Written Answers Nos. 112-133
112. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all persons appointed by him to a State board in 2014 to date in tabular form; the name of the person and board in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30586/14]
View answerThe following table sets out the appointments made by me, as Minister, in 2014 to boards of State bodies coming within the aegis of my Department. It may also be noted that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, being agencies of the North South Implementation Body, An Foras Teanga, are made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction. One such appointment - Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - was made to the board of Foras na Gaeilge in 2014.
|
Board |
Appointments made in 2014 |
Name of Appointees |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
4 |
John O'Brien Suzanne McDougald Mary Keane Margaret Glynn |
|
National Concert Hall |
5 |
Gerry Kearney (Chair) Maura McGrath Rebecca Gageby Barney Whelan Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
1 |
Jane Dillon Byrne |
|
Arts Council |
6 |
Sheila Pratschke (Chair) Éimear O'Connor (re-appointed) Monica Spenser Brian Maguire Miriam Dunne Joan Sheehy |
|
Censorship of Publications Board |
5 |
Shane McCarthy (Chair) Noëlle O’Connor Sinéad Prunty Philip Moynihan Georgina Byrne |
113. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will list and itemise the title and reference of every statutory instrument signed by him from 1 May 2014 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30645/14]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that no Statutory Instruments have been signed by me from 1st May 2014 to date.
114. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage increases in domestic electricity costs over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30447/14]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) publishes comprehensive and publicly available statistics on energy prices in Ireland and the EU, based on Eurostat and IEA/OECD data. SEAI's annual Energy In Ireland reports contain price information and are available on their website. Using price data submitted to the OECD and the IEA, the latest SEAI Energy in Ireland 1990 - 2012 report, published in December 2013, shows that Irish residential electricity prices increased by 17% in real terms between 2005 and 2013. By comparison, for example, in the UK electricity prices increased by 39% in real times for the same period, for Greece the increase is 42% and electricity prices increased by 30% in Germany. For the OECD Europe countries, electricity prices increased by 25% in real terms between 2005 and 2013. This report is available at the following link:
http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Energy_in_Ireland/Energy_in_Ireland_1990_-_2012_Report.pdf
Electricity price statistics for Ireland and EU Member States are also publicly available. SEAI publishes biannual reports on electricity and gas prices in Ireland. The reports analyse electricity and natural gas price data, as published by Eurostat and collected for Ireland and other European countries under the methodology for the EU Gas and Electricity Price Transparency Directive 90/377/EEC as amended by Council Decision 2007/394/EC. Since 2008, these comparable data for all EU Member States are published every six months on the Eurostat website. The most recent SEAI biannual price report was published in May 2014 and contains electricity and gas price statistics for the period July to December 2013. These electricity and gas price reports, going back to 2008, are available on the SEAI website at the following link:
http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/
115. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the power he has to implement a price freeze on the cost of electricity; if he has ever considered introducing one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30448/14]
View answerWhile I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by many families at the current time, I have no statutory function in the monitoring or setting of electricity prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated parts of these markets. It is important to note that the electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberated and operate within national and European regulatory regimes and that responsibility for the regulation of the markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body. Direct Government interventions that would impact on the prices of electricity and gas products would contravene the EU Third Energy Package of legislation which governs the energy policy framework in relation to electricity and gas markets.
At a national level, the competitive energy market in place helps put downward pressure on prices. The CER is focussed on actions that can mitigate costs for business and domestic customers, including rigorous regulatory scrutiny of the network costs component of retail prices. Energy efficiency represents a significant opportunity for households to reduce their energy costs. There are energy efficiency measures in place to assist both business and domestic energy consumers, with significant funding allocated to them. The Energy Efficiency Fund, which I announced in February 2013 has commenced funding specific measures and is assisting, and will assist further, energy efficiency projects in the public and commercial sectors.
