Written Answers Nos. 331-353
331. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon tithe a choinnigh níos mó ná 12 scoláire anuraidh; cén líon díobh sin a choinnigh níos mó ná 12 scoláire ar feadh téarma amháin, dhá théarma, trí théarma agus ceithre théarma; cén líon iomlán teaghlach a choinnigh mic léinn faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge anuraidh, briste síos ar an gcaoi chéanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [16434/14]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, eagraíonn na coláistí Gaeilge cúrsaí éagsúla sa Ghaeltacht agus bíonn formhór na gcúrsaí ar siúl i rith an tsamhraidh de ghnáth. Maireann formhór na gcúrsaí 3 seachtaine ach ceadaítear cúrsaí coicíse agus cúrsaí speisialta chomh maith le cúrsaí le haghaidh ábhair oidí. Tá eolas tugtha sna táblaí thíos faoin líon teaghlach a raibh níos mó ná 12 foghlaimeoir agus ábhar oide ar iostas leo i Meitheamh, Iúil agus Lúnasa 2013 chomh maith leis an líon iomlán teaghlach a raibh foghlaimeoirí agus ábhair oidí ar iostas leo in 2013. Níl eolas sainiúil ar fáil maidir le gach cúrsa san fhormáid ar leith atá iarrtha ag an Teachta.
Líon iomlán teaghlach le níos mó ná 12 foghlaimeoir in 2013
|
Contae |
Meitheamh |
Iúil |
Lúnasa (Cúrsa 1) |
Lúnasa (Cúrsa 2) |
|
Dún na nGall |
34 |
28 |
4 |
0 |
|
Maigh Eo |
18 |
17 |
17 |
0 |
|
Ciarraí |
27 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
Corcaigh |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Port Láirge |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Gaillimh |
152 |
89 |
23 |
4 |
|
An Mhí |
8 |
5 |
6 |
0 |
|
Líon iomlán teaghlach |
247 |
151 |
52 |
4 |
Líon iomlán teaghlach le níos mó ná 12 ábhar oide in 2013
|
Contae |
2013 |
|
Dún na nGall |
0 |
|
Maigh Eo |
0 |
|
Ciarraí |
17 |
|
Corcaigh |
0 |
|
Port Láirge |
0 |
|
Gaillimh |
23 |
|
An Mhí |
0 |
|
Líon iomlán teaghlach |
40 |
Líon iomlán teaghlach a chur lóistín ar fáil d’fhoghlaimeoirí agus d'ábhar oidí in 2013
|
Contae |
2013 |
|
Dún na nGall |
143 |
|
Maigh Eo |
41 |
|
Ciarraí |
48 |
|
Corcaigh |
11 |
|
Port Láirge |
16 |
|
Gaillimh |
376 |
|
An Mhí |
9 |
|
Líon iomlán teaghlach |
644 |
332. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding reducing the period before State papers can be published from 30 years to 20 years in line with the UK; if he will ensure this is made a priority by his Department and the National Archives in order that this shift can be made possible to ensure Irish and UK State papers will be published together; the other Departments and bodies under their aegis with which his Department has discussed this matter in order to obtain their feedback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16486/14]
View answerUnder the National Archives Act, 1986, Government Departments, Offices and the Courts have a statutory obligation to transfer records older than 30 years, subject to certain exemptions, to the National Archives. I am aware that recent legislative changes in the United Kingdom have provided new arrangements for public access to the archival records of government after 20 years and not 30 years as had previously been the case. I am cognisant that the difference in regimes between the UK and Ireland could lead to records on common matters being released earlier in the UK and Northern Ireland. An Interdepartmental Working Group comprising officials from my Department and the Departments of An Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justice and Equality, the Office of the Attorney General and the National Archives has been established to examine the issues surrounding a potential change in the 30 year legislation. The Group has met several times and will shortly report to me, after which I intend to bring a Memorandum to Government.
333. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost to his Department to process and respond to priority, oral and written parliamentary questions. [16585/14]
View answerThe input of Departmental officials into the responses to Parliamentary Questions is part of their day to day duties in my Department. It is not possible to provide the Deputy with the information sought as it would be difficult to disaggregate the costs associated with officials answering priority, written and oral Parliamentary Questions and consequently, the specific costs are not monitored.
334. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are any schemes administered by his Department to help small community groups who wish to publish books on the history of their areas; and if he will outline the criteria for same. [16691/14]
View answerMy Department does not provide grants as described by the Deputy. In the case of the arts, funding decisions, including literature awards, are a matter for the Arts Council. In general terms, responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is a statutorily independent body, funded by my Department and independent in its day-to-day operations, and I have no role to play in relation to its funding decisions.
335. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has considered concerns expressed by fishermen regarding the seal population; his views on whether this is a problem; the action he will take to resolve the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16745/14]
View answerThere are two species of seal in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal. Both are protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Ireland is obliged to monitor their populations and report on their status every six years. The most recent report submitted to the European Commission in June 2013 is available on the website www.npws.ie. Management of seal populations will require careful consideration of recently published studies from Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute concerning seal depredation (fish eaten by seals during fisheries operations) and bycatch of seals in set nets. I understand further work is underway to enhance our understanding of this complex area. The assessment of risk from inshore sea fisheries in relation to the Natura 2000 network by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Marine Institute later in 2014 will also need to carefully consider seal-fisheries interactions. All these studies will continue to inform policy in relation to seal protection.
While seals are protected under the Wildlife Acts, licences may be sought under section 42 of the Wildlife Act to scare or kill seals where damage is being caused. Licences are issued most usually if a specific seal is known to be a problem in a specific place.
336. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason he gave approval to Údarás na Gaeltachta to sell State-owned shares in Arramara Teo.; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the way the sale of the shares will benefit the State. [16751/14]
View answerI understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the sale of its shares in Arramara Teo. was approved by the board of Údarás on 1 March 2013, subject to Ministerial approval being obtained and legal details being agreed. Ministerial approval was granted on 29 July 2013. Since the sale of the shares is at completion stage, it is not possible to reconsider the decision. Based on the information received from Údarás na Gaeltachta, I am satisfied that the best value that can be obtained for Arramara Teo. is being achieved through this course of action and that the purchaser has the expertise to develop the company and secure its long-term future for the benefit of its stakeholders. It is envisaged that the sale of Údarás na Gaeltachta's shares in Arramara Teo. will benefit the State through a cash consideration to Údarás na Gaeltachta, through a significant investment in Arramara Teo., and through the development of the seaweed sector into the future with benefit accruing to the State as a result of increased economic activity.
337. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that when a communication in respect of wrongdoing is received in his Department, it will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that said function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17099/14]
View answerI have confidence in the systems in place in my Department for processing incoming communications and for dealing with any allegations of wrongdoing notified to my Department. Furthermore, as appropriate, communications to me as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht are brought to my attention.
338. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to ensure that businesses in County Meath can access high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16665/14]
View answerSince market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County including County Meath can be found on a number of websites, including the websites of individual commercial operators. The State can only become involved in the provision of services in instances of clear market failure, such as in the case of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) and the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). 5 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are providing services to licenced telecommunications operators in the towns of Dunboyne, Clonee, Dunshauglin, Kells, Trim and Navan on an open-access basis.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. In the fixed line segment of the market, eircom has announced plans to pass 1.4m addresses with its next generation broadband service, with speeds of up to 100Mbps, while UPC has increased its entry level and maximum speeds to 120Mbps and 200Mbps respectively. Mobile operators have also made announcements regarding network upgrades and are rolling out enhanced product offerings. In addition, the recent enactment of legislation to facilitate the ESB's entry into the telecommunications market, either alone or in partnership with another operator, will also help the roll-out of high speed broadband as well as facilitating greater competition in the Irish market. I am aware of at least one service provider announcing that it will be providing advanced broadband services in a total of 36 locations in County Meath before July 2016 and my Department will be happy to discuss these further with the Deputy.
Many of these developments have been facilitated through the implementation of measures in the National Broadband Plan, including the conclusion of ComReg's multiband spectrum auction, and the regulatory regime for fixed line Next Generation Access and service bundles. Both of these measures are designed to incentivise the rollout of services by operators. In tandem with these developments, intensive work, including a comprehensive mapping exercise, continues in my Department in relation to the State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained.
Under the national mapping exercise, information has been sought from all undertakings authorised by ComReg in relation to current and planned broadband services, both basic and next generation access (NGA). Mapping data has been submitted to my Department by a total of 23 operators and the process of analysing the data and supporting information is continuing. The mapping data is being assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the EU State Aid Guidelines. When all of the information has been analysed, a clear picture should emerge of coverage throughout all of the country. I expect that this process will be completed later this year, after which it is my intention to publish a map showing existing and planned NGA broadband coverage, along with the Government’s proposals for a State-led intervention to roll out high speed broadband across the country. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched later in 2014.
Implementation of the National Broadband Plan will be complemented by measures in the National Digital Strategy which I launched in July last. The first phase of the National Digital Strategy targets specific segments of society, aiming to improve digital engagement of citizens and businesses to realise the economic and social benefits that digital technologies can bring. Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
339. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of motor vehicles in the possession of his Department or agencies of his Department that are not required to hold motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16024/14]
View answer340. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of motor vehicles in the possession of his Department or agencies of his Department that do not hold an insurance policy; the manner in which insurance claims arising in respect of vehicles in the possession of his Department or its agencies are handled; the amount of insurance claims paid on behalf of his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16040/14]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 339 and 340 together.
