Parliamentary questions

Tourism Industry

Matt Carthy

6. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her engagement with other Departments and State agencies to support hotels in rural communities. [10407/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

131. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs following the International Court of Justice setting 28 October 2024 as the deadline by which South Africa must submit its memorial in the case of South Africa v Israel taken under the Genocide Convention, if it is still the intention of the Government to refrain from submitting a declaration of intervention until after that point; if so, the timeframe thereafter in which he intends to submit such a declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17155/24]

Schools Building Projects

Matt Carthy

83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 523 of 20 March 2024, in respect of the stated objective of delivering a ‘reasonable level of school transport’, what this means regarding the maximum timeframe that it is considered appropriate for any child to spend on a school bus to travel to and from a special school. [16301/24]

Special Educational Needs

Matt Carthy

105. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will deliver a special school in County Monaghan; if so, the proposed location of any such proposal; and the timeframe for delivery of same. [16300/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Matt Carthy

133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in light of reports of extensive usage with flagrantly inadequate oversight of artificial intelligence systems by the Israeli Defence Forces, which has significantly contributed to the killing of in excess of 33,000 civilians, he will engage with international partners with a view to establishing a treaty prohibiting or regulating the use of artificial intelligence systems in warfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15971/24]

Departmental Data

Matt Carthy

136. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total investment the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund holds in companies which operate within illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, by portfolio and company, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16057/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

143. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the recent violations of the inviolability of diplomatic missions in breach of the Vienna Convention by the government of Ecuador; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16550/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

144. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the recent violations of the inviolability of diplomatic missions in breach of the Vienna Convention by the government of Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16551/24]

Foreign Conflicts

Matt Carthy

146. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland’s contribution to the EU Mission in Armenia; if, given the announced expansion of the observer mission, he will commit to seeking a greater role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16735/24]

Departmental Strategies

Matt Carthy

147. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his Department’s strategy for the Caucasus region; the permanent missions through which Ireland engages with the region; his recent diplomatic engagements regarding the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16736/24]

Consular Services

Matt Carthy

148. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered opening an Irish embassy in Armenia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16737/24]

EU Enlargement

Matt Carthy

149. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with regard to Armenia potentially seeking candidate status for EU membership; Ireland’s position in relation to such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16738/24]

Historical Conflicts

Matt Carthy

150. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government intends to recognise the massacre of one-and-a-half million Armenians as an act of genocide perpetrated by the Turkish government; if discussions have taken place within his Department or at a Government level as to developing a stance on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16739/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

151. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Armenia; his efforts to develop and deepen bilateral, economic and cultural relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16740/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

152. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16741/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

153. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with international partners regarding Armenia and Azerbaijan, with a view to contributing to conflict resolution and bringing about a lasting peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16742/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Matt Carthy

179. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with the CRU regarding the opening of a second annual application window for renewable energy projects to connect to the electricity grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16552/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

184. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he intends to examine legislation in relation to former members of the Defence Forces being able to sell their expertise;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16059/24]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Matt Carthy

191. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the functions delegated to the Minister of State in his Department; if he will outline their role and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16546/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

192. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the recruitment target for each branch of the Defence Forces in the years 2024 to 2028, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16548/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

193. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of retirements in each branch of the Defence Forces in the years 2019 to date; the number projected in the years 2024 to 2028, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16549/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

215. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the basis upon which he chose to divest from some but not other companies which operate within illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16058/24]

Export Controls

Matt Carthy

254. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in light of the United Nations Human Rights Council demanding a halt of arms sale to Israel, he will suspend the granting of export licences for dual-use items to Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15972/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

255. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is examining a potential breach of United Nations sanctions and EU regulations by former members of the Defence Forces in relation to the provision of technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance, related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any arms and related material in Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16060/24]

Work Permits

Matt Carthy

261. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 5 March 2024, the current number of work permits allocated for motor/auto mechanics; the number therein of the car mechanic quota and of the HGV/bus mechanic quota that have been issued; if he proposes to increase those quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16312/24]

Special Educational Needs

Matt Carthy

291. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education her proposals to provide an ASD unit in secondary schools in the Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16073/24]

Special Educational Needs

Matt Carthy

292. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the current number of children attending the ASD unit at a school (details supplied); the number that are expected to finish primary school in each of the next five years; the secondary schools these children will attend; the ASD capacity within each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16074/24]

Schools Building Projects

Matt Carthy

346. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if the new school buildings for a school (details supplied) will include dedicated special education classrooms; the proposed number of students who will be enrolled at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16580/24]

Special Educational Needs

Matt Carthy

347. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the special education provision available at a school (details supplied); if there are proposals to increase that number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16581/24]

Departmental Schemes

Matt Carthy

455. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the position regarding the mandatory retirement age for participants on the job initiative scheme to ensure that those who wish to can remain on the scheme past the State pension age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16007/24]

Disability Services

Matt Carthy

579. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional respite care services that will be delivered in County Monaghan in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16127/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Matt Carthy

633. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with trade unions regarding extending the temporary scheme of paid leave for public health service employees unfit for work post-Covid-19 infection; the supports available to front-line workers unable to work due to the impact of having contracted Covid-19, and particularly long-Covid, should the scheme not be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16010/24]

Hospital Equipment

Matt Carthy

641. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost involved to deliver a MRI scanner at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16066/24]

Hospital Equipment

Matt Carthy

642. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost involved to deliver a CT scanner at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/24]

Hospital Equipment

Matt Carthy

643. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the need for CT and MRI scanners at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16068/24]

Commemorative Medals

Matt Carthy

98. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will review the awarding criteria for the Bonn Comórtha Céad Bliain medal (2016) to ensure that long-serving members of the Defence Forces that left service prior to Easter 2016 will receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15952/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

44. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support the efforts of Palestine to secure full membership of the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15542/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

12. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland’s position regarding reform the P5 veto on the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13646/24]

Passport Services

Matt Carthy

35. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of emergency appointments available with the passport service; by location, by month in the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14848/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

36. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the points of law under which he intends to intervene in the case taken by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention; by when he intends to bring his draft Declaration of Intervention under Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14849/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

37. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in view of his commitment to intervene in the case taken by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention, the sanctions he proposes introducing against Israel arising from their commissioning and prosecution of genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14850/24]

Passport Services

Matt Carthy

38. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications on hand; the number of which have been on hand for longer than 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14851/24]

Passport Services

Matt Carthy

39. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff in the passport service; by role, by year, for the years 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14852/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

46. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the bombing by Israel of a World Central Kitchen team that were travelling in a deconflicted zone in two armoured cars branded with the WCK logo; if he will initiate any sanction against Israel for this attack which killed seven aid workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15159/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

47. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, following the lodging of a Declaration of Intervention by Ireland in the case of South Africa v Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, it is his intention that Ireland would submit written observations or seek an oral hearing from the court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15169/24]

Land Issues

Matt Carthy

125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 697 of 19 February 2008 and 123 of 5 March 2024, the current position regarding the ownership of the site on which the GPO stands; if ground rent is being paid for that site and to who; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14988/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 28 February 2024, if he will report on the work of the Implementation Group established to implement the 12 recommendations intended to ensure that the Defence Forces medical policies and practices continually develop in light of best practice; the status of each of the 12 recommendations in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13645/24]

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

151. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report the participation of the Naval Service in Operation Irini; the component aspects of the mission and those which Ireland has taken part in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14524/24]

Air Corps

Matt Carthy

155. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is aware of a recent incident resulting in the emergency landing of an Air Corps aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14961/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

156. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his intentions to alter recruitment and retirement ages regarding the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14962/24]