Jan O'Sullivan
Question:71 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals Ireland favours for the implementation of commitment to human rights protection. [23529/08]
Written Answers.
The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 61, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 62 to 70, inclusive, answered orally.
Human Rights Issues.
The promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law has always been a priority of successive Governments and is an important aspect of our foreign policy. Support for institutions and organisations that promote governance, democracy and human rights is an important element of Ireland's official development assistance programme.
Together with our EU partners, the Government monitors the human rights situations in many countries throughout the world, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources including both official and non-governmental organisations. Where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns about human rights violations to the Governments in question, either bilaterally, through the EU, or through action at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council. At these bodies, the EU regularly makes statements on the human rights situations in specific countries from all regions. Ireland is fully associated with these statements. The EU also introduces or supports resolutions in multilateral fora dealing with specific country situations.
The EU conducts human rights dialogues with a number of countries and has also adopted Human Rights Guidelines on certain issues, which contribute to identifying priorities for the EU's human rights policy. The adoption of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in 2004 was one of the key priorities of the then Irish Presidency of the EU in the field of human rights. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is now a standard element of EU trade and cooperation agreements with third countries.
Ireland supports the work of the UN Human Rights Council, which was established in 2006 to replace the Commission on Human Rights and which promotes universal respect for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. A key innovation of the Human Rights Council is the new Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, whereby each member State of the UN submits to a thorough review of its human rights performance every fourth year. The UPR process has been one of the key elements of reform and is an important innovation to the system of addressing human rights situations on the ground in all UN member States. Part of the UPR process is holding States to account for voluntary pledges and commitments made with regard to human rights protection.
The UPR process complements existing reporting mechanisms under international human rights treaties. Every State is obliged to submit periodic reports and to appear before treaty monitoring bodies on the progress made in domestic implementation of the international human rights treaties it has ratified.
Foreign Conflicts.
Paul Kehoe
Question:72 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the call for a recognition of the issue of the Armenian Genocide of 1915; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23655/08]
The events which resulted in the tragic deaths of very large numbers of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire more than ninety years ago continue to cast a shadow over relations between Turkey and Armenia, whose historical interpretations of these events have diverged sharply. The Turkish Government has proposed the establishment of a commission, composed of eminent academics, to investigate and determine the facts of this tragic episode in their shared history. While it has not been possible to move forward on the basis of this proposal, we would encourage both sides to explore ways to make progress on this most sensitive issue.
I take encouragement from the indications of initial moves by both the Turkish and Armenian authorities recently aimed at improving bilateral relations – including that, when President Sargsyan of Armenia took office earlier this year, he promised to improve ties with Turkey, while Turkish President Abdullah Gul was among those who congratulated him on his election. I would urge both sides to build on these tentative links and to establish a higher level of mutual confidence, as a basis for efforts to deal with the tragic events of their shared past. I believe it is appropriate for us to show due respect for the extreme sensitivity of the issues involved, by confining ourselves to making clear our support for such efforts.
Lisbon Treaty.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:73 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has reviewed or propose to review structures or procedures within the EU in the aftermath of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23703/08]
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:79 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way he will deal with EU affairs in the aftermath of the Lisbon treaty referendum. [23154/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 79 together.
The result of the referendum is, of course, deeply disappointing for all who argued in favour of ratification of the Lisbon Reform Treaty. However, the people have made their decision which must be respected.
We will need time to analyse the result properly and to look for an acceptable way forward. The result of the referendum brings about a situation of considerable uncertainty for Ireland in Europe. The Government will not rush into any decisions on how to move forward.
The intention is that we will consult widely and intensively in the months ahead. The European Council, which begins tomorrow, provides an early opportunity for the Taoiseach to give his initial assessment of the referendum result. and its implications.
This is a very important moment in the history of Ireland's hugely successful engagement with the European Union, which has been a central pillar of our national development since 1973. Our goal will be to ensure that Ireland continues to occupy its appropriate position at the heart of the EU. and with a constructive contribution to make to the Union's future development.
Last week, the forthcoming French, Czech and Swedish Presidencies of the Council circulated a comprehensive programme of work for the Union over the next eighteen months. Ireland has a vital interest in the ongoing success of the Union in dealing with the key issues on its agenda in the period ahead. The Government will therefore be contributing actively to policy debates within the various Council formations.
The Treaty of Nice, which was endorsed by the Irish people in 2002, provides the legal basis for the Union's continued functioning. It has to be acknowledged, however, that the current Treaty arrangements are generally viewed as not being adequate for the long-term functioning of an effective Union capable of meeting the challenges of the future.
Middle East Peace Process.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:74 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement in relation to conditions in Gaza; and his views on whether the international obligations to its people are being observed by those with an obligation as occupying forces and other forces. [23519/08]
Eamon Gilmore
Question:98 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent announcement of a large number of new houses and extensions to existing settlements near Jerusalem and its implications for the possibility of peace initiatives. [23520/08]
Andrew Doyle
Question:107 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23731/08]
Olwyn Enright
Question:122 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has protested to the Israeli authorities regarding the continued expansion of settlements in the occupied territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23728/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 98, 107 and 122 together.
At the outset, I want to express the Government's strong welcome for the news today that Israel has confirmed its agreement to a deal brokered by Egypt for a ceasefire in Gaza, starting tomorrow morning. Deputies will be aware that the Government has been seriously concerned for some time about the dangerous humanitarian and security situation in Gaza, where the population of 1.5 million people have been facing unsustainable conditions of daily life and the constant reality and threat of lethal violence. We have argued that developments in the West Bank and Gaza underline the urgent need to restore momentum to the political process.
The Government and our EU partners have strongly supported the negotiations between the Israeli Prime Minister and the Palestinian President, which were launched at Annapolis last November. It is encouraging that, in the face of political and security challenges, they have pressed ahead with their talks with the objective of reaching a final status agreement by the end of 2008. However, there has been a growing concern in the region and internationally that events on the ground will undermine the political process.
An immediate priority must be to end all violence in and from the Occupied Territories. This includes Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza on Israeli towns and Israeli military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel and the Palestinians appear now to have taken a very important and courageous step towards ending the violence in Gaza and Southern Israel. They must be assured of the full support of the international community in the implementation of the truce agreement. The days ahead will be difficult for all sides. In addition to monitoring the ceasefire, sensitive efforts will continue to reach agreement on the re-opening of crossing points, and on future prisoner and hostage releases. I hope that there will also be agreement on the lifting of restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the West Bank. The EU will give every possible support to the process. It has made clear that it is ready to resume the border assistance mission at the crucial Rafah crossing-point into Egypt in the context of an agreement between the parties.
The Government has consistently called for an end to the isolation of the people of Gaza. We have stated clearly that it is unjust and unacceptable to subject the people of the territory to measures which the UN has rightly described as amounting to collective punishment. It has also been politically counterproductive. I hope that in the positive atmosphere created by the ceasefire, early progress can be made on the initiative taken last week by President Abbas to open reconciliation talks between the different Palestinian groupings aimed at creating a strong consensus on the implementation of a two-State solution.
Decisive action is also now required by the Israeli Government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to a freeze on all settlement construction on occupied land. The Government strongly shares the growing international concern about a series of decisions in recent months to construct large numbers of new homes in settlements in and around Jerusalem. These decisions have a direct, negative impact on the political process. Ireland has been among the Member States most active in ensuring that the EU has conveyed its serious concern about settlement expansion directly to the Israeli Government at every opportunity, including the annual meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council in Luxembourg on Monday. The EU has made it clear to Israel that settlement construction anywhere in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law. It also prejudges the outcome of final status negotiations and threatens the viability of an agreed two-State solution.
Northern Ireland Issues.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:75 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the British Prime Minister the case for truth and justice sought by the families of the 11 people murdered by the British Army in Ballymurphy, Belfast over three days in August 1971; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17216/08]
The Government consistently raises with the British Government issues which are the legacy of the Troubles, at political level and through the British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast, as well as ongoing official contacts.
As the Deputy is aware, there are many families still seeking answers and justice for lost loved ones, including the Ballymurphy cases. The question of how to deal with the legacy of the past is being considered by the independent Consultative Group on the Past, which was established in June 2007, under the joint chairmanship of Archbishop Robin Eames and Denis Bradley. The Government welcomed the establishment of the Consultative Group and has remained in close contact with it.
Among the important topics on which the Consultative Group is deliberating is how best to meet the demand for truth, justice and apology for the many terrible deeds which occurred during the Troubles. As they move to develop their proposals the Consultative Group has met with many stakeholders across the spectrum of those affected, including in this jurisdiction: I understand that representatives of the Ballymurphy families met with the Consultative Group on the Past on a number of occasions.
My Department was represented at an event in Dublin on 30 April last, intended to raise awareness of the killings of these eleven people, at the start of a period of the worst violence of the Troubles, following the introduction of internment on 9 August 1971. There are still many unanswered questions in relation to the circumstances surrounding these tragic killings.
My Department is in regular and ongoing contact with Relatives for Justice, a group which represents the Ballymurphy families, and has, over the years, supported Relatives for Justice in their work, including through provision of assistance by the Reconciliation Fund.
Overseas Development Aid.
Alan Shatter
Question:76 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to introduce new aid modalities on delivery methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23742/08]
The White Paper on Irish Aid lays out the principles which guide the approaches and modalities used in providing aid to developing countries. These are:
Partnership;
Public Ownership and Transparency;
Effectiveness and Quality Assurance;
Coherence; and
Long-term Sustainability.
The White Paper states that Ireland will maintain a mix of complementary modalities in each of our programme countries. Assistance may be given through direct support for a sectoral plan delivered by ministries such as health, education or agriculture; as support to the Government's public expenditure programme through the budget; by means of individual projects or through programmes with NGOs or local authorities.
That mix is determined by the particular circumstances in each country. We choose the modality or mix of modalities on the basis that the programmes we fund will have lasting benefits and will support the country's own development efforts.
The development context, the quality of governance, the strength of public financial management and accountability systems and the capacity to deliver public services, all influence the choice of aid modality.
By using a mix of modalities, Irish Aid can have more influence on how our aid is used to benefit the poorest people. When we provide aid for a national plan or programme, we can see first hand how well this is being delivered to people because we also support programmes at local level where our staff monitor and discuss service delivery with local authorities, NGOs, communities and citizens. Similarly, funding for public expenditure programmes is complemented by support to statutory oversight and national audit bodies, such as the Office of the Auditor General.
Providing money through partner Governments and their public expenditure systems is appropriate and essential in building the effectiveness and accountability of state services to citizens. I believe that this is the best way to support long term and sustainable development. However, we complement support for Government policy and public expenditure programmes with support for civil society and NGOs to strengthen their role in ensuring accountability.
I am very conscious of the need to be able to respond to changing situations and emerging issues such as climate change and the sharp rise in food prices. I am confident however, that the toolbox of aid modalities that we have developed with other donors, with partner governments and with Irish development NGOs provides us with the means to respond effectively to individual country contexts.
Foreign Conflicts.
Brian Hayes
Question:77 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the liaison there is between the UN mission in Chad and the UN mission in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23746/08]
The United Nations missions in Chad and Sudan and the UN-authorised EU military mission in Chad, EUFOR Tchad/RCA are part of a multidimensional security and humanitarian presence in a region which has been seriously affected by the Darfur conflict, as well as by tensions within and between the two countries.
There are two UN missions in Sudan: UNMIS, established in March 2005 to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of January 2005 which brought to an end a long-running conflict between North and South Sudan; and the joint African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), established under Security Council Resolution 1769 of 31 July 2007 to protect personnel and civilians and to support the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement.
In Chad, UN Security Council Resolution 1778 of 25 September 2007 mandates MINURCAT, a UN mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, which is tasked with training and supporting the Chadian police, and with the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as providing security and protection for an estimated 400,000 refugees and internally displaced persons, to allow for refugee returns and to facilitate humanitarian assistance; and EUFOR Tchad/RCA, the EU-led military mission in Chad and the Central African Republic under the Operational Command of Irish Lt. Gen. Pat Nash. EUFOR's mandate includes supporting the activities of MINURCAT and the protection of refugees and internally displaced people, as well as facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Under its mandate, the UN mission MINURCAT in Chad is specifically required to liaise closely with UNAMID in Sudan, primarily with a view to exchanging information on emerging threats to humanitarian activities in the region.
Security Council Resolution 1778 also provides for close co-operation between the EU, the UN Secretary General and the Governments of Chad and the Central African Republic throughout EUFOR's mission. There is Security Council Resolution 1778 also provides for close co-operation between the EU, the UN Secretary General and the Governments of Chad and the Central African Republic throughout EUFOR's mission. There is close liaison between the EU and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York and Lt. Gen. Nash, has visited UN Headquarters in this context.
I understand that the Special Representatives of the UN Secretary General in Sudan and Chad also coordinate on a regular basis and routinely copy each other with their reports in order to provide a fuller picture of the situation.
A political settlement is the only hope for lasting peace in Sudan's Darfur region, and Ireland fully supports the ongoing African Union/UN mediation efforts in that regard. Ireland and the EU have continually put pressure on Sudan to allow full deployment of the UNAMID peacekeeping force in Darfur, and to ensure full access for humanitarian workers. While the international community can assist the parties in settling their internal and bilateral differences through constructive means, in the final analysis the parties themselves must demonstrate the political will and commitment necessary to resolve the underlying political and security challenges in the area. Ireland and its EU partners also continue to urge the Government and opposition in Chad to work towards the establishment of real democracy and the holding of free and fair elections next year.
Diplomatic Representation.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:78 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reasoning and the circumstances which led to the speedy recognition of Kosovo by the Irish Government. [23523/08]
Paul Kehoe
Question:102 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23658/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 102 together.
The declaration of independence by the Kosovo Assembly on 17 February last marked the culmination of a lengthy final status process for Kosovo led by the UN Secretary-General's Special Status Envoy, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. In April 2007, after more than a year of talks involving Belgrade and Pristina, he produced his final status proposal, which recommended internationally supervised independence for Kosovo with strong guarantees for minorities in Kosovo. While Ahtisaari's proposal was strongly supported by Ireland and the great majority of our EU partners, intensive efforts within the UN Security Council to agree on a new Resolution to give effect to his proposal ended in failure in June 2007, due in large part to Russian opposition. When a further four months of direct talks between Belgrade and Pristina also ended in failure, the Kosovo Assembly made its decision on 17 February to declare independence, and committed itself to full implementation of the Ahtisaari proposal.
At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 18 February, EU Foreign Ministers agreed a common response to Kosovo's declaration of independence, noting the uniqueness of Kosovo's situation, arising from the conflict of the 1990s and the eight years of UN administration which followed under the continuing UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and reaffirming the EU's willingness to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region including through deployment of an ESDP rule of law mission. The Council also agreed that Member States will decide, in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo. Since then, 20 EU Member States, including Ireland, have recognised Kosovo's independence.
It is regrettable that lengthy negotiations failed to produce an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. A new UN Security Council resolution clarifying the position would have been greatly preferable to the current situation. But the clear reality is that Serbia effectively lost Kosovo through its own actions in the 1990s. The legacy of the killings of thousands of civilians in Kosovo and the ethnic cleansing of over a million made the restoration of Serbian dominion in Kosovo unthinkable. As the European Council agreed in December 2007, the status quo in Kosovo was inherently unstable. More than 90% of the population wants independence, and this is supported by our major partners in the EU and beyond, many of whom moved quickly to recognise Kosovo. Taking all of the circumstances into account, the Government decided on 28 February that Ireland would recognise the Republic of Kosovo.
The Government has made it clear that our decision to recognise Kosovo is based on a careful assessment of the political and legal circumstances of this particular case. It is in no way intended as an act of hostility towards Serbia. We know that Kosovo's independence is painful for Serbia and difficult to accept. We believe that the future for Serbia and Kosovo lies with Europe and urge all sides to refrain from taking any action at this sensitive time which will impede and delay the realisation of this European perspective.
The situation on the ground in Kosovo remains relatively calm, if tense. With the coming into force of the new Kosovo constitution on 15 June, the challenge now facing the international community is to ensure a smooth transition from the current UN mission (UNMIK) to the EU's EULEX rule of law mission, and to ensure that the international presence can operate effectively throughout Kosovo, including Serb majority areas in the North. In this context, we welcome the decision of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to proceed with reconfiguration of the UNMIK mission. While we wait to see the final details of the planned reconfiguration, it is important that this takes place in a way which allows for the progressive deployment throughout Kosovo of an autonomous EULEX mission, as envisaged under the Ahtisaari proposal.
Ireland shares the determination of the international community, through the international presences in Kosovo, to support stability in Kosovo and the wider Balkan region, with guarantees for the promotion and protection of the rights of all communities and their members. We are positively engaged in this effort through our enhanced troop presence in the UN mandated KFOR mission, and our membership of the International Steering Group for Kosovo. We intend also to contribute 9 personnel, including 8 members of the Garda, to the EU's ESDP rule of law mission. We will continue to support the future economic development of Kosovo, and to participate in the forthcoming international donor conference for Kosovo.
Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 73.
Ethiopian Food Crisis.
Sean Sherlock
Question:80 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the food crisis in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23508/08]
Poverty is widespread and deeply rooted in Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in the world. More than 30 million people live below the poverty line and over 8 million people are at risk of hunger each year.
Recent years have seen large increases in public spending on education, health and water in Ethiopia, and significant progress has been made in human development indicators. For example, maternal and under five mortality rates have fallen, while the number of primary school teachers and primary schools has increased significantly. There were 2.6 million more children in primary school in 2007 than in 2005, an 11% increase over just a two year period.
However, Ethiopia continues to have endemic food insecurity problems, which are mainly due to recurrent droughts, floods, rapidly growing population, poor technology and lack of infrastructure. In spite of the fact that the country enjoyed the fourth consecutive bumper harvest in 2007, this success was largely confined to the highland part of the country. By contrast, in the lowland areas of the country, which are inhabited mainly by pastoralists, the rainfall was inadequate and has caused an almost total failure in food production in some areas. In certain parts of the country this has been exacerbated by continuing insecurity and conflict.
Global escalating food prices have exacerbated the crisis and have prevented the poor, in both rural and urban areas, from accessing food. An example of the increasing cost of staple foods is that, in the course of 2007, the wholesale price in the market in Addis Ababa for white wheat and white maize increased by 80% and 97% respectively.
One of the key priorities of Ireland's assistance is to prevent, as far as possible, people falling into absolute hunger and destitution during food security crises through a targeted programme of social protection, entitled the Productive Safety Nets Programme. Ireland provided €9 million to this programme in 2007. In 2008, Ireland increased our assistance to this programme to €11 million in order to target those most at risk from the current food crisis. More than seven million people depend on this programme to avoid becoming absolutely vulnerable to destitution.
In addition, Ireland has made a further €3 million available for programmes to assist Ethiopia's rural poor in diversifying their crops and increasing their productivity. Further assistance will be made available as necessary. Irish Aid is also funding our NGO partners who are working with the poorest and most vulnerable in Ethiopia. So far in 2008, Irish Aid grants to NGOs have amounted to just under €10 million.
Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 68.
Passport Applications.
Michael D'Arcy
Question:82 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation regarding his review of the arrangements in place for Deputies to use the drop box facilities for passport applications [23639/08]
As indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Questions 239 to 242 on 26 February 2008, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that he had asked the Secretary General of the Department to undertake a review of all aspects of the special passport facility for Members of the Oireachtas, including whether it should be continued in place.
The Secretary General in March established a Committee to undertake the review, and this has met on a number of occasions. It is expected to complete its work in the near future.
As part of the review, my predecessor wrote to all Deputies and Senators to elicit their views. I know that many Members of both Houses have provided input, and would like to express my appreciation to them for doing so. In addition, several party leaders responded to my predecessor's invitation to nominate a representative to meet with members of the Committee to discuss the issue.
Foreign Conflicts.
Jack Wall
Question:83 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the killers of a French aid worker (details supplied) who was killed in Chad earlier in May 2008 have been apprehended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20150/08]
The situation in Chad remains complex, fluid and fragile. United Nations agencies and NGOs have identified deteriorating security and internal displacement as two of the chief operational challenges they face in addressing the humanitarian situation in eastern Chad. The problem of insecurity that affects the civilian population and humanitarian actors in eastern Chad on a daily basis is one of the reasons why EUFOR Tchad/RCA was deployed in the country. EUFOR's mandate, authorised by UN Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007), is to contribute to the protection of vulnerable civilian populations and facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance. Creating the security conditions conducive to a voluntary, secure and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons is a joint aim of both EUFOR and the UN mission in Chad, MINURCAT.
Unfortunately those responsible for the tragic killing of a French aid worker in Chad have not been brought to justice, and this is very regrettable. It is essential that aid workers can work safely and securely in this environment to ensure that the most vulnerable in society receive the assistance they need. EUFOR, along with MINURCAT, will continue to do all within its capabilities to ensure the safety of all humanitarian actors. Changing the political context in Chad, by moving decisively towards inclusive and stable democracy with strong institutions, is the only way to break the cycle of violence and conflict which has engulfed that country for far too long, and to end impunity for serious crimes. Ireland and the EU will continue to press for this.
Overseas Development Aid.
Enda Kenny
Question:84 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if sub-Saharan Africa can meet the millennium development goals in relation to poverty and under nourishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23707/08]
At the halfway point to the 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, progress in sub-Saharan Africa on the targets relating to poverty and nourishment remains slow. MDG One commits the international community to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, halving between 1990 and 2015 the percentage of people earning less than $1 a day and suffering from hunger. While the latest report on the MDGs, issued in July 2007, shows progress in these areas, much greater advances will be necessary if the targets are to be met.