There are a number of avenues open to consumers to try to mitigate rising electricity prices, and measures are also in place to assist them. Accordingly, consumers can and should shop around to get the best possible price and service deal from suppliers, and switch supplier if necessary, bearing in mind that all suppliers offer competitive prices and products. Consumers can also take steps to improve the efficiency of their electricity usage which delivers demonstrable savings including availing of Government funded measures. The SEAI-administered Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) aims to improve the energy efficiency and comfort conditions of homes occupied by vulnerable households in receipt of the National Fuel Allowance Scheme through the installation of draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation where appropriate. Details are available at:
http://www.seai.ie/Power_of_One/Grants_Available/#sthash.OLDT5wQG.dpuf
116. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a list of all persons appointed by him to a State board in 2014 to date in tabular form; the name of the person and board in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30588/14]
View answerThere have been 17 appointments made to State Boards under the aegis of my Department in 2014 to date. The following table details all of these appointments to State Boards, taking into consideration qualifications and legislative requirements where applicable.
Appointments made to State Boards under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in 2014
|
Body |
Appointee |
|
An Post |
Ms Jennifer Loftus Mr Ed Murray |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
Mr Seamus Martin |
|
Bord na Mona |
Mr John V Farrelly Mr Denis Leonard *Mr Paschal Maher |
|
Eirgrid |
Dr Joan Smyth Mr Richard Sterling |
|
Ervia (Bord Gáis Eireann) |
Ms Rose Hynes (Chairperson) |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
Mr Hugh O’Donnell |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
Ms Anne Farrell Ms Michelle Green |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
Mr Paul Holden (Chairperson) Mr Brendan McDonagh Ms Claire Duignan |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
Mr Martin McEnroe Mr Niall Greene |
*Elected employee member
117. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will list and itemise the title and reference of every statutory instrument signed by him from 1 May 2014 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30647/14]
View answerThere have been 7 Statutory Instruments made my Department from 1 May 2014 to date and details of these are set out in the following table.
|
S.I. No |
S.I. Title |
|
S.I. No. 208/2014 |
TAXES CONSOLIDATION ACT 1997 (ACCELERATED CAPITAL ALLOWANCES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 1) ORDER 2014 |
|
S.I. No. 229/2014 |
GAS REGULATION ACT 2013 (SECTION 5 TO 12) (COMMENCEMENT) ORDER 2014 |
|
S.I. No. 240/2014 |
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY (LICENSING OF TELEMETRY SYSTEMS) REGULATIONS 2014 |
|
S.I. No. 279/2014 |
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (GEOLOGICAL STORAGE OF CARBON DIOXIDE)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2014 |
|
S.I. No. 286/2014 |
ESB (ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS) ACT 2014 (COMMENCEMENT) ORDER 2014. |
|
S.I. No. 287/2014 |
CHANGE OF NAME OF BORD GÁIS ÉIREANN TO ERVIA (APPOINTED DAY) ORDER 2014 |
|
S.I. No. 301/2014 |
WILD SALMON AND SEA TROUT TAGGING SCHEME (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2014 |
118. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will revisit and reverse the decision not to allocate funding to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland or to any neurological organisation under the scheme to support national organisations 2014-2016; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the NAI faces closure at the end of 2014 if funding is not restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30484/14]
View answerThe funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier this year. I asked Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's significant experience and expertise of both the design of assessment criteria and completion of assessment functions. I was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and I approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The Neurological Alliance of Ireland is not one of the organisations approved for funding on this occasion.
Pobal has put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. There is also an appeals process and Pobal has provided applicants with detailed information on this process. As this appeals process is now live, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the funding process or on the application of any particular organisation.
119. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will revisit and reverse the decision not to allocate funding to the Irish Deaf Society under the scheme to support national organisations 2014-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30485/14]
View answer123. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to reinstate the funding that has been discontinued for the deaf advocacy service of the Irish Deaf Society, which is extremely important in the context of the persons who utilise the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30580/14]
View answer124. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will urgently consider restoring funding to the national deaf advocacy service of the Irish Deaf Society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30582/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 123 and 124 together.
The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier this year. I asked Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's significant experience and expertise of both the design of assessment criteria and completion of assessment functions. I was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and I approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The Irish Deaf Society is not one of the organisations approved for funding on this occasion.
