Written Answers Nos. 272 - 289
272. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received this year on a county basis under the TAMS scheme in the various sectors; the number of approvals to date; and the timescale for dealing with outstanding applications [35899/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated at present and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
273. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a tax deposit scheme to manage income viability for the farming sector. [35912/14]
View answer274. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the retention of the 90% agricultural relief and the CGT retirement relief to support the transfer of viable family farms to ensure continuity in the years ahead. [35913/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.
Taxation policy is primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance. I have on-going contact with the Minister for Finance to ensure that tax policy reflects the Government’s commitment to agriculture and, in particular, to the objectives of smart, green, growth outlined in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. A Review of tax measures in the farming sector, a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of Finance, was announced in Budget 2014. The purpose of the review is to analyse the benefits of the various tax measures to the agriculture sector and the wider economy versus the costs and to ensure tax policy aligns with the objectives set out in Food Harvest 2020. The Minister for Finance stated in his budget speech that “the objective of the review is to identify what works and what doesn’t, and redirect the existing level of tax expenditure towards activities of maximum benefit to this sector of the economy”.
The Review, which is currently ongoing, is being overseen by a working group made up of the Department of Finance, my Department and the Revenue Commissioners. The Review includes an independent cost benefit analysis, an international benchmarking exercise and a public consultation process.
There was a good response to the written submission phase of the public consultation process; 46 submissions were received. Consultative meetings with 21 key stakeholders were held last May. The submissions and meetings included proposals to amend current measures and some new proposals, all of which will be considered by the working group.
A number of stakeholders have proposed the introduction of a ‘tax deposit’ scheme and this proposal is being considered by the working group.
As major existing tax measures, Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax and Retirement Relief from Capital Gains Tax are also being considered by the working group.
It is likely that the working group report will be finalised shortly and that any recommendations will be considered in the context of Budget 2015. It is expected that the Review will influence tax policy in the agriculture sector for a number of years to come.
275. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will assist a person (details supplied) who was in contact with his Department in relation to a fine issued for breach of rules of the rural environment protection scheme. [35917/14]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 2 in May 2002 and received payments for two years. Following an on-farm inspection a compliance issue was identified and the REPS contract was suspended in February 2005. However, this matter has since been resolved and no debt remains in respect of the REPS contract.
276. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the remuneration package for each chief executive officer of State or semi-State organisations under the aegis of his Department; the changes made to such remuneration in the past two years; the remuneration package for each acting CEO if such exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35940/14]
View answerThe details of the salaries of the Chief Executive Officers of the Twelve State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are outlined in the table below.
|
Body/Agency |
CEO Salary Sept 2014 |
CEO Salary Sept 2013 |
CEO Salary Sept 2012 |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
No CEO |
No CEO |
No CEO |
|
An Bord Bia |
€149,175 |
€149,175 |
€160,082 |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
€116,584 (Interim CEO) |
€125,332 |
€129,523 |
|
Bord na gCon |
€132,920 |
€132,920 |
€160,531 |
|
Coillte |
€191,014 * |
€191,014 * |
€265,000 |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
€190,773 |
€190,773 |
€190,773 |
|
Irish National Stud |
€133,419 |
€133,419 |
€133,419 |
|
Marine Institute |
€136,496 |
€136,496 |
€146,221 |
|
National Milk Agency |
€80,977 |
€80,977 |
€85,844 |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
€85,127 (Executive Chair) |
€85,127 (Executive Chair) |
Vacant |
|
Teagasc |
€149,175 |
€149,175 |
€153,432 |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
€103,716 (Registrar) |
€103,716 (Register) |
€110,922 (Register) |
The position of Executive Chair of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority was vacant until July 2013
* The position of CEO of Coillte is currently vacant; the salary as at Sept 2013 and Sept 2014 is the amount stated in the Government Decision of July 2011 in relation to the pay of CEOs of commercial state bodies.
277. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the remuneration package for each chief executive officer of State or semi-State organisations under the aegis of his Department; the changes made to such remuneration in the past two years; the remuneration package for each acting CEO if such exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35944/14]
View answerThe only body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board does not have a Chief Executive Officer. A member of staff of my Department is assigned to carry out the functions of Secretary to the Board. The holder of this position is an established civil servant.
278. Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the fees payable to Mr Justice Cooke for work undertaken by him with regard to the completion of the Cooke report into the alleged Garda surveillance of GSOC; and the moneys paid to him to-date. [35521/14]
View answer279. Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the backup assistance provided to Mr. Justice Cooke for the work undertaken by him and for the typing up and completion of the Cooke report; and if she will detail any expenses incurred in respect of same. [35522/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together.
The practical arrangements surrounding Judge Cooke's appointment to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations of unlawful surveillance at GSOC were made by the Department of the Taoiseach.
The payments referred to my Department for payment in respect of the Cooke inquiry were as follows;
|
- |
Amount |
|
Stenography |
6,043.52 |
|
IT Consulting |
2,952.00 |
|
Secretarial support |
1,290.00 |
|
Misc. |
188.79 |
|
Total |
10,474.31 |
280. Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she was first informed that GSOC had instructed solicitors to represent them in their dealings with persons (details supplied); and by whom she was so informed. [35523/14]
View answerThe Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Act provides that the management and control generally of the officers, administration and business of the Ombudsman Commission is the responsibility of the Chairperson of the Commission.
