competition for design services. Evaluation being concluded in remaining two competitions.
Procurement for these contracts is taking place centrally for major cross government campaigns, which improves efficiency. All contracts are being procured in accordance with standard public procurement rules through the Office of Government Procurement.
The Strategic Communications Unit does not come under the remit of a Cabinet Committee. The Unit is integrated within the Civil Service structures in my Department, with the Director of the Unit reporting to the Secretary General of the Department.
The Civil Service Management Board (CSMB) has established a sub group of the CSMB which acts as a high-level working group and is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government. It held its first meeting on October 25th.
In addition, responsibility for communications has been assigned to an Assistant Secretary in every Government Department, who will work collectively to ensure cross Government cooperation. This initiative will be progressed as part of the civil service renewal programme.
Commissions of Investigation
Ceisteanna (95)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:95. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of an inquiry (details supplied). [48750/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The IBRC Commission was established on 16 June 2015 under the Commission of Investigation (Irish Bank Resolution Corporation) Order 2015. Mr. Justice Brian Cregan, a judge of the High Court, is the Commission's sole member.
The Commission is entirely independent in its work and it is not possible for me to make any comment on the status of the Commission other than in relation to administrative matters for which I am responsible as the specified Minister under the Act.
The timeframe for the final report on the first module of the Commission's work, in relation to the Siteserv transaction, is the end of December 2017. However, as I informed Opposition representatives when I met them on 14 November 2017, the Commission is now of the view that its investigation into Siteserv could take a further twelve months i.e. until December 2018 and it will be seeking an extension of its timeframe for reporting.
Since it was established to the end of October 2017 the Commission spent €2,589,911. This figure does not include significant third party costs or legal fees that have been incurred and will arise for payment in due course. I also informed Opposition representatives when I met them that the Commission has requested an increase in the level of fees to be paid to legal counsel. At the meeting concerns were expressed about the potential significantly increased cost of the Commission and my Department is communicating with the Commission in relation to these issues.
Departmental Staff Training
Ceisteanna (96)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:96. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the cost of providing external coaching and-or training services for staff development in his Department over the past five years and to date in 2017, by cost per year, in tabular form; and the company that delivered the training courses. [48813/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The training and development needs of the staff in my Department are identified through the performance management process. This is to ensure that staff are equipped with the skills and competencies to both perform their roles efficiently and progress their careers. The cost of providing training and coaching for the development of staff in my Department in the five year period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016, and to 20 November 2017 is €213,361.93.
The information is set out in the following tables.
2012 Total €25,807.00
|
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
CARR COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
€5,586.00 |
|
CHRISTINE ARUNDE |
€325.00 |
|
CONSOLIDATED ENTERPRISES |
€435.00 |
|
IRISH ACADEMY OF COMPUTER TRAINING |
€4,760.00 |
|
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION |
€4,025.00 |
|
JOHN G GERAGHTY |
€130.00 |
|
NOREEN ROWSOME |
€130.00 |
|
PUBLIC AFFAIRS IRELAND |
€796.00 |
|
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN |
€8,925.00 |
|
WARD SOLUTIONS LTD |
€695.00 |
2013: Total €46,483.12
|
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
ACHILLES PROCUREMENT SERVICES |
€195.00 |
|
CARR COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
€1,750.00 |
|
CONSOLIDATED ENTERPRISES |
€425.00 |
|
FLEXTIME LTD |
€640.50 |
|
GRIFFITH COLLEGE DUBLIN |
€690.00 |
|
IRISH ACADEMY OF COMPUTER TRAINING |
€4,675.00 |
|
MICHAEL HYLAND |
€2,400.00 |
|
PUBLIC AFFAIRS IRELAND |
€1,044.85 |
|
SAFETY IRELAND FIRST RESPONSE LTD |
€500.00 |
|
SEAMUS O'DWYER |
€288.00 |
|
SPICEWORKS TRAINING |
€140.85 |
|
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN |
€33,733.92 |
2014: Total €41,435.44
|
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
AYLESBURY SCIENTIFIC |
€450.00 |
|
BROADLY SPEAKING |
€265.50 |
|
CARR COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
€1,750.00 |
|
ETC CONSULT |
€900.00 |
|
GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE IRELAND LTD |
€10,640.00 |
|
IRISH ACADEMY OF COMPUTER TRAINING |
€1,990.00 |
|
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION |
€1,870.00 |
|
OPTIMUM RESULTS |
€895.00 |
|
PUBLIC AFFAIRS IRELAND |
€245.00 |
|
