Parliamentary questions

Beef Environmental Efficiency Scheme Pilot

Martin Heydon

14. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the beef environmental efficiency pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20104/19]

Brexit Preparations

Pat Deering

22. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts he is making to seek new markets in the context of Brexit; the efforts being made by agencies under his remit to provide support to agrifood businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20103/19]

School Staff

Thomas Byrne

1. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for talks to commence with school secretaries; if a date will be set for the commencement of negotiations with representatives of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20075/19]

School Admissions

Kathleen Funchion

2. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce guidelines to ensure secondary schools have a policy in place to accept students from local feeder primary schools in order to ensure no child is left without a secondary school place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19782/19]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Byrne

3. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he will take in 2019 to address the low take-up of apprenticeships by women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20076/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Joan Burton

4. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans regarding the provision of autism-specific education in Dublin 15 for children at primary and secondary level; when work will commence on the proposed autism-specific school in Dublin 15; when the school will officially open; if he anticipates the possibility of opening the autism-specific school in temporary premises ahead of the 2019-20 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19825/19]

Schools Building Projects

Thomas Byrne

5. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the completion of remedial works in schools identified as requiring remedial works or precautionary measures for schools constructed by a company (details supplied). [20077/19]

Schools Building Projects

Ruth Coppinger

6. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the delivery of a non-denominational co-educational second level school in the Ashtown and Dublin 7 areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19843/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Thomas Byrne

7. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the level of access to education for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19837/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Kathleen Funchion

8. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the level of consultation with the SNA sector regarding the new recommendations made by the National Council for Special Education in respect of changes to the role of SNAs in the classroom that were agreed between the NCSE and his Department following a review in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19798/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Niamh Smyth

9. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children are being taught in schools without the necessary supports needed due to delays in assessments for children attending school that have developmental issues and may require specialised support; the efforts being taken to clear this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19823/19]

Schools Inspections

Thomas Byrne

10. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the factors driving a decline in the number of full-time equivalent primary district inspectors in 2018; the actions he is taking to address vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19840/19]

Youth Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

11. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the purpose and function of the City of Dublin Youth Services Board; the number of staff employed by job title and grade; the number of staff on secondment or career break by title and grade; and the number of staff bilocated. [19722/19]

National Children's Hospital Expenditure

Barry Cowen

1. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of engagement his Department will have in developing an implementation plan for the recommendations from a report (details supplied) on the cost overruns on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18078/19]

National Children's Hospital Expenditure

Jonathan O'Brien

2. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of quarterly progress reports submitted to the Department of Health for the national children's hospital that have been audited by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18076/19]

National Broadband Plan

Barry Cowen

3. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role his Department is playing in relation to the tendering process for the national broadband plan; if the role of his Department when it comes to the tendering and construction of major capital projects will change in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18079/19]

Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the impact on public finances of the heavy reliance on leasing, housing assistance payment, HAP and the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, in the housing policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18075/19]

Public Procurement Regulations

Mick Wallace

5. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which he plans to strengthen, by legislation or statutory instrument, the procurement oversight role of his Department in view of the lacuna in his powers of oversight identified recently by the IMF and in view of the projected costs overrun for the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18004/19]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Barry Cowen

6. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the material changes the Office of Government Procurement has undertaken to better enable indigenous small and medium enterprises, SMEs, to apply for public contracts; the amount spent on public contracts in 2018; the proportion of that spend that was to SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17985/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Martin Heydon

7. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the review of military service allowances for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18043/19]

Brexit Preparations

Thomas P. Broughan

8. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of expenditure set aside in budget 2019 for the additional costs of Brexit preparations; if supplementary funding may be needed in this regard; the cost to date of Brexit preparations for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and for all other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17776/19]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

9. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his Department continues to monitor all aspects of public expenditure with a view to ensuring the utilisation of reform to control spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18025/19]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the impact on public finances of the heavy reliance on leasing, HAP and RAS in the housing policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18071/19]

