Written Answers Nos. 412-424
412. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that 11 MPs from the People's Democratic Party, HDP, and the party’s two co-chairs, were recently arrested in Turkey; his views on the dramatic escalation in the crackdown on democratic politics and civic society in Turkey; and if he will urgently raise his concern over these arrests with his Turkish counterpart. [34443/16]
View answerI am gravely concerned about the most recent developments in Turkey, in particular the detention of the co-chairs of Turkey’s second largest opposition party, HDP, and several of its elected representatives on 4 November, which was made possible by the lifting of parliamentary immunity from some 130 MPs last May. I issued a statement on 4 November, in which I expressed Ireland’s concern at the arrests and also at the intensification of the media crackdown, and I emphasised the need to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy, human rights and rule of law. My officials communicated the statement to the Turkish embassy.
While I have acknowledged that the failed coup was both an unacceptable attempt to undermine democracy and a traumatic shock for the people of Turkey, the Turkish authorities must exercise restraint and maintain a proportionate and measured response.
In addition, Ireland’s concerns are fully reflected in the EU statement issued on 8 November, in which the EU expresses its deep concern at recent developments in Turkey, in particular, the continued restrictions on freedom of expression, including media freedom, the closure of more media outlets and the arrests of the editor-in-chief and several staff members of the Cumhuriyet newspaper; renewed suggestions of reinstating the death penalty; the exacerbation of existing tensions in the south-east; and the arrests of HDP MPs. The EU statement recalls that it is crucial that parliamentary immunity is applied to all democratically elected representatives on a non-discriminatory basis.
Furthermore, developments in Turkey were discussed in the meeting of Ministers’ Deputies at the Council of Europe on 9 November, at which Turkey was represented. Ireland’s representative expressed our concern at the current situation in Turkey, and recalled that rule of law, human rights, democracy and freedom of expression are core Council of Europe values. Turkey was also discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 14 November, where Minister of State Dara Murphy represented Ireland.
413. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the discussions he has had with other EU leaders on the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, the war in Syria and the deployment of Irish Naval Service vessels to the Mediterranean Sea. [32798/16]
View answerThe migration crisis remains a key priority for the European Union and it has been discussed many times in various Council formations. Last month, migration was discussed at the European Council, the Foreign Affairs Council (which I attended) and the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Migration is again on the agenda of the December European Council. I have also discussed the crisis in bilateral meetings with a range of Foreign Minister colleagues.
As regards the situation in Syria, I discussed the conflict with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 17 October. We were joined by UN Special Envoy Steffan de Mistura. The Council adopted conclusions condemning atrocities in Syria, and in Aleppo in particular; called for an immediate end to the bombardment of Aleppo and the protection of civilian populations across Syria; ending restrictions on the provision of humanitarian assistance and the lifting of all sieges; reaffirmed the EU’s support for a political resolution to the conflict in Syria; condemned the illegal use of chemical weapons by the regime and Daesh and called for accountability through referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court; and condemned the actions of Daesh.
The men and women of our naval service have played an outstanding role in humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean. Working in close cooperation with their Italian colleagues they have rescued over 14,700 people. Following a Government Decision in May 2015, the L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis. Two further vessels were deployed during 2015. This year, there have been three naval vessels deployed to the Mediterranean.
I have discussed our naval operations in the Mediterranean with my Italian opposite number, including during his visit to Dublin in July.
414. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts he is making to stop the appalling slaughter of innocent civilians in Aleppo, Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35141/16]
View answerI utterly condemn the actions by the Assad regime and its allies, including Russia, in Aleppo, and demand the immediate end to the bombardment of that city and the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian assistance in Aleppo and across Syria.
I discussed the Syrian conflict with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 17 October. We were joined by UN Special Envoy Steffan de Mistura. The Council adopted conclusions condemning atrocities in Syria, and in Aleppo in particular; calling for an immediate end to the bombardment of Aleppo and the protection of civilian populations across Syria; calling for an end to restrictions on the provision of humanitarian assistance and the lifting of all sieges; reaffirming the EU’s support for a political resolution to the conflict in Syria; condemning the illegal use of chemical weapons by the regime and Daesh; calling for accountability through referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court; and condemning the actions of Daesh.
I met the Russian Ambassador last month to convey my grave concerns at the appalling events in Syria and Aleppo in particular. During the meeting, I urged that Russia use all its influence to end the bombardment of Aleppo and make every effort to ensure that civilians in Syria are granted full protection of their rights. I asked Ambassador Peshkov to relay these concerns to his authorities in Moscow.