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN |
€17,929.94 |
2015: Total €26,794.99
|
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
CARR COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
€6,500.00 |
|
CONSOLIDATED ENTERPRISES |
€770.00 |
|
ECDL IRELAND LTD T/A ICS SKILLS |
€1,425.00 |
|
IRISH ACADEMY OF COMPUTER TRAINING |
€2,985.00 |
|
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION |
€3,295.00 |
|
ITRONICS LTD |
€450.00 |
|
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN |
€11,369.99 |
2016: Total €34,901.75
|
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
ANDEC COMMUNICATIONS |
€1,845.00 |
|
BYRNE WALLACE SOLICITORS |
€1,168.50 |
|
CARR COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANTS LTD |
€2,550.00 |
|
CARR COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
€13,752.00 |
|
DCM LEARNING |
€695.00 |
|
E-CAREERS.COM |
€39.00 |
|
ECDL IRELAND LTD T/A ICS SKILLS |
€475.00 |
|
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION |
€1,750.00 |
|
LEARNING FOCUS LTD |
€3,420.00 |
|
PUBLIC AFFAIRS IRELAND |
€612.25 |
|
READING DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE |
€3,300.00 |
|
SAFETY IRELAND FIRST RESPONSE LTD |
€2,620.00 |
|
SELECTION BY DESIGN LTD |
€720.00 |
|
SURESKILLS LTD |
€1,580.00 |
|
YVONNE FAGAN COACHING |
€375.00 |
2017 (to 20th November): Total €37,939.63
|
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE |
€388.80 |
|
BYRNE WALLACE SOLICITORS |
€1,018.44 |
|
CARR COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED |
€2,587.50 |
|
CARTER & CORSON PARTNERSHIP LTD |
€1,990.43 |
|
CLEARMIND COACHING |
€2,214.00 |
|
DEPT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE & REFORM |
€17,550.00 |
|
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION |
€1,450.00 |
|
PUBLIC AFFAIRS IRELAND |
€1,605.00 |
|
RACHEL DOOGUE CONSULTING |
€2,152.50 |
|
SURESKILLS LTD |
€3,312.00 |
|
THE IRISH TIMES LTD |
€1,125.00 |
|
YOUNG PROGRAMMES EVENTS LTD |
€1,460.96 |
|
WP LEGAL ISLAND |
€335.00 |
|
YVONNE FAGAN COACHING |
€750.00 |
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (97)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the names of the companies renting a fixing and-or space on telecoms and-or communications masts from his Department; the income received for each of the past five years for same, in tabular form. [48847/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department receives no income of the nature referred to by the Deputy.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (98)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:98. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the gender balance on each of the State boards under his remit, in tabular form. [48887/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I appoint members to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) under the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 and the NESC (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010 - SI 603/ 2010.
In the case of the NESC, the legislation provides that I appoint members on the nomination of the organisations and interests set out, ie business and employer, ICTU, farming and agriculture, community and voluntary and environmental sectors, public servants and independent members. The public servants are mainly Secretaries General and must include a representative of my Department and the Department of Finance. In the independent category three independent members have been appointed, one of whom is a woman. There are four vacancies in this category at the moment and these will be filled in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.
The Statistics Act 1993 provides for an eight member National Statistics Board, including the Director General of the CSO, ex officio, and an Assistant Secretary from my Department and the Department of Finance. Two members are nominated by the Taoiseach and three by organisations representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under the Act. The two independent members appointed by the Taoiseach are women.
The following table sets out the required information.
|
Board |
Number of Men |
% of Men* |
Number of Women |
% of Women |
|
NESC |
16 |
67% |
8 |
33% |
|
NSB |
6 |
75% |
2 |
25% |
These percentages include members appointed in an ex-officio capacity or on the basis of nominations from sectoral organisations.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (99)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:99. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to Chancellor Merkel since the election in Germany in September 2017. [48888/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As I indicated to the House on 4 October, I spoke informally with Angela Merkel at the Digital Summit in Tallinn. I also saw and interacted with her at the October European Council.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (100)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:100. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to Prime Minister Rajoy since the October 2017 EU Council meeting. [48890/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I engaged informally with Prime Minister Rajoy at the European Council in October, and at the Social Summit in Gothenburg on 17 November. I have not yet had a formal bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister, but I look forward to having a chance for a more detailed engagement in the near future.