The figures show that the percentage of people in sub-Saharan Africa living on less than $1 a day fell from 46.8% in 1990 to 41.1% in 2004, with the majority of this improvement taking place since 2000. In overall terms, per capita income growth in the region between 2000 and 2005 was generally good, giving some grounds for optimism. However the rate at which this improvement is taking place is insufficient at present to meet the target by 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa also has the highest poverty gap ratio of any region, reflecting the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.
Similarly, while the figures show that sub-Saharan Africa has made some progress in tackling hunger, the rate of improvement recorded is limited. From 1990 to 2005, the proportion of children under-five who are underweight fell from 33% to 29% while the proportion of the population below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption fell from 33% to 31%. Some encouragement can be drawn from the fact that the figures are improving, but at the present rate of progress it is unlikely that sub-Saharan Africa will reach the MDG hunger target by 2015.
These figures are in contrast to the positive trend in poverty reduction elsewhere in the world, especially in China and Asia more generally. As things stand, Africa lags behind Asia on most indicators – a fact attributed to a combination of institutional weakness, civil and international conflict, and funding shortfalls.
This year marks the halfway point between the Millennium Summit and the 2015 target date and provides an opportunity for the international community to take stock of progress to date and to renew our commitment to the MDGs.
A number of important events will take place from the summer onward. Heads of State and Government will meet in New York on 25 September to assess progress on the goals to date and to identify measures to improve the global development effort. This meeting will be preceded by a specific meeting on Africa at which the UN Secretary General's MDG Africa Steering Group will present its recommendations. This group was set up by the Secretary General last September to examine how Africa's efforts to meet the Goals could be strengthened and includes high level representatives of the African Union, European Union, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, IMF and World Bank.
Other high level international meetings to be held during the second half of the year will examine the quality, quantity and effectiveness of aid flows. Ireland will participate actively in each of these events.
From a national point of view, poverty eradication and the achievement of the MDGs remain the fundamental objectives of Ireland's overseas development programme. Irish Aid focuses around 85 percent of its bilateral country assistance on sub-Saharan Africa and will continue to expand its assistance to the region as our aid programme grows.
Irish Aid's focus on reducing poverty and supporting the provision of basic services to the poorest people is wholly consistent with the MDGs and by delivering on our commitment to reach the 0.7% UN target for development funding by 2012, we are at the forefront of efforts to ensure their implementation.
Diplomatic Representation.
Denis Naughten
Question:85 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedures in place to assist Irish citizens who encounter difficulties when on holiday abroad, including death or injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23714/08]
My Department has long provided a first class Consular service to Irish citizens in need oversees and their families. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I will ensure that maintaining and improving this high quality service remains a key strategic priority.
Our resident Missions and Honorary Consuls around the world are readily available, as the need arises, to provide consular assistance to our citizens. Likewise, in countries where we have no resident presence, citizens can avail of the services of any EU Embassy.
The consular services provided by our Embassies and Consulates abroad include the following: issuing passports including emergency travel documents; assistance to victims of serious accidents, illnesses or crime; assisting people detained, arrested or imprisoned abroad; transferring funds, provided by family members, to Irish citizens abroad where conventional means are unreliable or non-existent; repatriation of Irish citizens in emergency circumstances; and assistance in connection with deaths abroad and the return of remains to Ireland. A number of practical initiatives have also been taken recently to further protect our citizens. These include a Consular Services Charter, launched by my predecessor last January; on-line voluntary registration for Irish citizens travelling outside the Common Travel Area; a state of the art Crisis Centre; fully trained Emergency Consular Assistance Teams to be deployed in the event of a consular crisis abroad; and detailed on-line comprehensive travel advice.
Foreign Conflicts.
Emmet Stagg
Question:86 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement in relation to the peace talks between different parties regarding the independence of the Sahara Arab Democratic Republic. [23526/08]
The Government has consistently supported the right to self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara. Ireland has not taken a position on the future of the Territory, be it full independence, autonomy, or integration under Moroccan sovereignty. The important point is that the status of the Territory should be decided in a genuine exercise of self-determination by the people of the Western Sahara. We strongly support the continuing engagement of the United Nations in the search for a political solution in the Western Sahara based on the principle of self-determination.
Under the auspices of the United Nations, representatives of the Government of Morocco and of the Polisario Front have held a series of four direct meetings in Manhasset, in New York State, to discuss the future of the Territory of the Western Sahara. The most recent meeting was held on 16-18 March 2008. There has unfortunately been no substantive progress to report from these talks so far. Morocco has set out its vision of an autonomous Government in the Territory, operating under Moroccan sovereignty. In response the Polisario Front, representing the Saharawi people, has set out its position in favour of the creation of an independent State in close association with Morocco, and with protection for Moroccan vital interests. Morocco has refused, however, to discuss any proposals which include independence as one of the possibilities for the Territory.
Although there is clearly a broad gap between these two competing visions, I regard it as a positive and helpful development that both parties have set out their proposals for the future, and the measures they can envisage to accommodate the concerns of the other side. The most recent round also agreed some extension of confidence-building measures in relation to family links between Saharawi people in the Territory and in the refugee camps in Algeria. The parties have agreed to meet again, at a date to be decided.
Diplomatic Representation.
Dinny McGinley
Question:87 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the diplomatic contacts Ireland has with Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23720/08]
Ireland and Sri Lanka maintain good diplomatic relations. Our Ambassador in Delhi is also accredited to Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Ireland is accredited from London. Ireland is also represented in Sri Lanka by an Honorary Consul in Colombo.
My predecessor, Minister Dermot Ahern, made a visit to Sri Lanka in 2005 in the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami. During that visit, he met with a number of high-level political leaders, including the then Prime Minister, now President Rajapakse. He also met Concern, GOAL and Trócaire workers in Sri Lanka, and visited some of their programmes. The Government's Special Envoy for the tsunami, Mr. Chris Flood, also paid three visits to Sri Lanka during his tenure in that role.
The then Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr. Tyrone Fernando, visited Dublin in May 2003 and met with the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Regular visits are made by officials from our Embassy in New Delhi to Sri Lanka. During a visit in February, the Deputy Head of Mission met President Rajapakse, Foreign Minister Bollogolama and senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials. Our Ambassador is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka again next month. My Department also maintains good working contacts with the Sri Lankan Embassy in London.
Senior officials from my Department also recently met with Dr Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary-General of the Sri Lankan Government's Secretariat for the Coordination of the Peace Process (SCOPP). The Government is seriously concerned by the termination of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement in January of this year, and the subsequent serious escalation in violence in that country. These, and our concerns regarding the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, were directly conveyed to Dr Wijesinha.
Human Rights Issues.
Brian O'Shea
Question:88 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the existence of a positive human rights obligation of peace keeping forces to protect civilian populations; and his further views on the necessity for reference to international human rights law in Security Council Resolutions and on its omission in certain cases. [23517/08]
As we celebrate fifty years of involvement by the Defence Forces in UN-authorised peace support operations, it is worth recalling that the promotion of human rights and the protection of civilian populations has always been central to that involvement.
I am advised by my colleague the Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea TD, that all members of the Defence Forces assigned to peacekeeping duties overseas are briefed on relevant international human rights law and the Law of Armed Conflict. Courses on human rights are conducted on a regular basis at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh.
The protection of the human rights of refugees and internally displaced people in Chad and the Central African Republic is a key element of the current UN-authorised EU military mission, EUFOR Tchad/RCA, to which Ireland is contributing a substantial contingent and which is under the overall operational command of Lieutenant General Pat Nash of the Defence Forces.
One of the purposes of the United Nations, as set out in article 1 of the UN Charter, is to promote and encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. Each Security Council Resolution relating to a UN authorised peace support operation is drafted and adopted in light of the specific circumstances involved. In certain cases, international human rights law may be specifically referred to in Security Council resolutions and thereby complement the existing obligations of States under human rights treaties. However I am advised that the absence of such a reference does not in itself undermine human rights protection and Ireland is certainly totally committed to maintaining such protection in all peace support operations.
Overseas Development Aid.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:89 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the work of the Hunger Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23708/08]
Paul Connaughton
Question:92 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the effects the increase in world food prices will have on the Irish aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23711/08]
Mary Upton
Question:112 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contributions Ireland made at the World Food Programme’s World Food Crisis Summit in Rome, Italy on 4 June 2008. [23514/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 92 and 112 together.
I am deeply concerned that the sharp increase in the price of staple food commodities such as corn, wheat and rice is undermining the food security of many millions of individuals and communities throughout the developing world. We already had a situation where over 800 million people were already food insecure and the current price increases can only serve to make this unacceptable situation even worse.
At the recent High Level Conference on World Food Security in Rome, my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Brendan Smith T.D., highlighted the challenge facing the international community. In the short term we need to respond adequately by providing sufficient food for those who are chronically hungry, and in the longer term we must commit ourselves to addressing the challenges of global hunger. He pointed out that the long term response should include support for sustainable agricultural production in Africa and other food deficit regions and that agricultural production and nutrition should now become major priorities for development aid programmes.
We have responded to the increase in food prices by providing a special grant of €3 million to the Market Mitigation Account of the World Food Programme (WFP) – the specialised agency of the UN system which is tasked with providing food aid to those most in need. This special account has been created to tackle the sudden increase in the price which the WFP now has to pay for their food aid. This brings Ireland's total support to the WFP to over €20 million so far this year. We are one of the largest donors to the WFP on a per capita basis.
We do much more than donate funds. In our Programme Countries, those countries in which we have a deep aid engagement, we are working to make millions of people more food secure and less vulnerable generally to price shocks. For instance in Ethiopia, perhaps the Programme Country most deeply affected by food insecurity, we have increased our support to the Social Safety Nets Programme by 25% to €11 million this year. This funding is preventing over 7 million people from falling into destitution and hunger. I also provided a special grant of €1 million to Goal for their programme in Ethiopia which is targeted at those currently facing famine.
In the longer term, the crisis triggered by escalating food prices has emphasised the importance of the work of the Hunger Task Force. This Task Force was established last year, at a time when hunger was a growing problem and before the food price crisis hit the international headlines.
The aim of this Task Force is to identify the additional, appropriate and effective contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger, and thus contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of halving hunger and poverty by 2015.
The Task Force is chaired by the former Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, and has high profile national and international experts among its membership. I look forward to its Report and recommendations.
Peacebuilding Commission.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:90 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the UN Peacebuilding Commission formally established in 2005; the resources made available to it; and its programme of action and overall contribution to post conflict situations. [23528/08]
The UN Peacebuilding Commission was formally established by parallel resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council in December 2005, on foot of a recommendation from the UN World Summit in September 2005. The Commission became operational in June 2006. Its purpose is to enhance the coherence and impact of the international community's activities by advising on and proposing integrated strategies for post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery.
The work of the Peacebuilding Commission is assisted by the Peacebuilding Support Office, which acts as a secretariat to the Commission and works to identify lessons learned and best practice, and to ensure that the Commission's advice is implemented in the UN system. A Working Group on Lessons Learned is also active, and seeks to examine good practices and practical lessons in peacebuilding drawn from comparative experiences in different countries and regions.
The World Summit in 2005 also agreed to establish a Peacebuilding Fund to support the work of the Commission and to address countries' immediate needs as they emerge from conflict. The Peacebuilding Fund receives voluntary contributions from UN Member States which are used to initiate critical peacebuilding interventions. As of 31 May 2008, the Fund had received US$238,467,125 including US$12.6 million or €10 million from Ireland.
The first countries on the agenda of the Commission were Sierra Leone and Burundi. Guinea-Bissau was added in December 2007 and on 12 June the Central African Republic became the fourth country to be placed on the agenda of the Commission. In addition to our financial support, Ireland contributes actively to the deliberations of the Commission both through our Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and the Irish Aid Office in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Overseas Development Aid.
Deirdre Clune
Question:91 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Inter-Departmental Committee on Development was established; the number of times that it has met; the date of its most recent meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23740/08]
The White Paper on Irish Aid included a commitment to establish a new Inter-Departmental Committee on Development to strengthen coherence in the Government's approach to development and to make best use of the expertise and skills available across the public service. I am pleased to say that, in line with that commitment, an Inter-Departmental Committee on Development has been established. The Committee held its first meeting in April 2007, chaired by Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D., the then Minister of State for Overseas Development. Four subsequent meetings have been held with his successor, Mr. Michael Kitt, T.D., as Chairman. The last meeting was held on the 16th April and the next meeting is planned for the 19th June.
The Committee aims to strengthen coherence on development policy across Government. Development cooperation does not take place in isolation from other Government policies and the need for greater coherence in policies across sectors that affect developing countries is recognised. Government Departments are represented on the Inter-Departmental Committee by senior level officials who are actively engaging in the work.
Two Sub Groups of the Committee have been established, one to look at developing a more coherent policy in our relationships with Multilateral Organisations and the second focusing on making best use of the expertise and skills available across the public service in our development aid programme. The Committee will report annually to the Minister for Foreign Affairs outlining its activities and making recommendations as appropriate. The Committee's first report is due by the end of this month.
Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 89.
Foreign Conflicts.
Willie Penrose
Question:93 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view on the abolition of the monarchy in Nepal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23525/08]
I congratulate the people of Nepal on the successful establishment of the Constituent Assembly following elections on 10 April 2008 and welcome the fact that the transition to a new form of Government in Nepal has taken place in a largely peaceful and orderly manner. The people of Nepal have shown, after ten years of internal disturbances and war, their commitment to democracy and their determination to build a new future. The EU has been actively engaged in promoting peace, development and reconciliation efforts in Nepal, and an EU Election Observation Mission, to which Ireland contributed, was deployed to monitor the recent elections.
The recent declaration of a federal democratic republic in Nepal reflects the will of the people of Nepal, as expressed in the mandate given by them to the Constituent Assembly. As such, we and our EU partners fully respect and support this decision.
Despite the peace process and the holding of Constituent Assembly elections, the political situation in Nepal remains fragile and there are significant challenges for the new government once it is formed. The Constituent Assembly also faces the task of drafting a new constitution – one that secures peace, democracy, respect for human rights and addresses the legitimate aspirations of ethnic groups.
Ireland is fully supportive of the people of Nepal and their political leaders in their efforts to achieve these goals. Our Embassy in Delhi is accredited to Nepal and our officials continue to monitor events closely and maintain contact with the Nepalese authorities. Ireland has fully supported the UN role in Nepal in monitoring the ceasefire and providing election assistance. In 2008, Irish Aid has provided some €719,000 in assistance to Nepal to fund the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), as well as other international organisations and NGOs operating in Nepal in areas such as human rights, health, education and livelihood support.
Overseas Development Aid.
Emmet Stagg
Question:94 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the impact Irish owned vessels of an unacceptable size and insufficiently accountable practices are having on the coastal communities of African countries including those to whom Irish Aid has a relationship. [23527/08]
Ireland has a special relationship with seven countries in Africa. These are Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi, Lesotho, Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania and they are referred to as Programme Countries. Only two of these countries have a coastline, namely Mozambique and Tanzania. In our present partnership programmes with Mozambique and Tanzania the focus is more on the agricultural sector with no involvement in the maritime sector.
All fishing vessels on the Irish Sea Fishing Boat Register, and indeed all European Union-registered sea fishing boats, are subject to regulation of their activities under the provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy, wherever in the world they are fishing, whether within the territorial waters of a third country or on the high seas.
The European Union has Fisheries Partnership Agreements with a number of developing countries worldwide, including a number of east and west African states. With the adoption of the Council Conclusions of July 2004, the European Commission's bilateral fisheries relations are now based on an international legal act between the European Commission and the concerned coastal state, known as a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA).
Inter alia, these agreements are structured to contribute to sustainable fishing activities in the waters of the partner third country in accordance with the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy, as well as to enhance coherence with development cooperation policy and with other related policies, such as environment, trade and health. A crucial element is a financial contribution from the Community to the partner state.
European Union vessels availing of fishing opportunities under these Agreements must apply for a licence through the Commission and the relevant partner state, and must comply with the conditions set out in the particular Fisheries Partnership Agreement. Vessels that breach any of the licence conditions are of course subject to sanction.
Historically, very few Irish vessels have participated in such fisheries due to a lack of freezer capacity. There is no freezer vessel on the Irish Sea-Fishing Boat Register at present. The distance from home waters, high fuel and other costs, lack of adequate shore-based facilities and other difficulties have made such expeditions unattractive for the Irish pelagic fleet.
The Mauritanian authorities have recently approved a licence application for one Irish pelagic vessel under the European Union/Mauritania Fisheries Partnership Agreement. There are no other Irish registered vessels fishing under this or any other agreement at present.
On a related theme, the European Union is currently preparing strengthened measures to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing by rogue vessels and vessels fishing under flags of convenience. Together with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I am strongly supporting these measures at European Union level.
Diplomatic Representation.
Phil Hogan
Question:95 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the diplomatic channels available to assist Irish troops serving in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23734/08]
In the context of Ireland's participation in the EU military mission, EUFOR Tchad/RCA, the Government decided to establish diplomatic relations with Chad. The Ambassador designate of Ireland to Chad, Kyle O'Sullivan, is resident in Abuja, Nigeria, and has already visited Chad on a number of occasions. He is expected to present his credentials shortly.
I am confident that the establishment of relations with Chad will provide an important channel for raising, as necessary, any bilateral issues arising in relation to Ireland's role in EUFOR Tchad/RCA. Our commitment of some 400 troops will be accompanied by humanitarian aid, which should also help relations.
My predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., visited Chad in November 2007 and my colleague, the Minister for Defence, Mr Willie O'Dea T.D., is returning from Chad today where he held meetings in relation to the EUFOR mission and visited the headquarters of the Irish contingent. In addition, issues relating to the Irish participation in EUFOR are regularly discussed through other diplomatic channels, particularly through our missions to the EU in Brussels and to the UN in New York.
Human Rights Issues.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:96 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans he has to work towards calling a special session of the Commission on Human Rights to meet in Geneva in August 2008 to consider the situation of human rights in China. [23512/08]
Special sessions of the Human Rights Council can only be requested by members of the Council with the support of one third of the membership. Ireland is currently not a member of the Human Rights Council. I am not aware that any member of the Council intends to call for a special session on China
I would note, however, that General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, which established the Human Rights Council, replacing the Commission on Human Rights, mandates the Council to "undertake a universal periodic review, based on objective and reliable information, of the fulfilment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments in a manner which ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all State."
This is a significant measure, subjecting each member State to a thorough review of its human rights performance every fourth year. It is based on an interactive dialogue, with the full involvement of the country concerned, and ensures that each member State is subjected to the same standards of review. I understand that China will be subject to universal periodic review early in 2009. Ireland, with our EU partners, will take a keen interest, and actively participate, in this review.
The EU has raised the situation in Tibet in statements at the Human Rights Council on 25 March and 6 June. The Government continues to take concerns about human rights in China very seriously. Our concerns are raised on a regular basis in political and official bilateral contacts with the Government of China. Discussions in this regard also take place at official level in Dublin and in Beijing.
Ireland also actively contributes to the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which is the agreed formal framework through which the EU raises human rights issues with China. The Dialogue, the most recent round of which took place in Ljubljana on 15 May, has allowed the EU to engage with China on such issues as freedom of expression, the death penalty, the independence of the judiciary, reform of the criminal justice system, freedom of religion and minority rights, and ratification of such international instruments as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The EU also continues to use the Dialogue to raise significant individual human rights cases. Ireland will continue to address serious our concerns regarding the human rights situation in China through open and frank engagement with the Chinese authorities, as well as through appropriate EU and UN mechanisms.
Diplomatic Representation.
Michael D'Arcy
Question:97 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Honorary Council of Ireland in Lebanon was first appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23643/08]
The Honorary Consul General of Ireland in Beirut, Lebanon, is Mr. Khaled Daouk. He was appointed as Honorary Consul in 1988 and as Honorary Consul General in 1995.
Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 74.
World Trade Negotiations.
Seán Barrett
Question:99 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation regarding the World Trade Organisation talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23727/08]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:106 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the World Trade Organisation is expected to affect the conduct of business within the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23702/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 106 together.
Intensive discussions are continuing in the current round of the WTO negotiations. There remain many issues to be resolved, not alone on the agriculture dossier, but also on the issues of non-agricultural market access, trade in services, rules and trade facilitation.
The Government wants to see a successful outcome to the negotiations that is fair to all sides. However, we remain very concerned at the lack of balance in the negotiations at this stage in the process. It continues to be our view that a disproportionate burden is being placed on European agriculture.
As it is not possible to predict how the negotiations will progress or whether a breakthrough can be achieved, it is not clear how developments in the WTO negotiations will impact on the conduct of business within the EU's enterprise sector. The Director General of the WTO, Mr. Pascal Lamy, hopes to organise a ministerial meeting in Geneva in the coming weeks to try to resolve outstanding differences and to achieve the breakthrough necessary to move the negotiations forward. However, no date has been set for the proposed meeting, and the prospects of it taking place remain uncertain.
The Government's approach to the WTO negotiations remains constant. We will continue to focus our efforts on securing a balanced outcome which takes account of the particular circumstances and challenges facing our agriculture sector, the opportunities presented for exports of our goods and services, and our commitment to promoting the interests of the world's poorest countries.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, together with the Minister of State with responsibility for Trade and Commerce, have overall responsibility for coordinating Ireland's policy with regard to the WTO and are very engaged in promoting our interests. My Department continues to work very closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in ensuring that Ireland's interests are promoted and protected in the negotiations.
In the critical period ahead, the Government will continue to use every opportunity to press home Ireland's concerns and to insist that the negotiations provide an agreement that is fair and balanced to all sides. We will spare no effort in our defence of Ireland's interests.
