Written Answers Nos. 50-59
50. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is concerned about the number of small businesses that do not have access to broadband; the actions that are being taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55450/12]
View answerConsiderable progress has been made in recent years in both the coverage and speeds of national broadband infrastructure, with a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. The Government has also undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where commercial operators have been unable to offer services. The combination of private investment and State interventions means that Ireland has met the EU Commission’s Digital Agenda for Europe target of having a basic broadband service available to all areas by 2013. The Government, through the National Broadband Plan, which I published on 30 August last year, has recognised that the key imperative now is to ensure high speed broadband availability to all. The Plan commits to high speed broadband availability across the country by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses, well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020.
Ireland is now therefore moving to a new phase of public and private sector investment in broadband in Ireland which will see significantly improved speeds delivered across the country. The National Broadband Plan commits the Government to investing in areas where high speed services are not commercially viable and will not be provided by the market. This will ensure that citizens and businesses, including small businesses, wherever they are located, have a broadband connection which meets their needs to interact effectively with society and business in a digital environment. Implementation of the National Broadband Plan will be complemented by the National Digital Strategy to enhance digital adoption which I will publish shortly. The first phase of the National Digital Strategy will target the small enterprise and the SME sector generally where the current level of online presence may be hindering the sector from availing fully of trading opportunities. SMEs with a strong web presence have been shown internationally to grow twice as quickly, export twice as much and create twice as many jobs as those who have a minimal web presence.
51. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the process behind the adoption of the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea’s 200 mile economic exclusive zone into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4845/13]
View answerUnder Part V of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea all coastal states are entitled to claim an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The EEZ is that body of water lying beyond the outer limit of a state’s 12 mile territorial sea which may extend to a maximum distance of 200 miles from shore, subject only to the same rights of its neighbours. The EEZ represents a compromise reached in the long negotiations on the 1982 Convention between those states that wished to extend their territorial seas out to 200 miles and those that wished to maintain the freedoms of the high seas that then applied in these waters. Although no state is obliged to claim an EEZ, agreement on the EEZ regime allowed coastal states to extend their 12 mile exclusive fisheries zones out to 200 miles. Within the EEZ they also have rights and duties in relation to the protection of the marine environment, production of energy from water and wind, and the conduct of marine scientific research should they seek to exercise them. The recovery of oil and gas from the seabed, however, is governed by the separate legal regime of the continental shelf.
Following international agreement on EEZ rules during the law of the sea negotiations in the 1970s, initially Ireland decided to exercise its rights and duties in respect of fisheries only and so declared a 200 mile Exclusive Fisheries Zone in 1977. Responsibility for protection of the marine environment was extended to 200 miles in 1999 and a full EEZ was established by section 87 of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. The United Kingdom enacted legislation in 2009 enabling the creation of a British EEZ and the two sides are currently in discussions to settle the boundaries between the British and Irish EEZs.
52. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the work of a non profit organisation (details supplied) working in the area of disaster response; his views on meeting the founders of the organisation to discuss their work and the way that he will support it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4832/13]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through Irish Aid has been in communication with the founders of the organisation referred by the Deputy on a number of occasions since August 2012.
In my own correspondence with the organisation, I have acknowledged the importance of strengthening access to ICT infrastructure in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters. The organisation specifically sought support to attend a disaster response learning exercise in California, but the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was not in a position at that time to allocate such financial support.
I have also outlined for the organisation some of Irish Aid’s existing engagement in this area of work. In particular, I noted that Irish Aid’s Rapid Response Initiative already works closely with the United Nations agencies through the Standby-Partnership Programme and Emergency Telecommunications Cluster to support the UN in providing information management and communications systems in disaster settings. Under the Rapid Response Initiative, since 2007, ICT specialists have been deployed to a number of humanitarian crises, including those in Haiti, the Philippines, Sudan, Cameroon, Kenya and Mali.
Earlier this week, officials from Irish Aid met with the founder of the organisation to discuss its work and the humanitarian approach of Irish Aid. The meeting allowed officials to provide advice and contacts for the organisation which I believe will prove very useful.