Ongoing political engagement with our EU and international partners remains crucial, especially as negotiations on Brexit proceed. I will, of course, see many of my EU counterparts in the margins of the EU-Africa Summit next week.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (101)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:101. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Enniskillen on 12 November 2017; if he attended meetings while he was there; and the issues that were discussed. [48891/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I attended Remembrance Day ceremonies in Enniskillen on Sunday 12 November. I laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and attended a Remembrance Service in Saint Macartins Cathedral before visiting the Royal British Legion hall for lunch.
In the afternoon, I visited the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen. After a tour of the facility, I had a private meeting with staff who cared for victims of the 1987 Bombing and had a brief meeting with DUP Leader Arlene Foster.
RTÉ Revenue
Ceisteanna (102)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:102. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office included the debts of RTÉ on the State balance sheet in view of the fact that the majority of income in RTÉ is received from the Government following collection of TV licence fees and that this has been the case for a number of years. [49020/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
RTÉ is currently classified in the General Government sector and consequently all of its revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities are included in the government finance statistics produced by the CSO. This classification was applied in 2012 with retrospective effect to 2009, following a routine review by CSO of the market nature of RTÉ. All bodies classified to the General Government sector are listed in the Register of Public Sector Bodies in Ireland published by the CSO which is available at http://www.cso.ie/en/methods/nationalaccounts/classificationdecisions/registerofpublicsectorbodiesinireland/.
Central Statistics Office
Ceisteanna (103)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:103. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office examined the accounts of each of the commercial semi-State organisations and other semi-State bodies that are in receipt of significant public funding as to whether the majority of their funding comes from public sources; and whether their debts should be included on the State balance sheet. [49029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Council Regulation (EC) No. 479/2009 (as amended by Council Regulation 679/2010 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 220/2014) the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for the official reporting of Ireland’s General Government Deficit/Balance (GGDeficit / GGB), Debt (GGDebt) and other Government Finance Statistics (GFS). In particular, this requires the CSO to define the scope of the Public Sector (which includes the General Government Sector) in Ireland. In fulfilment of this requirement the CSO maintains and publishes a Register of Public Sector Bodies in Ireland which is available at http://www.cso.ie/en/methods/nationalaccounts/classificationdecisions/registerofpublicsectorbodiesinireland/. This register includes a listing of bodies classified in the general government sector, whose revenue, expenditure and financial balance sheet is included in the Government Finance Statistics reported to Eurostat and published nationally. It also includes a listing of publicly controlled corporations not classified in the general government sector due to their market nature.
To compile this register the CSO use a number of sources including surveys of all central government departments, in co-operation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and all local authorities, in co-operation with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. This is done in order to confirm or revise existing listings and to obtain further information as needed on all bodies under the aegis of these government units to ensure their correct classification according to the relevant European System of Accounts 2010 criteria. A preliminary analysis of the results of the central government survey conducted in 2017 is reflected in the latest version of the register. Work on the local government survey and consequent updates to the register are ongoing. The composition of the register is not static. Government controlled bodies are established, closed and merged over time. Also the market/non-market status of bodies must be continually reviewed. Consequently the Register of Public Sector Bodies is reviewed and updated periodically (at least annually).