In addition, senior officials in my Department met with the Ambassador, at my direction, on two occasions to convey to him in the clearest terms Ireland’s serious concerns over the horrific situation in Syria.
I had an opportunity to discuss the Syrian conflict during my meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on 30 October. I also discussed efforts to renew the political process during my recent trip to the Gulf where I met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Al Madani.
415. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value of assets transferred to the State in each of the past three years as a result of persons dying without having made a will and there is no relative to whom these assets can be transferred; the mechanisms the State has in place to ensure these assets are received; the estimated value of assets yet to be transferred to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34551/16]
View answerThe following amounts have transferred to the State in respect of persons who have died intestate without next of kin in each of the past three years:
- 2013 - €763,830
- 2014 - €1,403,733
- 2015 - €326,233
Where next of kin come forward, the State is no longer entitled to the estate and the entitlement to the benefit of the estate it is passed to the next of kin. The Minister is also entitled to waive an Estate or part of an estate where, following an application, it is considered that such a waiver is appropriate. In these circumstance the value of the estate in question may be reimbursed from the Intestate Estate Funds Deposit Account.
The State is the Ultimate Intestate Successor in Ireland, therefore where the State becomes aware of estates of persons who die intestate with no known next of kin, the State will take the Estate. The assets in such cases are collected by the Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) and, following payment of any liabilities, the proceeds are then transferred to the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform in whom the Estate vests. These proceeds are lodged to the intestate estate funds deposit account.
The current value of assets yet to transfer to the State is unknown. However, the amount transferred to date for 2016 is €415,673.
416. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the restoration of a bridge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34803/16]
View answerWhen it was taken into care, Ardara Bridge was in very poor condition, mainly attributable to external factors such as the affects of the river course and tree growth. Since 2007 considerable conservation work has been undertaken, primarily to save the bridge from collapse. The project has been separated into a number of sub-projects which ensures that the necessary resources are in place to complete each individual task. The project has been technically very complex and hampered by the extremely fragile nature of the structure. Over a number of seasons, poor weather has affected progress resulting in high water levels in the river (making conditions for workers hazardous). By June 2015, works had progressed to a stage where specialist expertise was required, focussing on a more long-term geo-technical design solution which recognises the vulnerability of the structure into the future. The necessary specialist expertise was engaged and the investigation has been completed. Informed by this, a number of design proposals have been developed and the process of selecting the most preferred option is currently under way.
417. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of applications that have been refused for injury warrants under the Superannuation Acts since 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34419/16]
View answerWhile the award of injury warrants under the Superannuation Acts is ultimately decided by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the cost is a charge on the Superannuation Vote, the process is always initiated in the officer's parent Department; accordingly the records with respect to rejected claims are maintained by each individual Department.
418. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will commit to funding the statute law revision programme after the enactment of the Statute Law Revision Bill 2016; his views on whether, in the context of Brexit, it is important that Ireland, which may be the only remaining common law country in the EU, delete from its Statute Book unnecessary and archaic laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34466/16]
View answerThe Statute Law Revision Programme was initiated in 2003. It formerly operated within the auspices of the Office of the Attorney General and is now contained within the Government Reform Unit of my Department. Its purpose is to modernise and simplify the Statute book by removing spent and obsolete pieces of legislation, thereby reducing its size and thus making it more understandable and accessible to those who use it. There has been a particular need for such revision in Ireland because our unique legislative past has left us with a complex stock of legislation, with enactments from the Parliaments of Ireland, England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom as well as our own Oireachtas.
To date, the Oireachtas has passed five Statute Law Revision Acts as follows:
- The Statute Law Revision (Pre-1922) Act 2005, which repealed a selection of pre-1922 statutes;
- The Statute Law Revision Act 2007, which was a comprehensive revision of pre-1922 Public General Acts;
- The Statute Law Revision Act 2009, which revised all Private Acts up to and including 1750 and all Local and Personal Acts up to and including 1850;
- The Statute Law Revision Act 2012, which revised all Private Acts from 1750 to 1922 and all Local and Personal Acts from 1850 to 1922; and
- The Statute Law Revision Act 2015, which revoked Secondary Instruments made before 1 January 1821.
A sixth Statute Law Revision Bill, covering primary legislation enacted between 1922 and 1950, is currently progressing through the Houses.