Departmental Budgets

Barry Cowen

11. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the publication from the Parliamentary Budget Office in regard to departmental expenditure ceilings; his views on whether expenditure ceilings are an effective method of controlling costs; the penalties for Departments that breach these ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/19]

National Children's Hospital

Joan Burton

12. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recent report by a company (details supplied) into the significant overruns at the national children’s hospital; the estimated cost of this report; his plans to avoid the underestimating of project costs in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18017/19]

National Children's Hospital

Jonathan O'Brien

20. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role his Department will assume in managing the costs and residual risks of the national children's hospital project. [18054/19]

Brexit Preparations

Brendan Howlin

1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the role his Department is playing in preparing for a hard Brexit. [15024/19]

Brexit Preparations

Mary Lou McDonald

2. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the role of his Department in preparing for a hard Brexit. [15016/19]

Brexit Preparations

Joan Burton

3. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the role his Department is playing in preparing for a hard Brexit. [16347/19]

Brexit Preparations

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the role of his Department in preparing for a hard Brexit. [16401/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Michael Moynihan

5. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, since the indicative votes took place on 27 March 2019. [15114/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Michael Moynihan

6. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if discussions on the implications of direct rule were discussed with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, in his recent meetings or conversations with her. [15418/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Michael Moynihan

7. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, since 29 March 2019; and if officials on his behalf have spoken with British officials in relation to plans post 31 October 2019. [16356/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Mary Lou McDonald

8. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when he last spoke with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May. [16452/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Brendan Howlin

9. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, since the indicative votes took place; and if he has discussed with her the prospect of direct rule in Northern Ireland. [16480/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Micheál Martin

10. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the Northern Ireland Executive with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May, recently; and his views on whether there will be direct rule in Northern Ireland due to the lack of progress. [16668/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent conversations with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May. [16746/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Eamon Ryan

12. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on recent conversations with the UK Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May. [17624/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent discussions with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. May. [17789/19]

Taoiseach's Communications

Joan Burton

14. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent conversations with the Prime Minister of New Zealand; and the issues that were discussed. [15147/19]

Taoiseach's Communications

Brendan Howlin

15. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent conversations with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ms Jacinda Ardern. [16481/19]

Taoiseach's Communications

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent conversations with the Prime Minister of New Zealand. [17790/19]

Property Tax Review

Michael McGrath

38. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce legislative changes in 2019 for the local property tax, LPT; the reforms he will introduce for the income thresholds for the LPT deferral; the reforms he will introduce in terms of exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17998/19]

Insurance Industry

Pearse Doherty

39. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which transparency has been introduced into insurance, pricing motor and business; when the price of business insurance will be readily measurable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18015/19]

Central Bank of Ireland Reports

Michael McGrath

40. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when he plans to introduce the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill to address the recommendations of the Central Bank on banking culture and accountability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17999/19]

Insurance Costs

Joan Burton

41. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans for insurance reforms in view of the fact that the issue of rising insurance costs and high compensation has created a market distortion that is now causing persons to lose their jobs across many small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17869/19]

Insurance Industry

Michael McGrath

42. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his legislative and policy priorities in the area of insurance reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18000/19]

Insurance Industry

Michael McGrath

43. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when he plans to bring forward legislative changes that would oblige insurance companies to inform policyholders of claims made against them; the reason he has not brought forward legislation in its own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17767/19]

NAMA Transactions

Mick Wallace

44. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if he has had discussions with NAMA officials or his officials with regard to the UN special rapporteur letter on Ireland which stated that 93% of NAMA assets have been sold to foreign investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17801/19]

Tax Code

Joan Burton

45. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the recent report by the Committee on Budgetary Oversight in relation to tax expenditures and the estimated cost that revenue forgone could be as much as €10 billion to €15 billion per annum; his plans to implement the recommendations of the committee in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/19]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Bernard Durkan

46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the steps which can be taken to encourage lenders, directly or through the medium of the Central Bank, when dealing with borrowers in arrears to take into account the willingness of the borrowers to make reasonable repayments in line with their circumstances rather than liquidation, particularly in circumstances in which the family home or small business is concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17798/19]