Data on publicly controlled corporations (including commercial and other semi State bodies) not classified to the General Government sector are reported annually to Eurostat in a Questionnaire on government controlled units classified outside general government. This data includes a calculation of the quantitative market/non-market for the previous three years for those bodies whose total liabilities exceed 0.01% of GDP. The CSO also conduct periodic reviews of the classification of bodies controlled by government either at its own initiative or on request by Eurostat or other government departments or agencies. This work forms a central part of the preparation of Government Finance Statistics and is a core component of the work of the CSO Government Accounts division.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (104)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:104. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Taoiseach the domain names registered to or owned by his Department or through a third party company. [49061/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The list of current valid domain names registered in my Department follows. As part of the Government's eGovernment strategy 2017-2020 the Office of the Chief Information Officer has been working on the development of a Digital Service Gateway - a single digital point where citizens can easily access information about the Government services that are available to them. This work, which began at the beginning of this year, is ongoing and will involve the rationalisation of existing Government websites and online services over time. The project will be managed and developed by existing resources within the civil service. Some of the registered domains relate to roles which my Department no longer has responsibility for, and may be assigned to other Departments. A number of domains have expired and will not be renewed, following a review.
www.Taoiseach.ie
www.antaoiseach.info
www.bunreacht.ie
www.constitution.ie
www.okeeffecommission.ie
www.fennellycommission.ie
www.ibrccommission.ie
www.merrionstreet.ie
www.sraidmhuirfean.ie
www.merrionstreet.eu
www.governmentofireland.eu
www.skillstowork.ie
www.GovernmentofIreland.info
www.antaoiseach.com
www.Irishprimeminister.info
www.Irishcabinet.eu
www.Poistae.ie
www.chiefwhip.info
www.eupresidency.ie
www.taoiseach.eu
www.Irishprimeminister.eu
www.thetaoiseach.com
www.thetaoiseach.info
www.Chiefwhip.eu
www.antaoiseach.eu
www.Allaboutjobs.ie
www.Governmentnews.eu
www.thetaoiseach.eu
Parliamentary Questions Costs
Ceisteanna (105)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:105. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the average costs associated with processing and answering written and oral parliamentary questions. [49131/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Information is not currently available which would make it possible to distinguish the cost to my Department of answering Parliamentary Questions from the overall administrative cost associated with the operation of the Department more generally. The cost in answering Parliamentary Questions would also need to take account of the costs arising for the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Exports Data
Ceisteanna (106)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:106. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Taoiseach the number of businesses exporting to Britain; the number of persons employed by these businesses; and the value of this trade in 2015, in tabular form. [48517/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information on the number of businesses exporting to Great Britain and the numbers of people employed as requested by the Deputy are not available.
Trade in goods data between Ireland and Great Britain is collected via the Intrastat survey, which is carried out by VIMA (Revenue Commissioners) on behalf of the CSO. In order to minimise the burden on enterprises, only those whose exports exceed €635,000 per annum, or whose imports exceed €500,000 per annum are included in the survey. There are around 2,200 exporters and 5,500 importers required to complete this survey on a monthly basis. This covers 98.8% of the total value of exports and 96.5% of the total value of imports.
The CSO makes estimates for the remaining enterprises whose trade is below the threshold level. In 2017, this equates to around 9,800 exporters and 43,000 importers. As detailed data is not available for these enterprises, it is not possible to state how many of these enterprises export to Great Britain, or the employment levels of these enterprises.
The value of Exports to Great Britain in 2015 is shown in table A.
Table A: Exports to Great Britain by division 2015.
|
Division |
€000’s |
|
Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes |
11,681 |
|
Beverages and tobacco |
243,999 |
|
Chemicals and related products |
3,899,986 |
|
Commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere |
335,168 |
|
Crude materials, inedible, except fuel |
393,744 |
|
Food and live animals |
3,914,147 |
|
Machinery and transport equipment |
2,557,483 |
|
Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material |
915,356 |
|
Mineral fuels, lubricants and related products |
418,289 |
|
Miscellaneous manufactured articles |
1,120,173 |
|
Total |
13,810,026 |
State Aid
Ceisteanna (107)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:107. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the number of organisations in the State in receipt of State funding that have expended resources seeking the repeal of the eighth amendment; the amount of funding these organisations have received from the State in the past five years; the number of organisations in the State in receipt of State funding that have expended resources seeking the retention of the eighth amendment; and the amount of funding these organisations have received from the State in the past five years. [49298/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Taoiseach has no official function or responsibility to the House in relation to this matter. Under Standing Orders questions addressed to a member of Government must relate to public affairs connected with his Department or to matters of administration for which he or she is officially responsible.
Ministerial Responsibilities
Ceisteanna (108)
James Lawless
Ceist: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]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On the 20th June, the Taoiseach re-appointed Mr. John Halligan T.D. as a Minister of State with responsibility for certain policy areas under the remit of my Department.
