Written Answers Nos. 132-55
132. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff in his Department or agencies under his control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44368/12]
View answer154. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45611/12]
View answer155. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers on career leave by Department and agency; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in he public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45626/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 154 and 155 together.
Details by grade of the thirty-one staff currently availing of career breaks, including under the 2009 special incentive career break scheme, are provided in the following table:
|
Grade |
Standard career break |
Special incentive career break |
|
First Secretary |
2 |
1 |
|
Third Secretary |
3 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
|
Staff Officer |
3 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
17 |
1 |
|
Total |
28 |
3 |
Details by grade of the number of staff that in 2009 availed of the special incentive career break scheme are as follows:
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Counsellor |
1 |
|
First Secretary |
1 |
|
Assistant Legal Adviser |
1 |
|
Third Secretary |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
12 |
|
Total |
22 |
Since the introduction of the moratorium on recruitment in March 2009 staff on career breaks have not been replaced. Staff on career breaks are not regarded as part of the Department’s core staffing. Staff that availed of the special incentive career break scheme were eligible to receive payments of one third of gross basic pay, subject to a maximum of €12,500 per year. The total amount paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to date under this arrangement is €672,624, representing estimated payroll savings of some €1.85m over the three years.
Of the 22 officers that availed of the special incentive scheme: 8 have resumed duty; 3 are expected to resume duty in the coming weeks; 8 were permitted to convert to the standard career break scheme for a further two years; 2 resigned and 1 retired.
The estimated payroll cost in 2013 in respect of the eleven officers who will have returned to duty from career breaks under the incentive scheme is €443,161.
There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department.
133. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost in 2011 to his Department and to each body under the aegis of his Department of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44467/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the aim of the Official Languages Act 2003 is to increase and improve in an organised manner over a period of time the quantity and quality of services provided for the public through Irish by public bodies. The intention of the legislation is to create a space for the language in public affairs in Ireland. My Department is fully committed, through its customer charter, its language scheme and other promotional strategies, to respect and comply with all provisions of the Act.
In terms of direct cost, my Department spent €43,118.49 implementing the Official Languages Act in 2011. This supported a range of services including, the cost of translating and printing of passport application forms, educational resource material for schools on the Irish Aid programme as well as the translation and production costs of the Department’s, Irish Aid’s and the Audit Committee’s annual reports. Other translation costs include Letters of Credence and Recall for our Ambassadors and other Protocol related activities.
134. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the value of imports from Israel every year for the past five years; the value of exports to Israel every year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44489/12]
View answerIreland's trade with Israel currently amounts to over €1bn per annum. Israel is an important trading partner and under its trade promotion strategy, the Government is committed to growing Ireland’s exports in all foreign markets, and expanding our trade footprint outside our main trading partners.
The export and import figures are laid out in the following table.
|
€m |
Services Imports |
Merchandise Imports |
Services Exports |
Merchandise Exports |
Total Trade |
|
2007 |
66 |
83 |
189 |
219 |
557 |
|
2008 |
83 |
72 |
199 |
199 |
553 |
|
2009 |
72 |
83 |
271 |
197 |
623 |
|
2010 |
95 |
71 |
360 |
248 |
774 |
|
2011 |
109 |
68 |
417 |
475 |
1,069 |
135. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed the issues surrounding Bosnia in his meeting with Mr. Vimont, Executive Secretary General of the EEAS including the Dayton BiH Peace Accord and the serious repercussions that would result from the dissolution of Bosnia; if he intends to keep Bosnia and the Chapter 7 Mandate on the Foreign Affairs agenda in view of the renewal of the Dayton Peace Accords by the Security Council in November of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44619/12]
View answerMr. Pierre Vimont, Secretary General of the European External Action Service, visited Dublin on 3 October. While here, he met with the Secretary General of my Department and other senior officials. I was unable to meet Mr Vimont on that occasion as I was in Brussels for consultations between the Government and the EU Commission on plans for our EU Presidency. Bosnia and Herzegovina features regularly on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council. In fact, Conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina were adopted by Foreign Affairs Council yesterday in which the Council reiterates its unequivocal support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU perspective as a sovereign and united country enjoying full territorial integrity, and confirms the EU's readiness to continue at this stage an executive military role to support Bosnia and Herzegovina's efforts to maintain the safe and secure environment, under a renewed UN mandate.
We expect that in November the UN Security Council will agree to the renewal of the mandate of the European Union multinational stabilization force (EUFOR Althea), under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
There will be a further discussion on Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Foreign Affairs Council in December, in light of the European Commission’s assessment in its report on enlargement, issued on 10 October.
136. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the meeting that he has attended recently to discuss Ireland's forthcoming presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34338/12]
View answerAs Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union nears, many of my recent high-level meetings have focussed on the emerging priorities for Ireland’s six month term in office. During all meetings I have stressed that the priority of the Irish Presidency will be to work on measures dedicated to creating jobs (particularly for younger Europeans), including by working to stimulate growth across the EU. Many of the meetings have also focussed on the busy foreign policy agenda that Ireland, working closely with the European External Action Service (EEAS), will face during its Presidency in 2013. I have also discussed our emerging objectives in the General Affairs Council which I will chair during our Presidency including the EU’s future budget negotiations.
On 3 October the Government met with the College of European Commissioners in Brussels to discuss the emerging themes and priorities for the Presidency. We were pleased with the outcome of the meeting which confirmed that there is broad agreement between the Government and the European Commission on the principal priorities and objectives that Irish Ministers have identified for the Presidency at this stage of planning. I also met with Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, and our discussions also focused to a large extent, on plans for Ireland’s Presidency and in particular the Foreign Affairs Council agenda. I met with Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, during his visit to Ireland on 3-4 October. We had a useful and constructive discussion on the emerging Irish Presidency priorities and I stressed the high importance that the Irish Government attached to maintaining strong working relations with the European Parliament. Meetings that I held last week with the French and Norwegian Foreign Ministers, the Danish European Affairs Minister and Secretaries General from EU Foreign Ministries also focused, to a large extent, on EU issues and in particular the upcoming Presidency.
137. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is agreement regarding the theme of Ireland's presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34339/12]
View answer145. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his priorities for the period of the EU presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42928/12]
View answer151. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken to prepare for Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union. [42808/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 137, 145 and 151 together.
The Government is committed to making Jobs and Growth the central focus and thematic approach to the Irish Presidency. To successfully deliver on that objective we need to tackle the ongoing financial crisis, and restore stability to the Euro zone, but the focus must be on generating growth in the EU economy and getting Europe back to work.
During the Presidency the Government will deliver on its ambitions through a range of policy and legislative measures that cut across a broad range of policy areas which will push forward the growth and jobs agenda. As an export-driven economy, Ireland has reaped the benefits of the European Single Market, but the global economy has evolved. One of the aims of the Single Market Act II, which was published by the European Commission on 3 October, will be to respond to changes in the economy, particularly by exploiting the potential of the digital economy for business and consumers.
As Presidency Ireland will work to underpin and stimulate research and innovation across the EU for the coming decade by advancing agreement on the Horizon 2020 framework programme which can play an important role in boosting the EU economy, generating smart and sustainable growth and jobs, and strengthening the Union’s global competitiveness. The Presidency will deliver a major effort in the field of research and innovation with a range of thematic events planned and a commitment to advance decisions on key legislation in this rapidly growing area where the EU can become a global leader.
Ireland will make significant advances in the external trade agenda during its Presidency and will hold a meeting of Trade Ministers in Ireland during the Presidency which will focus on the EU-US trade relationship.
The Presidency will make special efforts to address the problem of youth unemployment across the EU and will work closely with partners to seek solutions to tackle this fundamental challenge.
Europe’s economy can only grow if there is stability and confidence in the EU economy. For this reason, the Irish Presidency will work to ensure the effective implementation of recent economic governance measures, and to make progress on the Banking Union proposals. The third main priority of the Irish Presidency will be the EU’s future budget to underpin growth and to sharpen Europe’s global competitiveness. The Irish Government supports the Cyprus Presidency in its efforts to reach agreement on the MFF and stands ready to take forward the necessary implementing legislation to ensure that the EU has a budget to support programmes that are of major economic importance to Member States such as CAP, CFP and Horizon 2020 (the EU's future framework programme for research and innovation) for the 2014-2020 period. These programmes can play a key role in spurring economic growth and creating employment.
Work on the Irish Presidency is a top priority across all Departments as the Presidency nears. The Government met with the College of Commissioners on 3 October in Brussels and the President of the European Parliament also visited Dublin on 3-4 October. We were pleased with the outcomes of the both meeting which confirmed that there is broad agreement between the Government and partners on the main priorities and objectives that we have identified at this stage of planning for our Presidency. Issues discussed at the meetings will feed into the drafting of the Presidency programme which will be published in December.
138. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he intends to discuss at the next EU Council meeting the ongoing situation in Syria which has resulted in thousands of lives being lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39026/12]
View answerThe deeply worrying situation in Syria was one of the principal items addressed at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on 15 October which I attended. Discussion focussed on the heightened tensions currently existing between Syria and Turkey and the dangers of the conflict spreading into the wider region. Considerable attention was also devoted to the worsening humanitarian situation, with 1.5 million Syrians internally displaced and an estimated 300,000 refugees having fled to neighbouring countries. Syria was also discussed at a dinner meeting which I and my EU counterparts had with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov last Sunday evening, prior to the Council. I had already met with Foreign Minister Lavrov while attending the UN General Assembly in New York last month and had discussed Syria in detail at that stage and encouraged Russia to use its considerable influence on the situation to end the violence and promote a meaningful political transition in Syria.
The Foreign Affairs Council agreed detailed Conclusions on Syria which made clear that the EU continues to stand by the Syrian people in their courageous struggle for freedom, dignity and democracy. The Council also expressed deep concern concerning the spill-over effects of the Syrian crisis in neighbouring countries and strongly condemned the shelling by Syrian forces of Turkish territory, including the attack on the border town of Akcakale on 3 October.
The absolute priority remains stopping all violence and ending oppression and, in this regard, the Council once again warned against the dangers of further militarisation and radicalisation of the conflict. The Council also expressed its full support for the efforts of the UN/Arab League Joint Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, to secure an early ceasefire and promote an overall political settlement.
The Council also addressed the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation and recalled the moral imperative for the international community to step up assistance to all affected populations in Syria and neighbouring countries. Ireland, for its part, is already making a substantial contribution to humanitarian relief efforts, having provided €2.45 million in assistance to date, principally channelled through UNHRC, ICRC and WHO. Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello also visited Zatari refugee camp in Jordan at the end of August.
I have consistently reiterated that there needs to be accountability for all the very many serious human rights violations committed in Syria and that is why nationally we support referral of the situation by the UN Security Council to the International Criminal Court. The Council for its part equally reiterated that all those responsible for serious human rights abuses must be held accountable and welcomed the extension of the mandate of the UN Commission of Inquiry investigating such events in Syria.
The Council also approved a further round of restrictive measures targeted against the Assad regime and it supporters, giving the Syrian government’s continuing clear failure to end repression and desist from waging war and inflicting horrendous suffering on its own people. While EU sanctions have been effective in increasing pressure on the Assad regime, I continue to believe the most effective measure which could be taken now to end the violence in Syria would be the imposition of a comprehensive arms embargo by the Security Council.
139. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is concerned about the violence that erupted in north Belfast when members of the PSNI were injured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39019/12]
View answer140. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether enough is being done by the Northern Ireland executive in order to prevent violence in north Belfast reoccurring [39020/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
This summer's parades in Northern Ireland were once again marred by outbreaks of violence, most significantly in North Belfast where there were serious disturbances in the Ardoyne on 12 July and in the Carrick Hill/Carlisle Circus area over several evenings in late August and early September. Such violence is totally unacceptable. The disturbances in Carrick Hill/Carlisle Circus resulted in injuries to 65 PSNI officers. I condemn those involved in violence against the police service and I am pleased to note that charges have been brought in a number of cases.
These riots caused serious concerns regarding community relations in advance of the parades commemorating the centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant, which took place on Saturday 29 September. In the event, the parades, which involved 208 bands and over 30,000 marchers, passed off without violence, following extensive behind-the-scenes efforts, although several breaches of the Parades Commission determinations were reported to the authorities.
I commend the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for moving quickly to defuse the situation and using their offices to liaise with the various interested parties, as well as the efforts of MLAs, Councillors, the churches and community representatives.
Respect is the key to preventing and resolving violence related to parades and sectarianism, and I applaud efforts to facilitate dialogue between residents and parade organisers. I have discussed this matter with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on a number of occasions since she took up office, and we agreed to work together to support efforts to address division and sectarianism and to help promote the shared future agenda.
I would like to welcome the apology provided by the Royal Black Institution for the incident outside St Patrick’s Church in Carrick Hill on 25 August, and hope that this will clear the way for further progress in relation to parades in Belfast.
Irish Government officials monitored events leading up to the Covenant parade closely and used every opportunity to underline the importance of dialogue and respect. They remained in regular contact with local residents and clergy in advance of the parade, as efforts were made to address residents' concerns. At the request of the residents, the feeder parades were monitored on the ground by my officials. Both the Taoiseach and myself were fully briefed as the situation evolved and I was heartened that the parade passed off peacefully.
It must be recognised that the Parades Commission also played a key role in working to promote a peaceful outcome to the Covenant parade. It continues to work to address the parades issue in a very challenging environment, and it is essential that the determinations of the Parades Commission are respected and upheld as the rule of law.