International Agreements.
Leo Varadkar
Question:100 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the recent convention on cluster munitions in Croke Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23717/08]
Eamon Gilmore
Question:114 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timescale he envisages for the implementation of the proposals of the recent international conference on cluster munitions held in Dublin. [23521/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 114 together.
The programme for Government of June 2007 committed us to campaign for a complete ban on the use of cluster munitions and to seek agreement on an immediate freeze on their use pending the establishment of effective international instruments to address humanitarian concerns. In implementation of this commitment, Ireland hosted and chaired a Diplomatic Conference in Croke Park from 19-30 May 2008 to negotiate a treaty to prohibit the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. On 30 May, over 100 States adopted a Convention on Cluster Munitions, which effectively bans all cluster munitions which have ever been used and provides ground-breaking provisions for victim assistance and clearance of contaminated areas. It represents a major advance in international humanitarian law.
The heart of the Convention is an immediate and unconditional ban on all cluster munitions which cause unacceptable harm to civilians. Each State Party undertakes never in any circumstances to use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer cluster munitions, or to assist another party in doing so. By adopting a wide and encompassing definition, the Convention effectively prohibits all cluster munitions that have ever been used in armed conflict. It does not provide for any exceptions, with all weapons banned that have the effect and characteristics of cluster munitions and that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. It was also a very important achievement that the Convention provides for no transition periods during which the cluster weapons outlawed could still be used. In addition, States who sign up to the Convention will undertake to ensure the destruction of all their cluster munitions within 8 years, with short extensions possible in case of difficulty. Areas containing cluster munition remnants must be cleared within 10 years.
I am very pleased that the language in the new Convention on victim rights and assistance is the most advanced on these issues ever included in an international instrument.
The maintenance of commitments to military alliances and joint military activities with States which do not sign up to the Convention was a particular concern to a number of States participating in the Conference. While Ireland, as a significant contributor to UN-mandated peace keeping operations, understood the concerns of these States, we were careful to develop a Convention which deals with this issue in a satisfactory way while committing all States to end the use of cluster munitions and to work actively towards universal acceptance of a ban on these weapons.
The budget allocation for the Conference was €2,700,000, which included provision for the running of the conference, participation by civil society and sponsorship through UNDP to enable delegates from developing countries to participate. This ensured that the negotiations were representative and inclusive. While figures for total expenditure are not yet available, I expect this to be within budget.
The Convention will be opened for signature in Oslo in December 2008 and will enter into force on the first day of the sixth month after the month in which the thirtieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession has been deposited. It is not possible at this time to anticipate how long this process may take. Before Ireland can ratify the new Convention it will be necessary to enact implementing legislation to make provision for the obligations we will assume under it, and most States will have to do likewise.
Ireland expects to be in a position to sign and ratify the Convention in December as a further demonstration of the Government's continuing and strong support for this important new instrument of international humanitarian law. The Government will work to ensure its full implementation at the earliest possible date, and the greatest possible number of accessions to the Convention.
Diplomatic Representation.
Dinny McGinley
Question:101 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the diplomatic relations between Ireland and Burma since 1997 to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23722/08]
As my predecessor, Deputy Dermot Ahern, outlined in his response to a parliamentary question on 17 April, in the context of our EU Presidency, diplomatic relations with Burma were established on 10 February 2004 through the issue of a Joint Communiqué in the names of the two Governments. However, due to the deterioration in the political situation which followed shortly afterwards, including the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, it was decided not to proceed with an exchange of non-resident Ambassadors. The Government subsequently made it clear to the Burmese authorities that diplomatic relations will not be advanced, including and in particular the accreditation of Ambassadors, until positive developments in that country have taken place, in particular the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 78.
International Agreements.
Frank Feighan
Question:103 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation with regard to the exhaustion of the Irish seabed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23718/08]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the legal regime governing the exploration and exploitation of Ireland's continental shelf.
The regime governing the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf in international law is set down by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Under that Convention a coastal state is entitled to a continental shelf 200 nautical miles (approx. 370 km) in breadth regardless of whether its continental shelf physically extends that far, subject only to the similar rights of its coastal neighbours. It may also claim a broader shelf where it can show that the natural prolongation of its land territory under water actually extends beyond that limit. A claim to extended shelf must be supported by scientific and technical data and be established to the satisfaction of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which was created by the Convention for this purpose.
Ireland's shelf naturally extends beyond 200 nautical miles both to the west and the south of the country. For the purposes of our claims we have divided our shelf into three sectors.
The first sector is to the south-west of the country on the edge of an area known as the Porcupine Abyssal Plain. This sector (which is approximately half the size of the State's land territory) is not disputed by any other state and was therefore the subject of Ireland's first submission to the Commission, made in May 2005. The Commission issued its recommendations in April 2007 concerning the limits of this claimed area. The Government has accepted these recommendations and work is now in hand to designate the additional seabed enclosed by these limits as areas to which the Continental Shelf Act 1968 will apply.
The second sector of claimed extended continental shelf is in the Celtic Sea and the Bay of Biscay where there are unresolved boundary issues with the UK, France and Spain. This sector was the subject of a joint submission by the four countries in May 2006. It covers an area of approximately 80,000 square kilometres, which is slightly larger than the State's land territory. The joint submission remains under consideration by the subcommission established to examine the evidence submitted in support of it. The four states most recently met with the subcommission in New York in April. It is hoped that the subcommission will be in a position to formulate its draft recommendations before the end of this year. These recommendations must in turn be approved by the full Commission. The question of division of the area between the four states concerned will be considered after the recommendations have been made.
Ireland also claims continental shelf in the part of the North-East Atlantic Ocean known as the Hatton-Rockall Area, which extends up to 500 nautical miles from the coast. Ireland and the UK agreed a maritime boundary on the continental shelf here in 1988 but this is not accepted by Iceland or Denmark (on behalf of the Færoe Islands), which also make extensive overlapping claims. The four countries have met regularly since 2001 in an effort to resolve the issues arising from overlapping claims but have recently concluded that they are unable to reach agreement at the present time. Nevertheless, the four intend to keep the matter under regular review and, in the meantime, Ireland will proceed to make a national submission to the Commission in respect of the Hatton-Rockall Area by the deadline of May 2009.
Overseas Development Aid.
John O'Mahony
Question:104 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans he has to improve governance in the use of Irish aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23704/08]
Weak governance is a major challenge in many developing countries. Irish Aid is helping to strengthen governance in many of these countries by supporting democratic systems of government and effective, accountable institutions for the delivery of key services. Irish Aid is also helping to build robust public financial management systems, effective oversight bodies and a strong civil society.
For example, in Tanzania and Lesotho, Irish Aid is helping to strengthen the capacity of the National Assemblies. In Ethiopia assistance is provided to build audit capacity within Government. In Uganda and Timor-Leste, we are supporting reform of the justice system.
Irish Aid funding is subject to rigorous accounting and audit controls. Its programmes are regularly audited and evaluated by independent audit firms, by Irish Aid's Evaluation and Audit Unit and by the independent Audit Committee of the Department. Programmes are evaluated to ensure that funds are used for the purposes intended, in particular in respect of outcomes and value for money. These checks are essential in ensuring a transparent, effective and high quality programme in which funding is directed to those who are most in need.
Good governance is a prerequisite for reducing poverty. As Ireland's programme of overseas aid grows, Irish Aid will continue to prioritise support to this important area and help to ensure effective and accountable governance in the countries in which it works.
Energy Prices.
Richard Bruton
Question:105 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role he has in addressing concerns regarding the increasing price of oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23745/08]
The June European Council will consider the issue of higher food and oil prices. Ireland and its EU partners recognise that this issue presents significant challenges to Ireland, the EU and the world economy. The global upward trend in oil prices moreover reinforces the imperative for Ireland to reduce its oil dependency and to use energy wisely and efficiently.
While the above concerns all Ministers to a greater or lesser degree, the primary responsibility in this area rests with the Minister of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 99.
Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 74.
Human Rights Issues.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:108 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he is making in the fight against child labour in view of the fact that the world day against child labour took place on 12 June 2008. [23511/08]
More than 200 million children in the world today are involved in child labour, doing work that is damaging to their mental, physical and emotional development. While child labour is a very serious problem worldwide, it is particularly stark in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 26% of children, representing close to 50 million child workers, are engaged in economic activities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Child labour is inextricably linked to poverty and the need for all family members to contribute economically to the family's survival. It results in reduced primary school enrolment and low literacy levels. Rural working children, particularly girls, tend to be among the most disadvantaged.
The third phase of the ILO-Irish Aid Partnership Programme seeks to address the issue of child labour. Under this partnership, we are contributing to the ILO's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour and also providing support to combating bonded labour. We work with the ILO at the policy level, supporting the development of legislative and policy frameworks to tackle child labour, as well as through programmes specifically aimed at withdrawing children from – and preventing children from engaging in — child labour. The Programme has activities in 90 countries worldwide.
I would like to acknowledge the contributions made by the social partners, both the ICTU and IBEC, to the development of the latest phase of Irish Aid's Partnership Programme with the ILO.
As well as our specific programme targeting child labour, we also address the issue more holistically through our more general support to education in our aid programme. We are supporting countries to provide basic education services for all children, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable groups, including children engaged in child labour. A key priority is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to attend primary school. Since 2000, Ireland has contributed approximately €360 million to advancing education in our partner countries, especially in Africa and millions of children are at school as a result.
Over the past decade we have seen encouraging progress. For example, in two of our Programme Countries, Mozambique and Ethiopia, enrolments during the 6 year period 2000 – 2006 almost doubled, increasing from 2.5 million to over 4 million in Mozambique and from 6.4 million to 11.2 million in Ethiopia.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:109 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that the human rights mission in Kosovo as a separate but related project to peace keeping has been successful; and if the minorities involved in the region have had their human rights protected. [23522/08]
Along with our partners in the EU, Ireland's position on the Kosovo final status issue has been that a final settlement for Kosovo must provide for a multi-ethnic, secure and democratic Kosovo, consistent with EU values and standards and contributing to the stability of the region. The EU has consistently highlighted the protection of minorities and the right to return of refugees and internally displaced persons as key priorities in this regard.
In this context, Ireland strongly supported the final status proposal by the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Kosovo, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, which provided for internationally supervised independence for Kosovo with strong guarantees for the highest level of internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms and which made the protection and promotion of the rights of minorities a central element of the proposal.
The Kosovo Assembly declared independence on 17 February, stated that it accepted fully the obligations for Kosovo contained in the Ahtisaari proposal, and undertook to implement its provisions through priority adoption of legislation, particularly those that protect and promote the rights of communities and their members. The Assembly subsequently adopted a Constitution on 9 April, which came into force on 15 June. This states that the Republic of Kosovo protects and guarantees human rights and fundamental freedoms as provided by the Constitution. It adds that communities and their members shall have specific rights in addition to those human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to express, maintain and develop their culture and preserve the essential elements of their identity, namely their religion, language, traditions and culture.
In the report of the UN Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) dated 28 March 2008, covering the period 16 December 2007 to 1 March 2008, UNMIK noted that overall compliance with the Prime Minister's Administrative Instructions regarding the establishment of Human Rights Units (HRUs) within ministries reached approximately 70 per cent in late 2007. However, it added that many ministries still lacked appropriate levels of human and other resources in HRUs to ensure their effective operations.
The report further noted that the Human Rights Advisory Panel has held three working sessions since its inaugural session in November 2007. The Panel elected its Presiding Member, adopted Rules of Procedure and continued with its examination of complaints, dealing with issues such as property rights and access to courts.
As regards the issue of returns of refugees and IDPs, the report noted that, while these remained disappointingly low, UNHCR estimates that 1,756 minority community members returned in 2007 as opposed to 1,668 in 2006. The report adds that the Ministry of Communities and Returns (MCR) budget for returns is €7.14 million for 2008, an increase from €5.2 million in 2007, although lack of funding remains an important obstacle to returns. The Ministry has proposed to allocate this amount for Community Development and Stabilization projects, construction of social housing for IDPs, organised return projects and individual returns. The Government, through Irish Aid, has been pleased to support return projects in Kosovo in recent years.
I note the recent comment by the UN Secretary General that there remains scope for further improvement in certain areas, in particular in the field of the return of refugees and IDPs. The Government strongly believes that there should be robust mechanisms to safeguard the human rights of all citizens in Kosovo and that deficiencies in this regard should be urgently addressed. I welcome the clear commitment of Kosovo to the full implementation of all obligations contained in the Ahtisaari proposal, as outlined firstly in the Declaration of Independence and as provided for now in the Constitution. The EU will continue to urge the authorities in Kosovo to step up their efforts to ensure promotion and protection of human rights for all, with a particular focus on the continued problems faced by minorities, refugees and internally displaced persons.
Willie Penrose
Question:110 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has had with Chinese authorities in relation to Tibet. [23524/08]
Olivia Mitchell
Question:115 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he last met with a member of the Chinese authority or its representative; if the issue of Tibet was raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23724/08]
Mary Upton
Question:123 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether our participants at the Beijing Olympics should boycott the opening ceremony in protest at the crackdown by the Chinese Government in Tibet and its neighbouring provinces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17666/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 115 and 123 together.
I called on the Chinese Ambassador on 15 May to personally convey my condolences and those of the people of Ireland to those bereaved by the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province.
My Department maintains regular contact with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin to convey the Government's ongoing concerns at the situation in Tibet and to seek further information about developments there.
Through these contacts, we continue to underline the importance Ireland attaches to the right of freedom of expression and peaceful protest; to urge the Chinese authorities to allow greater access by the media and independent observers to Tibet in order to facilitate an assessment of what has been happening there; to seek assurance that detained protesters will be treated in due accordance with international standards, including in relation to a fair trial; and to encourage dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama. These issues were raised directly by my predecessor, Deputy Dermot Ahern, in his meeting with the Chinese Ambassador on 16 April.
It is my strong view that dialogue is the only peaceful and sustainable way of ensuring the preservation of Tibetan religious and cultural identity, as well as addressing Chinese concerns regarding its territorial integrity. In this context, I welcome the meeting on 4 May between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama, and their agreement to a further substantive round over the summer. I hope that these meetings can move quickly to remove any remaining impediments to more substantial talks which could address the issue of autonomy, within the framework of the Chinese constitution, as called for by the Dalai Lama.
The decision to participate in the opening ceremony is for the athletes themselves. My Department, and our Embassy in Beijing, are in close touch with the Olympic Council of Ireland in regard to preparations for the Olympic Games. The Department would be happy to respond to any queries the Council, or individual athletes, may have about human rights in China, or indeed other concerns, including the issue of Tibet.
However, the Government does not in general support a boycott of the Games. Past experience has shown that these are unfair to athletes and have little real effect. Equally, the Dalai Lama has also been clear in his support for the success of these Games.
Ultimately, it is only through open and frank dialogue, both on a bilateral basis as well as through the EU, that we can best impress our concerns on the Chinese authorities. In this regard, we continue to stress the importance of their making every effort possible to facilitate freedom of movement and expression, including the right to peaceful protest, in the run-up to – and during – the Beijing Games.
The Government will continue to raise its concerns regarding human rights in China in bilateral contacts with the Government of China.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:111 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the suspension of freedom to operate on the part of non-governmental organisations including those dealing with food aid in Zimbabwe has been considered by him; and if the issue has been considered at European level by the general and External Affairs Council. [23505/08]
I utterly condemn the recent attempts by the Zimbabwean Government to suspend the operations of non-governmental organisations in the country. There are an estimated four million people at risk from the effects of weakened social services and the erosion of livelihoods in Zimbabwe. Non-governmental organisations provide a life line to these poor and vulnerable sections of the population and are valued partners in Ireland's development cooperation programme there.
We have allocated over €25 million to tackle poverty in all its manifestations in Zimbabwe since 2006. Of this, almost €7 million has been directed to long-term development programmes undertaken by missionaries and non-governmental organisations. Over €7 million has been provided to support a number of HIV/AIDS programmes and €11 million has been allocated for humanitarian aid, primarily for food relief, school feeding programmes, livelihoods programmes and healthcare provision. We have also provided support to those displaced by government urban clearance programmes. All of this assistance is channelled through non-governmental organisations, missionaries or UN agencies.
In the face of the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy and the descent of that country into abject poverty, it is essential that every possible pressure be brought to bear on the Mugabe regime, and Ireland has worked actively to keep this issue high on the EU agenda. Of course, it is Zimbabwe's neighbours who have the most influence, and therefore the greatest responsibility, to press for a democratic and peaceful outcome. Multilateral approaches and pressure are particularly important, especially through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union. I also welcome the fact that UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios will visit Zimbabwe in the coming days, to raise concerns regarding recent humanitarian and political developments.
The issue of Zimbabwe was raised at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on Monday 16 June. We will continue to monitor the situation closely in conjunction with other donor partners and we will do whatever we can to ensure the recommencement of operations by NGOs in Zimbabwe.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 89.
Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 70.
Question No. 114 answered with Question No. 100.
Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 110.
Phil Hogan
Question:116 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23732/08]
Brendan Howlin
Question:121 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent imprisonment of the leader of the opposition who is contesting the final stage of the presidential elections in Zimbabwe. [23504/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 121 together.
The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be both shocking and deeply disturbing. With voting in the second round of the Presidential election due to take place on 27 June, the situation remains violent and unstable. At least 50 people have been killed since March, and targeted violence has resulted in thousands being displaced, rendering it impossible for them to vote. Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists have repeatedly been arrested and detained. Political meetings have been banned. Suspected MDC supporters are being sacked from their jobs, and in many cases have been beaten and tortured. Most recently, and very worryingly, the decision by President Mugabe to suspend NGO activities – including the delivery of humanitarian aid and the provision of health services – will potentially threaten lives.
Since MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe to campaign, he has been arrested numerous times, including two arrests in one day on 14 June. He has not been charged with any offence. The Secretary General of the MDC, Tendai Biti, has been arrested and will be charged with treason. Police have said that he faces a possible death sentence if convicted. Buses used by the MDC leadership to travel around the country and reach voters are reported to have been confiscated by the police. The opposition has no access to the state controlled media. President Mugabe and many of his senior supporters have threatened to take up arms if the opposition should win the election.
Clearly a free and fair election is impossible as long as these circumstances exist. Since the current phase of the Zimbabwe crisis began after the 29 March elections, Ireland has conveyed our concerns about Zimbabwe directly to our partner countries in Africa. We have encouraged the countries of the Southern African region to continue to take the lead in pressurizing the Mugabe regime to respect the democratic verdict of the Zimbabwean people. There are few effective levers for pressure on Zimbabwe, so the influence which Zimbabwe's neighbours bring to bear is crucial in securing change. There are also continuing reports of efforts at mediation, possibly with a view to establishing a Government of National Unity.
At the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations meeting in Brussels on 26 May, Ireland urged that strong political pressure on the Mugabe regime be maintained until the crisis is resolved. Following that discussion, EU Foreign Ministers again called on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure a level playing field and a secure environment, so that the results of the second round will reflect the free and democratic will of the Zimbabwean people. EU Foreign Ministers again discussed the situation in Zimbabwe on Monday 16 June, as will European Heads of State and Government at the European Council later this week. I am glad to note that UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Haile Menkerios, will visit Zimbabwe this week to raise concerns regarding recent humanitarian and political developments.
Ireland and the EU have strongly supported monitoring of the Zimbabwean election by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and by the African Union, and we have encouraged both organisations to increase their number of monitors and to ensure that they adhere to the highest standards. SADC monitors began to deploy on 12 June, well in advance of polling day. We believe that their presence on the ground could help deter both fraud and violence. The Irish Ambassador travelled to Zimbabwe to witness the election on 29 March, and will do so again on 27 June.
Overseas Development Aid.
Ulick Burke
Question:117 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding Ireland gives to organisations in Nepal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23713/08]
Assistance to development organisations operating in Nepal has totalled €3,686,140 since 2004, as follows:
2004: €448,468
2005: €596,620
2006: €671,940
2007: €1,250,058
2008: €719,054.
The funding has been provided under a number of different schemes, including funding for missionary organisations, volunteer programmes, and funding for long term development under the Civil Society Fund in the areas of human rights, health, education and livelihood support. Funds were also allocated for emergency assistance dealing with flooding. In 2005, €200,000 was made available as a contribution to the establishment of a field office of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:118 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will increase the budget allocated to the Defence Forces for humanitarian aid in respect of future missions abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20220/08]
From time to time, Irish Aid has provided the Defence Forces with small but effective amounts of funding to assist with small scale development activities, while on peacekeeping missions. For example, funding totalling €242,000 was provided for micro-projects carried out by Irish troops serving with United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) between November 2003 and May 2007. This funding was used, inter alia, to assist the Sisters of Charity in renovating a hospice in Monrovia. One of my predecessors, Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, visited this worthwhile project in March 2006. Similar funding has also been provided to the Irish Defence Forces during other peacekeeping missions, such as their current mission in Kosovo.
Irish Aid is also collaborating extensively with the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces in relation to the development of the Rapid Response Initiative. We are, for example, working closely with the Defence Forces UN Training School in the development and delivery of part of the pre-departure training course for the Rapid Response Corps. This training course focuses on personal security issues and aims to prepare members of the Corps for deployments to difficult and challenging environments.
There is also a small number of serving Defence Forces members who are members of the Rapid Response Corps, while several Corps members are also former Defence Forces members. The Department of Defence has also made available a Defence Forces officer to participate as one of Ireland's members of the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) process. That officer, together with an Irish Aid staff member, was deployed in February 2008 on his first UNDAC mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have also made warehouse space available in the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare for the purposes of our pre-positioned humanitarian supplies. As recently as last week, a large shipment of supplies from this store was, with the assistance of the Defence Forces, airlifted to Burma/Myanmar, where they were to be distributed by Concern to those most affected by the recent cyclone.
