Tuesday, 31 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 353-66

Israeli Settlements

Questions (353, 357)

Seán Crowe

Question:

353. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the fact that the Israeli Government has stated its intention to build 566 new settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem; his further views on the fact that the Israeli Government has also stated its intention to build 2,500 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank; if his attention has been drawn to reports that the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, informed members of his inner security cabinet that he has decided to lift all restrictions on Israeli construction in East Jerusalem; and the measures he will take to oppose these construction plans. [4023/17]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

357. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Israel's plans to build 2,500 more homes in the occupied West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4290/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 357 together.

On 25 January I issued a public statement concerning these developments. The full text as issued by my office was as follows:

Ireland condemns the recent announcements by Israeli authorities of further settlement construction.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, has condemned recent announcements by Israeli authorities of further settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

Minister Flanagan said:

"Ireland's views on Israeli settlements couldn’t be clearer. Indeed, the views of the international community on settlements couldn’t be clearer – they are comprehensively set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and in the declaration of the Paris Conference which I participated earlier this month. These settlements are illegal, they actively undermine the prospects for a sustainable negotiated two-state solution, and the relentless expansion of settlements inherently involves injustice and provocation for Palestinians.

"These most recent announcements, proposing more than 3,000 units, are deeply disappointing. Such actions serve only to undermine Israel’s reputation and the credibility of its government’s declarations of support for a negotiated, peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"In particular, the intention to proceed with new settlements in East Jerusalem only serves to call further into question the commitment of the Israeli government to engage in meaningful negotiations aimed at achieving a two-State solution.

"Ireland remains steadfast in its support for a comprehensive two state solution which protects the future of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. I call for an end to all settlement construction, and the reversal of these announcements."

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (354)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

354. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of moving artwork and paintings from location to location outside the State by his Department in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4039/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

As separate financial records for expenditure on artworks and paintings were set up only in 2014, there are no separate financial records coded to artworks and paintings in 2012 and 2013. The figures for the cost of moving artwork and paintings from location to location outside the State by my Department for 2014, 2015 and 2016 is a follows:

Year	Cost
2014	€1,367
2015	€70,176
2016	€5,409

The costs for transport of art works is higher than usual in 2015 due to the movement of art works involving our Missions in Berne, The Hague, Brussels and Vienna.

Promotion of Ireland’s culture, arts and creative industries through our Embassy network is a key element of the work of our diplomatic Mission network, as set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy. As such, we believe there is a significant value to Ireland in working with the National Gallery of Ireland and Irish Museum of Modern Art to promote culture and heritage, artists and their work internationally.

Art, along with craft, furniture etc., provides a means of showcasing Ireland to a wide and influential range of interlocutors. It is normal practice of all countries to display the arts and crafts of their countries in their Ambassadorial residences as a means of conveying the culture of the country that they are representing and promoting it.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (355)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

355. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of moving artwork and paintings from location to location in the State by his Department that is on loan to foreign embassies and ambassadors here, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4042/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department does not loan artwork and paintings to foreign embassies and ambassadors accredited to Ireland. Therefore, no costs were incurred.

Good Friday Agreement

Questions (356)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

356. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the UK Government's plans to preserve the Good Friday Agreement in a future UK treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4049/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government’s priority is to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The legal and political obligations of both the Irish and British Governments under the Good Friday Agreement remain unchanged, regardless of the status of the UK within the EU.

The Taoiseach and Prime Minister May have confirmed that the Agreement remains the basis for the two Governments' approach to Northern Ireland.

I have met with all of my EU Foreign Minister counterparts. I believe there is a good understanding of the unique situation of Northern Ireland and of the importance and necessity of the European Union continuing its historic supporting role for the peace process there.

As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined that all aspects of the Agreement – including its provisions relating to the constitutional status of Northern Ireland - are fully protected and reflected in the new relationship between the EU and the UK.

Question No. 357 answered with Question No. 353.

Question No. 358 answered with Question No. 347.

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Questions (359)

Seán Crowe

Question:

359. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Crowe den Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála ós rud é go bhfuil sé ráite aige féin gur mhaith leis gach mír de Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn a bheith curtha i bhfeidhm, agus ós rud é gur mír thábhachtach den Chomhaontú sin Acht Teanga a rith ó thuaidh, an bhfuil sé ar intinn aige brú a chur ar na páirtithe leasmhara ar fad ó thuaidh Acht Teanga a chur i gcrích. [4344/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Charles Flanagan)

Tá roinnt eilimintí de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn nach bhfuil curtha i bhfeidhm go hiomlán go fóill, iad siúd a bhaineann le hAcht Teanga ina measc. Is é seasamh daingean an Rialtais ná go gcaithfidh Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus na Comhaontuithe comharba a bheith curtha i bhfeidhm ina hiomlán, agus feictear é seo sa Chlár do Rialtas Comhpháirtíochta.

Rinneadh foráil i gComhaontú Chill Rímhinn in 2006 d’Acht Teanga i dTuaisceart Éireann a bheith achtaithe ag Rialtas na Breataine.

Rinne Rialtais na hÉireann i ndiaidh a chéile tacú le hAcht Teanga agus leanann muid ar aghaidh ag obair ar a son. Faraor, go dtí seo ní raibh aontas laistigh den Fheidhmeannas ar ábhar atá anois déabhlóidithe chun é a thabhairt chun cinn.

I gComhaontú Teach Stormont in 2014, rinne an Rialtas agus Rialtas na Breataine, ag cuimhniú ar na gealltanais ó na Comhaontuithe a tháinig roimhe, eadóirseacht don gá le meas agus aitheantas don Ghaeilge i dTuaisceart Éireann.

