Questions

251. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to commit to preparing legislation to not automatically exclude members of local authorities from consideration for appointment to State boards; and to set out the reasons such persons would be excluded. [52871/26]

252. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if an assessment has been undertaken of the impact of import delays and regulatory processing times at ports and airports on small and medium sized enterprises importing perishable products; the supports available to affected businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52978/26]

253. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration is being given to establishing a cross-departmental trade facilitation mechanism or trader support service to assist businesses encountering operational difficulties involving multiple State agencies during the importation of goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53051/26]

254. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding the reporting requirements for people that die or are seriously injured in road traffic incidents when their trip was for work purposes; if it is required that employers report these instances to the Health and Safety Authority under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occur…

255. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding the reporting requirements for people that die or are seriously injured in road traffic incidents when their trip was for work purposes; if it is required that employers report these instances to the Health and Safety Authority under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occur…

256. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when his Department's investigation into exports by a company (details supplied) to Russia will be published; the reason no firm date has been given despite repeated commitments that the investigation was "nearing finalisation" or would conclude "within a number of weeks"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53248/26]

257. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to clarify the discrepancy between the originally reported figure of 83% of exports by a company (details supplied) going to Russia and the revised figure of approximately 45%, as identified during his Department's investigation; the date on which this discrepancy was discovered; if his Department is satisfied that the corrected figure …

258. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the evidence, including any evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, economic assessment or statistical analysis, underpinning the policy of providing a 1% interest rate discount on loans (details supplied); whether the Department has assessed whether the discount improves loan performance, repayment rates, business survival or employ…

259. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the estimated total output of CO2 by all companies operating in Ireland in each of the years 2024, 2025, and to date in 2026 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53390/26]

260. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide details of all grant schemes currently available through his Department for which individuals or community groups are eligible to apply; the purpose of each grant scheme; the eligibility criteria; the application process; the opening and closing dates for application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53415/26]

261. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken to support the SME sector since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53460/26]

262. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken to support the retail sector since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53461/26]

263. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken to support the tourism and hospitality sector since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53462/26]

264. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken to boost Ireland's competitiveness since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53463/26]

265. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken in the area of consumer affairs and competition since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53464/26]

266. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken in the area of company and corporate affairs since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53465/26]

267. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken in the area of trade and investment since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53466/26]

268. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken in the area of enterprise innovation since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53467/26]

269. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken in the area of artificial intelligence since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53468/26]

270. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken in the area of business regulation and simplifying administrative burdens since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53469/26]

271. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken under the remit of his Department to control insurance costs for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53501/26]

272. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the engagement his Department, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and other relevant bodies have had with retailers and online marketplaces regarding the sale and advertising of e-scooters that do not comply with Irish road-use requirements, including high-powered or modified models and e-scooters marketed to childre…

273. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the timeframe to submit the general scheme of a Bill to update the 1907 Limited Partnership Legislation to the Oireachtas Committee for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53711/26]

274. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the timeframe for preparation of the proposed second Bill on AI regulation; the way in which the industry and other stakeholders will be consulted and involved in defining the scope of issues to be addressed in the planned Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53712/26]

275. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the application of the SME test across Government departments; whether it is being implemented as intended; whether consideration will be given to publishing the results of SME tests going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53719/26]