Written Answers Nos. 143-165
143. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the link between high sugary soft drink consumption and type-2 diabetes has been firmly established in both American and European studies, the steps he will take to highlight, educate and bring about a change in consumption habits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21535/13]
View answerThe Minister is aware of the studies suggesting the link between high sugary soft drink consumption and type-2 diabetes. For this reason he proposed a tax on Sugar Sweetened Drinks and undertook to have a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on the potential effects of such a tax on the health of the Irish people, including those in disadvantaged circumstances. The Working Group who oversaw the Health Impact Assessment were broadly of the view that there was evidence to suggest that Sugar Sweetened Drinks are associated with weight gain and that a Sugar Sweetened Drinks levy should not be seen as a revenue generating issue but rather a measure to change behaviour. They agreed that if this tax were implemented there would be a need for good monitoring and evaluation.
The Minister launched the Department of Health's revised Healthy Eating Guidelines in 2012 which are a tool to help inform the general public about the food and drink choices required for a healthy lifestyle and set out in plain and simple language the food servings the Irish population need to consume to maintain health and wellbeing. These guidelines strictly limit high fat, high salt and high sugar foods and drinks from the Top Shelf of the Food Pyramid. The Special Action Group on Obesity is currently considering measures to support the use of the Healthy Eating Guidelines. This Group will continue to consider evidence of the links between obesity and other chronic diseases and Sugar Sweetened Drinks.
146. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres opened since May 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22565/13]
View answerThe following table lists the Primary Care Centres which have become operational since May 2011.
PQ 22565/13 - PCCs opened since May 2011
|
HSE Region |
County/Area |
PCT Location / Name |
Current Status |
Opening Date |
|
DML |
Dublin |
Inchicore |
Operational |
Q4 2011 |
|
DML |
Dublin |
Ballyfermot |
Operational |
Q3 2012 |
|
West |
Donegal |
Glenties |
Operational |
Q3 2012 |
|
DNE |
Meath |
Dunshaughlin |
Operational |
2012 |
|
DNE |
Louth |
Carlingford |
Operational |
2012 |
|
DNE |
Cavan |
Cootehill |
Operational |
2012 |
|
DNE |
Cavan |
Ballinagh |
Operational |
2012 |
|
West |
Mayo |
Ballina |
Operational |
Q2 2011 |
|
West |
Galway |
Galway City East |
Operational |
Q2 2011 |
|
South |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny (Grange's Road) |
Operational |
Q3 2011 |
|
South |
Kilkenny |
Callan |
Operational |
Q3 2011 |
|
DML |
Laois |
Portarlington |
Operational |
Q3 2011 |
|
South |
South Lee |
Mahon, Cork City |
Operational |
Q4 2011 |
|
South |
Waterford |
Tramore |
Operational |
Q4 2011 |
|
West |
Limerick |
Abbey - St Mary's, Limerick City |
Operational |
Q1 2012 |
|
DNE |
Cavan |
Cavan Town |
Operational |
Q1 2012 |
|
South |
North Lee |
Macroom |
Operational |
Q1 2012 |
|
DML |
Dublin |
Churchtown |
Operational |
Q4 2012 |
|
West |
Roscommon |
Castlerea |
Operational |
Q3 2012 |
|
South |
Wexford |
Gorey |
Operational |
Q3 2012 |
|
DNE |
Cavan |
Kingscourt |
Operational |
Q3 2012 |
|
South |
Kerry |
Kenmare |
Operational |
Q3 2012 |
|
DML |
Dublin |
James Street, (Pimlico Liberties) |
Operational |
Q4 2012 |
|
West |
Roscommon |
Monksland - South Roscommon |
Operational |
Q4 2012 |
|
DNE |
Meath |
Ashbourne * |
Partly Operational |
Q1 2013 |
|
DML |
Longford |
Longford |
Operational |
Q2 2013 |
|
DML |
Newbridge |
Newbridge |
Operational |
Q2 2013 |
* GPs have moved in - HSE services are expected to move in during the next few weeks.
147. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach the amount of travel and subsistence both foreign and domestic claimed by each Minister, Junior Minister and Secretary General in his Department for the period 2007 to date in 2013; the number of staff appointed by each Minister and Junior Minister in his Department or constituency office and their relevant cost including travel and subsistence in each case for the period 2007 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22144/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide the costs in the time available. I will write to the Deputy with the information requested as soon as it is available.
148. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he met a person (details supplied) during his visit to Ireland on the week beginning 17 April 2013; if he will provide the precise agenda of items which were raised during the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22145/13]
View answerI met Mr. Tom Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday April 18th 2013, for a courtesy call. Mr. Donohue was in Dublin to speak at a conference organised by the US Embassy, at which I delivered the keynote address on the importance of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. The prospects for an EU-US trade agreement was the main topic of discussion during my meeting with Mr. Donohue. The US Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of more than 3 million businesses, and is a key stakeholder in supporting the negotiation of a trade agreement. We also discussed Ireland's EU Presidency, our progress towards economic recovery, and Ireland's enduring attractiveness as a location for investment by US firms.
149. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22796/13]
View answerThe table beneath provides the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in my Department and the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department:
|
Salary Band |
Department of the Taoiseach |
NESC |
|
Less than €20,000 |
2.58 |
0 |
|
€20,001 to €30,000 |
43 |
0 |
|
€30,001 to €40,000 |
30.8 |
1.6 |
|
€40,001 to €50,000 |
35.93 |
3.6 |
|
€50,001 to €60,000 |
30.4 |
1 |
|
€60,001 to €70,000 |
5 |
0 |
|
€70,001 to €80,000 |
13.3 |
1 |
|
€80,001 to €90,000 |
18 |
5 |
|
€90,001 to €100,000 |
6 |
2 |
|
€100,000 to €125,000 |
7 |
2 |
|
€125,001 to €150,000 |
4 |
1 |
|
€150,001 to €175,000 |
2 |
0 |
|
€175,001 to €200,000 |
2 |
0 |
150. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political/Ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to his office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisors, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22882/13]
View answerThe table beneath provides details for the category of staff referred to by the Deputy who received overtime from 2007 to date and the amounts involved. No overtime was paid to Secretary Generals or Special Advisors as overtime is not payable to staff in these grades.
Overtime Paid
|
Name |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Ann Marie Durcan, Personal Secretary |
€ 2,275.52 |
€ 6,003.53 |
€ 1,638.94 |
||||
|
John Lohan, Personal Secretary |
€ 6,540.06 |
€ 11,788.41 |
€ 1,638.94 |
||||
|
Claire Urquhart, Personal Secretary |
€ 10,203.78 |
€ 9,562.57 |
€ 899.48 |
||||
|
Colum Coomey, Personal Secretary |
€ 3,218.36 |
€ 4,565.46 |
|||||
|
Maura Stynes, Personal Secretary |
€ 3,514.20 |
€ 1,136.96 |
|||||
|
Shauna Curran, Personal Secretary |
€ 3,457.76 |
€ 1,017.00 |
|||||
|
Nicola Stapleton, Personal Secretary |
€ 7,468.04 |
€ 3,127.09 |
|||||
|
Sarah McLoughlan, Personal Secretary |
€ 1,061.99 |
€ 208.87 |
|||||
|
Aoife Ní Lochlann, Personal Secretary |
€ 1,008.96 |
€ 3,302.55 |
€ 1,837.36 |
||||
|
Denise Kavanagh, Personal Secretary |
€ 3,787.14 |
€ 2,010.87 |
€ 5,305.55 |
€ 2,203.38 |
|||
|
John Sheridan, Personal Secretary |
€ 2,411.66 |
€ 733.97 |
|||||
|
Linda Weir, Secretarial Assistant |
€ 4,102.62 |
€ 4,005.20 |
|||||
|
Margaret Fogarty, Secretarial Assistant |
€ 3,803.89 |
€ 4,121.65 |
|||||
|
Sean T Nolan, Personal Secretary |
€ 11,911.56 |
€ 5,028.52 |
|||||
|
Harry Murphy, Personal Secretary |
€ 3,186.66 |
||||||
|
Yvonne Graham, Personal Secretary |
€ 5,251.81 |
||||||
|
Damien Cassidy, Civilian Driver |
€ 3,335.16 |
€ 5,586.78 |
€ 3,580.60 |
€ 1,516.20 |
|||
|
Derek Grubb, Civilian Driver |
€ 3,537.80 |
151. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Taoiseach if a Cabinet Committee on Gaeilge and the Gaeltacht has been established, as outlined in the Twenty Year Strategy for the Irish Language; and if so, the number of occasions on which the committee has met. [23062/13]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht was established in 2011 and has met six times.
152. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role Ireland plays at the European Commission for Democracy through Law, the Venice Commission, at the Council of Europe; the members representing Ireland throughout its existence; the remuneration to each member; the way these persons were appointed; when future vacancies will arise; if the positions will be publicly advertised; the cost associated with Ireland's membership of the Venice Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22282/13]
View answerThe European Commission for Democracy through Law, known as the Venice Commission, was established in 1990. It serves as the advisory body to the Council of Europe on constitutional matters. The Commission has become an internationally recognised independent legal think-tank and plays a unique and unrivalled role in crisis management and conflict prevention through constitution building and advice. It meets in plenary four times a year in Venice.
Each member country of the Council of Europe appoints one member and one substitute to the Commission for a period of four years. Serving members may be reappointed. The Commission is composed statutorily of "independent experts who have achieved eminence through their experience in democratic institutions or by their contribution to the enhancement of law and political science".
Ms. Finola Flanagan, full-time commissioner, Law Reform Commission, and Mr. James Hamilton, former Director of Public Prosecutions, are the current Irish members of the Venice Commission. Their tenure runs from 2010 to 2014. Prior to this, Ms Flanagan served from 2002 – 2010, Mr Hamilton from 1998-2002 and Mr Matthew Russell from 1990-1998. They act on the Commission in their personal capacities and are required by the Revised Statute of the Venice Commission not to receive or to accept any instructions. Members do not receive any remuneration for their service on the Commission or for attendance at plenary sessions. The travel and subsistence expenses of each member of the Commission are borne by the State concerned. However, if the Commission entrusts members with specific missions, the expenses are borne by the budget of the Commission.
The current appointments to the Venice Commission were made by the Attorney General in 2010.
Vacancies will arise on the expiry of the tenure of the current members in 2014. Future appointments to the Venice Commission are a matter for the Attorney General.
Ireland pays a yearly contribution to the Venice Commission; the subscription owed for 2013 is €38,135.55.
153. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details regarding the upcoming June summit of the European Council and the Stabilisation and Association Process that has been submitted by Kosovo to the EU; if he expects progress to be made with the five EU member states, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain, that do not currently recognise the independent state of Kosovo; if this Stabilisation and Association agreement for Kosovo will be formalised at the upcoming summit; if he will outline Ireland's position regarding their application; the progress Ireland has made on this issue during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22522/13]
View answerIn December last year the Council invited the Commission and EEAS to report on progress in Kosovo on EU-related reforms, and on the normalisation of relations with Serbia, with a view to a possible decision by the Council during our Presidency on opening negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo. The report for Kosovo, and a report on Serbia, were finalised following the agreement reached by both countries on the status of Serbs in Kosovo on 19 April. High Representative Ashton and Commissioner Fule presented the reports and an update on the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue at the General Affairs Council on 22 April. The report was positive on the reforms undertaken by Kosovo, as well as efforts to normalise relations with Serbia, and recommended the opening of SAA negotiations with Kosovo. It is now being discussed by Member States.
While the reaction of Member States to the report has been positive, the importance of the implementation of the agreements reached at the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue has been emphasised. Member States will be looking for concrete progress in this regard between now and the European Council in June, when a decision on opening SAA negotiations with Kosovo may be taken.
With a view to a possible decision on SAA negotiations, Member States are also discussing what form an SAA with Kosovo may take, in a context where five Member States do not recognise Kosovo. I am encouraged that all Member States have indicated they wish to be constructive, and I am confident that Member States will work towards a solution that respects their positions, but also honours their commitments to Kosovo's European perspective as outlined in the December Council Conclusions. The Irish Presidency stands ready to facilitate the opening of SAA negotiations with Kosovo, should the Council so decide.
154. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will contact the Spanish authorities for an up-date on the investigation into the murder of an Irish citizen (details supplied) and convey to them the family's distress that there has been no contact with them in the years since the murder [22216/13]
View answerThe Consular Division at my Department and the Embassy in Madrid are aware of the tragic case of the Irish citizen who died in Estepona on 4 February 2008 and provided consular assistance to the family of the deceased at the time of his death and for some time subsequently. Due to the circumstances of his death, the court case was declared "secret" and the Embassy was denied access to any information. The family were encouraged to retain the services of their lawyer at the time for possible updates on the case.
The Embassy contacted the Court that dealt with the case and was advised that unfortunately the case was inactive due to lack of evidence regarding the identity of the killer. The Spanish authorities informed us that this information was provided to the family's lawyer at that time.
155. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is expected that Ireland will honour its commitment to reach a target of spending 0.7% of our national income on overseas aid by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22223/13]
View answerThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland's overseas aid programme. Earlier this month the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD and I launched Ireland's new Policy on International Development – One World, One Future – where we set out our vision for a sustainable and just world. This policy sets out in very clear terms our goals and areas of focus and affirms Ireland's commitment to international development and its centrality to our foreign policy. It also makes it clear that our positive role in international development, in addition to helping fight poverty and vulnerability and saving lives, can create opportunities, which are important for our own economic recovery.
The new policy restates the Programme for Government commitment to achieving the UN target of providing 0.7% of GNP to Official Development Assistance (ODA). However this can only be achieved when economic circumstances permit and in the meantime we will endeavour to maintain aid expenditure at current levels.
Stabilising the ODA budget has been an important and significant achievement for this Government, particularly in light of the extraordinarily difficult economic conditions facing the country. For the record, we have allocated €622 million to ODA for 2013. This represents a very significant allocation of public funds, is a clear indication of our commitment to the aid programme, and represents a genuine investment on behalf of the Irish people to assist those less fortunate than ourselves.
156. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland intends to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; if so, when he intends to bring legislation before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22280/13]
View answerThe UN Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights opened for signature by UN Member States in New York in September 2009. To date, forty-two States have signed; this includes twelve of the twenty-seven European Union member States. Ten States have ratified the Optional Protocol: Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mongolia, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Uruguay. The Optional Protocol came into force on 5 May 2013, three months after the deposit with the United Nations Secretary General of the tenth instrument of ratification or accession.
Ireland's signature of the Optional Protocol took place on 23 March 2012.
Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a separate step, which will be preceded by a thorough screening of the obligations to be assumed. This will require extensive consultation with all Departments involved and consideration by the Government in due course.
157. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that at a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 7 March 2013 the representative from Poland proposed the insertion into the Council’s statement to the effect that neither the European Convention on Human Rights nor the Court’s ruling in A, B and C v. Ireland obliged Ireland to introduce legislation permitting abortion; if he will confirm that this proposal was supported by representatives from other countries and that the Irish representative refused to support it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22332/13]
View answerI understand the Deputy's question to relate to a question posed to the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers by a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr Luca Volontè in January this year. Following a discussion by the Ministers' Deputies a reply to Mr Volontè was agreed by consensus at a meeting on 13 March.
Article 21(a)(i) of the Statute of the Council of Europe provides that unless the Committee decides otherwise, meetings of the Committee of Ministers shall be held in private. Consequently, while the reply that issued is a matter of public record I am not in a position to disclose any information of the discussions that took place prior to the adoption of the reply to Mr Volontè. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Committee of Ministers acts in accordance with its mandate under the European Convention on Human Rights to ensure judgments of the European Court of Human Rights are fully implemented.
158. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 7 May 2013, when the last review was conducted by his Department of Irish honorary consuls around the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/13]
View answer159. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has considered appointing a new honorary consul in the Channel Islands upon the retirement of a person (details supplied) in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22484/13]
View answer160. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the complete list of honorary Irish consuls in locations abroad that have been appointed from 2007 to date in 2013; if he will include the date of appointment; the person appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22485/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 to 160, inclusive, together.
The last review of Honorary Consul Service was conducted in 1993. The question of appointing a new honorary consul for the Channel Islands will be considered in the context of the review of Ireland’s honorary consul network that is currently taking place.