53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to advance the accession application of Bosnia during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4838/13]
View answerEU enlargement is a priority for the Irish Presidency, and we will work to facilitate and advance the process for all candidates and prospective candidates. This commitment was demonstrated earlier this month when my colleague the Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton T.D., hosted representatives of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as representatives from other candidate and potential candidate countries, in Dublin for discussions on the EU and the enlargement process. Ireland fully supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective. It should be recognised, however, that the accession process is based on conditionality. The reforms required in order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to submit a credible EU membership application are laid out in the roadmap agreed at the High Level Accession Dialogue with the EU in June 2012. These include reaching political agreement on changing the Constitution in line with the Sejdic-Finci ruling of the European Court of Human Rights, the establishment of an effective coordination mechanism for engagement with the EU, and reforms in the areas of justice and the rule of law.
Unfortunately the targets and deadlines of the roadmap have not been met. The lack of progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing reforms, especially when compared with its neighbours, is a matter for real concern. As a supporter of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective, I would urge the government, political leaders and citizens of that country to work together to reinvigorate the reform process.
The Irish Presidency does not have a direct role to play in the EU’s relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina – this is now the responsibility of High Representative Ashton and the European External Action Service – but we will do everything in our power to encourage movement on the country’s path to EU integration. However, we must recognise that while we can encourage political leaders to continue their efforts; the EU cannot impose a solution. It is ultimately up to the Government and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to work to implement reforms and achieve the necessary progress for the country to realise the next steps on its EU path.
54. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the number of organisations or agencies under the aegis of his Department that have vacancies on their board; the length of time any such vacancies have been unfilled; the number of vacancies that have been advertised; the number of applications to fill such vacancies that have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4860/13]
View answerThere are no state agencies or bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. Set out as follows are the details of one advisory committee and one commission which operate under the auspices of my Department that have vacancies.
Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as the Dion Committee)
The primary role of Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) is to advise the Tánaiste on the allocation of grants to Irish community organisations in Britain under the Emigrant Support Programme. The Committee consists of thirteen members, including two officers from our Embassy in London who act as Chair and Secretary to the Committee. The members, who were appointed following consultation with our Embassy in London and the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department, were appointed for a two year period which expired on 31 December 2012. The constitution of the Committee for the 2013/2014 period is now being considered by the Tánaiste.
The Board of the Ireland –United States Commission for Educational Exchange ( the Fulbright Commission)
The Fulbright Commission has a unique status in that it was established pursuant to an international agreement, is funded jointly with the US Government and is therefore not a body solely under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Under the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the USA) Act 1991, the Commission consists of 8 members, of whom the legislation specifies four should be Irish citizens appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and four should be citizens of the US and appointed by the US Ambassador. Two vacancies on the Board arose in December 2012, one in November 2012 and one in May 2011. The process to nominate the four Irish members is at an advanced stage and should be completed by early February. The Commission has autonomy of management and administration under the Statute.
55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to advance the negotiations on a EU/United States trade agreement particularly in view of Prime Minister Cameron's recent remarks on British membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4994/13]
View answerThe EU and the US are two of the world’s largest trading blocs and already have very strong trading and investment ties with each other. The joint EU-US High Level Group on Jobs and Growth, set up following the last EU-US Summit in November 2011, was tasked with identifying policies and measures to increase EU-US trade and investment including a possible Trade and Investment Agreement to support mutually beneficial job creation, economic growth, and international competitiveness. That High Level Group is due to issue its final report in the near future. As EU Presidency, we will prioritise advancing the recommendations put forward in that report. The jobs and growth agenda is a priority of Ireland’s EU Presidency and the potential stimulus to trade, growth and employment in both the EU and the US that would arise from such an Agreement represents an important opportunity that should not be missed.
56. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a recent report in relation to expenditure under his Department's overseas development aid (details supplied); if he is satisfied that all expenditure incurred was necessary and provided good value for this expenditure from the Exchequer; if he is satisfied that the existing methods of monitoring expenditure on such programmes on an ongoing basis are adequate; his plans to review such monitoring of expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5008/13]
View answerLast year, the Government provided a total of €639 million in official development assistance, €514 of which was managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under t Vote 27 (International Cooperation). This covered all funding for the Government’s aid programme, including the long term programmes of strategic assistance in Irish Aid’s nine programme countries, administered by our diplomatic missions in those countries. The newspaper report referred to by the Deputy relates to information released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act. This set out all individual items of expenditure over €500 under Vote 27 in relation to grants to aid recipients and payments for goods and services in the nine programme countries during 2012.