Pobal has put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. There is also an appeals process and Pobal has provided applicants with detailed information on this process. As this appeals process is now live, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the funding process or on the application of any particular organisation.
120. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which he will utilise the €1.1 million in funding that had been allocated to Tipperary County Council for the purchase of 12 houses in Ros na Cronan estate, Ashbury, Roscrea, County Tipperary but has now been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30430/14]
View answerIn March of this year, I announced the approval of some 56 social housing construction projects with an overall value of some €68 million under the local authority housing construction programme for 2014-2015. Some €1.1million was approved in respect of a proposal submitted by North Tipperary County Council, now Tipperary County Council, for the acquisition and refurbishment of 12 houses at Ashbury, Roscrea. Tipperary County Council advised my Department on 7 July that the proposal to purchase and refurbish the 12 houses at Ashbury is no longer being pursued on the basis that the higher cost of acquiring the properties is impacting negatively on the economic viability of the proposal and the project no longer offers a value-for-money solution to meeting local housing need.
An outline proposal for an alternative project, centred around the construction of ten new dwellings on land owned by the Council at an estimated cost of €1.146 million, was received in my Department on 7 July and is being considered at present.
121. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria used and the basis of the scoring system employed in the allocation of funding in the scheme to support national organisations 2014-2016; the organisations funded and those applicant organisations not funded; the reasons for the decision and scoring awarded in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30482/14]
View answerThe funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier this year. I asked Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's significant experience and expertise of both the design of assessment criteria and completion of assessment functions.
As part of the application procedure, a guidance document was made available to all applicants and published on Pobal’s website. This document outlined the application and assessment procedures, and the criteria used to determine eligibility for the scheme. Each application that met the basic eligibility criteria was appraised by Pobal to ensure the viability of the proposal, its strengths in contributing to the overall aim of the Scheme and its capacity to deliver in accordance with the selection criteria.
The appraisal of applications was based on information provided in the Application Form and any supporting material submitted. Each application was appraised against a number of criteria, which were weighted as follows:
- Capacity of the Organisation (20%)
- Strategic Fit (25%)
- Demonstration of Need (20%)
- Achievability of the Proposal (15%)
- Value for Money (20%)
I was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and I approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. A list of the successful organisations is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/CommunityVoluntarySupports/SchemetoSupportNationalOrganisations/
Pobal has put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. There is also an appeals process and Pobal has provided applicants with detailed information in that regard. As this appeals process is now live, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the funding process or on the application of any particular organisation.
122. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he, his Department or Pobal discussed with the Department of Health or the Health Service Executive the allocation of funding to health-related organisations under the scheme to support national organisations 2014-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30483/14]
View answerThe funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding was advertised for applications earlier this year. I asked Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's significant experience and expertise of both the design of assessment criteria and completion of assessment functions. I was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and I approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016.
A large number of organisations operating in health-related areas applied for funding under the scheme and a number are included a mong the 55 organisations being grant-aided under the scheme. In the context of reviewing the scheme for the next round of multi-annual funding, I met with my colleague the Minister for Health to initiate a policy discussion on whether or not from a public policy point of view, it would be more efficient that organisations receive funding only from the Department with lead responsibility for policy in their area, rather than seek funding across a number of different Departments. This issue will considered further with relevant Departments in good time before the ending of the current scheme at end June 2016.
125. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all persons appointed by him to a State board in 2014 to date in tabular form; the name of the person and board in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30591/14]
View answerFrom 1 January 2014 to 4 July 2014, the latest date for which information is available, the appointments set out in the following table were made to the Boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
|
Agency/Board |
Name of Appointee |
Date of Appointment |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Mr. Conall Boland (Deputy Chairperson) |
01/01/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
- |
Mr. Gerry Grimes |
01/07/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
- |
Dr. Philip Matthews |
01/07/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
- |
Ms. Lucy McCafferty |
01/07/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
- |
Mr. Charlie Murphy |
01/07/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
- |
Ms. Imelda Reynolds |
01/07/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
- |
Mr. Michael Stubbs |
01/07/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
Dublin Docklands Development Authority Executive Board * |
Mr. Frank Walsh |
01/07/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
Mr. James Leahy |
10/06/2014 |
|
- |
Mr. Paddy McGuinness |
21/02/2014 (Reappointed) |
|
- |
Mr. Paul Keyes |
21/02/2014 |
|
- |
Mr. Brendan Mooney |
21/02/2014 |
|
- |
Dr. Katie Sweeney (Public Servant) |
21/02/2014 |
|
- |
Mr. Michael Frain |
21/02/2014 |
|
- |
Dr. Ann Higgins |
21/02/2014 |
|
- |
Dr. Deirdre Garvey |
21/02/2014 |
|
- |
Mr Gerald Mullaney |
23/06/2014 |
|
Western Development Commission |
Mr Eugene Lavin |
23/06/2014 |
*This board was reappointed on the 1 January 2014 for an initial 6 month period and reappointed from 1 July 2014 until 31 December 2014.
In addition, although not a State Board in the traditional sense, appointments to the Board of Pobal, a not-for-profit company, fall to be made by the Government having considered nominees from a range of stakeholders. The following are the appointments to the Board of Pobal that have taken effect in 2014: Mr. John Redmond (1/7/2014).
The following member was appointed to the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee: Rosemarie Maughan
The following members were appointed on 10 January 2014 to the Pyrite Resolution Board established under the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013:
- Mr. John O’Connor (Chair)
- Mr. Sean Balfe
- Mr. Matt Gallagher
- Ms. Caroline Gill
Finally, the following have been appointed to the new National Oversight and Audit Commissions for local government:
- Pat McLoughlin (Chairperson)
- Tara Buckley
- John Buckley
- Donal Enright
- Garett Fennell
- Constance Hanniffy
- Martina Moloney
- Michael Nolan
- Colleen Savage
- Henry Upton
126. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 21 November 2013, when the pilot mortgage to rent scheme is expected to be implemented throughout the local authority sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30640/14]
View answerOn foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears, the Government launched a Mortgage to Rent scheme on a pilot basis in February 2012. This scheme was extended nationally in June 2012, targeting those low income families whose mortgage situation is unsustainable and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. The scheme ensures that the family remains in their home, while ownership is transferred to an approved housing body and the family becomes a tenant of the approved housing body. Eligibility requirements are in line with other forms of social housing support.
The scheme for local authority borrowers in arrears which was piloted in two local authority areas, Westmeath County Council and Dublin City Council, has been rolled out nationally since February 2014. The mortgage arrears resolution process, already in place in respect of commercial mortgages, is now being implemented across all local authorities. In cases of acute mortgage distress, homeowners also have the option of seeking to avail of the legal process now in place to deal with personal insolvency.
127. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list and itemise the title and reference of every statutory instrument signed by him from 1 May 2014 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30650/14]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table. All Statutory Instruments are available to view on www.irishstatutebook.ie
|
Statutory Instrument Title |
Reference (SI Number) |
|
Electoral Act 1992 (Section 165) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 204 of 2014 |
|
Local Government Reform Act 2014 (Commencement Of Certain Provisions) (No. 3) Order 2014 |
S.I. No. 214 of 2014 |
|
Local Government Reform Act 2014 (2014 Establishment Day) Order 2014 |
S.I. No. 215 of 2014 |
|
Local Government Reform Act 2014 (Transfer Date) Order 2014 |
S.I. No. 216 of 2014 |
|
Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 226 of 2014 |
|
Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2014 |
S.I. No. 228 of 2014 |
|
Local Government (Application of Certain Provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 to Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 230 of 2014 |
|
Local Government (Performance of Reserved Functions in respect of Municipal District Members) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 231 of 2014 |
|
Local Government Reform Act 2014 (Dissolution of the County Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee and Transfer Of Assets and Liabilities) Order 2014 |
S.I. No. 232 of 2014 |
|
County and City Development Boards Dissolution Order 2014 |
S.I. No. 233 of 2014 |
|
Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 234 of 2014 |
|
Local Government (Representational Payment for Members)(Amendment) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 235 of 2014 |
|
Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 236 of 2014 |
