-----the procedures for liquidations are set out in Part 11 of the Companies Act 2014. As Minister, I have no statutory power to interfere.

Unfortunately, I cannot do that because I do not have the statutory power. I want to go back to the role of the HSA regarding complaints and procedure. The HSA has power, teeth and resources and it will have more resources if they are needed. Some of the complaints came in before lockdown was introduced. Some of the complaints about which the Deputy is talking-----

-----came into the HSA before the lockdown was put in place. When the HSA contacted the employers to follow up, the places of work were closed. One cannot inspect a place of work that is closed.

Some of the complaints are coming in from people outside the workplace. People who do not even work there are putting in complaints. The Deputy should keep that in mind.

Some of the complaints coming in are also about closed businesses and the prospect of places opening up. These cannot be inspected because they are closed. I just wished to point that out to the Deputy.

I thank the Deputy for raising these issues. To answer his last question first, through many years Ireland has built up a very robust life sciences and biopharmaceutical industry, the quality and depth of which is recognised across the world. Our track record on skills availability, manufacturing quality, consistent pro-enterprise policies, high regulatory standards and access to the European Union attracts many companies to the country. Of course, biopharmaceuticals is a globalised industry with multinational comp…

The Deputy can submit a written question.

I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. We currently have a suite of supports. Some of them are loans and some of them are grants. We have the business continuity grant. One gets that from the local enterprise office so that gives one access to somebody who will give advice and help to put together a financial plan for one's company. We then have the grants for getting online. In fairness, many businesses have taken that up. Finally, we have the restart grant, which is a fund I announced last Saturday week of €2…

Interest rates under the Microfinance Ireland Covid-19 loan schemes have been reduced to between 4.5% and 5.5%. The first six months are interest and repayment-free, which means there is an effective annual interest rate of just over 3%. Under the SBCI Covid-19 working capital scheme, loans are offered at a maximum rate of 4% and this represents a significant saving compared to other similar lending products on the market. Under the future growth loan scheme, the maximum interest rate is 4.5% for loans of less than…

It has not made a request, as far as I am aware, but I speak to the head of the Health and Safety Authority and-----

No, but it is important that I explain that there will be resources available from other agencies. For example, the HSE may have environmental health officers who can transfer over, and there are a number of other agencies that would be able to give it staff.

Not yet.

We have supports of up to €12 billion.

I will take the Deputy's last question first. I meet the enterprise forum every two weeks. The enterprise forum consists of all the representative stakeholders such as IBEC, Chambers Ireland, ISME, the Small Firms Association and the exporters' organisation so I meet all of these bodies. I am on conference calls with them at least every two weeks. I get their feedback and they get feedback from their members. I know the Deputy mentioned the credit guarantee scheme. We have a much more enhanced scheme where the Stat…

I move: That— ( a ) notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, and until further notice in the 33rd Dáil, the membership of the Committee on Procedure shall consist of the Ceann Comhairle as ex officio chair and not more than 16 other members, appointed by parties and groups as follows: (i) Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Sinn Féin three members each; and (ii) all other parties and groups one member each, and seven members shall constitute a quorum of the Committee, and ( b ) the Ceann Comhairle shall announce the na…

I move: That, with effect from 5th May, 2020, where Standing Orders 21 and 22 require a quorum of 20, that quorum shall at all times be reduced to ten, until further notice in the 33rd Dáil.

I welcome the opportunity to address the Chamber and update Deputies on the work under way in my Department to help the enterprise sector meet the business challenges presented by Covid-19. Clearly, Covid-19 has resulted in a profound impact across the economy with unprecedented speed. Figures from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection indicate that it had issued payments to 591,000 people in respect of their applications for the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment and 36,100 payments in rec…

I thank the Deputies for raising these various matters. Many issues have been raised so I will try to get through them as quickly as I can. Regarding worker protection, the HSA plays a key role alongside the HSE. We are preparing a document, which we will publish shortly. It will include specific guidance around how to implement physical distancing in the workplace, respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene. We are working closely with the HSE and the HSA to ensure we have those guidelines, as it is important for employ…

I am sorry.

I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. The Taoiseach announced earlier that a comprehensive plan is being developed for how restrictions will be eased and what that will look like. Unfortunately, it will not be like flicking on a switch that means everything can go back to normal. However, we will have the roadmap and supports in place. We are engaging with businesses on protocols. We are working with the Labour Employer Economic Forum, LEEF, the HSA, IBEC, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. I have h…