Written Answers Nos. 87-107
87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the status of the work of the Seanad reform implementation group, in particular its considerations on the extension of Seanad election voting rights to additional third-level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10314/19]
View answerThe Seanad Reform Implementation Group chaired by Senator McDowell submitted its report to me on 20 December 2018. The Report was also published online and copies of the report were distributed to all members of the Oireachtas.
The Report will be considered by Government shortly.
88. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Taoiseach the status of the formation of a citizens' assembly for Dublin regarding a directly elected mayor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10785/19]
View answerI have proposed that a Dublin Citizens’ Assembly be specifically convened to consider the issue of directly elected mayors for Dublin and the form that this should take. This would be part of a comprehensive local Government Reform report brought to Government by the Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government, Deputy John Paul Phelan.
Work is currently underway in my Department to bring forward proposals to establish a Dublin Citizens’ Assembly and I expect this to come before Government shortly.
89. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the role of his Department in leading Ireland's participation in the annual European semester process. [9517/19]
View answerThe annual European Semester cycle is the framework to enhance economic and fiscal policy coordination at EU Level. As part of the Semester programme, Member States submit a National Reform Programme (NRP) to the European Commission by mid-April each year. This report covers progress in response to the country-specific recommendations received in the previous year’s semester, as well as national progress towards the Europe 2020 targets. It also provides an opportunity to highlight national efforts to respond to the challenges identified in the annual Country Report.
My Department ensures a co-ordinated approach across Government, and in engagement with the European Commission, on the European Semester, including the preparation of Ireland’s National Reform Programme and supporting the formal engagement between the Commission and Government on the Semester.
90. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the possibility of a second referendum on Brexit in the UK with Prime Minister May when they last spoke or met; and his views as to whether this is a realistic and helpful option. [10592/19]
View answerI last met with Prime Minister May on the margins of the EU-Arab League summit in Egypt on Monday 25 February, where we discussed the recent developments on Brexit. We did not specifically discuss the possibility of a second referendum on Brexit in the UK.
I also used the opportunity in Sharm el Sheikh to speak informally to Presidents Tusk and Juncker, as well as to a number of my EU counterparts including the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Croatia and Czechia, as well as the Chancellors of Austria and Germany.
Our discussions focussed on Brexit and other important EU issues. I reiterated our appreciation for their strong and ongoing solidarity regarding the backstop, and we agreed that the Withdrawal Agreement is not for renegotiation.
91. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the date on which the helipad on Government Buildings was last used; the annual maintenance costs incurred in respect of the helipad in the past ten years; if it has been assessed in order to establish whether it is suitable for use by modern aircraft; and if he plans to decommission it. [10215/19]
View answerThe helipad on Government Buildings has not been used since the 1990s. There are no plans to use the helipad in the near future. There have been no maintenance costs incurred in relation to the helipad while not in use. There has been no assessment undertaken on the suitability of the helipad for use by modern aircraft.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of persons registered as unemployed in 2011. [10212/19]
View answerThe Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment (ILO) in the State. This survey replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) from Q3 2017. The most recent LFS figures available are for Q4 2018.
The annual average number of persons aged 15-74 years classified as unemployed (ILO) in 2011 was 342,500.
93. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if Sudan was raised during the recent EU-League of Arab States summit in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10667/19]
View answerI attended the first ever Summit-level meeting between the EU and the League of Arab States, which took place in Sharm El Sheik on 24 and 25 February.
At the meeting, leaders agreed to deepen Arab-European ties to enhance the stability, prosperity, and well-being of the two regions. We also agreed that stronger regional cooperation is important if we are to find solutions to common challenges such as migration, and we committed to working more closely together to address the root causes of terrorism and to continue joint efforts to combat foreign terrorist fighters.
A number of regional issues were discussed, with leaders reaffirming their common positions on the Middle East Peace Process and their commitment to reaching a two-state solution. Leaders also had thorough discussions on ways to achieve political solutions in Syria, Libya and Yemen in line with relevant UN resolutions.
While Sudan was not formally on the agenda, in our discussions and in the Statement that issued from the Summit we renewed our commitment to effective multilateralism and to an international system based on international law in order to tackle global challenges, including through increased cooperation between the LAS, EU, the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). In particular, we reiterated that reaching political solutions to the regional crises, in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, is key to achieving the peace and prosperity that the people of the region need and deserve.
