Parliamentary questions

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Thomas Pringle

639. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, in order to facilitate Dáil Éireann being able to make a properly informed decision on whether it should ratify CETA when it comes before the House, she will ensure that Ireland will immediately pursue an Article 218(11) reference to the Court of Justice under the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU to clarify the legality of the investment arbitration proposals in CETA under EU law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29861/16]

Back to Education Allowance Payments

Thomas Pringle

15. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to reverse the decision to means-test persons receiving the back to education allowance, BTEA, which was implemented in April 2016 with no notification provided to students; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local social protection offices are treating part-time work on BTEA in the same manner as they would jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28752/16]

Naturalisation Applications

Thomas Pringle

58. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) may expect to have an application for naturalisation processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29065/16]

Local Authority Housing

Thomas Pringle

41. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the consultation which took place with the banks when drafting the incremental purchase scheme for tenant purchases of local authority housing to ensure banks would grant mortgages where a local authority charge is based on an authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28645/16]

Building Regulations

Thomas Pringle

43. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the independent panel on mica is due to report its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28644/16]

Capitation Grants

Thomas Pringle

29. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will increase the capitation rate for children in primary education in the upcoming budget in order that parents and communities will not have to fund-raise constantly to provide an education for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28378/16]

Legislative Programme

Thomas Pringle

35. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill will reach Committee Stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28381/16]

Multidenominational Schools

Thomas Pringle

41. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to achieve by the end of 2016 the Acton Plan for Education objective to map out new approaches in order to reach the target of 400 new non-denominational and multi-denominational schools by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28380/16]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Thomas Pringle

45. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28379/16]

Institutes of Technology Funding

Thomas Pringle

62. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to make additional funding available in the upcoming budget to institutes of technology, which have been disproportionately affected by the cuts to third-level institutions since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28377/16]

Asylum Applications

Thomas Pringle

101. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a company (details supplied) is used, or has been used in the past, by State agencies involved in the assessment of asylum claims here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28218/16]

Library Services Funding

Thomas Pringle

244. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has offered Sligo County Council additional support of €200,000 per annum to resolve the crisis in the library service; if similar support will be provided for the Donegal library service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28617/16]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Thomas Pringle

318. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28317/16]

Diplomatic Representation

Thomas Pringle

321. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will increase efforts to secure the release of a person (details supplied) from prison in Egypt in view of his recent decision to refuse visitors in case the visits are being used by authorities to delay the trial process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28488/16]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Thomas Pringle

339. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28407/16]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Thomas Pringle

348. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in her Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which her Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary processes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28316/16]

Departmental Programmes

Thomas Pringle

523. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28315/16]

National Women's Strategy

Thomas Pringle

585. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28408/16]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Thomas Pringle

616. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process. [28406/16]

Financial Transactions Tax

Thomas Pringle

8. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he will back the European financial transactions tax, FTT, initiative and support the introduction of the FTT here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27547/16]

Climate Change Policy

Thomas Pringle

37. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance the way he is responding to the commitment, taking into account the Paris Agreement which commits the states to making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low emissions and climate resilient development; if he will consult with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in the upcoming review of the investment strategy of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27545/16]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Thomas Pringle

21. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will explain the low number with regard to the refugee resettlement programme and provide details on the additional steps Ireland is taking to ensure it meets its commitment to take in 4,000 refugees by the end of 2017, given that Ireland has to date only taken in just over 300 refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27439/16]

Official Engagements

Thomas Pringle

29. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason she was sent to the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants in place of the Taoiseach; the commitments and any new commitment made by Ireland in respect of the refugee crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27423/16]

Climate Change Policy

Thomas Pringle

237. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will respond to the recently published estimates by a member of the Government's Climate Change Advisory Council that failure to meet Ireland's EU 2020 and 2030 climate action targets could result in a shrinking of fiscal space by €3 billion to €6 billion; the way in which his Department will respond to the potential risk to public finances this poses and if serious action will be carried out to increase climate ambition and action here; if this action will be included in the national mitigation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27707/16]

Immigration Controls

Thomas Pringle

118. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons refused leave to land or permission to enter here at the Border with Northern Ireland; the nationalities of each between May 2014 and May 2015, and from May 2015 and May 2016; the reason the data were not provided as indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 31 May 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27146/16]

Trade Agreements

Thomas Pringle

475. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will reject the provisional application of CETA and ensure that a full Dáil vote takes place on CETA before there are any moves to bring it into effect here, given widespread concerns about controversial provisions within CETA, including but not restricted to the investment arbitration provisions within CETA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27068/16]

