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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Feb 2014

Vol. 829 No. 3

Writtens Answers Nos 32-42

Defence Forces Operations

Seán Kyne

Question:

32. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence the qualifying criteria and the procedure for the Irish Defence Forces to be called upon to assist in circumstances necessitated by severe storms; if the financial cost of such assistance would be borne by local authorities or if it would be covered by the existing financial resources supplied to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5564/14]

The Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out the structure for enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to provide a coordinated response to major emergencies including severe weather events. The involvement of the Defence Forces arises from requests for assistance from such Agencies in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role under the muli-agency Framework.

At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both my Department and the Defence Forces ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency. The Defence Forces are also represented on the eight Regional Working Groups that have been established under the Framework and, on an ongoing basis, designated members of the Defence Forces, based around the country, act as Liaison Officers to Local Authorities. In addition, Memorandums of Understanding and Service Level Agreements are in place between my Department and other Government Departments to formalise the provision of such support.

The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises. Costs are currently met by the Defence Vote for this type of support. Following the severe weather experienced last weekend, the Defence Forces were requested and provided support to Limerick City Council to assist with the delivery of supplies and the evacuation of civilians.

Defence Forces Strength

Bernard Durkan

Question:

33. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Defence Forces remains adequate throughout the country notwithstanding the restrictions arising from the economic situation; the extent to which the required operational strength and command structures of the Army, Navy and Air Corps remain adequate at all installations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5573/14]

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 December 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,236, comprising 7,434 Army, 779 Air Corps and 1,023 Naval Service personnel. This is against the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.

I am satisfied that the required operational strength and command structures of the Army, Navy and Air Corps remain adequate at all installations throughout the country. In this regard I am satisfied that the Permanent Defence Force is sufficiently resourced from a strength perspective to continue to deliver required operational outputs for all approved Aid to the Civil Power and approved Aid to the Civil Authority requests and that it can continue to meet Government requirements for overseas peace support operations. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment is also available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises.

However, having regard to the fact that the current strength of the Permanent Defence Force is below the agreed stabilised strength, it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue in 2014 within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. For example, it is planned to run a new General Service recruitment competition in the first half of 2014. Details will be made available on the Defence Forces website www.military.ie when the competition commences.

As regards the Reserve Defence Force, work is continuing on the implementation of the reorganisation and the development of the single force concept and a review of the number of active members of the RDF is currently being compiled. In addition, the criteria for participation in the RDF are being reviewed and updated and a recruitment plan is being developed. I anticipate that consideration of these issues will be completed in the near future.

Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 11.

Irish Jewish Museum

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

35. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any fundraising or social activities have been hosted in any Irish embassy or consulate or facilitated by staff of his Department since 21 May 2012 for the Irish Jewish Museum, or if any are planned; if he will ensure no such events are facilitated until the friends and board of the museum engage in a meaningful way with local residents in the vicinity of the Irish Jewish Museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5919/14]

The Irish Jewish Museum records and presents the history and culture of Ireland’s small but significant Jewish community and their valued contribution to Ireland’s history and heritage. The Museum continues to be an important stakeholder in this regard. My Department has been liaising with the Museum for a number of years on its efforts to build support and generate funding abroad.

Ireland’s diplomatic and consular network includes 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices abroad. It was not possible in the time available to gather information from all missions regarding events of the type described by the Deputy. However 52 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions and 9 Consulates General and other offices abroad have confirmed that, since May 2012, no events as described have been hosted by them.

Irish Jewish Museum

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

36. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact person(s) his Department has engaged with on fundraising events for the Irish Jewish Museum; if he will provide all copies of the correspondence for these events to this Deputy; and further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 18 September 2013, if he will provide a list of the names of the group that was entertained at our New York consulate on 21 May 2012; if the costs have been reimbursed to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5920/14]

I refer the Deputy to my answer of 18 September 2013 to his question on this subject, which sets out the cost and the attendance at this event, which was organized in cooperation with the Museum’s trustees. This event was part of the public diplomacy activities of the Consulate General with the New York community. As such, it is not customary to seek reimbursement of costs. Neither is it usual to make public details of individual attendees.

Irish Jewish Museum

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

37. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the person who is the representative of the Irish Jewish Museum on the DFAT standing committee on Holocaust education, research and remembrance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5921/14]

The name of the representative requested will be supplied to the Deputy directly.