The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) is the only part of my Department which has a pool of motor vehicles. The vehicles are required to be taxed and are currently taxed for the year 2014. The GSI currently has 9 vehicles which do not hold a commercial insurance policy. All insurance claims in relation to these vehicles are handled through the State Claims Agency and in the past five years there has been only one incident, with a total claims cost of less than €3,500. The information sought regarding the Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
341. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to plans to close the post office at Park Shopping Centre, Prussia Street, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16106/14]
View answerIssues relating to the post office network, including the opening or closing of post offices, are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. I will request An Post to issue a direct reply to the Deputy regarding the future of the post office at Park Shopping Centre, Prussia Street, Dublin 7.
342. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha cén méid airgid a caitheadh in 2013 ar aistriú doiciméad ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge nó ó Ghaeilge go Béarla, agus ó theangacha eile go Béarla agus ó Bhéarla go teangacha eile, faoi seach; cad ba chaiteachas iomlán riaracháin na Roinne sa bhliain 2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [16132/14]
View answerAn caiteachas a bhí ann thar na fo-cheannteideal riaracháin i mbuiséad bliantúil mo Rannóg in 2013 ná €21.629m. Curtha san áireamh bhí íocaíochtaí ar méid €23,189 le haghaidh seirbhísí aistriúcháin. Tá briseadh síos déanta ar na seirbhísí seo a leanas:- €200 ag aistriú Gaeilge go Béarla; - €22,989 ag aistriú Béarla go Gaeilge. Bhí caiteachas sa bhreis ag baint le seirbhísí aistriúcháin i gcláir chaiteachas mo Rannóg féin. Bhí costas ar méid €3,117 le haghaidh aistriúcháin ar dhoiciméid ó Spáinnis go Béarla.
343. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband in respect of an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16244/14]
View answerSince market liberalisation in 1999, the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services are delivered in the first instance through private sector operators who operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The market has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County including County Kerry can be found on a number of websites, including the websites of individual commercial operators.I am aware of at least one service provider announcing that it will be providing advanced broadband services in 33 locations in County Kerry, including Beaufort before July 2016 and my Department will be happy to discuss this further with the Deputy. I would point out that the Local Authority has a strong role to play in facilitating the roll-out of the necessary infrastructure to help enable service availability throughout the Country. In the case of County Kerry, I note that the County Development Plan recommends against siting a mast within 1km of dwellings. I understand that this is contributing to difficulties in providing good quality broadband and telecommunications services generally in the county.
During the preparation of the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce report, which concluded its deliberations in 2012, service providers noted the importance of planning and consent processes in facilitating the rollout of infrastructure to support the provision of telecommunications services. The Government's National Broadband Plan which I subsequently published, commits to addressing barriers to deployment in order to maximise investment by the commercial sector and assist in enhancing the quality of services. Local Authorities have an important role to play in this regard, particularly in facilitating the provision of infrastructure that supports wireless and fixed line services.
The National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and
- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
In tandem with these developments, intensive work, including a comprehensive mapping exercise, continues in my Department in relation to the State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained.
Under the national mapping exercise, information has been sought from all undertakings authorised by ComReg in relation to current and planned broadband services, both basic and next generation access (NGA). Mapping data has been submitted to my Department by a total of 23 operators and the process of analysing the data and supporting information is continuing. The mapping data is being assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the EU State Aid Guidelines. When all of the information has been analysed, a clear picture should emerge of coverage throughout all of the country. I expect that this process will be completed later this year, after which it is my intention to publish a map showing existing and planned NGA broadband coverage, along with the Government’s proposals for a State-led intervention to roll out high speed broadband across the country, this map will outline exactly the type of broadband is available in County Kerry.
The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched later in 2014. Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.
344. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding funding (details supplied) that has been allocated; if some of this allocation could be spent on developing a tourist walkway at the mines; the contract details for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16332/14]
View answerI am aware of and appreciate the tourism and amenity potential of the former Avoca mine site. This issue co-exists, however, with the public health and safety aspects, environmental conditions and industrial heritage preservation in the area. It is essential that an appropriate balance be struck in dealing with the various matters. In the first instance funding of €3 million is being made available to identify and undertake essential public health and safety works over the three year period 2014 to 2016. It is intended that the programme of works identified will include, inter alia, the making safe of hazards arising from adits, shafts, and unstable spoil heaps, and provision of further fencing and signage. These works will address public health and safety concerns and deal with certain environmental risks. While it is not possible to develop a tourist walkway at the Avoca mine site in the current remediation programme, work will be undertaken in a manner that allows for such an initiative to be integrated into future developments, if resources become available.
345. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a cost-benefit analysis of the proposal to export wind-generated electricity to Britain. [16510/14]
View answerA comprehensive cost benefit analysis (CBA) is nearing completion to determine if it is mutually beneficial for Ireland and the United Kingdom to enter an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to facilitate trade in renewable energy. The potential for investment, jobs and growth are among the matters under consideration. Ireland and the UK have made good progress on both States’ joint, innovative and ambitious work in the area of renewable energy trading since my signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey M.P. in January 2013. However, it is recognised that the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the key decisions yet to be taken by the UK, would make 2020 delivery very difficult to achieve given project lead times. For this reason, the shared work will focus on the longer term post 2020 period, and both countries will continue to work together on that basis. The cost benefit analysis is a key element of the work and remains confidential at this stage.
346. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost to his Department to process and respond to priority, oral and a written parliamentary questions. [16587/14]
View answerThe total number of Parliamentary Questions answered by my Department during 2013 is as follows:Oral (incl Priority) 316 Written 1204. It is not possible to isolate the administrative cost of processing PQs from the overall administrative costs of my Department as processing of PQs is carried out as part of the normal day-to-day work of Divisions. By their nature, however, there is generally a higher administrative overhead in dealing with oral questions, including priority questions, than there is in dealing with written questions.
347. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will investigate and examine the reason there is no broadband service in Rossbeigh, Glenbeigh, County Kerry, (details supplied); his views that this is an appalling level of service in 2014 and is causing a huge inconvenience to all potential users and needs to be addressed immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16686/14]
View answerI refer the reply to Question Number 331 of 1 April which addresses the issues raised by the Deputy.
348. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on his interaction with the panel of experts established to review the GridLink project; when he expects their terms of reference to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16692/14]
View answerThe Independent Expert Panel, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, has been tasked with deciding the terms of reference for comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for the proposed Grid Link and Grid West transmission line projects. I have also asked the Panel to oversee the integrity of the process that will be undertaken by Eirgrid to complete these studies. The outputs from the studies, which will be required to be complete, objective and comparable, will be published before proceeding to the next stage of public consultation on the two projects. The studies will take account of environmental (including visual amenity) impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. Additionally, I have asked the Panel to consider what, if anything, it can do regarding the North South Transmission Line project. The Panel has commenced its deliberations and is scheduled to hold its next meeting in the first week of May. I understand that the Panel expects to be in a position to announce the terms of reference for the Panel itself, as well as the terms of reference for the Grid Link and Grid West transmission line projects shortly after that meeting.
349. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the new national energy policy will be implemented; if he will look at a variety of energy supplies such as biomass, geothermal and hydro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16792/14]
View answer350. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects progress on his review of national energy policy; if public consultation will form part of that process; when that might be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16809/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together.
The energy policy landscape has undergone considerable change since the Energy Policy White Paper was published in 2007. Having regard to this, my Department is currently preparing an Energy Policy Green Paper identifying issues that need to be considered in the development of Ireland’s energy policy to meet current and future challenges. Competitiveness, security of supply, and sustainability, as well as energy policy’s potential to support economic growth and job creation, will be the key objectives of the Green Paper which I expect to publish in the coming weeks.
The purpose of the Green Paper will be to stimulate debate on these key energy policy objectives and how they may be achieved. There will be a full public consultation process during which interested parties will be invited to submit their views, observations and suggestions on the shape of Ireland’s future energy policy which includes the question of securing a balanced and secure energy mix from a variety of sources. On completion of the public consultation process, all submissions received will be considered and policy options developed with a view to the publication of a new Energy Policy Framework in the form of a White Paper. The public consultation process will contribute significantly to the development of the White Paper which I expect to publish by the end of the year.
351. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that when a communication in respect of wrongdoing is received in his Department, it will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that said function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17100/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2011 which set out the respective responsibilities of Ministers and officials in relation to the performance of administrative functions that are assigned to Departments. The Deputy will also wish to note the initiatives in the Programme for Government dealing with the formal accountability relationship between Ministers and Civil Servants in their Departments and the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 which is currently before the Oireachtas. My Department has procedures in place to deal with correspondence received in my office and these procedures are reviewed from time to time.
352. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding breed-specific legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16120/14]
View answer353. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the opinion expressed by animal welfare groups, both nationally and internationally, regarding their serious concerns and opposition to the current breed-specific legislation to control dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16150/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.
I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 148 and 151 of 3 April 2014 which sets out the position in these matters.
