Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Written Answers Nos. 133-143

Freedom of Information Requests

Questions (133)

Eamonn Maloney

Question:

133. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department between 1 January 2013 and 11 April 2014; the number of these requests that relate to the Government’s plan for the standardised packaging of tobacco; the number of these requests related to other tobacco policies; the number of these requests from tobacco manufacturers or agents on behalf of tobacco manufacturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/14]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department received a total of 127 FOI requests in the period 1 January 2013 to 11 April 2014. Of the 127 requests received, nine relate to matters associated with tobacco policy. Of these, seven were from a solicitors firm acting on behalf of tobacco manufacturers and relate to the plain packaging of tobacco products. The other two were from other non-industry groups which sought records relating to meetings with the tobacco industry. All of these requests were processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the FOI Acts and the associated guidelines.

Economic Policy

Questions (134)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

134. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the progress made towards implementing the recommendations of the Government policy statement on sectoral economic regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19280/14]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Government Policy Statement on Economic Regulation was published by my Department in July 2013. Implementation of sectoral actions and recommendations outlined in the Statement are matters for each responsible sectoral Department. Overall coordination and oversight of implementation of these actions has commenced and feeds into the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 and the Cabinet Committee structure. The first Annual Progress Review through the Cabinet Committee on Economic Infrastructure is intended to take place in Q3 2014.

Employment Data

Questions (135)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach the number of persons at work in County Kerry in March 2011, March 2012, March 2013 and March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18535/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. Estimates of employment are produced at NUTS 3 Region level. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable county level estimates from the QNHS. County Kerry is part of the South –West NUTS3 Region. In addition data from the QNHS is only available on a quarterly basis and consequently data for the month of March is included in quarter 1 results.

Table 1 shows the number of employed (ILO) persons aged 15 years and over classified by the South-West NUTS3 Region for Q1 2011, 2012 and 2013. Data is not yet available for Q1 2014.

Table 1 - Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NUTS3 region (South-West), Q1 2011-2013 (,000)

NUTS3 Region (South-West)	Q1 2011	Q1 2012	Q1 2013
Total employment	264.6	266.6	277.1

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: q1=January-March.

As the Q4 2013 estimate is the most recent QNHS estimate available, table 2 is also provided for information and shows the number of employed (ILO) persons aged 15 years and over classified by the South-West NUTS3 Region for Q4 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Table 2 - Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NUTS3 region (South-West), Q4 2011-2013 (,000)

NUTS3 Region (South-West)	Q4 2011	Q4 2012	Q4 2013
Total employment	269.1	277.0	280.6

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: q4=October-December.

Construction Sector Strategy

Questions (136)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

136. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach his plans to stimulate activity in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18537/14]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

In its Medium Term Economic Strategy, the Government committed to continue to develop its work on the construction sector in 2014 and beyond by addressing remaining challenges in the sector, such as developing an overall strategic approach to housing supply, identifying and implementing further improvements in the planning process to facilitate appropriate development, and seeking to improve financing options for development and mortgage finance. In this regard, I expect that a comprehensive strategy statement for the construction sector, with input from all relevant Departments, will be finalised and published in the near future.

Employment Data

Questions (137)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

137. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Taoiseach the number of staff employed in betting offices here during each of the past five years. [19631/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The information requested by the Deputy would come under NACE Rev 2 sector R92 “Gambling and betting activities.” As well as staff employed in betting offices, this sector also includes other gambling activities, such as casinos, gambling arcades, online gambling businesses and the sale of lottery tickets.

These figures are not available for 2012 or for 2013. Data for 2012 is not yet available as it is dependent on the receipt of administrative data which were filed in 2013 but were not fully available to the CSO until March 2014, with the Business Demography release due to follow in June. The latest CSO Business Demography returns for 2011 were released on 25 July 2013. The primary purpose of Business Demography is to provide estimates of numbers of enterprises and numbers of persons engaged. The data for Business Demography is based on the CSO Central Business Register. The Business Register is a register of all enterprises that are active in the State. There is no lower size limit, but for practical reasons, Business Demography data is based on enterprises that are registered with the Revenue Commissioners. The first reference year covered is 2006. The numbers of Employees and Persons Engaged in “Gambling and betting activities ” from 2006-2011 is in the following table.