Departmental Expenditure

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

38. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the total stock of wine held by his Department; the current market value of this stock of wine; the details of any sales of this wine in each year since 2011; the details of any of this wine that was sold below market value; the reasons for such sales; the persons or organisations to whom this wine was sold; the process by which this wine was sold; and if he will provide details of any planned sales in the future. [5951/14]

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a stock of wine for use in relation to State and Official hospitality.

Appendix A includes a copy of the most recent stock take.

Following a review of its wine stock in 2013, the Department began a process of consultation with wine merchants regarding its market value. Those discussions are ongoing and are being conducted in a confidential manner so as to maximise the return to the exchequer.

In December 2013 some of the wine stock held by the Department was sold to a single Wine Merchant, based in Ireland, following expressions of interest received during that process.

The Department does not intend to release the name of the Merchant to whom the wine was sold, for reasons of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity.

Appendix B lists details of wines sold in 2013.

Appendix A

Wine Stock Take, December 2013

.

.

.

Red

Year

Origin

Quantity

Chateau Batailley Grand Cru

2005

France

19

Château Chasse Spleen

2001

France

25

Chateau Clarke

2001

France

3

Chateau de Fieuzal, Rouge

2008

France

24

Chateau de Fieuzal, Rouge

2009

France

60

Chateau de Fieuzal, Rouge

2003

France

50

Château de Tertre

2004

France

24

Château Haut Carrigue, Merlot

2007

France

4

Château Haut Garrigue 'La Source' Merlot Cab Sauv

2007

France

2

Château Kirwan Margaux

2000

France

33

Château Leoville Barton Cru Classé

1998

France

24

Château Leoville Barton Cru Classé

1997

France

22

Château Phelan Segur

2002

France

6

Château Phelan Segur

2006

France

58

Chateau Talbot

2005

France

180

Château Talbot

1995

France

1

Chateauneuf du Pape

2002

France

7

Chocalan Grand Reserva

2006

Chile

3

Clonakilla

2007

Australia

4

Cru du Beaujolais, Fleurie, Daniel Rampon

2008

France

3

DAUZAC

2009

France

60

Domaine Brusset Venise Rouge

2001

France

7

Feely, La Source' Rouge

2009

France

10

Feely, 'Les Compagnons

2010

France

24

Finca Sobreno Riserva

1999

Spain

3

Gaja Promie Toscano

2008

Italy

26

Gervrey Chambertin

2007

France

60

Glen Carlou Red

2005

South Africa

11

Guigal Cote Du Rhone Rouge

2007

France

17

Leeuwin Estate "Art Series" Cabernet Sauvignon

1997

Australia

11

Lytton Springs, Zinfandel

1999

USA

2

Marchesi di Barola

2000

Italy

11

Marques de Caceres Reserva

2004

Spain

30

Naughtons Flight

2004

South Africa

12

Norton Privada

2009

Argentina

3

O'Dwyer Cabernet Sauvignon

2009

Australia

83

Pedra Basta, Quinta Do Centro, Richard Mayson

2007

Portugal

15

Peter Lehmann, Stonewell, Shiraz

1992

Auatralia

5

Protocolo Tinto

2010

Italy

6

Puelles Rioja Gran Reserva

2007

Spain

6

Riecine Chianti Classico

2006

Italy

8

Rockford Moppa Springs

1998

Australia

5

Rockford Shiraz

1997

Australia

1

Salice Salentino Riserva Leone de Catris

2002

Italy

2

Super Tuscan La Gioia Riecine

2003

Italy

6

Vigne Erte Barbarescco

2001

Italy

10

White

.

.

.

Carillon Puligny Montrachet (Chassagne)

2008

France

48

Castellari Bergaglio Gavi, Fornaci

2009

Italy

38

Chablis Beauroy Geoffrey 1er Cru

2007

France

120

Chablis Grand Cru "Brocard"

2004

France

1

Chablis Grand Cru "Brocard"

