Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for specific dates
Page 1 of 7
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Financial Services Sector
Micheál Martin
1. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the Clearing House Group has met recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39055/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Financial Services Sector
Gerry Adams
2. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of times in the past year that the IFSC Clearing House Group has met to date in 2013; the issues that were discussed; the actions that have been taken as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39061/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Financial Services Sector
Gerry Adams
3. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the progress made on the commitment to create 10,000 jobs in the IFSC by 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39062/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Financial Services Sector
Gerry Adams
4. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach his plans to reform or restructure the workings of the IFSC Clearing House Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39063/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Financial Services Sector
Micheál Martin
5. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if officials in his Department attended a IFSC Financial Clearing House Group meeting recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39090/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Financial Services Sector
Joe Higgins
6. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he intends to reform the way the IFSC Clearing House Group operates. [40865/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Financial Services Sector
Richard Boyd Barrett
7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent meeting with the Clearing House Group; if it will be meeting before budget 2014; the agenda for this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40914/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Aviation Issues
Timmy Dooley
57. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he has taken in relation to the allegations aired on Channel 4's "Dispatches" programme entitled "Ryanair: Secrets from the Cockpit". [41061/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
VAT Rate Increases
Sandra McLellan
58. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the potential ramifications for the tourism and hospitality sector of an increase in VAT above the current 9% tax rate; if his attention has been drawn to the potential that this would have for job losses; if he has engaged with the tourism industry regarding same; and if he has had any discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the VAT rate and retaining it at its current level. [41172/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Appointments to State Boards
Richard Boyd Barrett
59. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the selection of the chairperson for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; the procedures followed and criterion applied for the nomination and selection process; his role in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41173/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Public Transport Provision
Timmy Dooley
60. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to privatise certain public transport routes; how this will improve services to commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41062/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Taxi Regulation Review Report Implementation
Thomas Pringle
61. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that existing taxi and hackney licence holders can apply to provide the rural hackney service; if he will ensure that new licences will only be considered in the event of a failure to get enough applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41231/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Job Creation
Bernard Durkan
62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full extent of employment generated by the sporting sector annually over the past five years to date; the extent to which opportunities arise for further enhancement leading to job creation throughout the sector; steps he plans to take the effect of which would be economic resurgence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40808/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Public Transport Issues
Alan Farrell
63. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on proposals to tender out the local and orbital public service obligation bus services currently operated by Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40789/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
State Airports
Pat Breen
64. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding legislation to establish the Shannon group plc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40507/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sport and Recreational Development
Dessie Ellis
65. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with the Department of Health, the sports authorities and the Health Service Executive regarding the possibility of establishing a sports and exercise department in the HSE, in order to ensure that the role of exercise fitness and well-being is given adequate attention in our health care system. [40896/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Traffic Management
Billy Kelleher
66. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the recent National Transport Authority publication, City Centre Transport Assessment Study; the actions he will take following this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40828/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Cycling Policy
Gerry Adams
67. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering the introduction of lower rate on-the-spot fines for cyclists who break the law which could be more regularly applied and would take into account the lower level of danger presented by cyclists to the public. [40905/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Pension Provisions
John Halligan
68. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has prepared a funding proposal in relation to the funding status of the defined benefit pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40888/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Network
Patrick O'Donovan
69. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of his Department's plans for the proposed construction of the Limerick to Cork motorway as part of the Government's capital expenditure budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40436/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sporting Organisations
Mary Lou McDonald
70. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with the Department of Justice and Equality regarding the ability of sporting bodies to register as charitable bodies and the potential for this to enhance philanthropy towards sporting bodies. [40897/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sporting Organisations
Martin Ferris
71. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has discussed with the Department of Finance the tax relief for donations to sporting bodies contained in section 41 of the 2002 Finance Bill; his views on the scheme; and if it has succeeded in its objectives of maximising donations to sporting bodies and generally contributing to the funding of sport. [40893/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Policy
Frankie Feighan
72. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the recently launched tourism policy review. [40872/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Public Transport Issues
Eoghan Murphy
73. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals for the tendering out of PSO bus services as proposed by the National Transport Authority. [40529/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Dublin Bus Services
Eamonn Maloney
74. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for making Dublin Bus a cost-effective organisation, providing a quality service befiting a capital city of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40727/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Air Services Provision
Clare Daly
75. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken in response to the revelations by the Ryanair pilot group regarding serious concerns about aviation safety, which were broadcast by Channel 4 during the summer. [40615/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Ports Development
Michael Moynihan
76. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions taken by his Department to progress the aims of the national ports policy; the legislation he plans to publish in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40812/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Public Transport Issues
Olivia Mitchell
77. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current financial position within the CIE transport companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40787/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Public Transport Issues
Richard Boyd Barrett
78. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to tender out Bus Éireann routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40887/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Rail Services
Michael McGrath
79. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the current discussions at Irish Rail in relation to plans to reduce the company’s expenditure in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40841/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Rail Network
Terence Flanagan
80. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to upgrade the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40884/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Public Transport Issues
Andrew Doyle
81. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he believes commuters and regional areas in the commuter belt and greater Dublin area will benefit as a result of the tendering out of particular routes and public service obligation, PSO, routes when the current contract expires; if the next tendering phase will result in a transparent decision making process; if he will outline the ramifications for particular routes in County Wicklow (details supplied) as a result of the competition in public transport in the bus market as proposed by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40790/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
VAT Rate Increases
Michael Moynihan
82. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has sought an extension of the 9% VAT rate applied to the hospitality sector from the Department of Finance; the benefits to the tourism industry resulting from the reduced VAT rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40815/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Regional Road Network
Thomas Pringle
83. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for bridge replacement on regional roads to support local and tourism infrastructure. [40889/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Traffic Management
Thomas P. Broughan
84. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has examined the recommendations contained in the recently completed City Centre Transport Assessment Study; his views on this study in view of his Department's ongoing work in improving traffic management in Dublin city. [40434/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Public Transport Provision
Willie O'Dea
85. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce bus rapid transit routes in Dublin and other cities in Ireland; if he foresees the provision of capital funding for these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40831/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Public Transport Issues
Catherine Murphy
86. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide figures for the amount of money that vandalism and destruction of property at each public transport body under the aegis of his Department has cost the State in each of the past five years; the amount of money that has been spent on providing security services in the same periods; the measures he proposes to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40873/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Tolls
Heather Humphreys
87. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the proposed toll holiday for HGVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40505/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Public Transport Issues
Alan Farrell
88. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the current financial viability of the CIE group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40788/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Adventure Activities Regulation
Eoghan Murphy
89. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on proposals to regulate the adventure sports industry and ensure safety in the sector. [40530/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Public Transport Issues
Robert Troy
90. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the reduction in services to Dublin Airport from Dublin city centre by private operators (details supplied); if he has had any communication with this private operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40843/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Tolls
John O'Mahony
91. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the proposed toll holiday for HGVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40531/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Departmental Expenditure
Sean Fleming
92. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there was an underspend of the capital allocation in his Department; the capital projects that have begun by his Department since the beginning of 2013; the capital projects his Department has planned to commence before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40826/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Air Services Provision
Barry Cowen
93. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he has taken to secure an air link between Ireland and China; if he has engaged with the Dublin Airport Authority in order to increase commercial airline activity in Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40823/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sports Facilities Provision
Sandra McLellan
94. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussion with the Department of Education and Skills regarding the potential for using that Department’s capital building programme as an opportunity to increase the provision of sporting facilities in local communities, in particular youth sports facilities, through co-location of sports facilities with educational campuses; if he envisages that savings could be made to his Department's capital expenditure in that regard; if he will outline those savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40890/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Aviation Policy Review
Jerry Buttimer
95. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of and future plans for the aviation policy review; and the implications of this policy for Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40770/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
VAT Rate Increases
Pearse Doherty
96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the potential ramifications for the tourism and hospitality sector of an increase in VAT above the current 9% tax rate. [40902/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Promotion
Brian Stanley
97. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the targets he has for emerging tourism markets, in particular China, India, Brazil, Russia and south-east Asia; and the strategies that exist to ensure Ireland increases its penetration of these markets. [40892/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Light Rail Projects Status
Seán Crowe
98. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date of work on the new Luas line, including current money spent on project; the numbers employed at present; and projected time of completion. [40908/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Promotion
Peter Mathews
99. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons for the decline in tourist visitors from the UK between April and June of this year; and the steps he is taking to address this decline. [40879/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Safety Issues
Dessie Ellis
100. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he is taking to increase awareness of cyclists among motorists. [40903/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Network
Patrick O'Donovan
101. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details on the recent launch of an assessment from the national road network of the need for a new road to the port of Foynes, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40435/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Public Transport Issues
Olivia Mitchell
102. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals for the tendering out of public service obligation bus services as proposed by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40786/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sports Capital Programme Expenditure
Niall Collins
103. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria for the awarding of sports grants from his Department; the total expenditure of his Department on sports grants to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40820/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Policy
Bernard Durkan
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the tourism sector has developed or expanded in each of the past six years to date; the full extent of employment generated within the sector on an annual basis in each of the years referred to; the extent, if any, to which the tourism sector may become a vehicle for national economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40807/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Public Transport Issues
Billy Timmins
105. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will nationalise bus stops and bus stop signage in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40882/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Arthur's Day Event
Lucinda Creighton
106. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the Arthur's Day event in view of attempts by a company (details supplied) to market it as a tourist event and an expression of Irish culture. [40877/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Public Transport Issues
Thomas P. Broughan
107. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if local authorities, commuters and residents' associations will have an input in the future design of the Dublin Bus route network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40433/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
State Airports
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
108. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding legislation to merge Shannon Airport Authority and Shannon Development. [40504/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Women's Participation in Sport
Brian Stanley
109. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the relatively low number of women participating in sports; the initiatives he is taking to rectify that imbalance; and the strategies that exist to encourage more women to participate in sport. [40895/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Driving Licence Issues
Pearse Doherty
110. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with or plans to meet with representatives of the photo ID industry to discuss their concerns regarding the displacement of jobs following changes in the driver licensing process. [40906/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Public Transport Issues
Martin Ferris
111. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a framework for assessment of any proposed policy change by public transport companies which would ensure that the social responsibility of these companies are upheld and service is maintained to an acceptable standard in all cases. [40912/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
State Airports
Denis Naughten
112. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on discussions with the management of Ireland West Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40806/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Adventure Activities Regulation
John O'Mahony
113. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on proposals to regulate the adventure sports industry and ensure safety in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40532/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Park and Ride Facilities
Catherine Murphy
114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will account for the lack of public park and ride facilities as part of the Luas cross-city project which will be constructed shortly; his views on whether this may hinder the overall aim of reducing the numbers of persons commuting by car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
National Toll Roads
Éamon Ó Cuív
115. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current contractual arrangements pertaining to the East Link toll bridge in Dublin; his plans to further expand the capacity of the bridge and its surrounding roads; if he foresees the ending of tolls on the East Link toll bridge in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40818/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Promotion
Michael Colreavy
116. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the State's performance in attracting repeat visitors to Ireland; the way we compare to other European countries in attracting repeat visitors; if there is any strategy in order to ensure that we increase the proportion of visitors to Ireland who return to visit. [40894/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sports Strategy
Gerry Adams
117. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the need for a national strategy for sport across all Government Departments; if he has given such a strategy any consideration; and if he or his officials have had any discussions with other Departments, in particular the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills, on creating such a strategy. [40900/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Policy
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
118. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the tourism policy review that was recently launched. [40516/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Dublin Bus Services
Brendan Smith
119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he has had with the Dublin Bus unions and management; if he will provide an update on the current impasse in industrial relations at the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40836/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Dublin Bus Services
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
120. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work being done to bring a resolution to the industrial dispute at Dublin Bus; and the efforts he is making to ensure that future budgetary measures undertaken by his Department and implemented by public transport companies do not provoke further industrial unrest and strike action. [40909/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sports Facilities Provision
Seán Crowe
121. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the ongoing work at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown; the work that remains to be completed; and if he envisions the campus as a whole, in particular the indoor training centre, will be completed within the lifetime of this Government. [40899/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Tolls
Helen McEntee
122. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide a toll holiday for HGVs; the motorways and toll roads he will include in a trial; and if he will consider using the M1 and M3 motorways as part of the toll holiday trial. [40874/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Tolls
Pat Breen
123. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a toll holiday for HGVs; if he plans to review toll charges in general for HGVs with a view to encouraging greater utilisation of motorway networks by HGVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40506/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
Public Transport Issues
Jonathan O'Brien
124. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he has taken to investigate the effects of allowing private operators to compete for routes with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann on overall service and its social obligations. [40910/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Industry Issues
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
125. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to increase access for tourists to sites of interest particularly in urban centres and to improve access to Dublin Airport. [40907/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Social Welfare Schemes
Mary Lou McDonald
126. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to work with the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Finance to ensure that taxi drivers who become ill or are unable to work can better access social welfare supports. [40904/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Rail Network
Brendan Griffin
127. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to cases where CIE owned disused railways are being blocked with objects such as round bales by adjoining landowners; if he will direct CIE to remove such objects and protect these valuable national assets; his views on whether CIE should fence its property in cases where attempts are being made to grab CIE land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40437/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Rail Services
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
128. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure the future of Irish Rail company; and if he will resist any moves to privatise routes on the rail network. [40911/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Promotion
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
129. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the recommendations relating to transport contained in the Oireachtas committee report on reviving the economy of the south east and his plans to incorporate these recommendations into his work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40913/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Traffic Calming Measures
Brendan Griffin
130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will explore the viability and potential benefits of following the example of Killenard, County Laois, where speed ramps are in place throughout the village within the 50km/h zones; his views on whether this should be standard in all villages and towns or at least those on busy roads with a lot of through traffic; if he will encourage local authorities to do this; if the speed limit review group will consider this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40440/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Network
Joe McHugh
131. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on his engagement at the North-South Ministerial Council in respect of the A5 carriageway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40438/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Driving Licence Issues
Billy Timmins
132. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the data that will be contained on the new driving licence; if he will ensure that provision is made for the inclusion of basic medical data and emergency contact numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40881/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Promotion
Terence Flanagan
133. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to support tourism in the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40883/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Cycling Facilities
Joe McHugh
134. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding developing a cross-Border greenway; his plans for greenway developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40439/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Road Tolls
Frankie Feighan
135. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the proposed toll holiday for HGVs. [40871/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Dublin Bus Services
Lucinda Creighton
136. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to Dublin Bus of the recent strike action and the likely implications of any future strike action to the financial well-being of the company. [40878/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Traffic Fines
Clare Daly
137. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the statutory and regulatory framework for the operation of clamping vehicles in cities. [40616/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sports Strategy
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
138. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had discussions with the Department of Education and Skills regarding joint initiatives that could be taken between the two Departments to improve the level of PE classes here, particularly in view of the findings by Eurydice, the EU’s education information network that in both absolute and proportionate terms, Ireland has fewer hours of compulsory PE classes than any other EU member; his views on whether children here are spending enough time participating in physical education, both in school and outside. [40898/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Policy
Jerry Buttimer
139. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the tourism policy review that was recently launched; his views on the positive impact on the tourism industry of the 9% VAT rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40809/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Harbour Authorities Staff
Richard Boyd Barrett
140. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to respond to the requests of a Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company employee (details supplied) who has written to him requesting a determination on their contract of employment; if he intends to give such a determination to the person and three other harbour company employees who are seeking similar determinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40886/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
The Gathering Expenditure
Peter Mathews
141. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total cost of The Gathering to date. [40880/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Air Services Provision
Andrew Doyle
142. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no current direct flight exists between Ireland and the Silicon Valley or San Francisco areas in California; if he believes such a direct air link would provide an employment boost to the Irish economy in terms of foreign direct investment given that Silicon Valley is a central hub for worldwide technology companies; the discussions he and his departmental officials have held with multinational employers or airlines on this matter in the past two years; if he believes such a route would be hugely beneficial for Ireland given the pre-clearance for US customs and immigration at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33283/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Aviation Policy Review
Michelle Mulherin
143. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the aviation policy review; the next step in the process; his plans to develop a regional airport policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40527/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
oral
State Airports
Michelle Mulherin
144. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding legislation to merge Shannon Airport Authority and Shannon Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40528/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Sporting Events
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
145. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to Ireland hosting the Homeless Football World Cup; the supports that are currently being given to the Irish Homeless World Cup team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40901/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Employment Data
Jonathan O'Brien
146. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Taoiseach the proportion of overall employment which is accounted for by public service employment for the most recent five years for which data is available. [40676/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Emigration Data
Heather Humphreys
147. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Taoiseach the number of persons who emigrated from Ireland in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40926/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Employment Data
Joe Higgins
148. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of workers here subjected to a regime of zero hour contracts by their employers and the way the latest available figures compare to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40976/13]
Tue, 1 Oct 2013
written
Tourism Data
Sandra McLellan
149. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Taoiseach the numbers of visitors to Ireland from emerging tourism markets, in particular China, India, Brazil, Russia and south-east Asia; and if there has been any noticeable increase in visitors from these countries in recent years. [40892/13]