Parliamentary questions

Water Fluoridation

Michael Moynihan

225. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health in order to ensure that Ireland stays up-to-date with the latest scientific and health research findings in the area of public water fluoridation, if he has any plans to review the Fluoridation of Water Supplies Act 1960 in the near future. [8625/14]

Household Benefits Scheme

Michael Moynihan

359. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the hardship the decision to discontinue the telephone allowance is causing to the persons affected, particularly those who have had to disconnect their landlines because of this cut and accordingly have to cancel their home alarm systems which require a telephone line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7513/14]

North-South Interconnector

Michael Moynihan

454. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify if an underground route-specific analysis of the North-South interconnector was ever carried out by EirGrid's consultants (details supplied), and if such a study took place would a map of the specific route analysed be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7559/14]

Mobility Allowance Review

Michael Moynihan

721. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when he will open a new scheme to replace the now discontinued mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/14]

Medicinal Products Availability

Michael Moynihan

55. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospitals in which access to the asthma medication omalizumab (Xolair) is provided to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6947/14]

Medicinal Products Availability

Michael Moynihan

63. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the reason progress has not been made in providing access to the life-changing medication for severe asthma, omalizumab (Xolair), to patients in Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6946/14]

North-South Interconnector

Michael Moynihan

118. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the North-South interconnector project will be included for review by the newly formed expert panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7067/14]

North-South Interconnector

Michael Moynihan

119. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether it would be fair and proper to exclude the North-South interconnector project from the scope of the review panel, therefore not subjecting that project to the same scrutiny and examination as the Grid Link and Grid West projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7068/14]

North-South Interconnector

Michael Moynihan

120. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects EirGrid to lodge an application for planning permission in respect of the North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7072/14]

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Michael Moynihan

329. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the areas of special conservation are being reviewed; if he will investigate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6475/14]

Property Tax Exemptions

Michael Moynihan

157. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether there would be merit in the possibility of an exemption from the local property tax for houses that were deemed to be of heritage value as a means of ensuring that the upkeep of these buildings can remain affordable by the easing of this tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5317/14]

Agriculture Scheme Penalties

Michael Moynihan

563. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment was reduced in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5082/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding EirGrid’s Grid 25 plans; the total cost of these plans; if he will issue a response to the 35,000 submissions to the Grid Link project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4479/14]

Renewable Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has any concerns over the wide variation in the amount of energy generated from wind power on the national grid from week to week; the plans he has to integrate the Irish electricity grid into the European grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4480/14]

Broadcasting Sector Regulation

Michael Moynihan

8. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions his Department has taken to cover the reduction in funding to RTE of €5 million due from the Department of Social Protection; if he will provide an update on the proposed introduction of the broadcasting charge; the expense his Department has incurred thus far in introducing the broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4248/14]

Energy Regulation

Michael Moynihan

25. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress he has made in developing a new fiscal and regulatory framework for oil and gas exploration industry here; the person he has consulted in developing this new framework; the costs of developing this framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/14]

National Digital Strategy Implementation

Michael Moynihan

27. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made by his Department in implementing the national digital strategy; if he is satisfied with the progress made to date with national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4252/14]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Moynihan

28. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has made submissions to the European Commission regarding Europe-wide regulations relating to the practice of hydraulic fracturing; when guidelines will be issued here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4251/14]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

160. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason persons (details supplied) in County Cork have not received their disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4346/14]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

607. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork had a single farm payment reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3591/14]

Primary Care Centres Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

703. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there has been cuts to funding for children with severe speech and language therapy needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3721/14]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Michael Moynihan

229. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health his views on the current impasse at Cork University Hospital regarding the use of the cystic fibrosis ward by other patients whose infections may result in severe damage to cystic fibrosis patients. [3366/14]

Garda Operations

Michael Moynihan

512. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has discussed policies and procedures with the Garda Commissioner to deal with certain types of road traffic accidents and situations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2639/14]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

276. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason single farm payment and disadvantaged payments were reduced in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1932/14]

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Michael Moynihan

244. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a summer works grant application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1573/14]

National Postcode System Establishment

Michael Moynihan

450. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the fees paid to date to a company (details supplied) for advice on the introduction of postcodes; the total agreed fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1162/14]

European Court of Justice Rulings

Michael Moynihan

451. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the recent judgment in Case C-262/12 Association Vent De Colere! Federation nationale and Others of the Court of Justice of the European Union; his views on whether this will have any impact on current arrangements relating to wind energy pricing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1163/14]

Renewable Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

452. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of Ireland's energy supply that is produced by solar energy; the megawatts this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1168/14]

Renewable Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

453. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether there is further potential for solar power development here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1169/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

454. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of the country that is currently covered by a broadband service; the counties that have the least broadband coverage in tabular form; the efforts that will be made to ensure all communities have access to broadband here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1170/14]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Michael Moynihan

477. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the serious delays in restoring landline telephone services to consumers in areas affected by the recent storms; if he has been in contact with ComReg on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1759/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

478. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to any damage caused to wind turbines as a result of the stormy weather in December 2013 and January 2014; if he will provide data showing the amount of megawatts produced by wind energy in December 2013; the number of wind turbines that were shut down during the recent stormy weather in December 2013 and January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1760/14]

Agriculture Scheme Penalties

Michael Moynihan

629. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry received a penalty on a single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55324/13]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

288. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason 9.33 ha were deemed as claw-back on the REP scheme 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54827/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Moynihan

90. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when work is due to start on the primary school amalgamation (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54488/13]

Electricity Generation

Michael Moynihan

353. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of megawatts of power Ireland needs on a daily basis; the maximum number of megawatts that has been contributed by wind energy to the national grid; the minimum number of megawatts that wind energy has contributed to the national grid; the average number of megawatts wind energy has contributed to the national grid over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53832/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

146. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the costs incurred by his Department, New ERA and Bord Gáis Éireann in preparing Bord Gáis Energy for sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52445/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

147. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will state the arrangements in place when wind speeds are low, reducing the power contributed by wind turbines to the national grid; the power source used when this occurs; the cost of this arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52446/13]

National Digital Strategy Implementation

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how he can facilitate the use by older persons of communications technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51573/13]

Bord Gáis Privatisation

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his future plans for the sale of Bord Gáis Energy; the way in which the deferral of this sale will impact on the Irish energy market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51861/13]

Internet Safety

Michael Moynihan

16. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce Internet filters to help parents to protect children from inappropriate material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51576/13]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Moynihan

21. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the mapping process for the national broadband plan will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51574/13]

Internet Safety

Michael Moynihan

25. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role his Department can play in tackling cyberbullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51577/13]

Budget 2014

Michael Moynihan

193. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the social impact assessment of budget 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51951/13]

Intellectual Property Management

Michael Moynihan

28. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to publish new legislation in the area of intellectual property rights; his plans to make Ireland a hub for intellectual property transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44971/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Michael Moynihan

144. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to build a sewerage treatment plant in Kilcummin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50921/13]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

533. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an outstanding single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50350/13]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

538. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50369/13]

Company Closures

Michael Moynihan

549. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which he first learned of issues in relation to TLT International; if there were any levies not paid by TLT International as early as January 2013; if so, the reason he did not alert marts in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50527/13]

Tax Code

Michael Moynihan

70. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if a farmer who owns five different lots of land and now wishes to buy a new farm, under the provision of the Finance Act, and wants to consolidate their farm holdings will have to pay capital gains tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47759/13]