The Department has in place comprehensive systems and procedures to control and account for expenditure and to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources. It operates rigorous systems for planning, monitoring, evaluating and auditing all funding provided for under the aid programme. Programmes are closely monitored at mission level and at headquarters to ensure that they deliver the intended results, in line with our objectives in contributing to the fight against poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries and communities in the world. A comprehensive system of internal audit is in place, with an independent audit committee, which reports directly to the Secretary General of the Department. All expenditure is subject to audit by the Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit, and is also audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Our development programme operates with what by international standards is a very modest administrative overhead. Administrative expenditure incurred at mission level is set at a prudent level, and overseen by the Head of Mission. It is subject to strong budgetary and financial control. Expenditure on goods and services above a threshold of €5000 is subject to the Department’s tendering procedures, in accordance with national and EU procurement regulations.
I expect funding provided under the aid programme to be used for the purposes intended. I know that all those working to deliver Ireland’s aid programme are committed to making the strongest possible contribution, on behalf of the Irish people, to the fight against poverty and hunger, and that they will continue to monitor all items of expenditure under the programme on this basis.
57. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made in discussions with the USA authorities regarding the undocumented Irish in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5049/13]
View answerThe welfare of the Irish abroad in general and especially the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States remains an important priority for the Government. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish migrants will continue to be pursued by the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The advice of Ireland’s friends and contacts within the US Administration and Congress has long been that comprehensive reform of the US immigration system and procedures is likely to be the only manner by which such a resolution can be achieved. The prospects for such reform would appear to have advanced in the wake of President Obama’s re-election. The emphasis he placed on immigration reform in his inauguration address as well as his subsequent speech on the issue on 29 January sent a very positive signal in this regard. The indications of emerging bipartisan support for reform in Congress are also encouraging.
Through our Embassy in Washington and in close liaison with Irish-American community representatives, our contacts with the US Administration and Congress continue with a view to ensuring that the interests and concerns of undocumented Irish immigrants are captured in any future legislative deal in this area that emerges. In this regard, I raised the issue with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during our bilateral meeting on 6 December last and recalled our strong support for comprehensive immigration legislation and the passage of E3 visas for Irish citizens. The Taoiseach also discussed immigration reform when he spoke with President Obama to congratulate him on his re-election.
Much further debate and discussion is likely to be required within the US political system as to what any future legislative deal might comprise. It is therefore not possible at this stage to identify an exact timescale in which these may become clear but the area will continue to receive the Government’s close attention over the period ahead.
58. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance if a cohabiting couple are entitled to a tax rebate if one member is receiving a welfare payment that is reduced as a result of the other's means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4844/13]
View answerCohabiting couples are not recognised for the purposes of income tax law and are treated as separate and unconnected individuals. The social welfare circumstances of one partner have no bearing on the tax position of the other.
59. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance when he received a paper from the Troika on options for Ireland's exit from the Troika programme. [4823/13]
View answer60. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will make public any paper he received from the Troika on options for Ireland's exit from the programme. [4824/13]
View answer61. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of options that have been presented to him by the troika regarding Ireland's exit from the programme; and if he will state the options that were presented. [4825/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 to 61, inclusive, together. Following the eighth review mission in October 2012 the EU/IMF delegation proposed to supply a document outlining certain options concerning Ireland’s exit from the Programme of Financial Support. My Department has received a technical document which will form the basis of the discussions during the current 9th review mission.
As the deputy will be aware the ninth review mission started on 29th January. Each review mission involves a large number of technical meetings which are attended by officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform and when appropriate from other Departments, the Central Bank and the NTMA. A wide range of topics are covered at these meetings, including financial reforms, structural reforms, economic developments and the progress of the Programme itself. Technical discussions on Ireland’s exit strategy will form part of the discussions during the review mission and following the discussions a position will be developed thereafter. It is not the practice to publish confidential working papers related to the review mission.
