Written Answers Nos. 25-31
25. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the measures that will be taken to alleviate the pressures on members of the Defence Forces based in County Donegal having to travel to Dublin regularly for constant duties, administration runs, guards of honour and other various trips; and if these arrangements are the most efficient use of resources in terms of personnel and vehicle deployments as well as financial resources. [25791/14]
View answerThe re-organisation of the Defence Forces, finalised in October 2012, has resulted in a fundamental re-structuring of Army Formations and Units across the country including the closure of a number of operational posts. This was undertaken in order to enhance operational readiness and deployability whilst reducing numbers involved in administration. This re-organisation led to a re-configuration of the Defence Forces operational processes from a garrison-based system to a more flexible, deployable system that makes more efficient use of all resources, including financial. Units and personnel can be temporarily re-deployed across areas of operations to meet specific security taskings and framework operations as required by the military authorities.
I have been advised by the military authorities that, for the most part, personnel are only deployed within their own Brigade area. However, on occasion personnel from Donegal for example, have been redeployed for security operations to other locations, including Dublin which is a key centre for large scale operations and ceremonial activity for the Defence Forces. It is important that military personnel have experience of the full range of duties of being part of a military force. This requires their deployment to locations where they can gain that experience.
It is essential that the military authorities have the capacity to deploy appropriate forces to wherever required in order to meet security and other taskings and it is my intention to retain this flexibility within the Defence Forces.
27. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the cost to the Exchequer each year from 2009 to 2014 of the amount paid by his Department under the terms of settlements which included confidentiality agreements or confidentiality clauses. [26182/14]
View answerFor the period in question, six settlements containing “confidentiality clauses” were entered into by my Department. As it was not possible, in the time available, to obtain legal advice on what information we can release in respect of these agreements, I am unable to provide an individual breakdown by year but I can confirm that the total cost of the six settlements was €234,083.12. In each case, legal advice was obtained, including in four cases by lawyers engaged by the appropriate mission to ensure that each complied with local law and practice.
28. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the vision of the reconciliation fund to address unresolved issues that have impeded or slowed down progress, if consideration will be given to support groups working with victims of conflict in this State to be recognised as strategic partners of the fund. [26247/14]
View answerLast week, I launched the 2014-2017 Strategy for the Reconciliation Fund. The Strategy prioritises the further implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and the Agreements which flowed from it, through community, academic and advocacy work. Currently about 150 organisations per year are awarded funding for project work. The new strategy also makes provision to develop a new multiannual funding framework for a small number of organisations who will become strategic partners of the Fund for a three-year period. Such organisations must have already received project-level funding from the Fund. Up to five strategic partners will be approved each year. The criteria for selecting strategic partners are detailed in the strategy. It is envisaged that the first tranche of multiannual funding will be implemented in 2015. A number of support groups for victims of the conflict in this jurisdiction and in Northern Ireland have received project funding in the past. Most recently, in May 2014, I approved an award of €48,000 for the Pat Finucane Centre-Justice for the Forgotten. Organisations working in this and other sectors may apply to become strategic partners if they meet the eligibility criteria and their applications will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the strategy.
29. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of his Department in each year from 2011 to 2014; the number that were publicly advertised; the reason all appointments are not open to public competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26272/14]
View answerThere are no State Boards under the aegis of my Department.
30. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way he and his Department are encouraging trade between Ireland and Cuba; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26282/14]
View answerIreland enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Cuba. Diplomatic relations were established between our two countries in 1999, and bilateral engagement has increased steadily in the period since then. In 2013, bilateral trade in goods with Cuba reached €1.35 million, an increase from the figure of €1.2 million in 2012. In keeping with my wish to see relations with Cuba developed in various areas, including trade, the Ambassador of Ireland to Mexico, who is also accredited to Cuba, held a number of meetings in Cuba earlier this year. These meetings included contacts with Ministries on various trade and economic issues of interest. The Embassy will continue to engage with Cuba on these issues.
Ireland also engages in activity in other areas with a view to enhancing our bilateral engagement. The Irish Embassy accredited to Cuba organised a successful Irish cultural week in Havana in May 2013, focusing on Irish film and Irish traditional music. Discussions are ongoing with the Cuban authorities regarding future collaboration on cultural projects.
I am also pleased that the EU is currently in negotiations with Cuba on a Political Dialogue and Co-operation Agreement. Such an agreement would strengthen the EU-Cuba relationship and provide an improved framework for political dialogue, economic relations and co-operation in the period ahead.
We will continue to work with Cuba to strengthen ties and facilitate trade between our countries.
31. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Finance if the VRT payable on recreational vehicles and camper vans may be more readily available for salespersons and customers at the point of sale in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26207/14]
View answerI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as there is a high degree of customisation of recreational vehicles and camper vans, it is necessary, in most instances, to value each vehicle on an individual basis. This entails the motor dealer submitting the relevant vehicle documentation to Revenue, via a National Car Testing Centre (NCTS), at the time of presentation for registration.
However, motor dealers can avail of a pre-registration examination service, available through NCTS Centres, which allows the valuation and VRT payable to be determined prior to registration. The vehicle can then be registered on-line through the Revenue On-line Service when a sale is made.
An appointment for a pre-registration inspection can be made in person at an NCTS Centre, through the centralised booking service using a national local rate number, through the Applus web-based booking system or by fax or post (the same system as for a normal appointment but in advance of the vehicle being sold). Further details are available on the Revenue website link:
http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/information-for-traders.html#section3
I am satisfied that this service offers dealers and their customers certainty in relation to VRT and prices, as well as a quick and efficient registration service.
