Written Answers Nos. 1-5
1. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 23 July 2019, the way in which and-or procedure in which the 1911 census records were released early; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40741/19]
View answerThe 1901 and 1911 censuses were undertaken under British legislation and were not subject to the Statistics Acts of 1926 and 1993. The census records for these years were made available as public records in 1961 via a warrant made by the Minister for Justice under the Public Records (Ireland) Act, 1867.
The National Archives of Ireland established a research partnership with Library and Archives Canada to facilitate the digitisation, indexing and contextualisation of the 1901 and 1911 census records. Further detailed information about the digitisation of the records prior to their release by the National Archives can be found at the following link: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/about/index.html.
2. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has met or spoken with the DUP leader, Ms Arlene Foster, since 2 October 2019; if the EU response to alternative suggestion by the UK Government to the backstop was discussed; and if the Northern Assembly will be restored before 21 October 2019. [40812/19]
View answer3. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has discussed the reaction from business groups in Northern Ireland to the latest suggestions from the UK Government on custom checks with the leader of the DUP; and her reaction to same. [40813/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
I last met Mrs. Arlene Foster, leader of the DUP in Government Buildings on the evening of 18 September when we discussed Brexit developments at that time and also discussed the political situation in Northern Ireland and ongoing efforts to restore the power-sharing institutions. I emphasised the Government’s full commitment to all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, and our continuing determination to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.
While I am aware of the negative reaction from business groups in Northern Ireland to the UK Government’s proposals for a new protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, including those relating to customs arrangements on the island of Ireland, I have not discussed these with Mrs Foster.
4. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committee which covers policy on direct provision centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40819/19]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Services covers issues relating to health and Sláintecare, education, children, equality, social inclusion; Irish language, arts and culture; and continued improvements and reform of public services. The issues of Direct Provision and the Irish Refugee Protection Programme are also covered.
5. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the lowering of the age limit for entry to cadetships from 28 to 26; the research and consideration undertaken prior to making the change; the decision making process he and his Department followed in agreeing to the proposal by the military authorities to bring the age down to 26; the consideration given to the talent pool of graduates and non-graduates between 26 to 28 years of age that the change disqualifies from entering cadetships (details supplied); if he is considering reverting the upper age limit for cadetships to 28 years of age which is considered best practice across many European states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40784/19]
View answerThe age requirements for entry into the Defence Forces are laid down in the relevant Defence Forces Regulations (DFRs).
In 2017, the military authorities proposed that the upper age limit for entry to cadetships be reduced from 28 years to 26 years. This has been implemented on a phased basis. The upper age limits for enlistment are determined on the basis that the essential functions of the Permanent Defence Force require its members to be able-bodied personnel of an age group which is commensurate with the functional requirements of the organisation.
The recent report of the Public Service Pay Commission recommended consideration of increasing graduate entry, which could be enabled by extending entry age. The Government's High Level Implementation plan provides for a review of recruitment which will include consideration of entry age criteria. This review has commenced.
