Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:154. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces has published an annual report for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11014/14]
View answerDefence Forces Ombudsman
Questions (154)
Written answers
The office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) was established as an independent statutory office, under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. The ODF has full independence and autonomy in the discharge of his statutory functions.
I am advised by the ODF that due to particular circumstances, relating to High Court proceedings arising during 2013, the Annual Report for 2012 of the ODF was not published. I am further advised that the ODF expects to publish the said report in the first half of this year.
Defence Forces Ombudsman Resources
Questions (155)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:155. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if the website of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is being maintained and updated on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11015/14]
View answerWritten answers
The office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) was established as an independent statutory office, under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. The ODF has full independence and autonomy in the discharge of his statutory functions.
I am advised by the ODF that the website is reviewed periodically as deemed necessary by the Ombudsman. I am further advised that the most recent update was towards the latter end of 2013.
Irish Language
Questions (156)
John Deasy
Question:156. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of his Department's expenditure in translating and printing Irish language publications, documents, advertisements, notices and bilingual signage in each of the past three years. [11046/14]
View answerWritten answers
The expenditure incurred in translating and printing Irish language publications, documents, advertisements, notices and bilingual signage in the past three years is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2011 |
€6,542 |
|
2012 |
€8,729 |
|
2013 |
€20,682 |
NAMA Property Sales
Questions (157)
Timmy Dooley
Question:157. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had any contact with his British counterpart on the future of the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11067/14]
View answerWritten answers
I have not had any contact with my British counterpart on the future of the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium as I understand that NAMA holds the loan advanced to the owners of the stadium. NAMA has indicated to the planning authorities in London that it supports the Galliard led proposed development of the site involving Wimbledon AFC. Furthermore I am informed that approaches have been made to NAMA by other developers in relation to the site of Wimbledon Greyhound stadium and that these alternative propositions have been considered by NAMA but they are not being progressed.
You will be aware that NAMA has been established as a fully commercial agency to operate under the direction of a Board of Directors by the NAMA Act. The sale of property is a matter for the board of NAMA which is guided by its independent commercial mandate under the NAMA Act and the overriding requirement to maximise the realised value of assets securing its loans and the return to the Irish taxpayer.
I am mindful that Section 221 of the NAMA Act, makes it an offence to communicate with NAMA with the intention of influencing the making of a decision in relation to the performance of its functions.
I understand that the number of greyhound tracks in London has been reducing over the years and that Wimbledon, the last remaining track in the greater London area, now looks set to close. I am aware that Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is a very important element of the British greyhound racing infrastructure as it serves a large population with a high disposable income.
While I appreciate that Britain is a very important outlet for Irish greyhounds and that in excess of 70% of greyhounds racing there are bred in Ireland, it would be inappropriate for me to become involved in a matter which is within the remit of NAMA.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments
Questions (158)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:158. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [11026/14]
View answerWritten answers
The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) Review an area discrepancy was identified which had resulted in the necessity for further clarification. This issue has been resolved and the Year 6 payments are being progressed with a view to making payment at the earliest possible opportunity.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (159)
Pat Breen
Question:159. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of agri environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11036/14]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1st September 2010 and has received full payment in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During the checking process in respect of the 2013 Scheme year, an issue was identified relating to the land area claimed. Officials in my Department are actively working on finalising this issue with the intention of issuing payment for the 2013 Scheme year as soon as possible.