As the Defence Forces are not primarily a humanitarian or development organisation, they do not attract a specific humanitarian budget allocation. However, Irish Aid will continue to appraise any proposals submitted by the Defence Forces and will allocate funding according to the accepted criteria of need.
Humanitarian Assistance.
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:119 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the aid he has given to deal with the recent earthquake in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23648/08]
On 12 May 2008, a major earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale struck Wenchuan County in the Sichuan Province in China. According to official statistics there have been approximately 69,000 deaths, over 366,000 injured and more than 18,000 still missing. A total of 45 million people were affected, including 15 million people evacuated from their homes. Five million people are still in temporary shelters.
Ireland pledged €1 million in an immediate response to the disaster in China. This was channelled through the International Federation of the Red Cross. The International Federation has established water and sanitation emergency response units in affected areas, while over 35,000 staff and volunteers from the Red Cross Society of China have provided assistance to those in the affected areas, mobilising medical teams, psychosocial support teams and relief vehicles. Overall, the Chinese authorities responded effectively and efficiently to the disaster, thus saving many more lives which could have been lost.
Irish Aid also organised a special airlift of 6000 blankets and 180 tents, which arrived in China on 24 May. These items were identified as priority requirements by the Chinese Government.
The Central Emergency Response Fund of the UN allocated US$8 million to relief efforts following the earthquake. Once again, this Fund has proven its value in providing international donor funds rapidly and efficiently to those in need. Ireland was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of this Fund in 2006 and has contributed a total of €52.6 million since its inception.
Foreign Conflicts.
Joan Burton
Question:120 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of the peace talks in relation to Somalia. [23507/08]
I remain very concerned at the situation in Somalia. The country has been without an effective government since 1991, and despite an initial period of stability after Ethiopian troops and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces defeated the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) in December 2006, the situation has worsened catastrophically in recent months. Fighting in Mogadishu since October 2007 has prompted hundreds of thousands to flee the capital, adding to the humanitarian crisis. In total, approximately one million people have been displaced since the start of 2007, while up to two million need humanitarian aid.
The newly appointed Prime Minister in the TFG, Nur Hassan Hussein, has committed himself to internal dialogue and pursuing a reconciliation process with the political opposition. Contacts were initiated with members of the opposition based in Asmara, and talks, facilitated by the Special Representative of UN Secretary General, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, between the Transitional Federal Government and opposition groups got underway in Djibouti in late May. The TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) signed an agreement on 9 June, calling for a cessation of hostilities between the two sides, and the eventual withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia and the deployment of a UN force.
The Djibouti agreement is good news, but many armed groups remain outside the process. Re-establishing security and the rule of law remains a major challenge. The security situation in Moghadishu and surrounding areas remains extremely poor, with further large-scale civilian casualties as a result of fighting between government and Ethiopian forces and opposition militias in recent weeks.
The first troops from an African Union-mandated peace support force (AMISOM) were deployed to Mogadishu in March 2007 but with less than a quarter of the planned 8,000 troops on the ground, AMISOM has not been able to bring any significant measure of stability. AMISOM's current mandate runs until next August and some consideration has taken place regarding a UN peacekeeping mission to succeed it. In May 2008 a UN Security Council Resolution was adopted in which the possibility of a UN peacekeeping mission in follow-up to AMISOM was mentioned — the first time in some years that the possibility has been on the table. However, UN Secretary General Ban has made it clear to the Security Council that, due to the prevailing political and security situation, the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to Somalia is not a realistic option for the time being.
The EU, including Ireland, will continue to extend whatever assistance it can to support the promotion of internal dialogue and national reconciliation within Somalia.
Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 116.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 74.
Question No. 123 answered with Question No. 110.
International Agreements.
Sean Sherlock
Question:124 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the OECD’s council at Ministerial level which took place on 4 and 5 June 2008; and the details of Ireland’s contribution at that meeting, in view of the participation of candidate and enhanced engagement countries at all sessions of the Ministerial Council meeting. [23509/08]
The meeting of the OECD Council at Ministerial level in Paris on 4 and 5 June was attended by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Dr. Martin Mansergh. The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. John McGuinness, attended the session on the multilateral trading system.
The theme of the meeting was Outreach, Reform and the Economics of Climate Change. Ministers from the candidate countries for accession to the OECD, Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russia and Slovenia, and the countries with which the Organisation is pursuing a policy of enhanced engagement, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa, also participated.
Ireland contributed to a wide-ranging discussion on the current economic situation. Ministers took note of the recent rises in food and commodity prices, in particular oil prices, and agreed on the need to monitor closely the social and economic impact of such trends. Ministers were concerned about inflationary pressures and agreed that attention needs to be paid to fiscal balances, especially where inflationary pressures persist.
Ministers focused in particular on the urgent policy challenges arising from food-price inflation, including its linkages to broader issues such as alternative fuels and climate change. They also stressed the need for improved information, education and skill development in the field of agriculture. Ireland also contributed to an extensive discussion on the role that climate change would play in determining the growth of the world economy in coming decades.
Ministers addressed the OECD Secretary General's report on strategic orientations for the Organisation. Ireland joined in welcoming progress in the Ministerial mandates, particularly those in relation to enlargement and enhanced engagement.
OECD Ministers adopted a Declaration on Sovereign Wealth Funds and Recipient Country Policies and were joined by Ministers from Chile, Estonia and Slovenia who adhered to the Declaration. This Declaration is further evidence of the OECD's capacity to set international standards.
OECD Ministers also agreed on a reform of financing that, in the context of enlargement, will ensure that the Organisation has a solid financial footing in the long term.
Child Care Services.
Pat Breen
Question:125 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance the reason a facility (details supplied) in County Clare is closing; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24100/08]
In Budget 2001, the Minister for Finance allocated €12.7m for the provision of crèches for the children of civil servants throughout Ireland. The Board of the Civil Service Childcare Initiative operates the Initiative on behalf of the Minister. It advises the Minister on the provision of crèches, on the allocation of contracts to operators to run the crèches and retains an overall supervisory role in relation to the crèches, on behalf of the Minister. The Board is chaired by the Department of Finance and has representatives from the Department of Finance, the staff unions and a childcare expert.
Ennis Crèche opened in October 2003 under an initial operator whose two year contract was not renewed. Despite the holding of two tendering processes in November 2005 and February 2007, it was not possible to appoint a permanent operator. To facilitate the persons using the crèche, the Board maintained the crèche in operation in this period through a number of temporary arrangements. However, in the view of the Board, it is vital to the long term viable future of the crèche and for maintenance of standards and quality of childcare, that a permanent operator is appointed.
To that end a third tendering process took place in January 2008. The Board is in continuing discussions with a potential operator with a view to their taking over operation of the crèche for a five year period with effect from 1 October 2008.
As the current temporary arrangement comes to an end on 30 June 2008 parents of children in the crèche were individually advised that the Ennis crèche will close from 30 June 2008, and of the discussions to appoint a permanent operator from October. Two of the support team have also been in place at the crèche to offer support and advice to both parents and staff.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:126 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/08]
As a result of a Government decision on the 21st June 2005 Regulatory Impact Analysis must be conducted on all proposals for primary legislation involving changes to the regulatory framework (subject to some exceptions), significant Statutory Instruments and proposals for EU Directives and significant EU regulations when they are published by the European Commission.
During the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 Regulatory Impact Analyses were not carried out on the Statutory Instruments listed below. The reasons RIA's were not carried out range from the Statutory Instruments not "being categorised as ‘significant', to being technical in nature or giving effect to legal provisions" already contained within the primary legislation. Regulatory Impact Analysis does not apply to Statutory Instruments made under the European Communities Act 1972, Financial Transfers Act 1992 and the Criminal Justice Terrorist Offences Act 2005 where those Statutory Instruments give effect to EU sanctions against persons and entities designated by EC Regulations as being associated with terrorist organisations or repressive regimes.
|
Year |
SI No. |
Details |
|
2006 |
110 |
Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
195 |
Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
220 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2)) (Counter Terrorism) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
222 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2)) (Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and the Taliban of Afghanistan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
224 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6)) (Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and the Taliban of Afghanistan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
272 |
Global Valuations Utility — Hutchinson 3G Ireland Limited |
|
2006 |
297 |
FOI Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
363 |
Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
365 |
Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 (Section 1A) (Revenue Commissioners) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
417 |
Financial Transfers (International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)) (Prohibition) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
418 |
European Communities (International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
419 |
Financial Transfers (Democratic Republic of Congo) (Prohibition) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
420 |
European Communities (Democratic Republic of Congo) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
421 |
Financial Transfers (Ivory Coast)(Prohibition) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
422 |
European Communities (Ivory Coast) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations |
|
2006 |
423 |
Financial Transfers (Iraq) (Prohibition) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
424 |
European Communities (Iraq) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
425 |
Financial Transfers (Belarus) (Prohibition) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
426 |
European Communities (Belarus) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
427 |
Financial Transfers (Slobodan Milosevic and Associated Persons) (Prohibition) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
428 |
European Communities (Slobodan Milosevic and Associated Persons) (Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
429 |
Financial Transfers (Sudan) (Prohibition) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
430 |
European Communities (Sudan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
431 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2)) (Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and the Taliban of Afghanistan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2006 |
|
2006 |
432 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6)) (Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and the Taliban of Afghanistan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2006 |
|
2006 |
433 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2)) (Counter Terrorism)(Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2006 |
|
2006 |
434 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6)) (Counter Terrorism) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2006 |
|
2006 |
447 |
Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 (Section 1A) (Office of the Ombudman) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
448 |
Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 (Section 1A) (Office of the DPP) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
449 |
Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 (Section 1A) (Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
450 |
Public Service Management Act 1997 (Section 1) (Revenue Commissioners) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
453 |
Credit Union Act, 1997 (Alteration of Financial Limits) Order, 2006 |
|
2006 |
523 |
Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
546 |
Credit Union Act, 1997 (Alteration of Financial Limits) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
587 |
Global Valuations Utility- Chorus |
|
2006 |
588 |
Global Valuations Utility- RTE |
|
2006 |
589 |
Global Valuations Utility- NTL |
|
2006 |
599 |
Commission for Public Service Appointments (Additional Function) Order 2006. |
|
2006 |
600 |
Commission for Public Service Appointments (Additional Function) (No. 2) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
601 |
Commission for Public Service Appointments (Additional Function) (No. 3) Order 2006. |
|
2006 |
602 |
Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004 (Additional Function for Licence Holders) Order 2006 |
|
2006 |
613 |
European Communities (Financial Transparency)(Amendment) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
677 |
Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions In Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 |
|
2006 |
678 |
Ethics In Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships Of And Positions In Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 |
|
2007 |
17 |
Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) Order 2007 |
|
2007 |
27 |
Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
40 |
Commencement order of the British –Irish Agreement (Amendment) Act 2006- in relation to EU Programme Body |
|
2007 |
107 |
Credit Union Act, 1997 (Exemption from Additional Service Requirements) Regulations, 2007 |
|
2007 |
108 |
Economic and Monetary Union Act 1998 (Design of Coins) (Amendment) Order 2007 |
|
2007 |
195 |
Credit Union Act 1997 (Alteration of Financial Limits) Regulations, 2007 |
|
2007 |
205 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2) (Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and the Taliban of Afghanistan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
206 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6) (Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and the Taliban of Afghanistan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
237 |
Global Valuations Utility- Hutchinson 3G Ireland Limited |
|
2007 |
238 |
Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
410 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2)) (Counter Terrorism) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
411 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6)) (CounterTerrorism) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
522 |
European Communities (Iran) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
523 |
Financial Transfers (Iran) (Prohibition) Order 2007 |
|
2007 |
534 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2) (Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and Taliban of Afghanistan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2007 |
|
2007 |
535 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6) (Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and Taliban of Afghanistan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2007 |
|
2007 |
547 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2)) (Counter Terrorism) (Financial Sanctions (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2007 |
|
2007 |
548 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6)) (Counter Terrorism) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2007 |
|
2007 |
595 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2) (Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban ) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 3) 2007 |
|
2007 |
596 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6) (Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 3) 2007 |
|
2007 |
642 |
Financial Transfers (Burma/Myanmar) (Prohibition) Order 2007 |
|
2007 |
643 |
European Communities (Burma/Myanmar) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007. |
|
2007 |
644 |
Financial Transfers (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) (Prohibition) Order 2007 |
|
2007 |
645 |
European Communities (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
646 |
Financial Transfers (Lebanon) (Prohibition) Order 2007 |
|
2007 |
647 |
European Communities (Lebanon) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
652 |
Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) (No. 3) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
757 |
Financial Transfers (Somalia) (Prohibition) Order 2007 |
|
2007 |
758 |
European Communities (Somalia) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
759 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2) (Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 4) 2007 |
|
2007 |
760 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6) (Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 4) 2007 |
|
2007 |
800 |
European Communities (Sudan) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2007 |
|
2007 |
801 |
Financial Transfers (Sudan) (Prohibition) Order 2007 |
|
2007 |
838 |
Credit Union Act, 1997 (Exemption from Additional Service Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations, 2007 |
|
2008 |
9 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2)) (Counter Terrorism) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
10 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6)) (Counter Terrorism) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
38 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2) (Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
39 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6) (Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
64 |
European Communities (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
65 |
Financial Transfers (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) (Prohibition) Order 2008 |
|
2008 |
66 |
Financial Transfers (Iran) (Prohibition) Order 2008 |
|
2008 |
67 |
European Communities (Iran) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
99 |
Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Superannuation Scheme 2008 |
|
2008 |
109 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(2) (Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban (Financial Sanctions)Regulations (No. 2) 2008 |
|
2008 |
110 |
Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (Section 42(6) (Usama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaida network and the Taliban (Financial Sanctions) Regulations (No. 2) 2008 |
|
2008 |
111 |
European Communities (Belarus) (Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
112 |
Financial Transfers (Belarus) (Prohibition) Order 2008 |
|
2008 |
145 |
Ethics in Public Office (Designated Positions In Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
146 |
Ethics In Public Office (Prescribed Public Bodies, Designated Directorships Of And Positions In Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 |
|
2008 |
158 |
Global Valuations Utility- Eirgrid |
In addition to the Statutory Instruments there were a number of EU Directives and Regulations during the period 2006 to 2008 which did not require a Regulatory Impact Analysis carried out on them. Details of these are follows: 2006 Capital Requirements Directive (Comprising Directive 2006/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 relating to the taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions (recast) and Directive 2006/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on the capital adequacy of investment firms and credit institutions (recast) as transposed by S.I. Nos. 660 and 661 of 2006. There was no need to perform a full RIA, as the Capital Requirements Directive had been the subject of extensive consultation at both national and EU level.2006/07 Reinsurance Directive and Transposing Statutory Instruments. The negotiation process for the Reinsurance Directive (2005/68/EC) was concluded in mid 2005, and it was published in late 2005. The negotiation phase had concluded prior to the introduction of the RIA process. The Directive was transposed by a series of SIs in 2006/2007.2007 Directive 2007/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 92/49/EEC and Directives 2002/83/EC, 2004/39/EC, 2005/68/EC and 2006/48/EC as regards procedural rules and evaluation criteria for the prudential assessment of acquisitions and increase of holdings in the financial sector. There was no need to perform a full RIA, as this largely technical Directive had been the subject of extensive consultation at both national and EU level.2008 European Communities (Settlement Finality) Regulations 2008. This was a technical legal recast. No specific significant implications were identified under RIA Guidelines to warrant undertaking a full regulatory impact analysis.
Tax Code.
Tom Hayes
Question:127 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Finance when the exemption for family partnerships in farming from capital gains tax as announced in budget 2008 will come into effect. [23884/08]
This exemption came into effect on the enactment of the Finance Act 2008 on 13 March 2008.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:128 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance the guidelines relating to charitable donations made by self employed workers and by PAYE workers; the amounts involved in each category for 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23896/08]
The operation of the scheme for tax relief on donations to eligible charities and other approved bodies is governed by the provisions of section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
To avail of the donations scheme, a charity must be specifically authorised by Revenue for the purposes of the scheme. Other bodies, including schools, colleges, universities, bodies approved for education in the arts as well as a number of other specified organisations are defined as approved bodies for the purposes of the scheme by virtue of schedule 26A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The list of those charities which are approved for the purposes of the donations scheme is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.
Tax relief applies to donations which:
Are €250 or greater in one year
Are in the form of money or publicly quoted securities, or a combination of money and such securities
Are not repayable
Do not confer a benefit on the donor or any person connected with the donor, and
Are not conditional on, or associated with, any arrangement involving the acquisition of property by the charity or approved body.
The full details of the terms and conditions of the scheme are available in Leaflet CHY 2 which can also be accessed on the Revenue website.
The precise arrangements for allowing tax relief on donations depends on whether the donor is a PAYE taxpayer, a person who is subject to self-assessment or a company. For a PAYE donor, the relief is given on a "grossed up" basis to the eligible charity or approved body, as the case may be, rather than by way of a separate claim to tax relief by the donor. In this instance the claim for refund is made to Revenue by the eligible charity or approved body.
In the case of a self-assessed donor, that individual claims the relief and there is no grossing up arrangement. In the case of a company, it will claim a deduction for the donation as if it were a trading expense.
The following table sets out the refunds of tax made by Revenue to Charities and Approved Bodies relating to qualifying donations made by individual PAYE donors only for 2006 and 2007:
|
Year |
Amount Refunded |
Number of PAYE Donors |
Amount of PAYE donations |
|
2006 |
€28.50m |
84,373 |
€58.4m |
|
2007 |
€25.31m |
80,974 |
€46.8m |
The most recent year for which detailed statistical data is available on donations to Charities and Approved Bodies by self-assessed donors, is 2005. Preliminary information available for that year indicates that self-assessed donors donated approximately €48 million and claimed tax relief of approximately €18 million.
Health Service Allowances.
Michael McGrath
Question:129 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to an appeal for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23875/08]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Service Staff.
Pat Breen
Question:130 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of social workers employed in the health services in County Clare; the number of vacancies which remain unfilled in the service; if there are plans to employ extra social workers in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23824/08]
Pat Breen
Question:131 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of physiotherapists employed in the health services in County Clare; the number of physiotherapist positions which remain unfilled in County Clare; if there are plans to recruit staff to fill vacant positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23825/08]
Pat Breen
Question:132 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff employed in occupational therapy and disability services in the health service in County Clare; the number of unfilled positions in the service; if there are plans to recruit staff to fill vacant positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23826/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 132, inclusive, together.
Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the healthcare needs of the population into the future.
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Action Plan.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:133 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if changes have been made in funding commitments to primary healthcare centres in the Health Service Executive Capital Programme 2006 to 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23829/08]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:134 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the proposed primary healthcare centres for Corduff and Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, specifically detailing site location, funding allocated and proposed time-frame. [23830/08]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:135 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the primary healthcare strategy for Dublin 15, specifically identifying the location of primary healthcare centres. [23831/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 to 135, inclusive, together.
Under the Health Act 2004, the management and delivery of health and personal social services is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. This includes operational responsibility for the establishment of Primary Care Teams with the funding provided and the recruitment of additional front-line professionals for these teams. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Departmental Properties.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:136 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the proposed use of lands owned by Health Service Executive at Blackcourt Road, Corduff, Dublin 15; and if negotiations have taken place to develop these lands for residential usage. [23832/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy.
My Department has requested that the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive investigate the matter and issue a reply directly to the Deputy.
Health Service Reform.
Denis Naughten
Question:137 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the remit that has been provided to consultants (details supplied); if the Hanly report forms part of the background to the review; the cost and duration of the contract; the specific skills the organisation has to carry out such a review; if it has performed similar reviews in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23834/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Charges.
James Reilly
Question:138 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the annual amount of hospital fees collected and the corresponding amount which remains uncollected for 2006 and 2007; the breakdown of the reason for and the value of uncollected fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23840/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
James Reilly
Question:139 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details of uncollected hospital charges in each hospital as at 31 December 2007; the steps being take to recover these moneys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23841/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Nursing Home Subventions.
Michael McGrath
Question:140 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if the maximum nursing home subvention supports will be made available for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23844/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy.
My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:141 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a decision to withdraw the hospital taxi transport service in the Dublin mid-west area, which provided transport to and from hospital and clinic appointments for patients with no alternative means of transport; if she will take steps to reverse this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23879/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Food Supplements.
Tony Gregory
Question:142 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the proposed reduction of ingredients in vitamins and minerals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23883/08]
The Food Supplements Directive, 2002/46/EC, has been transposed into Irish law by Statutory Instrument No. 506 of 2007. That legislation is implemented by the Health Service Executive, under a Service Contract Agreement with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). This ensures that consumers in Ireland are protected by the harmonised EU rules on the sale of food supplements, in particular the labelling of food supplements and chemical form of vitamins and minerals they contain.
One of the objectives of the Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC) was to make provision for the European Commission to determine maximum and minimum levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The European Commission published a Discussion Paper on determining maximum and minimum levels of vitamins and minerals in June 2006.
The Irish response to this paper, issued in November 2006, gave Ireland's view that the Commission should proceed on a cautious basis, setting maximum limits for as many vitamins and minerals as possible. It was considered vital that the safety of the general population and the needs of particular subgroups such as pregnant women, children, older people and those on various specialist diets be taken into account in formulating the position on this issue.
Discussions are ongoing at European level on the development of a methodology under which maximum safe levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements will be set. Those discussions will permit the European Commission and Member States to further develop future direction on this issue.
Health Service Staff.
Michael McGrath
Question:143 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist in the human resource case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23890/08]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive is responsible for managing its human resources. As a result, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Ambulance Service.
