Parliamentary questions

Human Rights Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

197. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he had, or intends to have, discussions with the Burmese Ambassador in relation to human rights abuses of the Rohingya people in Burma and if he will pursue this matter in his role on the Human Rights Council. [3007/13]

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

414. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans that have been made to mark, on 13 November 2013, the centenary of the decision, taken at a meeting at Wynn's Hotel, Dublin 1, to establish the Irish Volunteers, fore-runner of the Irish National Army and of the present day Oglaigh na hÉireann / Defence Forces Ireland; if in particular the contribution of Bulmer Hobson, the Volunteers' first Secretary General / Quartermaster General and future historian of the volunteers, will be appropriately acknowledged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3101/13]

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

415. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that the Republic declared on Easter Monday 1916 was declared by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the plans he has to research and publish information, in the context of the Bureau of Military History, or otherwise, on the membership of the Irish Republican Brotherhood over the decade from the decision in August 1914 to stage a rising up to the dissolution of the IRB in March 1924; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3102/13]

Live Exports

Maureen O'Sullivan

561. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the transport of live animals to African and Middle Eastern countries is conforming to the guidelines of the International Animal Health Organisation; the type of inspection of the ships that will be undertaken; his views on standards of slaughter houses in these countries; his view on whether in exporting live animals we are exporting jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2964/13]

Road Network

Maureen O'Sullivan

697. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he envisages being in a position to produce the funding that he had intended giving towards the dual carriageway between Ballygawley and Newbuildings, funding of some €400 million; if he envisages contributing towards a proposed affordable upgrade of the existing road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2963/13]

Archaeological Sites

Maureen O'Sullivan

127. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he will release the archaeological report/assessment on the Moore Street battlefield site Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2153/13]

Waste Management Regulations

Maureen O'Sullivan

136. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made to date in developing new regulatory structures for waste management; if he has further details regarding the introduction of on the spot fines for incidents of fly tipping or small scale illegal dumping. [2154/13]

Copyright Infringement

Maureen O'Sullivan

95. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that the integrity of the National Anthem will be preserved as copyright will end in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57867/12]

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

559. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding he envisages for his Department for Commemoration events 2013-2016; his plans for making funding available for local commemorative initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1038/13]

Legal Matters

Maureen O'Sullivan

742. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether An Garda Síochána is discharging its duty to take proper heed or proper notice of concerns expressed in the courts as to the abuse of the summary summons or special summons process by the filing of affidavits containing untrue or unfounded averments of fact and law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57919/12]

Fur Farming

Maureen O'Sullivan

861. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any of the five fur farms have given notification to his Department that they no longer have minks kept as per the condition on the licence applicable to minks issued under the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Minks) Order 1965 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58171/12]

Animal Welfare Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

868. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Inspectors as authorised officers in relation to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill in relation to non-farm cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1039/13]

Adoption Records Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

909. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is considering an amendment to the 2010 Adoption Act to extend the life of declarations in terms of the adoption process; when this task will be completed; if she will provide a time frame for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58035/12]

Adoption Records Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

910. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Health Service Executive will be instructed to start reassessments for those whose declarations will expire in October 2013; the action that will be taken for prospective parents (details supplied) who have waited seven years to adopt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58036/12]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Maureen O'Sullivan

911. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that referrals from Thailand will continue to be issued by the Adoption Authority of Ireland regardless of the current uncertainty in relation to the renewal of declarations; if it will be resolved prior to the expiration of the declarations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58037/12]

Animal Experimentation

Maureen O'Sullivan

995. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health in view of the implementation of the EU Directive, 2010/63/EU, in January 2013, the way he intends to implement the three R's: replacement of the use of animals to the greatest extent possible with alternative methods, refinement of scientific procedures to improve animal welfare and a reduction in the numbers of animals used; the way he will address the issue of animals subjected to severe pain, suffering and distress which a significant proportion of Irish animal experiments officially cause [58152/12]

Animal Experimentation

Maureen O'Sullivan

1072. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the permitted humane methods of killing for different species of animals bred for or used in laboratory experiments at different stages of their development and or different body weights, under SI 566/2002, operative until 1 January 2013. [1510/13]

Disability Support Services Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

1102. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the 5% cut to the annual core grant of an educational centre (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in view of the fact that it will have significant repercussions on the service being provided for severely disabled children [1759/13]