Year	Persons Engaged	Employees
2006	6,491	6,166
2007	7,073	6,737
2008	7,740	7,429
2009	7,513	7,236
2010	7,342	7,073
2011	7,269	7,007

It should be noted that figures provided are on a “person engaged in employment” basis and not on an employee basis. The definitions used are:

1. Persons engaged, includes employees, proprietors and family members.

2. Employees are persons who are paid a fixed wage or salary. Persons at work or temporarily absent because of illness, holidays, strike etc, are included. Persons working on a labour-only subcontract basis are excluded.

3. Proprietors and family members; included here are those proprietors (partners etc) and members of their families who work regularly in the firm and are not paid a definite wage or salary.

The Business Demography Press Release of 25 July 2013 is available at http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/bd/businessdemography2011/. The Business in Ireland Release of November 2012 is available at http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/multisectoral/2010/businessinireland2010.pdf.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (138)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

138. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons (details supplied), both political opposition leaders of the Oromo Federalist Congress in Ethiopia, have been arrested and prosecuted for exercising their legitimate right to freedom of expression by belonging to political opposition parties, that both men are currently being denied medical treatment at Ziway prison, despite being very ill; if he will support calls for immediate and unrestricted access to a hospital for diagnosis and treatment for both men; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20171/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ethiopia has been a priority country for Ireland’s aid programme since 1994. Through the programme, we have made a significant contribution to development and the fight against poverty and hunger in Ethiopia. In the past decade, the country has recorded remarkable improvements in human development as measured by the UN Human Development Index. This progress is an example of the success of international development assistance when delivered in partnership with a developing country Government. It is our strong position that positive development results and respect for human rights must go hand in hand, and we are working with the Government to build good governance, and the institutions which can protect the rights of all citizens, including the most vulnerable.

The Government monitors the human rights situation in Ethiopia through our Embassy in Addis Ababa and in cooperation with our EU partners. Through the Embassy, I am aware of the situation of the individuals referred to by the Deputy, which has also be the subject of a recent report from Amnesty International. The people involved were arrested in 2011 and, following a trial, imprisoned in late 2012. I understand that several months ago they were moved from Ziway prison south of Addis Ababa, to Kaliti prison on the outskirts of the capital city, reportedly after a doctor in Ziway referred the two men for hospital treatment. However, since the transfer, the men have apparently been denied access to a hospital.

Oromia is one of the nine regions in Ethiopia, accounting for approximately 35% of the total population of the country. Officials from my Department have on previous occasions met with representatives from the Oromo people in Ireland to discuss the concerns of the Oromo people which centre on boundary disputes with the central Government and the displacement of Oromo communities.

Our Ambassador in Addis Ababa has raised the situation of the two political opposition leaders with the International Committee of the Red Cross, which investigates such cases on a confidential basis. He and other European Union Ambassadors met recently with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and urged him to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to Ethiopia to examine these and other cases. At the same meeting, the Irish Ambassador encouraged the Prime Minister to sign and ratify the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Convention grants diplomats rights of access, subject to terms, to their citizens in detention.

We will continue to work in cooperation with our EU partners to raise human rights issues with the Ethiopian Government and to improve the situation on the ground through our engagement with Government, NGOs and local communities and through our development assistance programme.

Consular Services Remit

Questions (139)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

139. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the legal basis and legislative underpinning for the permanent representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20244/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Pursuant to section 1 of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, as amended, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is assigned responsibility for the administration and business generally of public services in connection with communications and transactions with other states, as well as the maintaining of diplomatic and consular representation, which includes permanent representations such as the Permanent Representation to the European Union. Article 10 of Protocol No.7 to the Treaty on European Union and Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union provides that representatives of Member States taking part in the work of the institutions of the Union, their advisers and technical experts shall, in the performance of their duties and during their travel to and from the place of meeting, enjoy the customary privileges, immunities and facilities. Protocol No.7 forms parts of Irish law pursuant to section 2 of the European Communities Act 1972, as amended. Belgium gives effect to Protocol No.7 in its role as host state to EU institutions and the permanent representations thereto.