The following is the list of honorary consul appointments made since 2007.
|
Year of appointment |
Country |
City |
Name |
Surname |
|
2007 |
China |
Hong Kong |
Harry Eugene |
O'Neill |
|
2007 |
Morocco |
Agadir |
Mohammed Chafik |
Mahfoud Filali |
|
2007 |
Zimbabwe |
Harare |
Gary |
Killilea |
|
2008 |
Spain |
Seville |
Ignacio de la Oliva |
Agulló |
|
2008 |
Canada |
St. John's |
Mark |
Dobbin |
|
2008 |
Indonesia |
Jakarta |
Anangga W. |
Roosdionno |
|
2008 |
Brazil |
Sao Paulo |
Stephen |
O'Sullivan |
|
2008 |
Mexico |
Cancun |
Anthony |
Leeman |
|
2008 |
Poland |
Poznan |
Mateusz |
Morawiecki |
|
2009 |
Russia |
St. Petersburg |
Anatoly |
Shashin |
|
2009 |
France |
Lyon |
Bruno |
Boccard |
|
2009 |
Spain |
Lanzarote |
Eileen |
Izquierdo-Lawlor |
|
2009 |
Spain |
Tenerife |
Edward J. |
Woods |
|
2009 |
U.S.A. |
Denver |
James M. |
Lyons |
|
2010 |
Armenia |
Yerevan |
Jonathan |
Stark |
|
2010 |
India |
Kolkata |
M.K. |
Jalan |
|
2010 |
Germany |
Stuttgart |
Dr. Wolfgang |
Häfele |
|
2010 |
U.S.A. |
New Orleans |
Judge James J |
McKay III |
|
2010 |
U.S.A. |
Pittsburgh |
James J. |
Lamb |
|
2010 |
U.S.A. |
Seattle |
John |
Keane |
|
2010 |
Ghana |
Accra |
Liam |
McVeigh |
|
2010 |
Lebanon |
Beirut |
Georges H |
Siam |
|
2010 |
Canada |
Winnipeg |
Aidan |
O'Brien |
|
2011 |
India |
Chennai |
Rajeev |
Mecheri |
|
2011 |
Pakistan |
Karachi |
Osman Asghar |
Khan |
|
2011 |
Nigeria |
Lagos |
Cornelius |
Guilfoyle |
|
2012 |
U.S.A. |
Honolulu Hawaii |
Noel |
Trainor |
|
2012 |
U.S.A. |
Las Vegas Nevada |
Teresa |
Murphy |
|
2011 |
Bahamas |
Nassau |
Brian |
Quinn |
|
2012 |
Iran |
Tehran |
Alireza |
Feizollahi |
|
2012 |
Turkey |
Izmir |
Bülent |
Akgerman |
|
2012 |
Saudia Arabia |
Jeddah |
Mohammed Ahmed |
Naghi |
|
2012 |
Japan |
Sapporo |
Seiji |
Kasama |
|
2013 |
U.S.A. |
Orlando, Florida |
Terence, Joseph, Jr. |
Delahunty |
|
2013 |
Australia |
Perth |
Martin |
Kavanagh |
In addition we are awaiting formal acceptance of our nominees for the positions of Honorary Consul in:
Kazakhstan/Almaty
Kenya/Nairobi
Nepal/Kathmandu
Turkey/Antalya
161. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the travel that the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and development has undertaken in the past six months in his role as a Minister of State in his Department, most notably, the first ever Irish ministerial visit to Mongolia; if he will outline the engagements he has had on each trip; the visits that he is intending to take during the coming six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22521/13]
View answerAs the Deputy has pointed out, I recently undertook the first Irish Ministerial visit to Mongolia to attend the Community of Democracies Ministerial meeting which took place in Ulaanbaatar on 29 April. While in Mongolia, I also met with Irish business people active in the Mongolian market and met with representatives of the largest telecoms operator in Mongolia which is purchasing technical equipment and services from an Enterprise Ireland client company.
My visit to Mongolia was part of a wider visit that also encompassed China and Abu Dhabi. In China, I attended the sod-turning ceremony for Cork-based Wilson Architecture's project in Dalian, and also held discussions with the Ministry of Commerce about forming an Irish Chamber of Commerce in China. On route to China, I also visited Abu Dhabi to attend the Global Vaccine Summit organised by the Gates Foundation.
In terms of travel over the next six months, I will visit Brussels a number of times before the end of our Presidency of the EU for Presidency related meetings or to chair political dialogues on behalf of the EU. In particular, I will be visiting Brussels for the development segment of the Foreign Affairs Council on 28 May. I will also visit Gabon at the end of June to chair the EU-EECAS Political Dialogue on behalf of the EU.