Pension Provisions

Aindrias Moynihan

47. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to deal with the issue of private pension schemes which are not paying cost of living increases in circumstances in which the recipient is entitled to same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many policies may be affected like this in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17823/19]

Insurance Industry

Michael McGrath

49. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who had latent defect insurance with a company (details supplied) who have obtained alternative insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17768/19]

Insurance Industry

Aindrias Moynihan

62. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance when he plans to introduce legislation to ensure motor insurance policyholders who have claims made against them are informed of claims against them before a settlement is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17824/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the undocumented Irish at his meetings in the United States of America; and, if so, the response he received. [13892/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Michael Moynihan

2. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the meeting he had with the Vice President of the United States of America, Mr. Mike Pence; the issues that were discussed; and if they included climate change. [13894/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Joan Burton

3. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his St. Patrick's Day visit to the United States of America. [13946/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

4. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the United States of America and his meeting with President Donald Trump and representatives of Congress; and the other meetings he held. [13954/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Michael Moynihan

5. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he discussed climate change with President Trump when they met in the United States of America. [14015/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mary Lou McDonald

6. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to the United States of America. [15013/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Mary Lou McDonald

7. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee E, health, last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [15014/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

8. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee E, health, last met. [15023/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joan Burton

9. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee E, health, last met. [16348/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Micheál Martin

10. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee E, health, last met. [16669/19]

European Parliament Elections

Niall Collins

48. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken at EU level to address potential interference from outside actors in the upcoming European Parliament elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17781/19]

Good Friday Agreement

Seán Crowe

49. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing difficulties being faced by Irish citizens in Northern Ireland in asserting their Irish citizenship and that in certain cases Irish citizens are being forced to renounce British citizenship even though they are not and have not claimed to be British citizens; the steps he is taking to ensure that the British Government fully upholds the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, including those relating to citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17697/19]

Brexit Negotiations

Lisa Chambers

50. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Brexit in view of the granting of a flextension to 31 October 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17782/19]

Passport Services

Michael Healy-Rae

51. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if airlines will be contacted to request the passport details of persons when they book flights (details supplied); and if a printing service will be provided in the Cork passport office. [17821/19]

Middle East Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

52. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the plans announced by the Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing to move settlers into the illegally occupied Golan Heights; his further views on whether continued flouting of international law should be condemned more robustly by the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17593/19]

Foreign Conflicts

Seán Crowe

53. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to recent anti-Government protests in Sudan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17562/19]

Passport Applications Data

Martin Heydon

54. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the increased take-up of the online passport service; his plans to extend the online service for more applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17588/19]

Religious Persecution

Thomas Byrne

55. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic steps Ireland is taking to highlight and end the persecution of Christians worldwide. [17616/19]

Foreign Conflicts

Eamon Ryan

56. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland's position on the situation in Libya in the context of the recent advance of a person (details supplied) on Tripoli. [17627/19]

Foreign Conflicts

Mick Wallace

57. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the most recent discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 8 April 2019 on recent developments in Libya; the stance taken by representatives of Ireland at those meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17603/19]

Middle East Issues

Seán Crowe

60. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the comments of the Israeli Prime Minister that if he wins re-election he will annex illegal Israeli colonial settlements in the occupied West Bank; if he will condemn these comments; and the response he will take if Israel moves towards annexing illegal Israeli colonial settlements in Palestine. [17558/19]

Foreign Conflicts

Seán Crowe

66. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to renewed fighting in Libya and the fact that the UN is reporting significant civilian casualties and that thousands are fleeing fighting around Tripoli; and the steps Ireland is taking to ensure a new ceasefire is negotiated. [17560/19]

Middle East Issues

Niall Collins

69. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent developments at EU and or international level to try and halt the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17586/19]

Foreign Conflicts

Niall Collins

91. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consideration has been given to the way in which the recent conflict in Libya could affect migrants who are already being kept in appalling conditions in detention centres there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17584/19]