The Government is concerned about the current situation in Sudan, in particular the Sudanese authorities’ heavy-handed response to protests, which began late last year.
Measures announced under the newly declared state of emergency create a permissive climate for the security services to act with impunity against peaceful protesters, and this is not conducive to creating the national consensus needed to resolve Sudan's deep political and economic crisis.
94. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Taoiseach the value of fossil fuel imports over the past five years in tabular form. [10705/19]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
Table A: Imports of fossil fuels 2014-2018
|
Sector |
2014 € million |
2015 € million |
2016 € million |
2017 € million |
2018 € million |
|
Coal, coke and briquettes |
165.5 |
180.8 |
142.5 |
170.1 |
175.8 |
|
Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials |
4,951.1 |
3,702.9 |
3,010.0 |
3,744.9 |
4,400.9 |
|
Gas, natural and manufactured |
1,281.8 |
1,153.7 |
719.9 |
795.3 |
1,102.3 |
|
Total |
6,398.4 |
5,037.3 |
3,872.5 |
4,710.3 |
5,679.0 |
95. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces who undertake specialist training in areas of academia or skills based will be provided with the opportunity to practice in the areas of their specialism once qualified (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10287/19]
View answerMembers of the Defence Forces are provided with training to fulfil the tasks required of them. Personnel may choose to enhance their skills through further education and training and this is facilitated. Personnel may be assigned roles in line with such training and education where appropriate vacancies exist, or may have an opportunity to use them overseas.
96. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to address low pay and retention issues in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10304/19]
View answerSimilar to other sectors in the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures to assist in stabilising national finances during the financial crisis.
Improvements within the economy have provided an opportunity to begin the unwinding of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation, which imposed pay cuts across the Public Service during the financial crisis.
Pay is being restored to members of the Defence Forces and other public servants in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which was accepted by members of the Permanent Defence Force through their representative associations, provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement. The increases due under the agreement from 1 January 2018, 1 October 2018 and 1 January 2019 have been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel. Further increases in pay are scheduled in 2019 and 2020.
By the end of the current public service pay agreement the payscales of all public servants (including members of the Defence Forces) earning under €70,000 per annum will be restored to pre-FEMPI levels. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances cut under FEMPI is also scheduled as part of that agreement.
New entrants who have joined the Defence Forces since 2011 may also benefit from the measures which were recently announced in relation to interventions at points 4 and 8 of the pay scales for relevant new entrants to the public service.
In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the Government has tasked the Public Service Pay Commission with conducting a comprehensive examination of specific recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Sector. The Commission's work is ongoing. The Government will give due consideration to the findings and any recommendations that arise from the work of the Commission.
97. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cyber capabilities of the Defence Forces in terms of staffing levels and capability; and the way in which they are currently utilised. [10394/19]
View answerFor security and operational reasons it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific cyber capabilities of the Defence Forces.
98. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which he plans to enhance the cyber capabilities of the Defence Forces in view of the increased threat of cyberattacks from criminal, terrorist, and state actors and Ireland's growing reliance on the digital economy. [10395/19]
View answerAs outlined in the Governments White Paper on Defence 2015, the issue of Cyber Security has very significant implications for governmental administration, for industry, for economic wellbeing and for the security and safety of citizens. Indeed Cyber Security is a standing item on the agenda of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair.
The response to cyber threats remains a whole-of-Government challenge, with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment taking the lead role and with inputs in the security domain from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are committed to participating, under the leadership of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, in the delivery of measures to improve the cyber security of the State.
Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is located in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, provides a range of cyber security services to owners of Government IT infrastructure and Critical National Infrastructure. The NCSC is also home to the national Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE), which acts as a national point of contact involving entities within Ireland, and as the point of contact for international discussions on issues of cyber security. The scope of CSIRT-IE's activities covers prevention, detection, response and mitigation services to Government Departments and State agencies and critical national infrastructure providers. The Defence Forces provide seconded specialists to assist with the work of this team when resources allow. Also, as in any emergency/crisis situation, once Defence systems are supported, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces will provide additional support to the CSIRT-IE team in so far as resources allow.