The progress we have made with the Statute Law Revision Programme has been considerable. To date, over 60,000 pieces of legislation have been either expressly or implicitly repealed under the programme. Collectively this is the most extensive set of repealing measures in the history of the State and the most extensive set of statute law revision measures ever enacted anywhere in the world. I propose, however, in view of the progress made, to pause the Statute Law Revision Programme at this time in order that my Department can progress other priorities.
Common law will continue to constitute the basis of the legal system of Ireland and neither the Statute Law Revision Programme nor Brexit have any bearing on this. Ireland has functioned successfully as a common law country within the EU since it joined in 1973 and I see no reason why this should not continue.
419. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review a matter in respect of an athletics club (details supplied); the action the club can take in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34474/16]
View answerI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the site at Farnham Road, Cavan is to be developed for State usage and therefore it will not be possible to facilitate Cavan Athletics Club.
420. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will honour the labour court recommendation CR19293 to community employment supervisors and move immediately to implement this finding and put in place a pension and ex gratia scheme for community employment supervisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34542/16]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question Ref: 33868/16 on the 8th of November 2016 which sets out the position on the matter.
421. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of each referendum held in the State since 2000, in tabular form. [34571/16]
View answerThere was no Referendum in 2000. The approximate costings for all referendums since 2001 are set out in the table below with the exception of those held in 2004 and 2011*. The referendums in those years were not taken on their own but were combined and accounted for with European and Local Elections in 2004 and with a Presidential and by-election in 2011. It is not, therefore, possible to give an accurate cost of those referendums as there would have been an extensive sharing of staff and facilities for the different polls taken.
|
Month/ Year |
Referendum |
Approximate Cost |
|
June 2001 |
Prohibition of Death Penalty |
€11.1m |
|
International Criminal Court |
||
|
Treaty of Nice |
||
|
March 2002 |
Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy |
€10.8m |
|
October 2002 |
Treaty of Nice |
€15.0m |
|
June 2004 |
Citizenship |
* |
|
June 2008 |
Treaty of Lisbon |
€22.2m |
|
October 2009 |
Treaty of Lisbon |
€17.5m |
|
October 2011 |
Houses of Oireachtas Enquiries |
* |
|
Judges Remuneration |
||
|
May 2012 |
Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union |
€14.8m |
|
November 2012 |
Children |
€12.8m |
|
October 2013 |
Abolition of Seanad, Court of Appeal |
€14.4m |
|
May 2015 |
Marriage Equality Bill & Age of Eligibility for Election to Office of the President |
€15m |
422. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of each by-election held from 2010 to date in 2016 in tabular form. [34572/16]
View answer423. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of each recount in any by-election held from 2010 to 2016 in tabular form. [34573/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together.
The approximate costings for all by-elections since 2010 are set out in the table below. Four of the by-elections were held on the same day as another Election or Referendum and therefore the by-election costs reflect savings from a sharing of people and facilities (these are marked with an asterisk in the table) i.e. the Dublin West by-election was held with the Presidential Election in 2011; the Dublin West and Longford-Westmeath by-elections were both held with the 2014 European and Local Elections; the Carlow-Kilkenny by-election was held with the 2015 Referendums on the Marriage Equality Bill and the Age for Presidency. As a result of changes to the free postage arrangements for candidates (whereby one item of election material was sent to each household in the constituency rather than to each person on the Electoral Register, where possible), there were also additional savings in costs for the 2014 by-elections in Dublin West, Longford-Westmeath, Dublin South-West and Roscommon-South Leitrim and also for the 2015 Carlow-Kilkenny by-election.
There were no recount costs with respect to the by-elections as follows.
|
Month/Year |
By-Election |
Approximate Cost |
|
November, 2010 |
Donegal South-West |
€0.514m |
|
February, 2011 |
Dublin West |
€0.424m* |
|
March, 2013 |
Meath East |
€0.473m |
|
May, 2014 |
Dublin West |
€0.303m* |
|
May, 2014 |
Longford Westmeath |
€0.397m * |
|
October, 2014 |
Dublin South-West |
€0.547m |
|
October, 2014 |
Roscommon-South Leitrim |
€0.564m |
|
October, 2014 |
Seanad By-Election |
€0.007m |
|
May, 2015 |
Carlow-Kilkenny |
€0.501* |
|
November, 2015 |
Seanad By-Election |
€0.007m |
424. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of the general election held in February 2016 in tabular form. [34574/16]
View answerThe approximate cost of the General Election 2016 is €26.8m. This figure relates mainly to Returning Officer costs for the conduct of the poll and count, reimbursement of candidate expenses and also postal expenditure for the delivery of candidate election material and polling cards.