2003

France

2

Chateau de Fieuzal Blanc

2008

France

24

Chateau de Fieuzal Blanc

2005

France

30

Chateau de Fieuzal Blanc

2007

France

24

Domaine Bitouzet Prieur, Meursault

2004

France

2

Domaine Raimbault-Pineau Sancerre

2007

France

1

Domaine St Gayan Cotes Du Rhone

2009

France

70

Dr. L. Riesling

2010

Germany

41

Droin Chablis

2009

France

25

Feeley 'Luminosite Semillion Sauvignon Blanc

2011

France

48

Feely, Sincere Sauvignon Blanc

2010

France

36

Fritsche Gruner Veltliner

2010

Austria

1

Glen Carlou

2007

South Africa

7

Guigal Cote Du Rhone

2010

France

24

Leeuwin Estate "Margaret River" Chardonnay

2002

Australia

1

Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay

2005

Australia

24

Louis Jadot Puligny-Montrachet

1998

France

8

Nessa Albarino

2010

Spain

7

Paul Dolan, Chardonnay

2007

USA

27

Puligny Montrachet Les Enseigneres

2010

France

96

Schonborn Marcoborn Erstes Riesling

2007

Germany

7

.

Sin Palabras Albarino

2009

Spain

87

Vincent Pinard, Sancerre, Flores

2010

France

40

Total Bottles

.

.

1825

Total Cost

.

.

€60, 869.69

Appendix B

Quantity

Items

Per Bottle

Totals

31

Château Lynch Bages, Grand Cru Classé 1998

€68.00

€2,108.00

24

Château Lynch Bages, Grand Cru Classé 2001

€68.00

€1,632.00

120

Château Lynch Bages, Grand Cru Classé 2006

€60.00

€7,200.00

10

La Réserve de Leoville Barton 1998

€22.00

€220.00

.

.

.

.

.

Total

.

€11,160.00

Passport Services

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

39. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the current emergency passport duty officer service that is in place; and his plans to improve or increase the service provision in 2014. [6004/14]

Emergency passports permitting travel abroad are issued only in circumstances where the Passport Service is satisfied, on the basis of the application and supporting evidence, that the proposed journey is related to the death or serious injury or illness abroad of a close relative or a medical emergency relating to the applicant him/herself; and the presence of the applicant at the foreign location in connection with such an unexpected event is necessary or highly desirable; and the need to travel has arisen at short notice. In such situations of genuine and unforeseen urgency an applicant will be seen immediately upon presentation at either the passport office in Dublin and Cork. No appointment is required. Additionally, my Department provides a Duty Officer Service outside normal office hours to deal with matters requiring immediate attention, including the issue of passports in such circumstances. I have no plans to alter this valuable service in the medium term.

Missing Persons

Terence Flanagan

Question:

40. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will follow up on information (details supplied) regarding a missing person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6086/14]

I am aware of the circumstances of this tragic case and of the most recent information supplied by the family of the missing person. Our Embassy in Madrid has remained in contact with the Guardia Civil in Málaga regarding the case. Successive Irish Ambassadors in Madrid, together with the Consul, have had detailed meetings with the Spanish authorities and the Guardia Civil. The Embassy has at all times been, and continues to be, available to assist the family in whatever way possible. In addition, the Consular Division of my Department, as well as senior Government figures and Taoisigh, have met on many occasions with members of the named person’s family.

The police investigation remains open and has not been closed from an operational point of view. The police continue to follow up every possible lead, and to cross-check new cases for any potential links with the named person’s disappearance. The investigating police force in Spain has advised our Embassy that they cannot accept information directly relating to the case from the family or directly from the Embassy, and that information exchange between Ireland and Spain on this case should be on a police-to-police level. To that end, the Irish investigating officers have been informed of the information relating to the whereabouts of the person named and Consular Division have been assured that the matter will receive the appropriate attention from the Garda authorities.

In response to repeated approaches at the highest levels by the Irish Government and the Embassy, the Spanish Government have provided assurances that the case continues under active investigation and that every possible effort is being made to find the named person. From a judicial point of view, as distinct from the police investigation, the case has been temporarily archived in Court in Fuengirola. The Judge decided to do this due to the time that had passed since the named person’s disappearance and the lack of information or leads. This is not unusual and the case can be re-opened (judicially) at any stage if there are further developments.

The Guardia Civil investigation into the named person’s disappearance has included the following steps:

Extensive physical search of the area where the named person disappeared (helicopters, specialist tracking teams etc)

CCTV cameras from petrol stations on motorways were checked

Any traffic offences which occurred in the area in the hours following the named person’s disappearance were thoroughly checked for any link

Interviews with the named person’s family & friends

Examination of personal effects & forensic analysis of any clothing found in area

Retention of call & credit card logs

Tracing any possible vehicle which may be connected to the disappearance of the named person

Disseminating the description of the named person, photo etc to all police agencies in Spain, Europe & through Interpol

Disseminating same to missing person websites (information currently on at least 12 specialised sites)

The DNA of the named was person checked against the database of unclaimed bodies in all of Spain (will remain flagged on this system, should a future match be made)

Interviews with people in bars, taxi ranks and bus/train stations in the area

Consultation with psychological experts

Following up & monitoring of the named person’s MSN messenger contacts – very difficult as permission has to be obtained from Microsoft in relation to specific contacts [the mother of the named person has said that they had approximately 11 email accounts and over 3,000 contacts.]

