Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will next meet. [21362/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [21751/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

3. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [21754/24]

Cabinet Committees

Cian O'Callaghan

4. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [21763/24]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

5. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will next meet. [22345/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul McAuliffe

6. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [22350/24]

Cabinet Committees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

7. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will next meet. [22677/24]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

8. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [22816/24]

Climate Change Policy

Mary Lou McDonald

9. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the final Climate Action Plan 2023 progress report, published by his Department in March 2024. [21666/24]

Climate Change Policy

Mick Barry

10. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the final Climate Action Plan 2023 progress report, published by his Department in March 2024. [22346/24]

Climate Change Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the final Climate Action Plan 2023 progress report, published by his Department in March 2024. [22691/24]

Climate Change Policy

Paul Murphy

12. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the final Climate Action Plan 2023 progress report, published by his Department in March 2024. [22693/24]

Foreign Conflicts

Mick Barry

14. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the conflict in the Middle East. [22347/24]

Foreign Conflicts

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [22692/24]

Foreign Conflicts

Paul Murphy

16. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [22694/24]

Foreign Conflicts

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [22697/24]

Cabinet Committees

Robert Troy

1. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [18285/24]

Cabinet Committees

John Lahart

2. Deputy John Lahart asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [18286/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [21326/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [21329/24]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

5. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [21360/24]

Cabinet Committees

Jim O'Callaghan

6. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [21561/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

7. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [21747/24]

Departmental Policies

Aindrias Moynihan

8. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [18288/24]

Departmental Policies

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

9. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [20534/24]

Departmental Policies

Cian O'Callaghan

10. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [20566/24]

Departmental Policies

Mick Barry

11. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21361/24]

Departmental Policies

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21749/24]

Departmental Policies

Paul Murphy

13. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21752/24]

Departmental Policies

Cian O'Callaghan

14. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21761/24]

Cabinet Committees

Niamh Smyth

15. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [19970/24]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

16. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [21665/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

17. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [21750/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

18. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [21753/24]

Cabinet Committees

Cian O'Callaghan

19. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [21762/24]

Cabinet Committees

James O'Connor

20. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [21829/24]

Cabinet Committees

Cathal Crowe

21. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [21830/24]

Cabinet Committees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

22. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [22676/24]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

23. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [22815/24]

Cabinet Committees

Rose Conway-Walsh

24. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [22999/24]

Tax Credits

Pearse Doherty

61. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to outline his views on the success of the mortgage interest tax credit; and if he will consider amending its design to ensure that all mortgage holders who have seen a significant increase in the mortgage costs they are facing will receive adequate support. [23004/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

62. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering further taxation measures to address the issues of long-term vacancy, dereliction, land hoarding and property speculation in light of the severe housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23005/24]

Customs and Excise

Pearse Doherty

63. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will cancel the increases in excise duty on petrol and diesel scheduled for August and October of this year, given the cost-of-living pressures facing households and their impact on trade for businesses in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22786/24]

National Treasury Management Agency

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance to provide details of his engagement with the NTMA with regard to ensuring that the NTMA divest from all ISIF global portfolio investments in companies on the UN Human Rights Council database of business enterprises; the expected timeline for this divestment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22730/24]

Insurance Industry

Pádraig O'Sullivan

65. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on, or detail the progress of, the Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market; to outline his Department’s engagement with insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22711/24]

Insurance Industry

Ruairí Ó Murchú

66. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance the short- to medium-term plans of the Government to ensure reductions in premiums for insurance products, particularly public liability insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22690/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Joe Flaherty

67. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the SME credit demand survey 2023, which he published in April; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22684/24]

Credit Unions

Aindrias Moynihan

68. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance his engagement to date with credit unions that currently have a savings cap limit of €30,000 to increase this limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22719/24]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which positive conclusions can be drawn from this country's economic performance when considered alongside other eurozone countries and all other European countries; if the methodology for the measurement of the economy here continues to be robust and accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22705/24]

Inflation Rate

Alan Farrell

70. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance to provide an update on his Department's efforts to reduce inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22752/24]

Banking Sector

Cormac Devlin

71. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure independent ATM operators register with the Central Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22616/24]

Insurance Industry

Ruairí Ó Murchú

82. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance the Government's priorities in respect of insurance competition work and reform of the insurance market for the remainder of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22689/24]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains confident that budgetary measures taken here are adequately focused in order to discourage inflation, self-generated or imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/24]

Insurance Industry

David Stanton

94. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance to report on any recent interaction by his Department with the insurance industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22729/24]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that this economy continues to perform well when considered in the overall European context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22987/24]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains confident that budgetary measures taken here are adequately focused in order to discourage inflation, self-generated or imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22988/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

1. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence where he intends to deploy Irish troops in the event that he is successful in progressing legislation that would remove the triple lock neutrality protection, considering the Government has withdrawn from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, peacekeeping mission due to capacity constraints. [22123/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

2. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the additional allowances payable to Defence Forces Irish contingent personnel participating in the EU battle group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22068/24]

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

3. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Naval Service; the strength as of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the current strength of the service; the number of personnel required under level of ambition 2; and the current number of ships that can simultaneously be put to sea. [22124/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeline for when the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces will be fully up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Griffin

5. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will further review the pandemic recognition payment for Defence Forces personnel who worked in test centres to make sure all deserving individuals received the payment, given that some did not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22112/24]

Defence Forces

Robert Troy

6. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when a decision will be taken on the location of the new Army headquarters; if Athlone will be considered given its central location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22145/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will set out his proposals to alter the current triple lock mechanism governing the deployment of Irish Defence Forces overseas; when he proposes to introduce amending legislation on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21844/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as a forward operating base as that region has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22083/24]

Defence Forces

Gino Kenny

10. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what type of operations Irish military forces might engage in that are not currently allowed under the UN Charter if the triple lock is removed ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20888/24]

Defence Forces

Gino Kenny

16. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will retain the triple lock per the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20885/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 21 March 2024, the status of the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces; the details of how people can make submissions to the tribunal; what legal supports will be available to people who make submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22003/24]

Defence Forces

Bríd Smith

34. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific issues he has with the triple lock system that need to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21888/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he intends to publish a draft scheme in relation to his proposals to remove the triple lock neutrality protection; and if he intends to conduct both a public consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny. [22044/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central Border area, further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks, given the recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22084/24]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the legislative and policy changes planned in order to proceed with his proposal to dismantle the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22039/24]

Road Safety

Martin Kenny

53. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his Department's work on road safety, and his plans to tackle the continuing rise in road fatalities.
[22230/24]

Airport Policy

Martin Kenny

54. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the status of his Department’s plans for upgrading the transport infrastructure around Dublin Airport and its environs. [22231/24]

Rail Network

Marian Harkin

55. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport when the all-island strategic rail review will be published; in particular, the plans and timetable on the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22048/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

David Stanton

58. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport to outline the way in which southern ports will be supported in marshalling parts and assembling turbines for offshore wind power generation in relation to the newly published draft south coast designated maritime area plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21970/24]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 103 Bus Éireann bus service; its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22082/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

61. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made in considering the all-island strategic rail review since the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly; when it is hoped to approve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22041/24]

Regional Development

Marian Harkin

63. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport following the recent European Commission's Regional Competitiveness Index report, where the northern and western region of Ireland was ranked 218th out of 234 regions, if he will commit to improving the northern and western region’s transport infrastructure ranking; if so, how he intends on improving the region's ranking in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18095/24]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 20 March 2024, the status of the roll-out of park and ride in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21901/24]

Bus Éireann

Pádraig O'Sullivan

65. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide on update on what engagement his Department has had with Bus Éireann to address the impact of the shortage of drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22022/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the commitment in the programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that much needed additional funding will be provided for the non-national road network in 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22079/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received a detailed update from Iarnród Éireann on the condition of the railway line from Collooney to Athenry, covering issues such as the integrity of the permanent way in terms of embankments, bridges, culverts and growth along the line, lack of encroachment and so on; whether there is any significant difference in the state of the line north of Claremorris compared to the section south of Claremorris; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22042/24]

European Council

Robert Troy

1. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach for a report on his attendance at the special European Council on 17 and 18 April 2024. [18052/24]

European Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [20459/24]

European Council

Paul Murphy

3. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [20462/24]

European Council

Bríd Smith

4. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [20465/24]

European Council

Mick Barry

5. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [20873/24]

European Council

Seán Haughey

6. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the special European Council on 17 and 18 April 2024. [21522/24]

European Council

Ruairí Ó Murchú

7. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [21523/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Seán Haughey

8. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister. [17783/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mary Lou McDonald

9. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his recent engagement with the Spanish Prime Minister, with specific regard to the recognition of a Palestinian state. [20335/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meetings with the Spanish Prime Minister. [21325/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meetings with the Spanish Prime Minister. [21328/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mick Barry

12. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister. [21359/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ruairí Ó Murchú

13. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his recent engagement with the Spanish Prime Minister, with specific regard to the recognition of a Palestinian state. [21524/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Alan Farrell

14. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on his recent engagement with Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21560/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

15. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with the President of the European Commission. [21330/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

16. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with the President of the European Commission. [21746/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed to date relative to the 2030 target of 400,000; the challenges he has identified with heat pump installation; his plans to address these; if alternative technologies are being considered; if he is aware of the high number of calls made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVP, regarding to high electricity bills associated with heat pump use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21896/24]

Electricity Generation

Darren O'Rourke

51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total electricity generation capacity that has been energised since February 2020, broken down by fuel source and year; what percentage of Ireland’s electricity was imported in each of the years since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21897/24]