From an operational perspective it would be inappropriate to comment on the cyber capability of the Defence Forces other than to say that there is ongoing development of cyber capabilities within the Defence Forces.
99. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps that have been taken to fulfil the commitment given by a former Taoiseach to award the distinguished service medals and military medals for gallantry to the 32 members of A Company Infantry Battalion, including deceased servicemen who served during the siege of Jadotville in 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10425/19]
View answerThe siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under attack. From the 13th to the 17th September they endured almost continuous attack. They were taken into captivity on the 17th September and remained in captivity until finally released on the 25th October 1961.
In accordance with Defence Forces regulations, the award of medals for bravery is time-bound. These may not be awarded in any case unless a recommendation is made through the usual channels to the Chief of Staff, not later than two years in the case of the Military Medal for Gallantry, and not later than four years in the case of the Distinguished Service Medal, after the performance of the act in respect of which the recommendation is made. Such awards are made on the recommendation of a Military Board appointed by the Chief of Staff for the purpose of examining and reporting on every recommendation for an award.
The issue of the award of medals to the men of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion was comprehensively addressed in 1965. A properly constituted Medals Board considered the recommendation for the award of medals and made a decision that no medals would be awarded.
The Chief of Staff of the day considered the decision of the Board and was satisfied with the findings. Subsequently, at that time, the question was raised again in a letter to a newly appointed Chief of Staff. He forwarded the letter to the original Medals Board and asked that they reconvene and review their decision. The Board indicated that the issues raised had received due consideration and that they were not prepared to alter their findings.
A review was conducted in 2004 by military officers for the purpose of a broader examination of the Jadotville case. This Board recommended that the events of Jadotville and the contribution of the 35th Battalion be given recognition. In this context, a number of measures have taken place to honour and to commemorate the events at Jadotville and the very significant contribution of “A” Company and of the 35th Battalion, as a whole, to the UN Peace Support Mission in the Congo.
Recognition of their contribution over the years include:
A. A presentation of scrolls to "A" Company in 2006.
B. Portraits of Lt Col McNamee (35th Battalion Commander) and Comdt Quinlan (Company Commander “A” Company) were commissioned in 2006.
C. In July of 2010 the 50th anniversary of the first deployment to the Congo was commemorated in a highly publicised and well-attended event in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
D. A nominal roll of “A” Company, printed in copper, was affixed to the monument in Costume Barracks and was unveiled as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Jadotville affair in September 2011.
E. On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Siege of Jadotville, I decided to issue a Unit Citation to honour the collective actions and bravery of the men of “A” Company. This was the first time a Unit Citation was awarded within the Defence Forces and I was delighted to be able to formally recognize the brave actions of these men.
Furthermore, on 13th June 2017, the Government decided, as an exceptional step, to award a medal known as “An Bonn Jadotville” or “The Jadotville Medal” to each member of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion and to the family representatives of deceased members to give full and due recognition in honour of their courageous actions at the Siege of Jadotville. I was delighted to present these Jadotville Medals at a ceremony that took place on 2nd December 2017 in Custume Barracks, Athlone. Custume Barracks was the location for this event as it is considered the spiritual home of “A” Company and it is from here that “A” company assembled in advance of their fateful deployment to the Congo.
Over the past number of years various representations have been received in my Department outlining the courage and bravery of "A" Company. All representations have been considered and responded to acknowledging their valiant actions while under siege in Jadotville.
I am satisfied that the events and happenings to date properly honour the collective bravery of the men of “A” Company and full and due recognition has been afforded to them in their honour.
100. Deputy John Curran asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of pilots and air traffic controllers who have been recruited to the Air Corps in 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of same in training to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10492/19]
View answerI am informed by the military authorities that, from January 2018 to date, six Air Corps Flying Officer Cadets were inducted and 5 are currently still in training. Further recruitment will commence shortly with the launch of the 2019 Cadetship competition.
Actions are also underway to increase the number of qualified Air Traffic Controller (ATC) personnel in the Air Corps. While no such personnel were recruited during the period in question, 6 personnel are currently undertaking ATC training, and similar training is planned for 2019.