Investigation of reported sightings of the named person

Gardaí interviewed several members of the family of the named person in Ireland (at request of Guardia Civil) with a view to ascertaining the last contact made with the named person and creating a background profile.

Request by the Guardia Civil for assistance in accessing UK phone records was facilitated by the Garda Liaison Officer in Madrid via UK colleagues as soon as received. This was on foot of a statement made by a person known to the named person that the named person had contacted her from a UK mobile number (months after her disappearance) – unfortunately, after investigation by police, this turned out not to be the case.

The Embassy remains in contact with the senior officer leading the investigation. The police investigation remains open and has not been closed from an operational point of view. The police continue to follow up every possible lead, and to cross-check new cases for any potential links with the disappearance of they named person. They advise that family members should continue to pass on any information to them through official Police channels. The Guardia Civil also continue to follow up on any reported sightings of the named person. They remain at the service of the family and of the Embassy. Any substantive information received is passed on to the family of the named person. I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department and our Embassy in Madrid will continue to monitor developments in this case.

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme Eligibility

Billy Timmins

Question:

41. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the home renovation incentive scheme for the installation of a new conservatory; if the cost of a conservatory can be included in overall renovation and building costs when calculating a tax rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5957/14]

The Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) provides for an income tax credit for homeowners who carry out repair, renovation or improvement work on their only or main residence. Qualifying work must cost a minimum of €4,405 excluding VAT. The maximum qualifying cost for the purpose of the Incentive is €30,000 excluding VAT.  Qualifying expenditure is expenditure subject to the 13.5% VAT rate.   Expenditure which is subject to the 23% rate of VAT does not qualify for relief.

Services consisting of the construction, demolition, extension, alteration or reconstruction of any building are liable to VAT at the reduced rate of 13.5% unless the value of movable goods, such as timber, windows, doors, etc., exceeds two-thirds of the total amount charged by the contractor.  Where this happens the contractor will charge VAT at the standard rate of 23% on the total amount and this total amount is excluded from relief under the HRI.  A contractor may be in a position to invoice separately for materials and labour and in such circumstances the labour amount that is chargeable at 13.5%, can come within the HRI relief.  This practice is acceptable provided the split between materials and labour is realistic and is not done to avoid VAT.

With regard to the installation of a new conservatory that is purchased separately by the homeowner, the cost of the conservatory will not qualify for relief as the supply of a conservatory is subject to the 23% rate of VAT.  However, if the conservatory is supplied and installed by a contractor, the entire cost of the supply and installation would be qualifying expenditure if the contract to supply and install is liable to VAT at 13.5% where it meets the two-thirds rule referred to above.

Single Euro Payments Area

Pearse Doherty

Question:

42. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance whether there is any reason under the single euro payments area that a consumer's direct debit with a company would have been executed ten days earlier than before SEPA. [5934/14]

I have been informed by the Central Bank of Ireland that while it is difficult to answer this question definitively without more specific information, there is nothing in the SEPA Direct Debit (SDD) scheme rules which should lead to a consumer being unexpectedly debited on an earlier value date by any direct debit originator.

However, the SDD scheme rules differ from those of the Irish direct debit scheme that it replaces; one area in which there is significant change is that of the timing of the submission to its bank by an originator of direct debit payment files for processing. The SDD scheme requires files to be submitted 6 days in advance of the date that the payment is due for first presentation and 3 days in advance for subsequent direct debit transactions. The Irish direct debit scheme required 2 days notice both for first and subsequent presentations.

It was incumbent on direct debit originators to implement internal process adjustments to cater for these changes in submission timelines. In the event that an originator decided to change the timing of their internal payments collection processes then, under the rules of both the SDD scheme and of its Irish predecessor, the originator would have been obliged to inform the debtor of any change to the amount or collection date of the debit 14 days in advance, though this period can be shorter by agreement between the parties.

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