International Agreements

Thomas Pringle

476. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland supports the process to develop an international legally binding instrument on transnational corporation and other business enterprises with respect to human rights in the UN Human Rights Council as part of the UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27069/16]

Trade Agreements

Thomas Pringle

477. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in order to facilitate that Dáil Éireann will be able to make a properly informed decision on all aspects of CETA when it comes before the Houses of the Oireachtas, he will ensure that Ireland will pursue an Article 218 (11) reference to the Court of Justice under the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU to clarify the legality of the investment arbitration proposals in CETA under EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27070/16]

EU Migration Crisis

Thomas Pringle

478. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will reconsider his support to the EU's current approach to the refugee crisis given the widespread criticism of the EU-Turkey deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27071/16]

Overseas Development Aid

Thomas Pringle

479. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, with Ireland's 2015 ODA allocation standing at 0.36%, he is aware that in reality Ireland has been moving away rather than towards the target since 2008; the way in which he proposes to start reversing the widening gap between actual allocation and target in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27072/16]

Overseas Development Aid

Thomas Pringle

480. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to develop a strategy for reaching the ODA target in view of the fact sustaining progress towards 0.7% requires a multi-annual plan and currently there is no such plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27073/16]

Post Office Network

Thomas Pringle

519. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the report from the post office network renewal working group will be published; the reasons for the delay to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26753/16]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Thomas Pringle

693. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will consider including the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system on the long-term illness list so users can have the cost reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27059/16]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Thomas Pringle

797. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an agricultural payments appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26733/16]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Thomas Pringle

799. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will respond to a person (details supplied) who over a month ago sent proof of the fact they had previously sent in an amended form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26743/16]

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Thomas Pringle

807. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the appropriate assessment for the Rutland Natura site in County Donegal will be completed; the conservation objectives set to allow aquaculture licence applications to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26893/16]

Aquaculture Development

Thomas Pringle

811. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the negotiations to conclude a management agreement for Lough Foyle area to facilitate the acquisition by the Loughs Agency of aquaculture licensing functions for the lough; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26983/16]

Compensation Schemes

Thomas Pringle

833. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to 100% matching funding to be used as direct payment per dairy farmer as part of the €350 million aid package agreed by the EU Council of agriculture Ministers in July 2016 in which Ireland was allocated €11 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27245/16]

Fishing Industry

Thomas Pringle

856. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to amend the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 to provide for wild oyster dredge fishermen to appoint a nominee to fish their licence in their absence in cases of hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26984/16]

Trade Agreements

Thomas Pringle

928. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will reject the provisional application of CETA and ensure that a full Dáil vote takes place on CETA before there are any moves to bring it into effect here, given widespread concerns regarding controversial provisions within CETA, including but not restricted to the investment arbitration provisions within CETA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27074/16]

Trade Agreements

Thomas Pringle

946. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will reject the provisional application of CETA and ensure that a full Dáil vote takes place on CETA before there are any moves to bring it into effect here, given widespread concerns about controversial provisions within CETA, including but not restricted to the investment arbitration provisions within CETA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27076/16]

Garda Expenditure

Thomas Pringle

22. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if details are available for the precise costing in respect of the visit of a person (details supplied) in view of the unavailability of such information in a previous parliamentary question reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24490/16]

Crime Prevention

Thomas Pringle

42. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that can be taken to prevent online purchase or selling of illegal substances on websites available here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24798/16]

Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Management

Thomas Pringle

344. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance the timeline of the ISIF investment strategy review planned for the second half of 2016; when the review will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26289/16]

Housing Assistance Payments

Thomas Pringle

558. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason the housing assistance payment is not payable from the date of application rather than the date of approval, leading to significant financial burden on persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24674/16]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

566. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if, in view of the publication of the revised wind energy guidelines in 2016, he will outline the international best practice standards that are referenced in the publication considering that ten years have passed since wind energy development guidelines were published in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24711/16]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Thomas Pringle

581. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if it is departmental policy that certain two bedroom local authority houses are excluded from the tenant purchase scheme or if a local authority can decide which housing stock can be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24797/16]

Wildlife Protection

Thomas Pringle

944. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which a group could apply for a licence to carry out a seal cull in an area where the population may be out of control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24675/16]

Fish Imports

Thomas Pringle

1608. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total annual quantity of north American lobsters imported here both live and frozen whether directly through Irish BIPS or indirectly via intra-EU trade following inspection at other EU member state BIPS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26278/16]

Fish Quotas

Thomas Pringle

1609. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the herring quota allocation and the request from his Department for an additional 1,000 tonnes from the European Commission; if a decision has been made in relation to that request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26279/16]