Michael D'Arcy
Question:144 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Health and Children when the review being carried out by the National Ambulance Service will be concluded; when the findings will be published; and the time schedule for any recommendations to be implemented. [23893/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services.
Mary Upton
Question:145 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason children suffering from cystic fibrosis and who are patients in Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin are moved from the dedicated CF wards at weekends; if she is satisfied that the dedicated nursing expertise required by CF patients is available in the wards to which the children are moved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23899/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme.
Michael Ring
Question:146 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if a contract (details supplied) will be extended; if so, the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23904/08]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator K.P.M.G. and McCann Fitzgerald.
The HSE has advised my Department that the contract between the HSE and the Scheme Administrator (KPMG and McCann Fitzgerald) expires on 29th June 2008 and will not be extended. However, the HSE is exercising its right under the contract to require the Scheme Administrator to complete the claims and services that are outstanding on the expiry date. It is not possible at this time to estimate exactly the cost of the completion of the work-in-progress.
Michael Ring
Question:147 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money paid to date to private companies pursuant to an Act (details supplied). [23910/08]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator K.P.M.G. and McCann Fitzgerald.
The HSE has advised that the following payments were made since the scheme was introduced.
|
Company |
2008 (Up to 31st May) |
2007 |
2006 |
Total |
|
Scheme Administrator |
3,391,537.00 |
2,274,000.00 |
1,118,000.00 |
6,783,537.00 |
|
(KPMG & McCann/Fitzgerald) |
||||
|
IT Consultancy Services |
||||
|
Client Solutions |
20,216.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
20,216.00 |
|
I B M |
0.00 |
34,000.00 |
27,866.00 |
61,866.00 |
|
Iron Mountain (USA) |
0.00 |
1,467.00 |
2,378.00 |
3,845.00 |
|
Advertising |
||||
|
Drury Communications |
17,000.00 |
19,000.00 |
96,800.00 |
132,800.00 |
|
BBDO |
0.00 |
416,753.00 |
726,547.00 |
1,143,300.00 |
|
Legal Expenses |
435,248.00 |
770,000.00 |
485,700.00 |
1,690,948.00 |
|
Contract Consultancy — Accenture |
0.00 |
0.00 |
12,342.00 |
12,342.00 |
|
Appeals Office |
||||
|
IT Consultancy |
||||
|
Complete Network Technology |
7,000.00 |
7,260.00 |
5,000.00 |
19,260.00 |
|
IT Force |
24,180.00 |
9,500.00 |
44,247.00 |
77,927.00 |
|
Printing |
||||
|
Brunswick Press Ltd (Printing Costs) |
4,906.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
4,906.00 |
|
Annual Totals |
3,900,087.00 |
3,531,980.00 |
2,518,880.00 |
|
|
Total to 31st May 2008 |
9,950,947.00 |
Michael Ring
Question:148 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects a scheme pursuant to an Act (details supplied) to be finalised. [23906/08]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator K.P.M.G. and McCann Fitzgerald.
The HSE has informed my Department that the Scheme Administrator is working to complete as many claims as possible by the time the contract expires on 29th June 2008. As per the terms of the contract, the Scheme Administrator has been instructed to complete all claims and services that are outstanding on the expiry date. On that date, the nature and extent of such work-in-progress will be known, and it should be possible to give an estimate of when all claims under the scheme will be finalised.
Health Services.
Jack Wall
Question:149 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home helps employed in the Kildare west Wicklow areas of the Health Service Executive in each of the past five years; the rate of pay per hour that is applicable for each home help; the number of home help hours allocated by the HSE for the Kildare west Wicklow areas for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23915/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy.
My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Service Staff.
Jack Wall
Question:150 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason that the P-PARS computer system was and is not being used to calculate the travel expenses and the arrears due to the home help employees of the Health Service Executive in the Kildare-west Wicklow areas of the HSE in view of the fact that it has taken over a year to date without the matter being resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23916/08]
Jack Wall
Question:151 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff employed by the Health Service Executive in calculating the travel expenses and the travel expenses arrears due to the home helps in the Kildare-west Wicklow areas of the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23917/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Jack Wall
Question:152 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home care packages issued to applicants in the Kildare-west Wicklow areas of the Health Service Executive for each year since the inception of the scheme; the number of home care packages that have been withdrawn from successful applicants in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23918/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
National Treatment Purchase Fund.
Jack Wall
Question:153 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in view of the fact that they had their operation cancelled four times to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23919/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. Patients waiting more than three months on a surgical waiting list may qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.
Hospital Services.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:154 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if an admission date will be arranged for surgery for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23983/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Billy Timmins
Question:155 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if they will be seen as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23987/08]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. I understand that the HSE issued a letter to the Deputy explaining the details concerning this case on the 26th May.
National Treatment Purchase Fund.
Billy Timmins
Question:156 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if they will be seen as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23989/08]
The primary remit of the National Treatment Purchase Fund is to facilitate patients who are longest on waiting lists for surgery. The scheduling of admissions is a matter for the relevant Consultant and is determined on the basis of medical priority and having regard to available capacity.
In the event that treatment is not readily available and should the medical condition of the person in question disimprove, their General Practitioner would be in the best position to emphasise the urgency of her case to the Consultant directly. My Department has asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to examine the particular case and to respond directly to the Deputy.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:157 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23874/08]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Road Network.
Pat Breen
Question:158 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress to date of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23914/08]
The provision of regional and local roads, including bridges, in its area is a function of the relevant road authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants. Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary County Councils have undertaken the development of a proposal for a new Shannon Crossing.
From 2004 to the end of 2007, State road grants totalling approximately €460,000 have been provided to the authorities to develop proposals for a new Shannon Crossing Bridge. Clare County Council is now the lead authority for the project and this year a grant of €400,000 was allocated to the Council for the scheme.
In February this year, Clare County Council, in association with North Tipperary County Council, appointed consultants to carry out a constraints study, route selection and preliminary design for the scheme. Further progression of the project is a matter for Clare County Council.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:159 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23869/08]
My Department engages fully with the ‘Regulatory Impact Analysis' (RIA) process which has been in place since 2005. The RIA process assesses the impact a body of legislation could have in changing existing regulatory obligations for business. Since the introduction in June 2005 of Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), my Department has carried out two RIA screenings on:
the British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Act 2006, which related to the mandate and functions of the Special EU Programmes Body;
the Passports Act 2008, which sets out specific legislative basis for the regulation and issuing of passports, and
In addition to the legislation detailed above, my Department also sponsored a number of European Union related legislation during the period in question:
the European Communities Act 2006, which provided for our ratification of the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU;
the European Communities Act 2007, which improved and modernised the way EU legislation is transposed into Irish law; and
the Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008, in relation to the ratification process for the Lisbon Reform Treaty.
In these instances, because of their technical nature, it was considered that RIAs were not required. As the Deputy will be aware, RIAs are only required for proposed legislation involving a change to the regulatory environment.
Overseas Development Aid.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:160 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that Irish aid to Africa is reaching its intended targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23937/08]
I would like to assure the Deputy that it is of particular importance to me that Ireland's overseas aid to African countries is efficiently used for the benefit of the poor. In our bilateral Programme Countries, support is planned in close consultation with national Governments and other partners at country level. We support our partner countries' national poverty reduction plans. These plans are developed to respond to the needs of the poorest people and have a strong focus on providing basic social services such as health and education.
Monitoring of programmes and projects is carried out by national governments, donors and civil society groups on a regular basis. Particular attention is paid to progress in relation to reducing the number of people living below the poverty line and increasing access to basic health, education and water and sanitation.
In addition, Irish Aid has in place rigorous accounting and audit controls. These are essential to ensure a transparent, effective and high quality programme. Programmes are regularly audited and evaluated by independent audit firms and by the Department of Foreign Affairs' Evaluation and Audit Unit. Programmes are evaluated to ensure that funds are used for the purpose for which they are intended and provide value for money.
I am satisfied that the methods used by Irish Aid for planning and monitoring programmes, together with the audit and evaluation systems we have in place, serve to protect the funding provided. Such methods are in accordance with international best practice and the highest standards in this area.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:161 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he is satisfied that both the bi-lateral and multi-lateral aid programme is adequately efficient in terms of reaching its intended targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23938/08]
Accountability is one of the most integral elements of the Irish Aid programme. Ensuring that Irish tax payers' money benefits the most vulnerable and poorest people of the countries in which we operate is paramount to my Department.
Irish Aid funding is protected by rigorous monitoring, accounting and audit controls which are in place in all countries where we provide development assistance and such controls and systems mean that funding is directed to those areas most in need. In our programme countries, Country Strategy Papers (CSPs) are developed in consultation with the national government and in support of their poverty reduction strategy. These papers outline the programmes and projects that Irish Aid will support over a three to five year period. The strategies have a monitoring framework with indicators and targets to measure improvements in basic services. In addition, there are regular audits carried out by independent audit firms whilst Irish Aid has also its own Evaluation and Audit Unit which monitors the assistance provided.
With regard to multilateral support, Ireland is a member of, or observer on, the Boards of the main funds and programmes and participates actively in policy formulation and in the Boards' audit and evaluation activity. On the multi-donor level we increasingly work with likeminded countries such as Sweden, Denmark and the UK in the development of joint oversight arrangements.
Irish Aid is restructuring its relationship with its main UN partners through Multi-annual Framework Agreements which link Irish funding to agreed development objectives and targets. Progress is assessed annually by means of a bilateral consultation, at which staff from Irish field missions participate. These staff have direct experience of the partner organisation's performance at country level. Irish Aid has also introduced additional reporting requirements for its field missions in relation to the UN, as a means to improve oversight of our partners' country level activity.
Foreign Conflicts.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:162 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU colleagues have addressed the issues in the western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23939/08]
The December 2007 European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union and the countries of the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) continue to feature on the agenda of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. On 18 February last, EU Foreign Ministers recalled the Union's longstanding commitment to strengthening stability in the region. Foreign Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to support fully the European perspective for the Western Balkans and asked the Commission to use community instruments to promote economic and political developments in the region.
The European Union's Stabilisation and Association Process for South-East Europe aims to bring the countries of the region closer to EU standards and principles. The Process involves the negotiation of Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAAs) with each of the countries which focus mainly on trade liberalisation in goods and other trade-related issues, political dialogue, legal approximation, and cooperation in sectors such as industry, environment and energy.
SAAs have been signed with Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro. The SAA with Serbia was signed on 29 April 2008. An Interim Agreement dealing with economic and trade matters was signed at the same time. The Council welcomed the signature of the SAA and the Interim Agreement as an important step on Serbia's path towards the EU. The Council decided that the ratification process of the SAA by Member States and implementation of the Interim Agreement will begin as soon as the Council decides unanimously that Serbia is cooperating fully with the ICTY. In this context, the arrest in Belgrade on 11 June of Stojan župljanin, one of the four remaining war crime fugitives, charged with crimes committed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, marks a welcome and significant step towards fulfilling the condition of full cooperation with ICTY. The Presidency hopes that the authorities of the Republic of Serbia will strengthen their efforts to that end, also in order for Serbia to be able to advance further on its path of approach to the EU.
Negotiations on an SAA with Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded late last year. Signature of the agreement was linked to key reform priorities being advanced. In the light of progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina in its reform programme, the SAA was signed in Luxembourg on 16 June 2008.
In addition to the Stabilisation and Association Process, the European Union opened negotiations on accession with Croatia in 2005. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has obtained candidate status, although its negotiations on accession have not yet commenced.
Recent developments in the Western Balkans have largely focused on Kosovo and the decision of the Kosovo Assembly to declare independence on 17 February 2008. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 18 February, EU Foreign Ministers agreed a common response to Kosovo's declaration of independence, noting the uniqueness of Kosovo's situation, arising from the conflict of the 1990s and the eight years of UN administration which followed, and reaffirming the EU's willingness to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region including by means of the planned ESDP rule of law mission, EULEX KOSOVO. The Council also agreed that Member States will decide, in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo. Since then, 20 EU Member States, including Ireland, have recognised Kosovo's independence.
With the coming into force of the new Kosovo constitution on 15 June, the focus for the EU is to ensure a smooth transition from the current UN mission (UNMIK) to the EU's EULEX KOSOVO mission, and to ensure that the international presence can operate effectively throughout Kosovo, including Serb majority areas in the North. In this context, we welcome the decision of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to proceed with reconfiguration of the UNMIK mission. The EU will work closely with the UN to help ensure that the planned reconfiguration takes place in a way which allows for the progressive deployment throughout Kosovo of an autonomous EULEX mission.
International Agreements.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:163 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU colleagues have established a working relationship with the new Russian Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23940/08]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:176 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the EU is establishing and improving contacts with the Ukraine, Russia and other former USSR countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23953/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 176 together.
The President of the European Council, assisted by the President of the Commission and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, will meet President Medvedev, together with Premier Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov at the next EU Russia Summit in Khanty-Mansiisk, Siberia on 26-27 June. This will be the first EU contact with Russia at the highest level since the political transition there was completed and President Medvedev took office on 7 May. Reflecting the great importance which EU member States generally attach to the next phase of relations with Russia, Germany and the incoming Presidency, France, have recently made high level bilateral visits to Moscow. President Medvedev for his part has visited Germany.
Negotiations for a new EU-Russia agreement are expected to be formally launched at the Summit on 26-27 June. The EU aims to put in place a new legally binding framework for wide ranging cooperation with Russia in the areas of interest to the Union and to Russia. Early signals that President Medvedev has an appreciation of the fundamental importance of the rule of law to Russia's continued modernisation have been noted positively. Ireland and the EU will do what we can to encourage follow through.
EU engagement with Ukraine and other countries of the former USSR has developed rapidly since the 2004 enlargement. However, notwithstanding the road map agreed in 2005 for the "common space of external security," the EU has not yet succeeded in eliciting ongoing cooperation from Russia, which tends still to view EU engagement in terms of a competition for influence in this context.
Using joint Action Plans under the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU has supported economic and political reform in Ukraine and Moldova since February 2005 and in the South Caucasus countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) since November 2006. The first EU Strategy for the countries of Central Asia ( Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) was agreed one year ago; progress in the implementation of the Strategy in its first year will be the subject of a report to the European Council later this week. In addition, through its designated Special Representatives for Moldova, the South Caucasus and Central Asia, the EU maintains continuous contact with the authorities of the nine countries in question. This has enabled the EU to play a useful role with others, including the USA and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in containing and defusing periodic political tensions in, for example, Georgia — a young, fragile democracy in a difficult region.
In a number of elections since the people of Ukraine chose the path of democracy and human rights in the Orange Revolution of 2004, Ukraine has broadly met the standards for democratic elections. Periods of political uncertainty in Ukraine have not prevented steady progress in deepening EU-Ukraine relations. Ukraine recently joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO). There have been eight rounds of negotiations for a New Enhanced Agreement between the EU and Ukraine. The next EU-Ukraine Summit, in Kiev on 9 September, will review the outcome to date and give further guidance with a view to concluding a new agreement next year.
Debt Relief.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:164 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which promised aid in terms of debt write off has been delivered to the various countries; if delivery has been completed in full; the donors still outstanding; the extent of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23941/08]
There are two main international instruments which address the problem of the debt burden in the developing world, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). The HIPC Initiative, which was launched in 1996 and strengthened and enhanced in 1999, seeks to reduce the debt burden of qualifying countries to sustainable levels but does not entail cancellation. Progress on the implementation of HIPC is slow but positive and to date US$49 billion in debt-service relief has been approved for 33 countries, 27 of them in Africa. Eight additional countries are eligible for relief but have not yet reached their decision points. Ireland has contributed €30m towards the cost of implementing HIPC. A further contribution of €6m has been pledged by Ireland towards HIPC debt relief and it is expected this will be paid later this year.
The Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI), agreed by the G8 Countries at Gleneagles in July 2005 and which came into effect on 1 July 2006, provides for 100% relief on eligible debt from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund to many of the poorest and most indebted countries in the World. Most of these countries are in Africa. The initiative is intended to help them advance toward the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are focused on halving poverty by 2015 by freeing up resources that would otherwise have been used to service their debt burden. In 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank also decided to provide similar debt relief to the five poorest countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
All countries that reach the completion point under HIPC, as well as those with yearly per capita income below US$380 and outstanding debt to the three institutions at end-2004, are eligible for the MDRI. To date 25 countries have benefited from relief at a cost of approximately $37.6 billion. The total cost of implementing MDRI is estimated at US$47.9 billion. Ireland's share of the total cost of the MDRI debt relief to be provided by the World Bank is €58.6m. As a gesture of support and to underline our strong commitment to 100% debt relief for the poorest countries, this amount has already been paid over in full in 2006.
Foreign Conflicts.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:165 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken by he and his EU colleagues to address the ongoing issue of human rights abuses in Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23942/08]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:166 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the worst locations of war and strife, starvation, ethnic cleansing, corruption, genocide and general human rights abuses on the continent of Africa; the action taken at EU or UN level to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23943/08]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:172 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives he has in mind to address the ever increasing problem of famine and strife in the various African countries through the UN or the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23949/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 166 and 172 together.
The reduction of poverty, hunger, conflict and human rights abuses in Africa is one of the most important tasks of the international community in the 21st century. Conflict has many causes and many manifestations, but poverty, inequality and exclusion have proved to be the most fertile breeding grounds for violence, ethnic hatred and human rights abuse. Most wars occur in poor countries, and the causes and effect of conflict are exacerbated by poverty and corruption. My department closely monitors developments in the human rights situation throughout the world and, where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns to the governments in question, bilaterally, through the EU, or through action at the UN General Assembly or the UN Human Rights Council.
The risk of corruption, strife and famine is of course greater where political, economic and administrative systems are weak. Development is essential to allow people the full enjoyment of their human rights, and Africa is the main focus of Ireland's development co-operation programme. Irish Aid supports specific actions designed to promote human rights, and combat corruption, including by strengthening government systems and in-country human rights institutions. Irish Aid has a specific focus on governance in several programme countries. In relation to famine and hunger in Africa, the then Minister of State for Overseas Development, Conor Lenihan T.D., last year established the Hunger Task Force. The aim of this Task Force is to identify the additional, appropriate and effective contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger, and thus contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of halving hunger and poverty by 2015.
The importance of the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world is a cornerstone of the European Union's external action. In its political dialogue with individual African countries under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, the EU regularly raises issues which arise in the development of democracy and the need for protection and promotion of human rights. This year, the EU is beginning a structured dialogue with the African Union specifically on human rights issues. UN bodies such as the UN High Commission for Refugees and the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs will continue to play a key role in ensuring the security of those most vulnerable to abuse. UN authorised peacekeeping missions also have a major role in stabilising former and current conflict zones throughout Africa, and in protecting vulnerable populations. Such protection is a key part of the mandate of the current EU-led military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR Chad/RCA, in which the Irish contingent is playing a prominent role.
African leadership and responsibility are crucial in addressing these issues, and the African Union represents an important strategic partner for the European Union and the international community generally. Since 2004, the EU has supported the development of African-led peacekeeping in Darfur and elsewhere through its African Peace Facility. Peace and security, good governance and development were among the themes which European leaders discussed with their African counterparts at the EU-Africa Summit in December 2007 which agreed a comprehensive EU-Africa Strategy to address these and other common challenges. The aims of the African Union include the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. The emergence of African standards in this area is a very welcome development.
The challenges facing Africa are enormous. But there is some encouraging news. Many African economies are growing. The work of the International Criminal Court marks a real effort to end impunity for war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, and it is investigating four situations in Africa. Many suspects have already been tried, while several others are awaiting trial. While there are exceptions such as Somalia, Zimbabwe, the Darfur area of Sudan and others, many African countries now have less violence and civil strife than for many years. There is relative peace in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, and southern Sudan.
Developments so far this year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and northern Uganda have been very encouraging, although international engagement will be needed for some time. Through our growing aid programme, Ireland will continue to address needs and build on progress to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of those most in need of assistance in Africa.
Overseas Development Aid.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:167 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the further initiatives he proposes to take at EU or UN level to address the HIV/Aids and other health issues on the African continents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23944/08]
As outlined in the White Paper on Irish Aid, the Government's commitment to tackling HIV and AIDS and other diseases of poverty will remain a priority for our aid programme. We are committed to developing programmes that address the key causes of illness and ill health among the poorest and most vulnerable people, and to strengthening health systems in the poorest countries.
Following the commitment made by the previous Taoiseach in his speech to the United Nations in 2005, funding for HIV and AIDS and other communicable diseases has reached over €100 million per year. This is an enormous achievement. Ireland now leads the way within the European Union in terms of the proportion of its overseas development assistance allocated to HIV and other diseases of poverty.
Our assistance is directed at programmes at country, regional and international levels and is ensuring that increasing numbers of people are accessing quality HIV and AIDS and other health services. The target countries for most of Ireland's bilateral assistance – Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zambia and Malawi — continue to bear the highest disease burden in the world. Our approach is saving lives.
The United Nations and the European Union play a critical role in addressing the main diseases of poverty, including HIV and AIDS through setting global policy, guidance on best practice, providing specialist technical assistance and funding specific interventions aimed at tackling these diseases. We will continue to work closely with a range of UN Funds and Programmes as well as the European Commission and Member States to advocate for a sustained and resourced global response to health and HIV and AIDS and strengthened leadership at all levels.
This year Ireland assumed a leadership role in steering UN reform. This year Ireland assumed a leadership role in steering UN reform. The theme ‘Delivering as One' provides the opportunity to build a more effective inter-UN agency response to HIV and AIDS. Ireland will work closely with the Joint UN Programme on AIDS, UNAIDS, in this regard. Sitting on the board of UNAIDS this year provides Ireland with the opportunity not only to advocate for increased effectiveness and efficiency within the UN system, but also to advance some of its key priorities including the need for a stronger focus on children and women, and ensuring that health and HIV and AIDS are addressed in the context of humanitarian and emergency situations.