EU Directives

Maureen O'Sullivan

300. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health in view of the implementation of the EU Directive 2010/63/EU in January 2013, the way he intends to implement the three Rs, replacement of the use of animals to the greatest extent possible with alternative testing methods, refinement of scientific procedures to improve animal welfare and reduction in numbers of animals used; the way he will address the issue of animals subjected to severe pain, suffering and distress which a significant proportion of Irish animal experiments officially cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57514/12]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Maureen O'Sullivan

194. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if the new Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012 will exempt executors of wills for whom the selling of a property is their responsibility but who are not the beneficiaries of that property, or if the Bill will allow deferring of payment until the property is sold; if the exemption of executors of wills will not be included in the Bill if he will include them in a waiver programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56966/12]

School Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

251. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make representations to ensure that schools will not have to pay the same fixed energy costs as small and medium business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56819/12]

Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta

Maureen O'Sullivan

264. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fáth ar ghlac sé an cinneadh chun an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) a chur faoin gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta; an féidir leis a chur in iúl go cruinn cén coigilteas airgid a bheidh déanta de bharr an cinneadh sin a dhéanamh; an ndeachaigh sé i gcomhairle le bord COGG sular glacadh an cinneadh; an ndeachaigh sé i gcomhairle le pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta a mbíonn COGG ag freastal orthu lena dtuairim a lorg sula ndearnadh an cinneadh; an dóigh leis, ar bhreathnú siar, gurbh fhearr an cinneadh a fhreaschur. [56959/12]

Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta

Maureen O'Sullivan

265. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fáth ar thug sé neamhaird ar mholtaí sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, 2010-2030 nuair a rinne sé an cinneadh chun an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) a chur faoin gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta; cén fáth nár chloígh sé le moltaí na Straitéise go mbeadh príomhról ag COGG agus go mbeadh COGG ar an ngrúpa ardleibhéil straitéise; an bhféadfadh an tAire a mhíniú cén fáth nach bhfuil sé ag cloí le moltaí na Straitéise nuair nach bhfuil fiú coigilteas airgid i gceist; an gciallaíonn sé seo nach bhfuil an tAire ag tabhairt tacaíocht don Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge; céard is fiú straitéis a bheith ann mura bhfuil na rannóga rialtais sásta í a chur san áireamh. [56960/12]

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

424. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the persons that are maintaining the National Asset Management Agency properties; if he will outline the tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56323/12]

Fur Farming

Maureen O'Sullivan

560. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that a ban on fur farming is going through the Dutch Parliament, the Netherlands being the third biggest for mink fur farming in the world, and Germany phasing out fur farming by 2016, if he will consider the phasing out of fur farming here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56967/12]

Appointments to State Boards

Maureen O'Sullivan

149. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the view of his appointing board members to Irish Water Safety, if he will consider appointing a representative to the board of Swim Ireland. [55921/12]

Prison Visiting Committees Expenditure

Maureen O'Sullivan

53. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the disparities between the Inspector of Prisons' report on St. Patrick's Institution, Dublin and the Visiting Committee Report of 2010; the location at which it is planned to accommodate 18 to 21 year olds, who would currently be residing in St. Patrick's Institution (detail supplied), after 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54640/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Maureen O'Sullivan

134. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the visit by the chair of the Committee of Public Accounts to investigate corruption in African countries and in view of the U.K. Public Accounts Committee calling multi-national corporations into Westminster to examine their profits and tax responsibilities, if he will request the Committee of Public Accounts to call in multi-national companies to outline their responsibilities in relation to payment of corporate tax here. [55243/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Maureen O'Sullivan

473. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is committed to having the publication of the standards and new system of Inspection of Private and Voluntary Intellectual Disability Services published by January 2013; if he will ensure that the inspections will be independent and of a high standard and that no further delays will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55242/12]

Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes

Maureen O'Sullivan

67. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of teachers, scheduled classes, work training programmes that have been curtailed and or cancelled in each prison and the comparable numbers for six and 12 months ago; the impact of the reduction in prison officers and prison office hours on the availability of services for prisoners including education, psychology, work training, health care and drug addiction service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54734/12]

Preschool Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

97. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the withdrawal of Health Service Executive funding to a preschool (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54729/12]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

122. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he as a member of the World Bank, will raise key concerns to ensure procurement procedures will benefit developing countries with significant positive outcomes for local businesses. [53856/12]