The scenes of rioting in early September made international headlines and underlined the urgent need to address the root causes of division and sectarianism in Northern Ireland. They also underlined the potential for sectarian acts to destabilise the situation generally and for new flashpoints to emerge. In the absence of a clear strategy to address the causes of division in Northern Ireland, events such as those we have seen in recent weeks risk damaging community relations in general, undermining economic regeneration strategies for Belfast and tarnishing Northern Ireland’s improving international reputation for stability and political progress.
These events underline the importance and urgency at this time of the Northern Ireland Executive delivering on and implementing an agreed Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.
141. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has made for developing cross-border institutions. [40261/12]
View answerThe Government is firmly committed to developing cross border cooperation in every possible respect. It is a vehicle for reconciliation and better understanding on the island but is also a mechanism for ensuring a more efficient delivery of services and a more coordinated approach to job creation and recovery, North and South.
The establishment and first meeting last week of a North/South Parliamentary Forum was a significant and welcome step forward in developing a vital dimension to this cooperation. This body will meet twice yearly on a rotational basis and I am confident that it will add to the momentum for closer cooperation.
There has been valuable progress in cooperation through the North-South Ministerial Council and the North South Implementation Bodies.
Across a range of issues, the NSMC is facilitating economic and social sector activities on a cross-border, all-island basis. Ministers have re-iterated their commitment to practical cooperation on economic cooperation and to explore areas where potential cost savings might be achieved. The potential benefits of developing markets for both jurisdictions has been recognised.
In the area of transport, Ministers have agreed on a detailed timetable for the drafting, passage and enactment of parallel legislation, north and south, by 31 December 2014 to allow the mutual recognition of penalty points across Ireland.
In the tourism area, Tourism Ireland continues to build on the success of the 2011 marketing campaign which showed a growth in overseas visitors to the island for the first time since 2007.
InterTradeIreland is working to encourage and stimulate greater co-operation to increase applications to EU Framework Programmes, including enhanced levels of SME participation.
Earlier in the year the Special EU Programmes Body had a successful open call for INTERREG IVA applications with 91 applications received requesting €217.6 million.
In the field of environment, good progress has been made on repatriation of illegally dumped waste.
Education is a sector of great promise; among the joint work being undertaken is a joint attitudinal survey to inform cross-border pupil movement and school planning and liaison between the two Teaching Councils with the objective of facilitating full mobility of teachers across both jurisdictions.
In health, there is ongoing collaboration on minimum unit price for alcohol and proposals for a North/South Alcohol Forum to develop strategies in both jurisdictions on alcohol misuse. Planning is well advanced for the establishment of a radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin. Construction will commence in 2013 with the unit being operational in 2016.
A Memorandum of Understanding enables continuation for the next five years of joint programmes in education, training, research and prevention by the Ireland-Northern Ireland-US National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium.
The St Andrews Agreement also provided for a review of the existing North South bodies and to examine the case for additional North South bodies and areas of co-operation, as well as a replacement for the Irish Lights Agency.
The first element of the Review, on value for money and efficiency of the North South Bodies, has been largely agreed. However progress on the Second and Third Terms of Reference of the Review, which include the case for additional bodies and areas of co-operation within the NSMC, has been disappointingly slow. This is currently the subject of reflection and consultation and I am hopeful that progress can be made at the forthcoming plenary meeting on 2 November.
142. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his position regarding proposals for further changes to the EU treaties. [40255/12]
View answer144. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has concerns regarding a two tier Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42651/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 144 together.
At the request of the European Council, President Van Rompuy is currently examining how to strengthen Economic and Monetary Union and will bring forward a final report in this regard before the end of the year.
In this, he will explore what is possible within the current Treaty framework, and whether any proposed steps would require Treaty change in the future.
Ireland's position is the same as that of the great majority of Member States that wish to see the Union make the maximum possible use of the wide range of instruments available to it, including those, such as the Treaty on Stability Coordination and Governance on which agreement has been reached but which have yet to enter into force.
As President Barroso recently told the European Parliament in his 'State of the Union' address, "Discussions on treaty change must not distract or delay us from doing what can and must be done already today."
The Government believes strongly that any new arrangements, including those adopted under the existing Treaties, must avoid fragmentation of the Union and must maintain the integrity of the Single Market. While in a larger Union there will be sometimes be areas in which some Member States, including those who share a currency, will wish to go further together, this must not infringe these key principles.
143. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently about developments in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42926/12]
View answerI was pleased to be able to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu during my visit to the Middle East in January, and to have a good discussion with him on a range of issues. I have reported to the House on my discussions during that visit. I have not been in contact with Prime Minister Netanyahu more recently. As he has now called a general election in Israel, it is perhaps less likely that I will be doing so in the forthcoming period.
146. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is a plan to discuss the increased numbers of riots across Spain and Greece in particular as a result of financial cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42929/12]
View answerWhile I am not aware of any particular plans to discuss these events, along my with my fellow EU Foreign Minister colleagues, I am, of course, concerned by the incidents of unrest that have occurred in a number of European countries. Whatever the specific underlying reason in each case, such events have reinforced my determination, and that of my colleagues in Government, to continue to pursue vigorously the jobs and growth agenda in the European Union, including during our forthcoming Presidency of the EU.
147. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is planning to go on any trade missions in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42654/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, proposals for Trade Missions to be led at Ministerial level in 2012 were submitted by Enterprise Ireland last December simultaneously to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and to me for consideration and approval. The agreed programme for this year was presented to the Export Trade Council at its 16 February meeting. It is still too early to discuss the EI programme of Trade Missions for 2013, having regard also to ongoing Ministerial travel planning related to our EU Presidency. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I seek to promote Ireland’s trade interests wherever possible, whether at targeted events organised by Enterprise Ireland or in the course of broader working visits.
My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for Trade and Development, Deputy Joe Costello, has also been active in promoting Ireland’s trade interests overseas and has led a number of Trade Missions during the course of the year. He most recently led an EI Trade Mission to Brazil organised in conjunction with the President’s visit to Latin America. He will participate in Enterprise Ireland trade events and business meetings in Rome on 17-18 October and lead Enterprise Ireland’s Trade Mission to South Africa on 12 to 14 November.
149. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by his Department and separately any agencies within the remit of his Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by his Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by his Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44850/12]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade operates a number of Bank accounts at home and also at each diplomatic mission. At Headquarters level, the Department has accounts with the following banks:
|
Bank |
Payments |
|
Bank of Ireland |
All Vote 27 payments, Payroll and Sterling payments from Vote 28 |
|
CitiBank |
Payment to suppliers and travel and subsistence payments from Vote 28 |
|
AIB |
Passport Office receipts and payments, including significant cash volumes |
The Department has 73 Missions abroad each of which operate local bank accounts in accordance with the local operating environment. Those accounts are held in reputable local banks, which are often associated with an international banking group
The total amount of fees paid in 2011, which were in respect of transactions totalling approximately €765 million, is shown in the following table:
|
Transactions from |
Amount |
|
Headquarters Banking |
€10,671 |
|
Passport services (including cash-handling) |
€58,629 |
|
Mission Accounts (73 locations) |
€102,410 |
|
Total |
€171,710 |
Similar amounts have been budgeted for 2012
At headquarters, all payments made to suppliers are issued electronically. A small number of passport fee refunds are issued by cheque (EUR) or bank draft (GBP). The method of payment through mission bank accounts varies according to local practise, with most larger disbursements being made electronically.
150. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the administrative arrangements that have been put in place within his Department to prepare for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the Presidency of the European Union [42809/12]
View answerPreparations for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2013 are continuing and are on track.
The Programme for Government makes a clear commitment to restoring Ireland's standing as a respected an influential member of the EU and the wider international community. Ireland’s Council of the Presidency of the EU during the first six months in 2013 will be a critical element of this process. The Government looks forward to using the Presidency to define and promote policy and legislation that can benefit the lives of millions of citizens in Ireland and across the EU.
Work is underway on the administrative planning for the EU Presidency which is being taken forward by my Department. This work involves close coordination with the Department of the Taoiseach, with other Government Departments and with the OPW. An Inter-Departmental group meets on a regular basis to update on policy and developments in this area. In tandem with this, a meetings coordinators network comprising all Departments was established early in 2012 and now meets on a monthly basis to discuss detailed logistical planning for events that will take place in Ireland during the Presidency.
A Government decision of 20 December 2011 agreed, inter alia, that "additional resources in the order of €60million, plus security costs", is required to fund the Presidency and that Dublin Castle and other State-owned properties in Dublin will be the default venues for all Presidency-related events in Ireland. In addition, the planning approach agreed foresees the provision of centralised services to Departments for the Presidency where it is advantageous to do so.
This centralised approach, led by my Department, is being adopted in order to reduce overall resource costs, to ease the administrative burden for other Departments and to avoid duplication of effort. This includes a centralised procurement scheme for all goods and services that will be required for the running of the Presidency which is nearing completion.
152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will discuss the general strike in Greece at the European Council meeting on 18 and 19 October 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41637/12]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the issue he has referred to is not on the agenda of the European Council.
153. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any proceedings have been initiated against the State arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45596/12]
View answerI am not aware of any proceedings which have been initiated against me or my Department arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.