On 26th July, the Government made orders for the delegation of Ministerial functions to Minister Halligan at my request.
Minister Halligan has been delegated responsibility for Innovation, Research and Development (IRD) and will oversee implementation of the Government's national strategy in this area, Innovation 2020. He has been given responsibility for the delivery of IRD programmes across the agencies of my Department and the development of a successor to the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions. He has also been delegated responsibility for Ireland's membership of International Research Organisations and European Space Agency in addition to sectoral research initiatives that my Department is involved in, Ireland's engagement with the EU Framework Programme in Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, and maintaining an Intellectual Property framework aimed at promoting and rewarding creativity, supporting innovative activity and improving the business environment.
These areas of responsibility are similar to what had been delegated to Minister of State Halligan prior to June 2017. Statutory Instrument No. 363 of 2017 entitled "Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No 3) Order 2017" sets out in detail the specific areas of responsibility that Minister of State Halligan has.
I am fully satisfied with the way in which Minister of State Halligan has carried out his duties.
International Agreements
Ceisteanna (109)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist: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]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances was adopted by the Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances, which took place in Beijing from June 20 to 26, 2012. The objective of the Treaty is to establish rules ensuring the adequate protection and remuneration of actors and allowing their performances to be made available, whether they are distributed on physical media (such as DVDs) or on the internet.
The Treaty will enter into force three months after 30 eligible parties have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession in WIPO. To date, 19 WIPO member states have ratified the Treaty. Ratification of the Treaty requires contracting parties to adopt national law provisions that permit the reproduction, distribution, rental and making available of recorded audiovisual performances; broadcasting, making available and fixation of live performances; as well as certain moral rights in relation to performances.
The text of the Treaty can be found on the WIPO website at the following link: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/text.jsp?file_id=295838
Ireland recognises the importance of the Beijing Treaty in strengthening the economic rights of performers in audiovisual recordings, granting moral rights to prevent lack of attribution or distortion of their performances, and in providing performers with protection in the digital environment. Ireland signed the Beijing Treaty on 19th June 2013 but has not ratified the Treaty itself, in line with normal protocol which requires Government approval for the ratification of international Treaties.
I would like to take the opportunity to highlight that, as it currently stands, Ireland’s existing legislation does provide for protection of a range of rights in relation to performances, and that the term of protection of those rights is 50 years for all performances created before 1st November 2013, and 70 years for all performances created since that date. This is a greater term of protection than is required to comply with the Treaty, which is “at least 50 years”.
My intention is to bring a Memo to Government in due course once analysis of the final adopted text of the Treaty and of the relevant Irish law is complete.
Retail Sector
Ceisteanna (110)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist: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]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to underline the Government's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of a stronger Euro are passed on to Irish consumers. My Department has engaged with the retail sector on this issue through the Retail Consultation Forum, which I now Chair. Specifically, it was raised and discussed at a meeting of the Retail Consultation Forum on 21 November 2016.
In response, retailers explained that some of the differentials between prices quoted in Euro and Sterling may be attributed to such factors as the exchange rates at the time of the purchases by the retailers, the relative costs of doing business between the two jurisdictions, and tax rates.
While it is not my function to set prices for retailers, it is my view that retailers should explain to their customers, and to the economies in which they operate, the reason for price differentials where they exist. Actions by retailers to restore consumers’ confidence that they can get a fair deal will help not only to address issues around the differentials in prices but will also help in assisting businesses to retain trade and, thereby, help to maintain employment.
I also recognise that retailers themselves are concerned about the impact of sterling fluctuations on Irish consumer sentiment. Retail sales figures show that the volume of retail sales is growing at a faster rate than the value of sales growth, which indicates that there continues to be heavy discounting by retailers and promotional activities to drive footfall and sales.
In October this year, Retail Ireland copied my office on their correspondence to Deputy Joan Burton following the Deputy's Parliamentary Question of 11th September on the issue of the fall in the value of sterling, outlining the reasons for any price differentials where they exist and the value that is available in stores across Ireland.
Brexit, and the resulting consequences for both retailers and consumers, will continue to be a focus of the Retail Consultation Forum and was discussed in detail at the most recent meeting of the Forum on Monday 20 November.