Middle East Issues

Jonathan O'Brien

94. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic response of Ireland to the policy of Israeli Prime Minister to promise to break international law and annex occupied Palestinian land; the way in which he will respond to a far right Israeli Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17598/19]

Middle East Issues

Eamon Ryan

95. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of Ireland on the recent announcement from the Israeli Prime Minister regarding plans to annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank. [17626/19]

Defence Forces Personnel

Jack Chambers

1. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether the 8.1% turnover or churn in the Defence Forces is crippling the service; if the Defence Forces are struggling to fill command positions for a rotation of troops attached to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17125/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the Public Service Pay Commission's meeting with management parties following the joint submission from military authorities and his Department; if he or a representative from his Department was at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16981/19]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Jack Chambers

3. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of former officers who previously left the Defence Forces and have returned to service; when a scheme for former enlisted members to return will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17126/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Paul Murphy

4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his engagement with the Public Service Pay Commission on the pay, allowances and conditions of members of the Defence Forces; his views on the need for improvements to pay and conditions in view of the low pay and poor conditions faced by members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16982/19]

European Defence Capabilities

Maureen O'Sullivan

5. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the remit of the European peace facility, EPF; the way in which it will be financed; and the way in which it will contribute to conflict prevention and peace building. [16964/19]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Clare Daly

6. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the fact that the Defence Forces had a net gain of just three members in 2017 despite a recruitment and training campaign costing in the region of €15 million. [16804/19]

Cybersecurity Policy

Jack Chambers

7. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the work of the Defence Forces computer incident response team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16839/19]

UN Missions

Clare Daly

8. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when a decision will be taken on whether to deploy the Army Ranger Wing to the MINUSMA mission in Mali. [16806/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Bobby Aylward

9. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure better pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; the further steps being taken to ensure appropriate supports are available to both current and former members of the Defence Forces who may be experiencing financial difficulties; if he is satisfied that recruitment methods are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16655/19]

Defence Forces Strength

Bernard Durkan

10. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Defence Forces throughout the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps continues to be augmented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16924/19]

UN Missions

Jack Chambers

11. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason 150 members of the Defence Forces had their return from Lebanon delayed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16838/19]

UN Missions

Clare Daly

15. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason 130 members of the Defence Forces were unable to leave the Golan Heights on their scheduled departure date of 4 April 2019 and the steps he will take to ensure accountability for this failure in view of the fact that it is the second time in a year that members of the Defence Forces have been unable to return home on time. [16803/19]

UN Missions

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

19. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the recent problems with flights for members of Defence Forces returning from Syria and the measures that will be taken to avoid such instances in the future. [16970/19]

Historic Towns Initiative

Niamh Smyth

1. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if specific consideration will be given to the protection and restoration of market towns and their centres in the context of a future historic towns initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16781/19]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2019 a fhoilsiú. [16780/19]

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Aindrias Moynihan

3. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta nuashonrú a dhéanamh ar aon phlé a bhí aici féin nó ag oifigí na Roinne leis an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna, leis an bhForas Pátrúnachta, le Gaeloideachas Teoranta, nó leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga maidir leis an gcaoi ar féidir roghanna tuismitheoirí i leith na Gaelscolaíochta a léiriú tuilleadh i bpróisis phátrúnachta as seo amach. [16797/19]

City of Culture Initiative

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

4. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether an imaginative programme can be rolled out by Galway 2020 as the city celebrates the title of European City of Culture; and her further views on whether it was the right decision not to have an open call for additional projects for the 2020 programme. [16485/19]

Museum Projects

Joan Burton

5. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to secure a permanent home for a museum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16769/19]

Wild Fires

Willie Penrose

7. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to carry out an evaluation of the damage and cost incurred as a consequence of fires that resulted from her extension of the most recent burning season in respect of gorse; her further plans to carry out an evaluation of the destruction of habitats of flora, fauna and wildlife as a consequence of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16718/19]

Performing Arts

Catherine Connolly

8. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the engagement she has had with a theatre (details supplied) in Galway city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16599/19]