I will be in New York at the beginning of next month to sign the Arms Trade Treaty on behalf of Ireland, and again in September to attend the UN General Assembly. I will also lead an Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Canada in June, and a further Trade Mission to South Africa and Nigeria in November. Additional travel requirements may arise in the coming months.
|
Date |
Location |
Details |
|
November 2012 |
South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Cyprus |
Headed an Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Africa and attended a conference on the post-2015 development framework in Cyprus. The visit to Cyprus also offered an opportunity to meet with the outgoing EU Presidency. |
|
December 2012 |
London |
Attended and addressed an OECD Ministerial meeting. |
|
December 2012 |
London and Marrakesh |
Keynote speaker at the SUN Business Network in London and represented Ireland at the Friends of Syria meeting in Marrakesh. |
|
January 2013 |
Paris |
Keynote speaker at the OECD Policy Dialogue on Aid for Trade |
|
January 2013 |
Brussels |
Addressed the European Parliament's Development Committee on humanitarian issues as EU Presidency. |
|
January 2013 |
Dubai and Kuwait |
Trade visit to Dubai to attend the trade fair Arab Health with 15 Irish companies, and represent Ireland at the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria. |
|
February 2013 |
Brussels |
Attended and addressed a Ministerial meeting on the situation in Mali. |
|
February 2013 |
Copenhagen |
Attended and addressed the UN conference on addressing inequalities in the post 2015 development framework. |
|
February 2013 |
Brussels |
Attended and addressed a Ministerial meeting on the situation in Mali. |
|
March 2013 |
Tanzanian, Mozambique and South Africa |
Chaired the EU-SADC Political Dialogue in Maputo on behalf of the EU, and undertook a wider visit to the aid programme in Tanzania and Mozambique. The visit coincided with the St Patrick’s Day period, and also involved a short visit to South Africa for St Patrick's Day events including the greening of Table Mountain. |
|
April 2013 |
Brussels |
Attended and addressed the Third Assises of Decentralised Cooperation for Development. |
|
April 2013 |
Washington DC |
Attended and addressed the World Bank Spring meetings. |
|
April 2013 |
Abu Dhabi, China and Mongolia |
Attended and addressed the Global Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi and the Community of Democracies Ministerial in Mongolia. |
|
May 2013 |
London |
Represented Ireland at the International Conference on Somalia. |
162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22790/13]
View answerThe table below sets out the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in my Department in each of the pay brackets requested. There are no bodies under the aegis of my Department that have employees.
|
< €20,000 |
100 |
|
20,001-30,000 |
215 |
|
30,001-40,000 |
439 |
|
40,001-50,000 |
161 |
|
50,001-60,000 |
139 |
|
60,001-70,000 |
34 |
|
70,001-80,000 |
152 |
|
80,001-90,000 |
70 |
|
90,001-100,000 |
66 |
|
100,001-125,000 |
28 |
|
125,001-150,000 |
31 |
|
150,001-175,000 |
6 |
|
175,001-200,000 |
3 |
|
200,001-250,000 |
Nil |
|
250,001-300,000 |
Nil |
|
300,001-350,000 |
Nil |
|
350,001-400,000 |
Nil |
|
400,001-450,000 |
Nil |
|
450,001-500,000 |
Nil |
|
>500,000 |
Nil |
163. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a progress update on the youth guarantee fund; the way these funds may be accessed and the proportion of funding that he expects to draw down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22816/13]
View answerYouth unemployment is one of the greatest challenges of the current crisis and the Irish Presidency has worked hard to address the problem and mobilise available instruments and resources to support Member States with the greatest difficulties posed by youth unemployment.
The EPSCO Council under the chairmanship of the Irish Presidency agreed on the key principles of the Youth Guarantee in February and we also worked to ensure that further resources in the MFF would support its implementation.
The €6 billion Youth Employment Initiative endorsed by the European Council in its February conclusions on a new MFF 2014-2020 will be key. €3 billion is expected to come from the existing European Social Fund, and €3 billion from a new budget line, open to all regions where youth unemployment exceeds 25%. While the methodology for allocating these monies has not yet been drawn up, Ireland will expect support as one of the Member States with the biggest youth unemployment challenge. We have an excellent track record in attracting and using EU funding. The Irish Presidency aims to get agreement on the new MFF in June.
164. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has being made during Ireland's EU Presidency in relation to Macedonia's progress to EU membership. [22832/13]
View answerWe were pleased that the December 2012 European Council Conclusions left scope for progress on EU enlargement during the Irish Presidency. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been an official candidate for EU accession since 2005. With a view to a possible decision on opening accession negotiations, the December Council invited the Commission to report on progress in three areas: (i) EU-related reforms in the context of the High Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD); (ii) steps taken to promote good neighbourly relations, and (iii) steps taken to resolve the 'name issue' with Greece, under the auspices of the UN.
The Commission’s report was published on 16 April and was relatively positive, noting progress in almost all areas of the HLAD. It concluded that steps have been taken on bilateral relations, and that efforts to resolve the ‘name issue’ have taken on new momentum.
However the report also noted the negative effects of two months of political crisis that followed events on 24 December 2012, when adoption of the 2013 annual budget under controversial circumstances resulted in the forcible removal of opposition MPs and journalists from Parliament. The Commission's report emphasised the importance of the timely implementation of the political agreement of 1 March 2013 which ended the crisis.
Ireland has supported the Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations. However, decisions on enlargement are made by unanimity, requiring the agreement of all 27 Member States. Ireland, as EU Presidency, will facilitate discussion of the report at the General Affairs Council in June and will seek to have the issue progressed. Prior to that I expect to have talks with the Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Integration.
165. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political-ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to his office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisers, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22876/13]
View answerOvertime payments to Ministerial appointees are detailed in the table below. Personal Secretaries and Personal Assistants may be required to work additional hours from time to time and have access to a maximum of 6 hours paid overtime per week, subject to the normal approval arrangements. Secretaries General at my Department, both current and past, are not entitled to claim overtime.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, TD 2011 to date
|
- |
2011 Overtime |
2012 Overtime |
2013 Overtime |
|
Personal Assistant (2) |
4323 |
10029 |
3675 |
|
- |
5422 |
7998 |
3851 |
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Michéal Martin, TD 2008 – 2011
|
- |
2008 Overtime |
2009 Overtime |
2010 Overtime |
2011 Overtime |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
772 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern, TD 2004 – 2008
|
- |
2007 Overtime |
2008 Overtime |
||
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
11598 |
5924 |
||
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
10457 |
6099 |
Minister for State for European Affairs, Ms. Lucinda Creighton, TD 2011 to date
|
- |
2011 Overtime |
2012 Overtime |
2013 Overtime |
|
Personal Assistant (to Nov 2011)/Special Adviser (1) |
2380 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
Nil |
8525 |
2802 |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
1778 |
6020 |
2296 |
Minister for State for European Affairs, Mr. Dick Roche, TD 2007 - 2011
|
- |
2007 Overtime |
2008 Overtime |
2009 Overtime |
2010 Overtime |
2011 Overtime |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
810 |
474 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
Nil |
550 |
358 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
- |
Nil |
Nil |
797 |
Nil |
Nil |
Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello, TD December 2011 to date
|
- |
2011 Overtime |
2012 Overtime |
2013 Overtime |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
Nil |
6681 |
3169 |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
Nil |
7086 |
3049 |
Minister of State for Trade and Development, Ms. Jan O'Sullivan, TD 2011
|
- |
2011 Overtime |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
5823 |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
4017 |
Minister of State for Development Cooperation, Mr. Peter Power, TD 2008 - 2011
|
- |
2008 Overtime |
2009 Overtime |
2010 Overtime |
2011 Overtime |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
3800 |
18834 |
12508 |
6111 |
|
Personal Secretary (2) |
4431 |
10775 |
Nil |
656 |
|
- |
Nil |
Nil |
5570 |
741 |
Minister of State for Development Cooperation, Mr. Michael Kitt, TD 2007 - 2008
|
- |
2007 Overtime |
2008 Overtime |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
8046 |
Nil |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
4097 |
Nil |
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
Nil |
Nil |
Minister of State for Development Cooperation, Mr. Conor Lenihan, TD 2004 - 2007
|
2007 Overtime |
- |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
5962 |