Déanann Comhaontú Teach Stormont foráil i gcomhair cruinnithe athbhreithnithe rialta idir an Rialtas, Rialtas na Breataine agus ceannairí páirtithe an Fheidhmeannais. Ag an dá Cruinniú Athbhreithnithe dheireanach – an ceann is déanaí i Mí na Nollag – bhí an deis agamsa aird a tharraigt ar na gealltanais nach bhfuil curtha i bhfeidhm, ina measc iad siúd a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge, agus d’iarr mé go bhfanfadh siad ar an gclár oibre i gcomhair cruinnithe athbhreithnithe sa todhchaí.

Leanfaidh an Rialtas ar aghaidh ag tacú leis an nGaeilge ar bhonn uile-oileáin, ag cur san áireamh an tacaíocht airgeadais a chuireann muid ar fáil d’obair Fhoras na Gaeilge.

Leanfaidh an Rialtas ar aghaidh freisin ag dul i ngleic le Rialtas na Breataine agus na páirtithe polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann le cur i bhfeidhm iomlán na forálacha de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus na Comhaontuithe comharba, ina measc iad siúd ag baint leis an nGaeilge.

Military Aircraft Landings

Questions (360)

Clare Daly

Question:

360. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 350 of 24 January 2017 by specifying precisely the concerns to which he refers that were outlined to the US Embassy; and if he has received a reply. [4528/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

In line with our respective responsibilities, my Department works closely with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on issues relating to landings by military and civil aircraft at Irish airports. My officials together with their counterparts in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport met with officials from the US Embassy. They discussed the matter to which the Deputy refers and the Irish officials reiterated to the Embassy the importance of strict compliance with both the procedures and conditions for landing in Irish airports. The Embassy undertook to convey this message to the appropriate authorities with a view to ensuring that aircraft which seek to land in the State comply with these stipulations.

Question No. 361 answered with Question No. 347.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (362)

Niall Collins

Question:

362. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff under the aegis of his Department in the clerical officer, staff officer or equivalent grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4937/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

	Number in grade at 31 December 2016
Staff Officer	Grade 35.3*
Clerical Officer	420.3*

*Fulltime equivalent

Pension Provisions

Questions (363)

Clare Daly

Question:

363. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a statutory instrument must be signed in order for a pension scheme to both enter and exit the public service transfer network. [3808/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Public Sector Transfer Network was set up based on Section 4 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1963. Section 1 (a) of this Act states, "The Minister may by regulations designate organisations as approved organisations for the purposes of this section." Accordingly for a public sector body to join the Network it must be listed in a Statutory Instrument. Since the Network was constituted over 200 bodies have joined and over 50 S.I.s have been signed. The 1963 Act is silent on provisions for organisations to leave the Network.

Flood Risk Insurance Cover Provision

Questions (364, 366)

Joan Burton

Question:

364. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals his Department is working on in conjunction with the OPW to strengthen the engagement with the insurance industry to improve the availability of flood insurance cover, in view of the State's ongoing investment in flood defence schemes as per point 70 in the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4109/17]

Willie Penrose

Question:

366. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals his Department is working on in conjunction with the OPW and the Department of Finance to strengthen the engagement with the insurance industry to improve the availability of flood insurance cover in view of the State's ongoing investment in flood defence schemes as per point 70 in the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4247/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 366 together.

In March 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Insurance Ireland (II), the representative body for the insurance industry in Ireland, and the Office of Public Works (OPW). This Memorandum sets out principles of how the two organisations will work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on completed OPW flood defence schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. II members have committed to take into account all information provided by OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these areas.

The Memorandum came into effect on 1 June, 2014 with an initial tranche of data provided by the OPW to II in respect of 12 completed flood defence schemes and showing the design, extent and nature of the protection offered by these works. A further tranche of data was provided to II in January 2015 covering a further 4 completed flood defence schemes. OPW will continue to provide data to II as flood defence schemes are completed.

II estimates that flood cover is included as standard in 98% of household insurance policies throughout the country. II has carried out a number of surveys among its members to ascertain the extent to which flood insurance cover is available in the areas for which OPW has provided data on completed flood defence schemes. The results of the most recent survey were provided in December last year; they indicate that 83% of property insurance policies in these areas include cover against flood risk. Where the defences are permanent in nature the percentage is 90%; where demountable defences are used the percentage is 77%.

In line with Action No. 270 of the Action Plan for Rural Development, the OPW and the Department of Finance are now engaging with II on a quarterly basis. At the most recent meeting on 8 December 2016, it was decided that a sub group be established to explore the legal, technical and administrative arrangements that may allow for the further sharing of data on flood insurance cover for those 300 areas where the OPW has mapped the flood risk through the CFRAM Programme. This sub group held its first meeting on 18 January last.

I am happy with the work of the Group thus far and am confident that it will continue to progress the issue of flood insurance.

Public Procurement Contracts

Questions (365)

James Lawless

Question:

365. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the framework for media monitoring was rolled out by the Office of Public Procurement without public notification or due consideration for bodies that may wish to apply for consideration; if he will consider reopening the tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4227/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

A Framework Agreement was put in place by the Office of Government Procurement for the provision of Media Monitoring Services for public sector bodies on 22/01/2016.  Prior to the running of the tender process a Prior Indicative Notice (PIN) was published on the eTenders portal on 04/06/2015, five months in advance of the tender process, in order to notify potential suppliers of our intention to go to the market for these services. The tender was subsequently published on the eTenders portal on 06/11/15 giving all potential / interested suppliers the opportunity to submit proposals. 

The first annual review of the Framework Agreement has shown that it is efficiently catering for the needs of public sector bodies and is generating savings. The Office of Government Procurement has no plans to re-open the tender process ahead of this Framework Agreement running its full term.

Question No. 366 answered with Question No. 364.