Ireland has prioritised the needs of children in its work on HIV and AIDS. It is the only country to target 20% of its increased funding to interventions that will benefit children. In recognition of Ireland's leadership in this area, it has been requested to host the fourth Global Partners Forum on Children affected by HIV and AIDS. Working in cooperation with UNICEF and scheduled for October, this forum will bring together high level decision makers from both developed and developing countries to debate the best approaches to ensuring the protection of children living in a world with HIV and AIDS.
Ireland's leadership on HIV and AIDS was recognised last year during the visit of the Executive Director of UNAIDS to Dublin. He said that Ireland has taken on the kind of leadership role that will help bring us closer to a world without AIDS. This year Ireland will continue to work with the international community and its programme countries in advocating for a sustained and resourced global response to HIV and AIDS and other communicable diseases, strengthened leadership at all levels, and improved coordination of resources for effective disease prevention and control.
Foreign Conflicts.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:168 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he and his EU or UN colleagues continue to monitor the situation in Chad, Darfur, and neighbouring countries with particular reference to addressing war, strife, starvation and human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23945/08]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:174 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the ongoing situation in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23951/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 174 together.
The situation in Darfur remains of grave concern, and the suffering of its people continues unabated. The fracturing of the main rebel groups over the past year, and the apparent determination of the Government of Sudan to pursue a military solution, at a high price in suffering for ordinary people, makes the search for peace even more difficult, and has also had negative impacts on neighbouring countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic.
In Darfur, ongoing conflict, including targeted attacks against aid workers and their assets, continues to constitute a major obstacle to humanitarian operations. In 2007, the EU collectively contributed some €320 million in funding to humanitarian endeavours across Sudan. Since 2006, the Irish Government has committed over €46 million in assistance to the people of Sudan, including Darfur. Through the military mission, EUFOR Chad/RCA under the operational command of Irish Lieutenant General Pat Nash, the EU is also helping provide security for those Darfuris who have fled across the border into neighbouring Chad.
The international community must of course go beyond alleviating the symptoms of this humanitarian crisis, and the EU and Ireland fully support UN and African Union efforts to bring about a lasting peace. So far, the process has been disappointingly slow, and a lack of political will is apparent on all sides. Despite these discouraging developments, there is no alternative to a political solution. Bilaterally, Ireland has contributed €500,000 to the UN Trust Fund in support of the peace talks.
Although peace will not come to Darfur until a political accommodation has been reached, UNAMID, the AU/UN hybrid force, has a role to play in re-establishing a secure environment for the people of Darfur. However, UNAMID is being hampered by the obstructive attitude of the Sudanese authorities to non-African participation. UN Secretary General Ban is working hard on force generation for UNAMID, and I hope that his efforts will bear further fruit.
The 2005 north-south Comprehensive Peace Agreement is currently under stress. The main issues causing tension in the Government of National Unity are troop deployment, border demarcation and the population census, and the status of the oil-rich Abyei region, where Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and Sudanese troops clashed in May 2008, displacing almost 50,000 people.
The problems of Sudan and Chad are interlinked, with each accusing the other of supporting rebel groups to undermine state stability. There is evidence that Sudan supported rebels attacking the Chadian capital N'djamena in February 2008, and Sudan accuses Chad of supporting a rebel attack on the outskirts of Khartoum in May 2008. The severe deterioration in Chad-Sudan relations is very disturbing, although I believe the deployment of EUFOR Chad/RCA has the potential to be increasingly a stabilising factor in the region.
On Monday the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg discussed the situation in Sudan. The Council expressed its support for the pursuit and implementation of political solutions in Darfur and between north and south Sudan, while also calling for full co-operation with the International Criminal Court and urging Sudan and Chad to refrain from incursions into each other's territory and support for rebel groups.
Diplomatic Representation.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:169 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish embassies open; the extent to which he proposes to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23946/08]
Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad (57 Embassies, 6 multilateral missions and 12 Consulates General and other offices), as well as the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh.
The White Paper on Irish Aid, published in September 2006, designated Malawi as Ireland's ninth programme country. Based on this recommendation, the Government decided to establish an Embassy in Lilongwe and Ireland's first resident Ambassador to Malawi took up duty in October of last year.
The successful trade mission, led by the then Taoiseach in January 2007, to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates underlined the potential value to Ireland of having a second resident Embassy in the Gulf region. Accordingly, and in order to take advantage of this potential, the Government in March 2007 agreed that an Embassy be established in the United Arab Emirates. However, the timing of the establishment of such a resident Embassy must take account of the wider budgetary context, in particular the availability of the necessary resources.
While the opening of new Embassies abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, any expansion of our diplomatic network can only be undertaken having regard to clear priorities and available resources. Apart from the United Arab Emirates, there are no plans at present to establish any other new Embassies.
Emigrant Support Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:170 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if progress is expected to be made in the matter of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23947/08]
The Government continues to attach the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. My predecessor raised this issue repeatedly on his many visits to the US and the former Taoiseach highlighted it during his address to the Joint Houses of Congress on 30 April.
In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, which would legalise most of the 11 million undocumented in the US, we have advocated a bilateral solution. This would put in place reciprocal immigration arrangements which would reflect the traditionally close relationship between Ireland and the US, and would also offer a solution for our undocumented citizens.
The Taoiseach and I had some very useful exchanges on how to take this proposal forward with a number of senior US Senators during their visit to Dublin at the end of May. Making progress on any immigration related issue, particularly the element related to the undocumented, in an election year in the United States will be very challenging indeed. However, I am determined that we will try and advance the proposal in every way possible. In this regard, our Ambassador in Washington has been instructed to continue to prioritise the issue and to maintain the closest contact with key Members of Congress in its pursuit.
The Government also continues to work closely with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR). The Taoiseach had a very constructive meeting last month with the ILIR's Chairman, Niall O'Dowd, and our Embassy and Consulates will maintain very close contact with the organisation in the period ahead.
International Agreements.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:171 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of discussions that have taken place at EU level with a view to discouraging the drug trade in Latin America; the extent to which incentives have been offered in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23948/08]
Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America in combating the trade in illicit drugs takes place within a well-defined framework, both in terms of policy and institutional mechanisms. EU policy toward illicit drugs is founded on the basic principles adopted under the 1998 Political Declaration of the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS), the current EU Drugs Strategy for 2005-2012, and the EU Action Plan for 2005-2008. The comprehensive approach adopted by the EU focuses on all aspects of combating trade in illicit drugs, including through demand reduction, supply reduction, counter-trafficking and alternative development.
At the 1996 EU-Rio Group Ministerial Meeting in Cochabamba, Bolivia, both sides confirmed their intentions to seek a balanced and integrated approach to the problem of illicit drugs, based on the principle of shared responsibility. In 1998, the EU-Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Co-ordination and Co-operation Mechanism on Drugs was established, providing a formal framework for increased contact and dialogue between the regions. The Mechanism on Drugs meets annually, with regular inter-sessional technical meetings.
In 1999, the EU-LAC Co-ordination and Co-operation Mechanism on Drugs adopted the Panama Action Plan, which provides for joint action on demand reduction, alternative development, money laundering and maritime cooperation. Subsequent High Level Meetings of the Mechanism on Drugs have reaffirmed the commitment to the Panama Action Plan in joint declarations emanating from successive annual meetings in Lisbon, Cochabamba (Bolivia), Madrid, Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), Dublin, Lima , Vienna, Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) and, most recently, in Vienna in March 2008. In addition to this Mechanism, the EU-Andean Community (CAN) High Level Specialised Dialogue on Drugs was established in 1995. This Specialised Dialogue on Drugs, which meets annually, provides a unique forum for co-operation and dialogue.
Combating the drugs trade is a major focus in the European Commission's regional programming for Latin America for 2007-2013, as well as in the regional plan for the Andean region and in specific country strategy papers. The total financial assistance provided by the Commission and Member States to Latin America in this area exceeds €230 million and is second only to the amount provided to Afghanistan to support its counter-narcotic efforts.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 165.
Climate Change.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:173 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the clearing of rainforests in Nigeria at a time of major concern about global warming and carbon emissions; his plans to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/08]
Global warming is a serious concern to everyone. We are all increasingly aware of the threat this now poses to humanity. The Government remains committed to fulfilling its international obligations to reduce the level of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.
Global warming cannot be solved by one country alone — it requires the commitment of all nations in the world. Rain forests play a very important role in preventing global warming. They help to remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. They also release oxygen into the environment. In doing so, they provide benefits not just to the countries where they are located, but to all nations and peoples.
Most of the world's rain forest is located in the developing countries, including Nigeria. There are reports of significant industrial logging taking place in Cross River State, the location of the last remaining rain forests in Nigeria. Rain forests once covered about 30% of the earth's land surface but this figure has now fallen to about 6%. Preserving the remaining rain forest presents a serious challenge, but it cannot be left to individual countries alone. It requires a concerted international effort. One way to encourage poorer countries to avoid further deforestation is to reward those that protect rain forests through the provision of economic incentives.
Ireland will continue to play its part in supporting international efforts to preserve the rain forests and the rights of those who live there. The Irish Aid Environmental Policy commits Ireland to addressing global environment problems through our engagement with bodies such as the United Nations and the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD. It also commits Ireland to supporting the efforts of partner governments and civil society at country level and to work closely with other donors in ensuring a coordinated response to environmental challenges.
Ireland, through Irish Aid, supports a number of organisations involved in climate change. This includes the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) which has launched a strategic initiative on climate change. The CGIAR is a network of 15 institutions dedicated to pro poor agricultural research and the transfer of the results as rapidly as possible to those working on the ground. This initiative, which Ireland supports, assigns climate change a central place in their work.
Irish Aid also supports, in cooperation with the Department of the Environment, the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change which manages two funds, the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund. Both of these are assisting countries to adapt to the impact of climate change. Irish Aid also supports a number of key international institutions including the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) all of which are active in policy and advocacy on climate change including the issue of reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation.
Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 168.
International Terrorism.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:175 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent discussions with his EU colleagues in the matter of combating terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23952/08]
My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has primary responsibility for policy matters relating to the security of the State. As a member of the European Union's Justice and Home Affairs Council, he participates in the taking of decisions and the adoption of measures aimed at dealing with terrorism and the terrorist threat within the European Union.
International terrorism is a phenomenon which carries potentially deadly consequences for the lives of people everywhere and has grave implications for diplomatic relations and the maintenance of international peace and security. As such, it is a subject of serious concern to me and to my colleague Ministers in the European Union.
In 2005, the EU adopted the Counter-Terrorism Strategy and comprehensive Action Plan. This Counter-Terrorism Strategy will next be the subject of high-level discussions at the European Council to be held in Brussels on 19 and 20 June, when the Council will consider the recommendations contained in the six-monthly report submitted by the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr. Giles de Kerchove.
International cooperation is essential for the success of efforts to combat terrorism. In this regard, Ireland, together with our EU partners, is committed to seeking agreement on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism during the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations.
In all engagements within and outside the European Union, Ireland has stressed that terrorism can never be justified no matter the cause or the reason. At the same time, the Government maintains that respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law must be observed at all times in the fight against terrorism. It is not enough to simply look to the security dimension of the fight against terrorism. Political, social and economic solutions are needed to the underlying problems that give rise to or can give rise to terrorism.
Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 163.
Northern Ireland Issues.
Billy Timmins
Question:177 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of people born in Northern Ireland who have applied for Irish citizenship since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement to 31 May 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23888/08]
The Good Friday Agreement recognises the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirms their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship.
In addition, persons born on the Island of Ireland before 1 January 2005 are automatically entitled to Irish citizenship. In the case of persons born after that date, their citizenship is determined by the citizenship or residency status on the island of one parent, in accordance with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004. In qualifying for Irish citizenship, a person is then entitled to apply for an Irish Passport.
Some 400,000 passports have been issued, since the signing of the Good Friday agreement on 10 April, 1998, to applicants born in Northern Ireland.
Such applications have been increasing year on year, with some 60,000 passports issuing to persons born in Northern Ireland in 2007 compared to some 30,000 in 2002. The majority of Northern Ireland applications are made using the Northern Ireland Express Post Service (NIPX) which is available in some 70 Post Offices throughout the area.
Business Regulation.
Leo Varadkar
Question:178 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has calculated the administrative burden to businesses of regulations emanating from her Department or agencies within her Department; the cost if it has been calculated; if she has not calculated the cost, if she will do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23851/08]
In March 2008, the Government decided to reduce the administrative burden of domestic regulation on business by 25% by 2012.
Initially, all Government Departments will be required to list the Information Obligations which their regulations impose on business. From that listing, Departments will assess which requirements are the most burdensome and will then measure the actual cost to business of the most burdensome requirements. At that point the most appropriate approach to achieving the overall 25% target will be re-examined.
My Department is responsible for devising the approach and methodology to be used across Government, for coordinating the work across Government Departments and Agencies and for reporting to Government on progress.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:179 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the occasions on which she did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23866/08]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement.
The information below does not include Commencement Orders.
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
S.I No. 574 of 2006 European Communities (Restrictive Measures) (Lebanon) Regulations 2006 A |
The S.I. provides for penalties for breach of a Council Regulation which was not considered significant in accordance with RIA guidelines |
|
|
S.I. No. 473 of 2006 European Communities (Restrictive Measures)(Burma/Myanmar) Regulations 2006 |
The S.I. provides for penalties for breach of Council Regulation which was not considered significant in accordance with RIA guidelines |
|
|
S.I. No. 186 of 2006 European Communities (Restrictive Measures against Certain Persons and Entities Associated with Usama bin Laden, the Al-Qaida Network and the Taliban) Regulations 2006 |
The S.I. provides for penalties for breach of Council Regulation which was not considered significant in accordance with RIA guidelines |
|
|
S.I. No. 130 of 2006 European Communities (Trade with Iraq) Regulations 2006 |
The S.I. provides for penalties for breach of Council Regulation which was not considered significant in accordance with RIA guidelines |
|
|
S.I. No. 62 of 2006 European Communities (Restrictive Measures)(Uzbekistan) Regulations 2006 |
The S.I. provides for penalties for breach of Council Regulation which was not considered significant in accordance with RIA guidelines |
|
|
S.I. No. 264 of 2006. Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 |
RIA unnecessary |
|
|
Industrial Relations Act 1990 (Code of Practice on Access to Part-time Working (Declaration) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 8 of 2006) |
This Code of Practice was introduced in accordance with section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990. That Section provides that the Labour Relations Commission shall prepare draft codes of practice concerning industrial relations for submission to the Minister, either on its own initiative or at the request of the Minister. Before submitting a draft code of practice to the Minister, the Commission must seek and consider the views of organisations representative of employers and organisations representative of workers, and such other bodies as the Commission considers appropriate. In these circumstances, given that the draft Code of Practice had been agreed by the Social Partners, it was not considered necessary to undertake a separate RIA. |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Work at Height) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 318 of 2006) |
When assessed in accordance with Department of the Taoiseach RIA Guidelines it was found that these Regulations were not considered significant enough to warrant a RIA being carried out. |
These Regulations were subsequently revoked and repealed by Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 299 of 2007) and a screening RIA was carried out prior to the introduction of those General Application Regulations. |
|
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Control of Vibration) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 370 of 2006) |
When assessed in accordance with Department of the Taoiseach RIA Guidelines it was found that these Regulations were not considered significant enough to warrant a RIA being carried out. |
These Regulations were subsequently revoked and repealed by Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 299 of 2007) and a screening RIA was carried out prior to the introduction of those General Application Regulations. |
|
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Control of Noise) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 371 of 2006) |
When assessed in accordance with Department of the Taoiseach RIA Guidelines it was found that these Regulations were not considered significant enough to warrant a RIA being carried out. |
These Regulations were subsequently revoked and repealed by Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 299 of 2007) and a screening RIA was carried out prior to the introduction of those General Application Regulations. |
|
S.I. No. 25 of 2006 European Communities (Classification, Packaging, Labelling and Notification of Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 |
Not significant |
Transposing Directive 2004/73/EC |
|
S.I. No. 74 of 2006 European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2006 |
Updating existing rules |
Transposing Directive 2003/105/EC, amending Directive 96/62/EC |
|
S.I. No. 364 of 2006 European Communities (Dangerous Substances and Preparations) (Marketing and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 |
Not significant |
Transposing Directives 2005/59/EC, 2005/69/EC, 2005/84/EC and 2005/90/EC. |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
S.I. No. 386 of 2006 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 |
Updating existing rules. |
Transposing Directive 2003/18/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work |
|
S.I. No. 405 of 2006 Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 2006S.I. No. 406 of 2006 European Communities (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) (ADR Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2006 S.I. No. 407 of 2006 Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Act (Appointment of Competent Authorities) Order 2006 S.I. No. 408 of 2006 Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Act (Fees) Regulations 2006 |
Updating existing rules. |
Transposing Directives 2004/111/EC on the transport of dangerous goods by road and 2004/112/EC [Road checks on transport of dangerous goods by road] |
|
S.I. No. 630 of 2006 Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 |
Updating existing rules. |
|
|
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing of certain measuring devices containing mercury |
Stakeholder consultation indicated no significant likely impacts |
This has been agreed as Directive 2007/51/EC relating to restrictions on the marketing of certain measuring devices containing mercury. A screening RIA has been carried out on the draft transposing Statutory Instrument. |
|
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals [COM(2006)745] |
Proposal to replace existing regulation, due to incorrect legal base – not significant |
Known as “Rotterdam PIC” Regulation |
|
Draft Council Directive adapting Directive 67/548/EEC on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania [Com(2006)527] |
Not significant |
|
|
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (codified version).[COM(2006)664] |
Not significant, only codifies existing rules |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
The European Communities (European Public Limited-Liability Company) (Employee Involvement) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 623 of 2006). |
An RIA was not carried out in relation to these Regulations as they were not deemed to be significant in accordance with published guidelines on RIA. The social partners and relevant bodies were consulted in advance of the Regulations being finalised. |
These Regulations were signed into law on 14 December 2006. They transpose EU Directive 2001/86/EC of 8 October 2001 supplementing the Statute for a European Company with regard to the involvement of employees. |
|
SI No. 683 of 2006 Employment Permits Act 2006 (Prescribed Fees & Miscellaneous Procedures) Regulations 2006 |
The purpose of this SI was to give effect to standard administrative arrangements for the implementation of requirements of the legislation. As such, it was not considered appropriate, to conduct a RIA on this SI |
|
|
Patents (Amendment) Act 2006 No. 31 of 2006 |
Government approved the drafting of Patents (Am) Bill on 27 April 1999 before need for RIA |
This Act amended the Patents Act, 1992 to bring Intellectual Property Law into compliance with our obligations under International agreements. |
|
European Communities (Limitation of Effect of Patent) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 50 of 2006) |
The Regulations transposed two Directives predating need for RIA. |
These Regulations transposed Article 10.6 of Directive 2001/83/EC (amended by Directive 2004/27/EC) and Article 13.6 of Directive 2001/82/EC (amended by Directive 2004/28/EC |
|
European Communities (Patent Agents) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 141 of 2006) |
Need to respond to Commission legal action on Irish legislation as contrary to Article 49 of EU Treaty. |
These Regulations made in order to allow a qualified person, established in another Member State of the European Communities to act as a patent agent, to act for another person in relation to patent matters before the Controller of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks |
|
Patent (Amendment) Rules 2006 (S.I. No. 142 of 2006) |
Need to respond to Commission legal action on Irish legislation as contrary to Article 49 of EU Treaty. |
The Regulations outlined in the previous column necessitated consequential amendments to the Patent Rules. |
|
European Communities (Artists Resale Right) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 312 of 2006) |
Government approved the drafting before need for RIA |
Gave effect to Directive 2001/84/EC |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
European Communities (Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 360 of 2006) |
Not of major significance for RIA purposes. |
These Regulations transpose aspects of Directive 2004/48/EC on the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights which were not, at that time, available under Irish law. The majority of the directive provisions were not novel and already existed under Irish law for some considerable time. |
|
European Communities (Enforcement of Community Judgments on Trade Marks and Designs) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 646 of 2006) |
Not of major significance for RIA purposes. |
The purpose of these Regulations is to ensure that decisions, accompanied by an Order for costs, made by the EU Trade Mark and Industrial Design (OHIM), can be executed in Ireland. The regulations nominate the High Court as the competent authority before which such orders should be brought for execution. |
|
S.I. No. 547 of 2006 — European Communities (Human Blood and Blood Components traceability Requirements and Notification of Serious Adverse Reactions and Events) Regulations 2006 |
Not considered necessary to carry out an RIA |
|
|
S.I No. 655 of 2006 — Industrial Development Act 1995 (Authorisation of Enterprise Ireland) Order |
A Regulatory Impact Analysis was not considered proportionate when compared to the impact and scope of the S.I. |
S.I. No. 655 of 2006 authorises Enterprise Ireland (EI) to carry out certain functions in respect of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) on behalf of the Minister. |
|
Industrial Development Bill 2006 |
Formal RIA unnecessary. |
The purpose of the Bill was to facilitate the transfer of staff from Shannon Development to Forfás. It had no impact on the regulatory framework and accordingly a formal RIA was deemed unnecessary. |
|
S.I. No. 241 of 2006 — European Communities (Noise Emission by Equipment for Use Outdoor) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 |
This Statutory Instrument transposes a technical amendment to Council Directive 2005/88/EC and is of limited significance. |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
Council Directive 2006/96/EC of 20 November 2006, adapting certain Directives in the field of free movement of goods, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania. |
This Directive is a technical amendment to Directive 71/316/EEC (setting common provisions for measuring instruments and methods of metrological control) and is of limited significance. |
|
|
Council Directive 2006/42/EC of 17 May 2006 on Machinery and amending Directive 95/16/EC |
A screening RIA of the Directive was not completed before adoption but was completed in respect of the draft Statutory Instrument transposing the Directive. |
|
|
S.I. No. 290 European Communities (Cooperation between National Authorities Responsible for the Enforcement of Consumer Protection Laws)Regulations, 2006 |
This Regulation did not amend or introduce new policy. It merely required the designation of existing competent authorities for the purpose of intra-community application of consumer law. |
These Regulations implement Regulation (EC) No. 2006/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer laws. The main purpose of the Regulations is the designation of competent authorities for the specific consumer measures outlined in the annex to the Regulation. |
|
Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006on statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts, amending Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC and repealing Council Directive 84/253/EEC |
Proposal for this Directive pre-dated requirement for RIA |
|
|
Directive 2006/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 amending Council Directives 78/660/EEC on the annual accounts of certain types of companies, 83/349/EEC on consolidated accounts, 86/635/EEC on the annual accounts and consolidated accounts of banks and other financial institutions and 91/674/EEC on the annual accounts and consolidated accounts of insurance undertakings |
Proposal for this Directive pre-dated requirement for RIA |
|
|
S.I. No. 57 of 2006 – Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Accountancy Bodies) Regulations 2006 |
Not considered necessary. The Act which predated the requirement for RIA provided for the prescription of bodies. |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
S.I. No. 502 of 2006 – Companies (Fees) Order 2006 |
Not considered necessary. The order introduced a “nil” fee for the electronic filing of Form B73 (nomination of the Registrar of Companies of a new annual return date for a company). |
|
|
S.I. No. 619 of 2006 Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 (Prescribed Bodies for Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2006 |
Not considered necessary. These Regulations prescribe bodies to which the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority may disclose information for the purpose of Section 31 (3) of the 2003 Act. The bodies are named in the Act. |
|
|
S.I. No. 255 of 2006 Directive 2004/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on takeover bids. |
Proposal for this Directive pre-dated requirement for RIA |
|
|
Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, 2006 |
While a formal RIA was not undertaken, all appropriate considerations arising were brought to the attention of Government relating to each of the provisions contained in the Act. |
|
|
S.I. No. 287 of 2006 European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities)(Amendment) Regulations, 2006 |
This S.I. completed the transposition of an earlier EU Directive, agreed in 2002, which predated the requirement to undertake a RIA |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
S.I. No. 8 of 2007 European Communities (Names AND Labelling of Textile Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 |
This was a minor technical amendment to the existing regulation |
Labelling of textiles is governed by the Principal Regulations [SI No. 245 of 1998 which transposed EU Directive 96/74/EC]. Commission Directive 2006/3/EC of 9 January 2006, amends the Principal Regulations by adding a new textile called “elastomultiester”. |
|
S.I. No. 9 of 2007 European Communities (Quantitative Analysis of Binary Textile Fibre Mixtures) Regulations 2007 |
This was a minor technical amendment to the existing regulations |
This Statutory Instrument transposes Directive 96/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 and Directive 2006/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 January 2006. This S.I. is a companion to Directive96/74/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996. Directive 96/74/EC covers the names and definitions of various textile products whereas Directive 96/73/EC covers the methods for testing these textiles. Commission Directive 2006/2/EC amends Directive 96/73/EC by changing certain methods of testing of textiles. |
|
Directive 2007/63/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13th November 2007 amending Council Directives 78/855/EEC and 82/891/EEC as regards the requirement of an independent expert’s report on the occasion of merger or division of public limited liability companies |
Not considered necessary as this was a measure to lighten the regulatory burden emerging from the EU Commission’s Strategic Review of Better Regulation. |
|
|
Directive 2003/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15th July 2003. S.I. No 49 of 2007 – European Communities (Companies) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 |
Proposal for this Directive pre-dated requirement for RIA. |
Directive 2003/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15th July 2003. S.I. No 49 of 2007 – European Communities (Companies) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
Directive 2004/109/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2004 on the harmonisation of transparency requirements in relation to information about issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market and amending Directive 2001/34/EC Statutory Instrument No. 277 of 2007 European Communities (Admissions to Listing and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2007 |
Proposal for this Directive pre-dated requirement for RIA |
|
|
S.I. Number 832 of 2007. European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 |
Not considered necessary. This S.I. transposed EU Directive 2007/16/EC mentioned below. |
|
|
Directive No. 2007/16/EC implementing Council Directive 85/611/EEC on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) as regards the clarification of certain definitions. |
Not considered necessary. This Directive clarified the definitions relating to the types of instruments that UCITS could invest in. It was not seen therefore as introducing any significant new regulatory requirements. |
|
|
European Communities (Implementation of the Rules on Competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 SI 525 of 2007 |
Not considered sufficiently significant to warrant a RIA |
|
Title of statutory instruments, bills and EU directives on which the Dept did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on |
The reason for this decision |
Additional Information |
|
Competition Act 2002 (Section 18 (5) and (6)) Order 2007 SI 122 of 2007 |
Not considered sufficiently significant to warrant a RIA |
|
|
Consumer Protection (Fixed Payment Notice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 689 of 2007) |
This statutory instrument prescribes the form of fixed payment notices to be issued under section 85 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 and, as such, simply gives procedural effect to the substantive provision in the Act. A screening Regulatory Impact Analysis was undertaken for the Consumer Protection Bill 2006, including the provision on fixed payment notices. |
Consumer Protection (Fixed Payment Notice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 689 of 2007) |
|
European Communities (Misleading and Comparative Marketing Communications) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 774 of 2007). |
This statutory instrument gives effect to Directive 2006/114/EC concerning misleading and comparative advertising. That Directive is a codified version of Directive 84/450/EEC on misleading advertising as amended by Directive 97/55/EC on comparative advertising and Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices. Codified Directives consolidate the contents of the Directives being codified with only such formal amendments as are required by the process of codification. As the statutory instrument brings together provisions that have been part of Irish and EU law for some time, a regulatory impact analysis was considered to be unnecessary. |
European Communities (Misleading and Comparative Marketing Communications) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 774 of 2007). |
Leo Varadkar
Question:180 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23861/08]
My Department has not carried out any regulatory impact assessment since the policy was introduced.