GSOC is not required to notify my Department when they engage legal services. They are, however, required to operate within the budget which is provided from my Department's Vote and this requires them to seek sanction in particular circumstances. I am advised that GSOC made a sanction request on 23 April, 2014 to my Department in respect of expenditure on legal services related to the independent inquiries being conducted by the persons detailed.
281. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the official position on Iraqi refugees coming here in the wake of the ISIS crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35814/14]
View answerAny person who arrives at the frontiers of the State seeking asylum in the State, or seeking the protection of the State against persecution, or requesting not to be returned or removed to a particular country, or otherwise indicating an unwillingness to leave the State for fear of persecution can apply to the Minister for a declaration of refugee status. Applications for asylum in the State are investigated and determined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner in accordance with the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended).
Our in-country protection system is supplemented by other protection related arrangements already in place in the State. These include our commitment to the UNHCR resettlement programme under which the Government has already committed to accept 90 persons this year who have been displaced by the Syrian conflict. The Deputy may also be aware of the Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme (SHAP) introduced earlier this year which offers temporary Irish residence - rather than refugee status - to vulnerable persons present in Syria, or who have fled from Syria to surrounding countries since the outbreak of the conflict in March 2011, and who have close family members residing in the State.
With regard to persons in Iraq, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and I have been discussing the ways in which Ireland can also offer refuge to a number of families who have seen their lives devastated by the appalling violence and oppression in that country. We are both anxious that Ireland plays its part and I have agreed that Ireland will provide refuge to a small number of families fleeing the violence being perpetrated by ISIS in Northern Iraq. The details of the arrangements to be put in place for this purpose are under consideration having regard to the experience to date in relation to the SHAP referred to above.
282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35220/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that no application has been received in respect of the family members of the person concerned.
Persons from a visa-required country are required to have a valid visa to land in the State (section 4(5)(b) of the Immigration Act, 2004).
It is open to a visa-required national who wishes to join a family member currently residing in Ireland to make a visa application, the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why the visa should be granted. All information that the applicant wishes to have taken into consideration should be submitted with their application.
The criteria that apply to the consideration of an application for a visa for the purposes of family reunification are set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification published by my predecessor on 31 December 2013. The document is available on the INIS website (www.inis.gov.ie).
Guidelines on the visa application process, including details of the required supporting documentation for a 'join family' visa application can be found on www.inis.gov.ie. It should be borne in mind, however, that the information contained on the website is intended to act as guidance only; it does not limit the discretion of the Visa Officer in dealing with individual applications.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
283. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding new legislation to deal with prostitution and sex trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35257/14]
View answer291. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce legislation to deal with Ireland's prostitution laws on foot of last year's Oireachtas committee's report in this area. [35314/14]
View answer318. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for legislation on prostitution following the publication of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality report on prostitution here. [35612/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283, 291 and 318 together.
I am examining the recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Justice Defence and Equality, the advices of the Attorney General and the views of the Minister for Health regarding a new approach to prostitution legislation.
Prostitution raises a wide spectrum of issues and when I have had the opportunity to complete consideration of those issues, proposals will be brought to Government in the usual manner.
I would also mention that Ireland already has an extensive legislative framework prohibiting the trafficking of persons for the purposes of exploitation (including sexual exploitation) with stringent penalties.
The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 prohibits trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Any person found guilty of such an offence shall be liable to imprisonment for life or a lesser term, and at the discretion of the court, to a fine.
284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if all required documentation has been received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35290/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy.
I can inform the Deputy that processing of the application is well advanced and the case will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35291/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy.
The application is being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence. A letter was issued to the person concerned on 10 September 2014 requesting certain information. A reply has been received, however, we are still awaiting further documents. Upon receipt of all the requested information the case will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35292/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, as well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. All applications are processed with a view to establishing whether the applicants meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, and are submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. In some instances that can be established relatively quickly and in other cases completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. I am informed that this application is at an advanced stage of processing and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
287. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 534 of 30 April 2014, if she will provide an update on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35309/14]
View answerThe Report in relation to key policy, legislative, administrative and other issues related to firearms licensing is nearing completion. As soon as the report is finalised I intend to engage in a public consultation in relation to its findings and recommendations. I expect such a consultation to take place in the near future.
288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will overturn a deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35310/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, that no deportation order has been made in the case of the person mentioned by the Deputy.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
289. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of retirements from An Garda Síochána for the years 2011 to date in 2014; the ranks of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35312/14]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of members of An Garda Síochána by rank who retired in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is as set out in the table below.
|
Rank |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Com |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
D/Com |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
A/Com |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
C/Supt |
8 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
|
Supt |
23 |
19 |
16 |
7 |
|
Insp |
19 |
24 |
13 |
15 |
|
Sgt |
109 |
119 |
91 |
69 |
|
Gda |
318 |
294 |
211 |
152 |
|
Total |
480 |
462 |
335 |
248* |
*The figure for 2014 also includes 25 members who have expressed their intention to leave by 31 December 2014.