Common Foreign and Security Policy

Questions (140)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

140. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail Ireland's engagement with the European Union Satellite Centre based in Madrid and Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20245/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The EU Satellite Centre (EUSC), which is based in Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain, is an agency of the European Union and has been operational since 1 January 2002. Its mission is to strengthen the early warning and crisis management monitoring functions of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, through the interpretation of satellite imagery. The analysis of satellite imagery is an essential tool for humanitarian and crisis management activity and is widely utilised in the context of UN-authorised peace support operations. Each EU Member State is represented on the Board of the EUSC. An official from the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union attends the Board meetings which are usually held in Brussels. In addition to participation in the meetings of the EUSC, Ireland uses products which are provided by the Centre in the course of planning and conducting the deployments of members of the Permanent Defence Force to UN-mandated peacekeeping missions.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (141)

Finian McGrath

Question:

141. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the important development in Ukraine and the election due to take place there, his plans to send a substantial delegation of skilled and experienced short-term observers to monitor this election; the selection criteria used to select appropriate skilled observers; if he will list the observers that he plans to send together with short biographical details on each observer including details of previous election missions they served on overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20349/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and in particular the increasingly difficult situation in the east of the country. Together with our EU partners, we have emphasised the importance of a negotiated political settlement.

We strongly support the agreement reached in Geneva on 17 April between the EU, Russia, Ukraine and the US. It sets out concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens. The EU has made it clear that all parties to the agreement must ensure that its terms are fully implemented, including by using their leverage on illegal armed groups to end all violence and provocation and hand in their arms.

Presidential elections in Ukraine are scheduled for 25 May 2014 and will be monitored by the OSCE. Ireland has already sent a member of the election observation roster maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to participate as a long term observer on the OSCE monitoring mission. As stated in previous replies to Questions on this issue, we have also undertaken to put forward a substantial number of short term observers for the mission. The OSCE requested nominations for short term observers at the start of April, with a deadline of 5 May 2014. The European External Action Service has also asked EU Member States to nominate short term election observers for the OSCE mission. On this basis all members of the election observation roster were invited to express an interest in participating as short term observers.

In line with the commitment already given, we are putting forward a total of eighteen nominees to participate as short term observers in the OSCE mission. As with all such missions, nominees were selected in line with the OSCE’s requirements for short term observers. Consideration was also given to the length of time since serving on an election mission, and all applicants were asked to confirm their availability for a second round of elections, should it prove necessary. The nominees being put forward to the OSCE are a mix of roster members with previous experience in Ukraine, roster members who have observed missions elsewhere, together with a number of new members of the roster, which came into effect last year. I expect that the OSCE will complete the approval process for nominees in the coming days. At that point, I will arrange for the full list of approved observers nominated by Ireland to be provided to the Deputy.

Liquor Licence Applications

Questions (142)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

142. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the costs of renewing publicans' licences in view of the downturn in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19982/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

As the Deputy is aware, licenced premises have a graduated licence duty fee structure based on turnover, with a total of six bands ranging from €250 to €3,805. Overall, the licence fee is a very small percentage of the annual turnover of the business and, as the amount of the fee is linked to the turnover, it reduces in line with reduced business during a downturn.  It should also be noted that 75% of pubs fall within the two lowest bands and pay €505 or less per annum.  Licence fees are among the issues considered annually as part of the Budget and Finance Bill process.

Tax Code

Questions (143)

Dara Murphy

Question:

143. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reducing the rate of deposit interest retention tax from 41% in 2014 on life insurance policies and investment funds back to 2012 levels of 30% in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20009/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Deputy will appreciate that it is a long standing practice for the Minister for Finance not to comment on measures that may or may not be under consideration in the run up to the Budget.