World Bank Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

123. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will support a strong revised safeguards policy at the World Bank that will meet international standards and practices in human rights, particularly for high risk projects with displacement consequences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53857/12]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

178. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the implications that the lack of special educational needs resources are having on a school (details supplied) in Dublin 1; the reason there was a change in policy resulting in excluding the special school under the DES from SEN resource supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53754/12]

Medicinal Products Supply

Maureen O'Sullivan

251. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the potential negative effects the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 will have on the costs of medicines for those suffering from epilepsy; if protection measures will be put in place in the Bill either at Committee Stage or Fourth/Fifth Stage in order that sufferers from epilepsy will not be adversely affected by the changes in prices due to legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53530/12]

NAMA Debtor Agreements

Maureen O'Sullivan

81. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if the National Assets Management Agency debtors in receipt of retainers from NAMA also have pension entitlements either within the retainer or in addition to the retainer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53290/12]

Human Rights Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

174. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to his comment that Ireland cannot act unilaterally to ban illegal Israeli imports, his response to Ireland's obligations to uphold and promote international human rights and humanitarian law; his views on the legal opinion provided by EAPPI (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52378/12]

Tax Compliance

Maureen O'Sullivan

213. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will support the introduction of country by country accounting and if he will work towards the inclusion of secrecy jurisdictions in the Council of Europe/OECD Multilateral Convention on Tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52349/12]

Tax Compliance

Maureen O'Sullivan

214. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance as per recommendations of the recent OECD/IMF/UN (2011) report, if he will carry out a spill over analysis of tax policy here to ensure that it is not negatively impacting on the revenue take of the developing countries [52350/12]

Cóiríocht Scoile

Maureen O'Sullivan

269. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéid bunscoil agus iarbhunscoil atá i gcóiríocht shealadach agus cén céatadán díobh siúd gur scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge iad; cad iad na scoileanna atá ag fanacht le cóiríocht bhuan agus cé chomh fada is atá na scoileanna sin ag fanacht le cóiríocht bhuan. [52328/12]

Student Support Schemes Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

90. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the mounting difficulties students have in accessing their grants, if he will continue to fund the student assistance fund beyond 2013. [51835/12]

Residency Permits

Maureen O'Sullivan

123. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the length of time a British Citizen need to reside here in order for their habitual residence application to be accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51668/12]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Maureen O'Sullivan

124. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a British citizen (details supplied) Dublin 1 who has worked here before but whose job has since ceased, has a PPS number and is in a relationship status with an Irish citizen is now being refused jobseeker's benefit/allowance, community welfare supplementary support twice, even though they have provided all documentation, including the habitual residence form and have no intention of leaving the country; and if her attention has been drawn to the financial difficulties they are undergoing as they have no access to support services during their unemployment. [51669/12]

Local Authority Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

165. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been budgeted for Dublin City Council to fund the Dublin Region Homeless Executive each year since 2008; the amount his Department has contributed to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51796/12]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

178. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on State involvement in Magdalene Laundries will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51798/12]

Homelessness Strategy

Maureen O'Sullivan

211. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the amount the Health Service Executive has contributed to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51797/12]

Departmental Staff Promotions

Maureen O'Sullivan

160. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach the number of promotions made in his Department to principal officer higher scale, principal officer standard scale, assistant principal officer higher scale, assistant principal officer standard scale, higher executive officer scale, executive officer scale and staff officer scale; the total for all of his Department; if he will provide a breakdown for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51027/12]

Human Rights Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

166. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations regarding the Kurdish political prisoners, including a number who are elected members of the Turkish parliament, on hunger strike in Turkish prisons whose health is severely impaired; if he will express concern on the strict isolation of Mr. Ocalan as these matters are not helpful in finding a solution for the Kurdish conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51018/12]

Proposed Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan

467. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of Ireland's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council, if he will prioritise publishing the mental capacity legislation; if this legislation will be up to date in line with international human rights law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51569/12]

Forestry Sector

Maureen O'Sullivan

554. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a scientific expert group concluded last week that Chalara fraxinia spreads either from spores on the leaves travelling on the wind, occurring during summer time or through infected stock; his plans to cease the cutting of hedgerows to prevent the spreading of the pathogen and reduce the risk of spreading it to Northern Ireland, England and Europe [51570/12]