The government approved a number of specific actions to be taken in relation to the key recommendations of the Dalton Report which was an independent assessment of certain corporate governance and anti-doping issues affecting Bord Na gCon. No formal regulatory impact assessment was carried out in relation to the drafting of the legislation required to implement these specific recommendations.
However, a regulatory impact assessment will be carried out at a future date in the context of the root and branch review of the Greyhound Industry Acts 1958-1993 decided upon by the government with a view to bringing legislation dealing with the greyhound industry into line with best current practice.
Departmental Services.
Jack Wall
Question:181 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the procedure available to a person to report what in their opinion is an unacceptable situation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23913/08]
The provision of a quality service to the public is a core objective for this Department. A formal Comments and Complaints procedure is in operation which deals with complaints relating to delays, mistakes or poor customer service. A Comments and Complaints leaflet (SW104) is available on the Department's website and in the Department's local offices. This sets out the procedures for making a complaint.
If the person concerned wishes to make a formal complaint she should provide details to the Customer Service section in Social Welfare Services office, Sligo.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Michael Ring
Question:182 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there is financial help available towards the cost of a course for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [23985/08]
The Department has a programme of initiatives designed to assist social welfare recipients including lone parents to return to the active labour force. The back to education allowance (BTEA) facilitates people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. The scheme enables qualified people who have been getting a social welfare payment to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course.
To qualify for participation an applicant must be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment and must be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study. A person must have been in receipt of a social welfare payment for at least six months (156 days) for a second level option course and 12 months (312 days) for a third level option course immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study.
The person concerned should contact her local Social Welfare Office to arrange to meet with a facilitator who will be able to advise her on eligibility for participation in the BTEA scheme and explore possible alternative supports through linkages with other agencies and organisations at local level.
Foreshore Licences.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:183 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the parts of the foreshore for which his Department is responsible for leasing and licensing arrangements; if there are plans to change this with the move of certain foreshore responsibilities from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23978/08]
Joanna Tuffy
Question:188 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the parts of the foreshore he is responsible for in relation to licensing and leasing arrangements; the responsibilities regarding foreshore being transferred from his Department to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; when this transfer is scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23980/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 188 together.
The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade, and for all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) and aggregate and mineral extraction developments on the foreshore would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
My Department will carry forward responsibility for all other foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933, including in respect of all aquaculture developments and piers and harbours, other than in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade.
My Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the appropriate legislation and associated functions. In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, every effort is being made to expedite this process.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:184 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department is required to take steps regarding the giving of foreshore licences and leases; and if he will ensure that the procedures are in keeping with the European Union Public Participation Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23979/08]
Joanna Tuffy
Question:189 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to update the Foreshore Acts; what the planned changes to the legislation are intended to achieve; if these changes will address Ireland’s need to comply with the European Union Public Participation Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23981/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 189 together.
The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade, and for all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) and aggregate and mineral extraction developments on the foreshore would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
My Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the appropriate legislation and associated functions. In the interim, all foreshore functions under the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005 rest with my Department.
My Department will carry forward responsibility for all other foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933, including in respect of all aquaculture developments and piers and harbours, other than in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade.
The Statement of Strategy 2005-2007 of the former Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources indicated that procedures would be developed for enhanced coordination and cooperation between the wide range of public bodies responsible for management of the coastal zone. This was in response to the increasing demands and pressures on coastal areas and their resources.
A consolidation and streamlining of the Foreshore Acts has also been proposed. This is intended to provide a modern, effective and integrated legal framework for the management of the State's foreshore estate in the future. Preparation of these proposals will to take account, among other things, of the EU Public Participation Directive, the principles in the EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, the outcome of the EU Maritime Green Paper and the EU Marine Strategy Directive.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will clearly assume a critical role in these proposals. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the context of progressing the various elements required to develop the appropriate coastal zone legislative framework.
Aquaculture Licences.
Pat Breen
Question:185 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 355 of 13 May 2008, when he will make a determination on applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23843/08]
As indicated in my response to Dáil Question No. 18292 of 13 May 2008, assessments of the applications referred to by the Deputy are near completion. It is not possible to give the Deputy a precise date for final determinations due to the nature of the assessment process. This process includes publication of the Ministerial decisions and allowing a one month period for appeal of any decision. Any such appeal must then be considered by the independent Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:186 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23860/08]
The Government decision in June 2005 to introduce Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) in the decision making processes of government Departments stated that it should be applied to all proposals for primary legislation involving changes to the regulatory framework, significant Statutory Instruments and proposals for EU Directives and significant EU regulations.
My Department introduces a very considerable amount of legislation every year in particular secondary legislation, transposing EU Directives and Regulations. These statutory instruments are mostly of a technical nature, or deal with enforcement, prosecution and penalty procedures and as such do not involve significant policy changes to the various client sectors affected and therefore such statutory instruments would not have required the application of a RIA.
A proposal for the Fish Health Directive was introduced in late 2005. My officials felt that a RIA was not warranted, as the changes proposed were not sufficiently significant. However, extensive consultations with the industry were carried out during the negotiation period and the transposition of the Directive.
At the moment Screening RIAs are currently being prepared in my Department in relation to the Forestry Bill, the Foreshore Bill and the EU proposals in relation to the CAP "Health Check".
My officials are very aware of the RIA process and are reminded regularly on the need to consider whether or not a RIA should be applied to any secondary legislation being introduced by my Department.
Bovine Disease Controls.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:187 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider removing the locked up status from the herd of a person (details supplied) in County Cork where the animal in question was declared clear of tuberculosis following slaughter. [23877/08]
A reactor animal was disclosed in the herd of the person concerned on 3 May 2008 following a TB skin test. The herd was restricted from that date and the official TB status of the herd remains withdrawn until all animals over six weeks of age have reacted negatively to at least two consecutive tuberculin tests, carried out at 60 day intervals, the first no less than 60 days after the removal of the last positive reactor and the second no less than four months after the removal of the last positive reactor.
With regard to the suggestion that a lump in the animal's neck resulted from an injury, the veterinary practitioner who performed the test did not report anything unusual to my Department. Any suggestion that the lump appearing, following the TB skin test, was not a response to the tuberculin would have been addressed at the time. I am advised also that it would be highly unusual for an injury, such as that described, to cause a reaction in the animal's neck precisely in the area of the bovine tuberculin injection and that such an injury could be mistaken by a qualified and experienced veterinary practitioner as a normal tuberculin response.
With regard to the suggestion that the animal concerned cleared all tests at the factory, I am advised that no such declaration of clearance occurs at the factory because the check at the point of slaughter is in fact a routine fitness for human consumption examination conducted in slaughter plants under Regulation 854/2004/EC and is not, and is not designed to be, an absolute bovine TB diagnostic instrument. The TB skin test is considered to be a highly accurate test, is the approved test for the detection of TB and my Department's veterinary service is satisfied that, on the basis of the test carried out, the animal in question is correctly treated as a reactor.
I understand also that the person concerned has queried my Department as to why the process followed for certain cases of singleton reactors which provides for de-restriction after a full herd test at 42 days provided such cases meet certain criteria was not applied in this instance. The position is that on the basis of an assessment by my Department's veterinary service, the herd in question did not fulfil the qualifying criteria necessary to be eligible for that process.
On the basis of the foregoing, I am satisfied that the action taken in this case is appropriate.
Question No. 188 answered with Question No. 183.
Question No. 189 answered with Question No. 184.
Food Industry.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:190 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide in tabular form the recommendations of the National Seafood Strategy Report that have been implemented to date; the recommendations that have been partly implemented; the recommendations that have not been implemented at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23982/08]
The Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG) was set up in March 2007 under the chairmanship of Dr Noel Cawley to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group: Steering a New Course.
Dr. Cawley presented a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations to my predecessor in February in accordance with the terms of reference of the SSIG. The progress report covers the period up to 31 December 2007. The appendix to this reply contains a tabular representation of the progress reported. Since January 2008 additional progress has been made including:
tendering process in train to appoint consultants to carry out benchmarking for Step Up Programme,
a number of seafood companies took part in BIM trade mission to Italy,
lobster management plan Managing Access to the Irish Lobster Fishery published and put out for consultation.
Substantial progress was also made with the launch in February of the whitefish decommissioning scheme for boats over 18 meters in length. Applications have now been processed and the first payments are expected to be made in the next few weeks.
|
Recommendations |
Leader |
Implemented |
Progress to date |
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Core Theme 1: Market Development |
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1.1 Invest further in market research and intelligence |
BIM |
UK market development well advanced |
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1.2 BIM to focus marketing support in a targeted fashion on key export markets in addition to the domestic market |
BIM |
Italian market being explored, possibility of organising trade fair being examined. Competitor/product analysis being undertaken. Market report bulletins issue monthly |
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1.3 Establish a “Seafood Island” identity for Irish seafood. |
BIM |
Planning to launch Seafood brand at an early date |
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Core Theme 2: Market Led Innovation |
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2.1 Adopt a structured approach to providing services for commercially focused R&D/NPD effectively through BIM’s Seafood Development Centre |
BIM |
Expertise within and outside industry being used to develop Seafood Development Centre |
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2.2 Adopt a twin-track approach to innovation in the pelagic sector |
BIM |
Tender process has taken place |
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2.3 Invest in identifying the potential usage of fish and marine biodiversity in functional foods |
BIM |
Contract negotiations underway. Research programme underway |
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Core Theme 3: Processing Sector Restructuring and Development |
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3.1 Processing Restructuring & Development – prioritise support for businesses with good potential |
EI, BIM & UnaG |
Benchmarking tender parameters drawn up, document will go to tender by end of January |
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3.2 Encourage investment in seafood processing from the wider food processing sector |
EI, BIM & UnaG |
Food companies being engaged |
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3.3 Increase State and industry focus on improving competitiveness and performance |
EI, BIM & UnaG |
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3.4 Co-ordinate State support to the processing sector |
DAFF |
Joint (BIM, EI and ÚnaG) call for submissions for Seafood Processing |
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Recommendations |
Leader |
Implemented |
Progress to date |
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Core Theme 4: Fleet Restructuring and Development |
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4.1 Extend and develop whitefish decommissioning scheme for >18m vessels |
BIM & DAFF |
State Aid Approval granted by EU Commission. Tax implications being decided by Dept of Finance |
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4.2 Investigate the need for a targeted decommissioning scheme for vessels under 18m |
BIM & FIF |
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4.3 Pelagic RSW Fleet Restructuring |
Not Assigned |
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4.4 Undertake restructuring of polyvalent pelagic fleet |
FIF, IFO |
Pelagic capacity being addressed under decommissioning scheme |
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4.5 Review entry/exit regime for all fleet segments |
Not Assigned |
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4.6 Establish a Register of Commercial Sea Fishermen |
BIM |
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Core Theme 5: Fisheries Management |
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5.1 Implement a new and devolved fisheries management regime |
FIF in consultation with Inshore |
FIF are taking a lead role. Proposals being developed for submission to Minister |
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5.2 Establish an industry based legal entity to oversee quota management |
FIF in consultation with relevant parties |
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5.3 Update fisheries management objectives |
Not Assigned |
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5.4 Update Fleet Management Policies |
Not Assigned |
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5.5 Enhance institutional support for inshore fisheries |
DAFF & BIM |
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Core Theme 6: Aquaculture Development |
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6.1 A sustained, fact based communications programme, run by State development agencies with industry support to engender greater acceptance of aquaculture |
IFA Aquaculture |
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6.2 Review the current licensing and regulatory regime |
DAFF & IFA |
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6.3 Implement an Aquaculture Industry Development Programme |
BIM |
Being developed as part of OP |
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Recommendations |
Leader |
Implemented |
Progress to date |
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Core Theme 7: Enhancing Competitiveness |
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7.1 Establish efficient (i) landing and (ii) distribution infrastructure |
DAFF |
(i) Harbour User Forums in place, business plans drawn up |
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7.2 Implement more effective and co-ordinated arrangements for first-point-of sale (FPOS) for seafood |
BIM, FPOS, IFPEA and FIF |
Being progressed as part of Step Up Programme |
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7.3 Proactively support cost reduction and performance improvement |
BIM in consultation with FPOS and FIF |
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7.4 Enhance onboard improvements |
BIM in consultation with FPOS |
Ongoing programme of onboard technologies in place |
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7.5 Substantially enhance quality throughout the full food chain |
BIM in consultation with FPOS |
Programme in place aimed at supply chain (onboard and auction centres) |
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7.6 Engage in succession planning and attract and retain new entrants |
BIM in consultation with FPOS |
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7.7 Introduce a tax incentive for commercial sea fishermen |
Dept of Finance |
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7.8 Introduce a tax life for qualifying fishing vessels |
Dept of Finance |
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7.9 Publish and adhere to a grant-aid decisions timetable |
DAFF, BIM, MI & Údarás |
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Core Theme 8: Marine Environment and Conservation |
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8.1 Increase awareness and response to environmental policies |
BIM |
Ongoing |
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8.2 Promote local area management and the Costal Zone Management |
Not Assigned |
Will be bringing forward proposals in line with Natura 2000 for aquaculture etc in 2008 |
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8.3 Promote the introduction of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) |
MI & BIM |
Beaufort Awards in conjunction with MI for research on ecosystem approach to Marine management |
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8.4 Ireland to take a lead role on Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) and DAFF and industry to improve performance on conservation |
BIM |
Irish industry at forefront of RACs |
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Recommendations |
Leader |
Implemented |
Progress to date |
|
8.5 Develop management strategies that specifically aim to reduce discarding in fisheries |
BIM |
A number of projects are being implemented under Science/Industry partnership focusing on discards |
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8.6 Promote the development and uptake of environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient fishing gear |
DAFF & BIM |
Environmentally friendly pelagic net being trialled |
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8.7 The industry and DAFF to take a joint proactive approach at EU level to ensure EU wide compliance is enforced |
DAFF & Industry |
Electronic logbook critical tool in promoting a level playing field. Minister continues to push this agenda in EU New provisions in place on frozen fish |
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Core Theme 9: Education and Training |
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9.1 Increase investment in education and training for the seafood industry and others directly interacting with it and improve industry participation in commercially focused training programmes |
BIM |
Business training programmes will be expanded through strategic training alliances e.g. new BASS supervisors’ course run through Tallaght IT in Castletownbere. |
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9.2 Increase the focus on training and qualifications in the inshore and costal sectors |
BIM |
New mobile Engineering Costal Training Unit to be launched in Wexford in February 2008. |
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9.3 Provide increased training to the aquaculture sector |
BIM |
New mobile Costal Training Unit delivered in 2007 |
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9.4 Provide increased training to the shore-based sector and establish a Graduate Placement Programme |
BIM |
Aquaculture training increased by one third in 2007, through delivery of new FETAC training modules. |
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9.5 Make grant aid conditional on a training audit |
Not Assigned |
Graduate Placement Programme being developed |
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Core Theme 10: Industry Relations |
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10.1 Establish a single representative organisation for the fisheries sector |
FIF in consultation with relevant parties |
Formation of FIF |
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10.2 Appropriately structure and resource DAFF |
DAFF |
Being pursued within DAFFSFPA established |
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10.3 Co-ordinate the provision of all support by the State to the industry |
DAFF |
Being carried out |
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10.4 Ensure effective and prompt implementation of the Strategy Review Group’s recommendations |
DAFF |
School Transport.
