Examinership must be made easier for companies that will need to restructure
18th December 2020 - Richard Bruton TD
Examinership must be overhauled to allow an administrative process be established to ensure viable businesses are saved in a post Covid economy, a Fine Gael TD has said.
Richard Burton, Chairperson of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, said, “Examinership is a process which shelters a viable business while it can work out a restructuring arrangement with its landlord and its creditors. In Ireland, it can only be done through the High Court and it is prohibitively expensive, costing about €100,000.
“The result is few businesses avail of it. It is estimated that in the UK, five times more viable businesses in trading difficulties are rescued through examinership than in Ireland. This is bad in normal times but disastrous in the face of the Covid crisis.
Accurate information and challenging misinformation is essential
16th December 2020 - Fine Gael Press Office
The Fine Gael Parliamentary Party has unanimously passed a motion expressing confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine and highlighting the need to counteract misinformation in relation to the vaccine.
The motion, tabled by Fine Gael’s Health Spokesperson Colm Burke reads:
That the Fine Gael party welcomes the recent positive news about COVID-19 vaccines, recognises the benefits of high levels of vaccination in protecting everyone, commits to work with healthcare professionals to promote the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, provide accurate information and challenge misinformation.
It was agreed by all Fine Gael Ministers, TDs, Senators and MEPs attending tonight’s parliamentary party meeting.
Political Correspondent
There are some reports that the Tánaiste indicated to the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party tonight that there is likely to be restrictions on gatherings for at least three more months.
Two sources who attended the meeting said Leo Varadkar also suggested there was a possibility that these restrictions could be in place for another six months.
One said that there were indications that the restrictions could potentially run until April of May.
The Taoiseach also told the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting that the possibility of a Brexit deal is looking more hopeful this week.
Micheál Martin said there is a pathway on the level playing field issue but fisheries remains challenging.