|
Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 243 of 2014 |
|
Local Government (Audit Committee) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 244 of 2014 |
|
European Union (Sulphur Content of Heavy Fuel Oil and Gas Oil) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 273 of 2014 |
|
European Union (End-of-Life Vehicles) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 281 of 2014 |
|
European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 282 of 2014 |
|
European Union (Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 283 of 2014 |
|
Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Scheme 2014 |
S.I. No. 288 of 2014 |
|
Local Property Tax (Local Adjustment Factor) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 296 of 2014 |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission (Establishment) Order 2014 |
S.I. No. 297 of 2014 |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission (Number Of Members) Order 2014 |
S.I. No. 298 of 2014 |
|
Local Community Development Committee (Section 128E) (Amendment) (No. 1) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. No. 314 of 2014 |
|
Waste Management (Waste Facility and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 |
S.I. Number not yet assigned. |
128. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if his Department is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park; his plans to restore this building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30407/14]
View answerThe Department of Defence does not have responsibility for the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park. The management and control of the property is a matter for the Office of Public Works.
129. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if the €54 million price for a new ship, as recently announced, is included in his Department's capital budget up to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30408/14]
View answerI recently announced that an order has been placed with Babcock Marine for the 3rd Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Naval Service. By taking up this option under the existing contract, the Department ensured that the third ship will be bought at 2012 prices and will not be index linked. This means that the vessel replacement programme is conducted in the most cost effective manner. As with the purchase of the L.É. Samuel Beckett and the L.É. James Joyce, the purchase of the third vessel will be met within the Defence Vote. The third vessel will be delivered in 2016.
130. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has investigated the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for patrolling Irish territorial waters rather than capital and labour intensive ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30409/14]
View answerThe Defence Forces currently operate an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System, (UAV) as an information-gathering asset which has no offensive capability. The UAV systems were acquired to enhance the capability of the Defence Forces to provide a low cost and low risk means to increase surveillance capabilities and intelligence gathering.
A Defence Forces naval vessel replacement strategy has been in progress since 2007. This investment strategy was underscored by the commitment in the 2000 White Paper on Defence to ensure an eight ship flotilla. This vessel replacement strategy combined with a continuous process of refurbishment and repair will ensure that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a satisfactory level. The ongoing use and capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles is kept under review by the Defence Forces as to how they enhance and support military operations in a cost effective manner.
The forthcoming White Paper on Defence will address the future capability requirements for the Defence Forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service.
131. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if there is a private wastewater treatment plant at Gormanstown Army camp; if it was inspected recently, if it was found not to be working satisfactorily and, furthermore, if this had been the situation for some time; if so, the reason this situation was allowed to develop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30450/14]
View answerThere is a private wastewater treatment plant operated by the Defence Forces in Gormanstown Camp. In June 2014 it was found to be in breach of the licence agreement with Meath County Council and upon further investigation it was discovered that the problem had been in existence since November 2013. The matter is being investigated and all efforts are being made to bring the plant into full compliance and whatever work is required to rectify the situation will be carried out as swiftly as possible.
132. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of all persons appointed by him to a State board in 2014 to date in tabular form; the name of the person and board in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30589/14]
View answerThe only body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. There were no appointments to the Army Pensions Board in 2014.
133. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will list and itemise the title and reference of every statutory instrument signed by him from 1 May 2014 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30648/14]
View answerThe following table outlines the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Title |
Reference No. |
Date of Signature |
|
Continuance in Service of an Officer of the Permanent Defence Force. |
D.F.R. 1/2014 |
16 June 2014 |
|
Extension of Service of an Officer of the Reserve Defence Force. |
D.F.R. 2/2014 |
25 June 2014 |
Pursuant to subsection (4) of section 2 of the Statutory Instruments Act, 1947 (No. 44 of 1947) statutory instruments of particular classes made by the Minister for Defence are exempt from publication because of their limited application.