Paul Kehoe
Question:191 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford did not receive the school transport grant; the assistance available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23827/08]
The case referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is subject to an appeal by the Independent School Transport Appeals Board.
The School Transport Appeals Board will sit on Thursday 19th June 2008. The Family will be advised of the decision thereafter.
National Parents’ Council.
Michael McGrath
Question:192 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the supports made available by his Department to the National Parents’ Council on an annual basis. [23828/08]
My Department provides an annual core funding grant to support the work of the National Parents' Council which in 2008 is expected to amount to €330,000. Additional funding is provided, as required, for training of parents' associations etc. which in 2008 is expected to amount to about €170,000.
Schools Refurbishment.
Michael Kennedy
Question:193 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science if consideration will be given to the emergency works grant application submitted by a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the condition of the school’s roof, which needs to be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23835/08]
My Department has received an application for roof works at the school referred to by the Deputy.
This application is currently being assessed and a decision on the matter will be made shortly. The school authorities will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.
Special Educational Needs.
Michael McGrath
Question:194 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of educational supports to a child (details supplied) in County Cork. [23842/08]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:195 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23865/08]
On the 21st June 2005 the Government decided that Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) should be introduced across all Government Departments and Offices. RIAs must be conducted on:
1. all proposals for primary legislation involving changes to the regulatory framework (subject to some exceptions)
2. significant Statutory Instruments
3. proposals for EU Directives and significant EU regulations when they are published by the European Commission.
Regulatory Impact Analysis was not conducted in relation to 13 Statutory Instruments made in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. In each case, the statutory instruments were of a technical nature to which the principles of RIA — consideration of the need to make the statutory instrument, the possibility of an alternative, non-legislative approach etc. did not apply.
The matters addressed included the commencement of certain statutory provisions or provide the establishment day for statutory bodies; the appointment or removal of officers under certain statutory powers; and the delegation by Government of powers from the Minister to a Minister of State.
The Statutory Instruments in question are as follows:
Education Act 1998 (Publication of Inspection Reports on Schools and Centres for Education) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 49/2006, PRN. A6/0100)
Education (Former Residents of Certain Institutions for Children) Finance Board (Establishment Day) Order 2006 (S.I. 77/2006)
Teaching Council Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2006 (S.I. 184/2006)
Teaching Council Act 2001 (Establishment Day) Order 2006 (S.I. 185/2006)
Grangegorman Development Agency Act 2005 (Establishment Day) Order 2006 (S.I. 252/2006)
Education and Science (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. 533/2006)
Institutes of Technology Act 2006 (Commencement) Order 2007 (S.I. 36/2007, Prn. A7/0102)
Education and Science (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2007 (S.I. 101/2007, Prn. A7/0354)
Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999 (Section 31) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 571/2007, Prn. A7/1513)
Appointment of Special Adviser (Department of Education and Science) Order 2007 (S.I. 585/2007, Prn. A7/1552)
Education and Science (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 2007 (S.I. 638/2007, Prn. A7/1701)
Youth Work Act 2001 (Prescribed National Representative Youth Work Organisation) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 131/2008, Prn. A8/0588)
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 (Section 5) (Specified Period) Order 2008 (S.I. 155/2008, Prn. A8/0692)
School Furniture.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:196 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve funding for replacement furniture in respect of a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the furniture which needs to be replaced was purchased in 1970. [23878/08]
My Department received an application for replacement furniture from the school in question.
This application has been considered for funding. However, in light of the competing demands on the available budget, it was not possible to approve funding to replace existing furniture at this time.
It is open to the school authorities to prioritise expenditure from the school's minor capital works grant and use it to purchase furniture.
Schools Building Projects.
Denis Naughten
Question:197 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on correspondence for a person (details supplied); the steps he will take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23880/08]
Denis Naughten
Question:198 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm local media reports that a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim will be included in the forthcoming bundle of public private partnership school projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23881/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.
My Department recognises the need for a new school building for the school in question to facilitate further the amalgamation of the three post primary schools in the area and has drafted a schedule of accommodation for this school.
The final legal transfer of title is currently under way in respect of a site purchased by my Department for the provision of a new school referred to by the Deputy. My Department is currently examining the feasibility of allowing this school proceed in the 3rd Bundle of Public-Private Partnership projects which I will be announcing later this year. The indicative timeframe for the delivery of a PPP schools currently stands at approximately 4 years from the date the bundle is formally announced.
Denis Naughten
Question:199 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 29 April 2008, when the announcement will take place; the status of the application in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23894/08]
The need for a new building for the school in question is accepted by my Department. The project required to deliver the building will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. I am in the process of reviewing with my officials the Department's spending plans for this year and this process will not be complete for some time. I will not be making decisions on any further capital expenditure until that process is complete. When this is done the school management will be informed of the position.
Schools Refurbishment.
John O'Mahony
Question:200 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction funding under the emergency works grant scheme at a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23897/08]
My Department has received an application for works to upgrade the toilets at the school referred to by the Deputy.
This application is currently being assessed and a decision on the matter will be made shortly. The school authorities will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.
Schools Building Projects.
Brian O'Shea
Question:201 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science when the list of accepted candidates for the position of health and safety officers on a school building project (details supplied) in County Waterford will be forwarded to the board of management in order that the project can proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23900/08]
As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including Tramore. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in these developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.
In this context, the status of all schools in the town where the school referred to by the Deputy is located is being assessed as part of an overall delivery plan, which is currently being formulated within my Department. As is the case with all large capital projects, their progression to tender and construction, including the project in question will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities about the matter as quickly as possible.
Special Educational Needs.
Joe Carey
Question:202 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 309 of 22 April 2008, when a special needs assistant will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23908/08]
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
School Statistics.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:203 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has statistics on the numbers of nationalities represented by children in primary schools here; the type of primary schools where the largest number of nationalities are represented; and if he will provide this information in tabular form. [23976/08]
The information requested by the Deputy is not currently available.
However, data on the total number of children enrolled in Primary Schools who were not Irish nationals in September 2007 are being collated in respect of those schools which made a return. This information will be examined further and finalised as soon as possible.
Languages Programme.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:204 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the supports given to schools where there are many different nationalities represented by the children in these schools to meet the needs of these schools in particular. [23977/08]
To meet the needs of migrant pupils for whom English is a second language, English Language Support Teachers have been appointed to primary and post-primary schools to provide additional language support for pupils. In collaboration with parents and class teachers, Language Support Teachers identify pupils requiring additional support, devise appropriate language programmes, deliver the programmes and record and monitor pupils' progress. There are now just under 2,000 language support teachers in the schools at a cost of €120 million per annum. Schools with less than the 14 such pupils needed to qualify for one support teacher are provided with financial resources to assist them.
There are resources available specifically for English Language Support Teachers and other resources for the whole school team.
The National Council on Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed Intercultural Guidelines, one set for primary schools and one for post-primary schools, to support teachers and schools in developing a more inclusive learning environment and in providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to participate in a diverse society.
The NCCA has also published "English as an Additional Language in Irish Primary Schools – Guidelines for Teachers" to assist classroom teachers in meeting the language and learning needs of the child for whom English is an additional language in the primary school so that he/she can access all areas of the primary school curriculum.
My Department has distributed a resource book ("Up and Away") for English language support teachers to all primary schools, which serves as the basis for induction seminars for newly-appointed language support teachers. This was prepared by Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT).
IILT, in collaboration with the Southern Education and Library Board (in Armagh) published a "Toolkit for diversity in the primary school — Together towards Inclusion" in December 2007. It has been distributed to all primary schools on the island.
A language assessment kit, prepared by (IILT) has been circulated to all primary schools in recent weeks. This will enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of the language proficiency of newcomer children. It is proposed to have an assessment kit for post-primary schools available later in the year.
The Department has information on its website in six languages, which is of use to both parents and schools. These languages are Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and German.
The National Educational Welfare Board provides information entitled "Don't Let Your Child Miss Out" in 18 languages, which will help schools when they are interacting with parents of different nationalities.
Refugee Status.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:205 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on the application appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding his or her application for refugee status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23833/08]
It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications.
As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.
A final decision on each application is made following receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, as appropriate.
Thomas Byrne
Question:206 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for residency of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [23839/08]
It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications.
As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.
A final decision on each application is made following receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, as appropriate.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:207 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23871/08]
As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of the Taoiseach's Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Guidelines (October 2005), provide that a formal regulatory impact analysis should be conducted in respect of proposed primary legislation, with the exception of certain emergency, criminal or security legislation. The process is also to be applied in respect of EU Directives and significant Statutory Instruments.
My response to the Deputy on this subject in Parliamentary Question No. 792 of 17 June, 2008 has already set out the instruments where a RIA process has been applied during the years in question. I have now listed below a number of instances where a RIA has not been prepared and the applicable reasons.
|
Title of Legislation |
Why no RIA Prepared |
|
Privacy Bill 2006 |
The elements of a Regulatory Impact Analysis were already dealt with in the Report of the Working Group on Privacy, chaired by Mr. Brian Murray, S.C. on which the Bill was based. It does not involve any significant negative impacts/costs. |
|
Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007 |
The Bill partly implements a recommendation made in the 2006 report of the Competition Authority on Solicitors and Barristers which was published following public consultation. It does not involve any significant negative impacts/costs. |
|
Legal Services Ombudsman Bill 2008 |
The Bill replicates provisions previously published in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006. It does not involve any significant negative impacts/costs. |
|
Arbitration Bill 2008 |
The Bill is essentially a consolidation measure that does not involve significant negative impacts/costs. |
The Deputy will appreciate that the process of preparing legislation has always involved careful analysis of the issues and impacts arising as a consequence of the proposal in question, including in each of the above cases. He should further note that in a number of instances legislation has been finalised during the years referred to, having commenced prior to the introduction of the formal RIA process, or which flows from policy decisions taken previously. It is also the case that certain criminal/emergency legislation under my Department's aegis falls outside the scope of the guidelines and is not identified separately here. My Department also produces a wide range of statutory instruments which, due to their relatively minor scope and impact, do not come within the scope of the RIA guidelines.
Residency Permits.
Michael McGrath
Question:208 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23885/08]
I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department, that the person referred to in the Deputy's Question, has recently been sent correspondence extending her permission to remain in the State. She should therefore present herself at her local immigration office with this correspondence to have her passport endorsed with the appropriate permission to remain and to have a Certificate of Registration issued in respect of her.
Citizenship Applications.
Pat Breen
Question:209 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria for applying and qualifying for Irish citizenship; if there are plans to reduce the fees that apply to applicants who apply for Irish citizenship as spouses of Irish-born citizens compared to the fee which applies for spouses of naturalised Irish citizens under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23891/08]
Since the Deputy has not provided details of a particular case, I can only set out the position generally.
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. These conditions are that the applicant must:
be of full age, or by way of exception, be a minor born in the State
be of good character
have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years
intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation
have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations, 1993, as amended in 1996, sets out the fees payable by various categories of persons who obtain Irish citizenship. The standard fee for naturalisation is €634.87. Exceptions are made in certain cases including the spouse of a naturalised Irish citizen who pays €126.97.
The fees were last reviewed in 1993. My officials are due to carry out a review of fees pertaining to citizenship applications in the future. It is planned that the existing anomaly that the Deputy has highlighted will be addressed in the context of that review.
Garda Stations.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:210 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to extend Ronanstown Garda station in Clondalkin; and when it is planned to complete the works. [23972/08]
The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including accommodation, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with his identified operational requirements. The Garda accommodation programme is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is brought forward in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
I have been advised by the Garda Authorities that the refurbishment to Ronanstown Garda Station is due to commence shortly and work will continue into 2009.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:211 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to open an office or to have a clinic by An Garda Síochána in Palmerstown, Dublin 20. [23973/08]
Arrangements are being put in place by local Garda management in the Palmerstown area to establish, on a pilot basis, a Garda clinic in the Parish Centre, Palmerstown.
It is intended that the pilot will run for a four week period commencing 26 June 2008 after which An Garda Síochána will review the initiative. The opening of the clinic will be preceded by an information campaign entailing the circulation of information leaflets within the local community by the local Garda Community Policing Unit.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:212 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for new stations in Adamstown, Lucan and Clonburris, Clondalkin where up to 25,000 new houses are expected to be built. [23974/08]
In accordance with section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations are a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plan.
The Commissioner has indicated in the current Policing Plan that an examination of Divisions and Districts within the Dublin Metropolitan Region will be conducted in 2008 for the purposes of alignment with the local authority areas and in light of demographic and infrastructural changes in the region.
Planning Issues.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:213 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the planning and development statistics for 2007 will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24128/08]
Ciaran Lynch
Question:218 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the planning and development statistics for 2007 will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23898/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 218 together.
The 2007 Annual Planning Statistics are currently being compiled and it is expected that they will be available on my Department's website www.environ.ie by the end of the September 2008.
Fire Stations.
Olwyn Enright
Question:214 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will provide funding for lands for a new fire station (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23823/08]
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of lands for new fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. The Department has no direct role in these matters.
The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services through the setting of general policy and the provision of funding under the fire service capital programme.
North Tipperary County Council submitted a proposal to my Department for the provision of a new fire station at Cloughjordan, County Tipperary in May 2005. While it has not been possible to fund this proposal to date, funding has been provided for other priority projects at Thurles and Templemore.
The provision of funding for Cloughjordan will be considered having regard to the overall availability of resources, the spread of existing facilities, and competing demands of fire authorities for available funds under the fire services capital programme.
Local Authority Housing.
Dan Neville
Question:215 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when finance will be transmitted from his Department to Limerick County Council in respect of a voluntary housing scheme (details supplied) in County Limerick. [23836/08]
A grant of €2,248,446 was approved for this project in 2003, some €2,136,064 of which has been drawn down so far by Limerick County Council. The balance of funding due will be determined as soon as outstanding information, requested from the Council in April 2008, is received in my Department.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:216 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding provided by his Department for sheltered housing units in each local authority area; the number of units that are council run; the number run by voluntary agencies financed by the local authority; the number of units vacant in each area; the assessment or admission criteria that apply; if people are excluded if they fail to meet the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23837/08]
Under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme for voluntary and co-operative housing, funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available for the provision of permanent accommodation for low-income families and persons with special housing needs, including the elderly, the homeless and persons with a disability. It is a condition of the scheme that all proposed tenants have been assessed by the housing authority as being in need of social housing.
Approved housing bodies may retain nominating rights for up to 25% of tenancies; in such cases, the terms of the Capital Assistance Scheme provide that funding is subject to a limit of 95% of the approved cost.
This year my Department is providing a record €130 million for the provision of special needs housing by approved housing bodies.
The administration of the Capital Assistance Scheme, including the nomination of tenants from the local authority's housing list, is the responsibility of the relevant housing authority. Given that the special needs accommodation provided by voluntary bodies may be multi-purpose or may not be categorised specifically as sheltered housing, it is not possible to provide details of the number of units provided by approved housing bodies. Sheltered housing needs can also be met from within the main local authority housing programmes. The detailed information sought on the numbers of units, the number operated and managed by voluntary bodies and the number of vacant units is not available in my Department.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:217 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23867/08]
Since 2006, my Department has included in its Annual Report, details of the Department's legislative activity during that year including Statutory Instruments, Bills and EU Directives, together with information on the application of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA) in each case. Copies of the 2006 and 2007 Annual Reports are available in the Oireachtas library.
Following the Government decision of 21 June 2005, a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) must be applied to:
i. All proposals for primary legislation involving changes to the regulatory framework (subject to some exceptions);
ii. Significant Statutory Instruments;
iii. Proposals for EU Directives and significant EU regulations when they are published by the European Commission.
In cases where a decision was taken not to conduct a RIA, this was either because the legislation had been initiated prior to the Government decision of 21 June 2005 or, with reference to the RIA guidelines, the legislation was not deemed sufficiently significant to warrant such an assessment.
Question No. 218 answered with Question No. 213.
Election Management System.
Niall Collins
Question:219 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the new boundaries for local electoral areas will be published. [23901/08]
Niall Collins
Question:220 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the level of input local authority managers have in the current review and determination of local electoral area boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23902/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.
On 16 June 2008, I received the Reports of the two Boundary Committees I established last January to review local electoral areas. The Reports were published on 17 June 2008.
I am accepting the recommendations contained in both Reports and will be making the necessary orders to give effect to them in due course. Copies of the Reports are available online at www.electoralareacommittees.ie and at www.environ.ie or from the Government Publications Sale Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Details of persons and organisations who made submissions to the Committees are contained in the Reports.
Social and Affordable Housing.
Niall Collins
Question:221 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason applicants for local authority affordable housing are assessed on their earnings only, not including their capital and other assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23903/08]
Eligibility for the affordable housing schemes is determined on the basis that applicants are in need of housing and cannot afford to purchase a house outright on the open market. In addition, local authorities assess an eligible applicant's income to ensure that they have the ability to meet the financial commitments involved.
In the case of affordable housing provided under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006, the legislation provides that each local authority must draw up a scheme of allocation priorities and that it should have regard to, inter alia, the income or other financial circumstances of eligible persons. It is open to a local authority to accord a higher priority to eligible persons with lower incomes.
Niall Collins
Question:222 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of affordable housing applicants currently with each local authority; the number of applicants who have been offered and have taken up an affordable house in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23909/08]
Information on affordable housing activity up to the end of 2007 is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information is also published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. My Department is collating data on output for the first quarter of 2008, which will be published in the near future.
The timing of assessments of eligibility of applicants for affordable housing varies between local authorities. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide a definitive figure for the number of eligible applicants at a particular time.
Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Niall Collins
Question:223 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the bundling and grouping of multiple sewage schemes at planning stage has been a success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23905/08]
I am satisfied that the bundling of sewerage schemes, combined with Design/Build/Operate procurement, has demonstrated positive results in terms of capital cost, operation and maintenance expenditure and long-term protection of the physical assets. This approach to procurement is only adopted where detailed assessment by the local authority concerned establishes it to be the best overall solution from the available options. Where inclusion in a bundle would otherwise delay the advancement of an urgent scheme, my Department may, if requested by the local authority, consider allowing such a scheme to proceed independently.
Local Authority Housing.
Niall Collins
Question:224 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide information on the proposed new incremental house/home ownership scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23911/08]
The Government's housing policy statement, Building Homes, Sustaining Communities, signalled the intention to introduce an incremental purchase scheme. The objective of the proposed scheme is to make it possible for households with incomes lower than those required for affordable housing to gain access to home ownership, through making new local authority housing available for purchase by existing social housing tenants (local authority, voluntary/co-operative and Rental Accommodation Scheme) and prospective local authority tenants.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will include provisions to give effect to the incremental purchase scheme. In parallel with this, arrangements for the introduction of the scheme, including the possible piloting of it in certain areas, are being advanced.
Special Areas of Conservation.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:225 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to ensure the survival of the freshwater pearl mussel species; the number of these mussels there are here; the percentage of the global total of this species is calculated as being here; and if additional resources are being provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that this species is protected. [23975/08]
My Department recently published a Report on the Status of Habitats and Species in Ireland. This is the first comprehensive report on the status of those habitats, animals and plants in Ireland which have protected status under the Habitats Directive and relevant national law, and it includes details in regard to the freshwater pearl mussel. The Irish population of the freshwater pearl mussel is currently estimated at 12 million individuals, which is believed to represent some 46% of the European Union population (global figures are not available to my Department). However the freshwater pearl mussel status was assessed as bad, because of very poor breeding success and recent kills.
There are a number of measures underway to protect the freshwater pearl mussel. 19 sites have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for this species and these sites contain about 85% of the known population.
I will be making Regulations later this year prescribing water quality objectives for freshwater pearl mussel rivers. Given the extreme threat to this species, my Department is also funding a programme of captive breeding in several locations and has provided additional resources to protect the species. I am funding an intensive programme of work, as part of the development of River Basin Catchment Plans required under the Water Framework Directive, to identify and develop responses to the threats to the pearl mussel in all SACs selected for this species. The Regulations will then require that programmes and measures are put in place to protect this species.
My Department worked closely with the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on requirements for forestry management in the catchments of pearl mussel rivers, which were published earlier in 2008. My Department also advises local authorities in relation to planning or development proposals in or adjacent to SACs which might impact upon the species.
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Leo Varadkar
Question:226 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the occasions on which he did not carry out any form of regulatory impact analysis on statutory instruments, Bills and EU directives for the years 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23862/08]
I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 949 of 17th June 2008, which detailed my Department's conduct of Regulatory Impact Analysis in respect of legislation for the period in question.
Regulatory Impact Analysis is conducted in my Department in accordance with the guidelines, published in 2005 by the Department of the Taoiseach. If the Deputy has a question about any specific legislation relevant to my Department enacted over the period in question, I would be happy to look into it.
Telecommunications Services.
Billy Timmins
Question:227 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in respect of the provision of broadband for Lacken and Valleymount, County Wicklow; if same will be rolled out as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23988/08]
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Details of broadband suppliers, prices and locations throughout the country are available on www.broadband.gov.ie.
The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services by competing private sector service providers.
The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These included providing grant-aid under the Group Broadband Scheme (GBS) and ongoing investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
Although broadband is now widely available in Ireland there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. These areas are being addressed by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met.
The first phase of the NBS procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete. The remaining candidates have been engaged in "Competitive Dialogue" with my Department and are developing their proposed solutions to meet my Department's requirements.
Judicial Review proceedings regarding certain elements of the NBS mapping process took place on 10 and 11 June 2008 in the High Court and a judgement is awaited. While the outcome of the Judicial Review cannot be anticipated, it is currently expected that a preferred bidder for the NBS will be selected in September 2008, with rollout to commence as soon as possible thereafter.