101. Deputy John Brassil asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if all Defence Forces pharmacists, civilian and military, are on the same pay scale; if they are on a HSE equivalent pay scale with increments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10555/19]
View answer102. Deputy John Brassil asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the external civilian pharmacy being used instead of a pharmacy (details supplied); if it has been offered a full-time contract instead of the usual out-of-hours emergency contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10559/19]
View answer103. Deputy John Brassil asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the Defence Force pharmacies; if they are regulated; if they are registered premises; if they comply with the EU falsified medicines directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10573/19]
View answer104. Deputy John Brassil asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps taken to address the vacant pharmacist position and premises in Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10574/19]
View answer105. Deputy John Brassil asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the rank of captain held by the retired pharmacist at Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10583/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 to 105, inclusive, together.
A Joint civil/military Standing Committee on Medical Service Delivery was established in 2014 with a view to advancing the development of a sustainable integrated medical service for the Defence Forces, and to address the appropriate means of delivery of key medical capabilities.
An integrated model for the provision of the required medical services, involving both the Medical Corps and outsourced service provision, where appropriate, is currently being progressed. The Standing Committee is reviewing each medical service individually, in order to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the most appropriate means of delivering key medical capabilities to the Defence Forces.
In this regard, a review of the Defence Forces Pharmacy Service is currently nearing completion. The objective of this review is to document and evaluate the current service provided, analyse the current and possible future demand for services and make recommendations regarding the most appropriate means of delivering pharmacy services to the Defence Forces.
No long-term decision will be made regarding the status of the pharmacist position in Athlone, rendered vacant upon the retirement of the incumbent pharmacist in January 2019, or pharmacy premises, pending the outcome of this review.
In the meantime, personnel in three barracks are reporting to civilian pharmacies already contracted by the Defence Forces to provide an out-of-hours pharmacy service. The barracks in question are Custume Barracks, Athlone; Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway; and Finner Camp, Donegal. As per the terms of their contracts, each civilian pharmacy is located within 2 kilometres of the front gate of the respective barracks.
There has been no change in the terms under which contracted civilian pharmacies are operating. As above, no decision in this regard will be made until the completion of the ongoing pharmacy review.
There are currently two military pharmacists serving at the rank of Commandant. These individuals are paid according to Defence Forces pay scales appropriate to their rank. There are two civilian pharmacists employed at a salary of €66,817 per annum.
The question as to whether or not military pharmacies fall within the definition of 'retail pharmacy', as laid out in the Pharmacy Act 2007, was finally clarified to the Defence Forces in late 2017 by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland's (PSI) Head of Regulation. The next steps are being considered as part of the Review of the Defence Forces Pharmacy Service, which is nearing completion.
It must be stressed that all Defence Forces pharmacists are registered with the PSI and apply the governing rules as laid down by the PSI in relation to their day-to-day dealings with the dispensing of drugs.
106. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the deployment of Defence Forces personnel under the EUTM in Mali was authorised under section 3 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006; if the operation is considered training for the purposes of the Act; if authorisation was sought from Dáil Éireann prior to or since the deployment of Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10751/19]
View answer107. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the operations that have been approved under section 3(1)(b) of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006; the number of personnel involved in each operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10752/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.
Ireland has participated in the EU Training Mission in Mali, known as EUTM Mali, since the mission was launched in 2013. The Government recently approved the continued provision of up to 20 members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with EUTM Mali for a further 12 months. Members of the Defence Forces are deployed to this mission in a training role, which is consistent with the provisions of Section 3(1)(b) and 3 (1)(d) of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006. No Dáil Éireann approval for such deployments is required.
EUTM Mali is part of a wider EU effort in support of international peace and security in the wider Sahel region. The mission is being undertaken at the request of the Malian Government and has the support of a UN Security Council Resolution.
A United Nations Security Council Resolution is not required to underpin a Defence Forces deployment for training purposes. However, the training of the Malian Defence and Security Forces is specifically provided for in relevant United Nations Security Resolutions (UNSR). UNSR 2295 (2016) commends "the role of the European Union Training mission (EUTM Mali) in Mali in providing training and advice for the Malian Defence and Security Forces, including contributing to the strengthening of civilian authority and respect for human rights". The role of EUTM Mali is consistent with the provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution.
