Parliamentary questions

Foreign Conflicts

Clare Daly

101. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will highlight under the scope available to his Department the recent struggles of Colombian farmers and strikers against oppression by the Colombian authorities, military and Government during a national strike which began on 19 August 2013. [37576/13]

Human Rights Issues

Clare Daly

102. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to raise the issue of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in Russia and to highlight this abuse of human rights on an international forum. [37592/13]

Human Rights Issues

Joe Higgins

103. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the protests he has lodged with the Russian authorities in view of the recent laws enacted there that criminalise persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37653/13]

Human Rights Issues

Finian McGrath

104. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will challenge the anti-discriminatory laws in Russia affecting the LGBT community; and if he will raise it at EU and UN levels. [37656/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Finian McGrath

105. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the peace talks in Cuba on the conflict in Colombia; if he will provide an update on the talks taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37690/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Colm Keaveney

106. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he has taken, as part of a unilateral initiative by Ireland or working with our European partners, to address the ongoing serious persecution of Christians in Egypt, Syria and Iraq; if he has considered offering asylum to those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37858/13]

Exports Data

Colm Keaveney

107. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's target for goods exports for 2013; his estimate that the outturn for 2013; his Department's target for 2014; the activities to increase trade he has scheduled between now and the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37859/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Jim Daly

108. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail by name, location and cost the number of capital projects funded by his Department for each of the past five years to date in tabular form in an area (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Andrew Doyle

109. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the possible loopholes contained in the EU arms restrictions against Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38044/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Micheál Martin

110. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans, if any, to reopen the embassy in the Vatican in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38288/13]

Passport Services

Andrew Doyle

111. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the mechanisms that have been put in place to have the passport office notify passport holders when their passports are due to expire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38321/13]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

112. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of interns that have been based in his Department and the period of time in each case from 2011 to date in 2013; if he will break down the figures between those in the JobBridge scheme, other paid internships and other unpaid internships; if he will further break down these figures between his Department's sections here and at each diplomatic mission abroad, stating whether they were paid or unpaid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38322/13]

Irish Jewish Museum

Kevin Humphreys

113. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that a fundraising event was held in the Irish consulate in New York in May 2012 for the redevelopment of the Irish Jewish Museum; the date of that event; the person who organised same; on whose request was it organised; the number that attended; the costs that were covered by the Irish State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38331/13]

Overseas Development Aid

Andrew Doyle

114. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the main points in the Irish Aid Annual Report 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38353/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Finian McGrath

115. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will advocate comprehensive political talks with Syria. [38535/13]

Passports Data

John Lyons

116. Deputy John Lyons asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons in possession of an Irish passport who are not resident here. [38585/13]

European Year of Development

Andrew Doyle

117. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a recent proposal at European level to designate 2015 as the European Year of Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38636/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

118. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the parameters of the discussions held with Ministerial colleagues at the Informal General Affairs Council in Vilnius, Lithuania on 29 and 30 August 2013; if he will provide detail of any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38640/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Brendan Smith

119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to Belfast; if he will detail the meetings he had during that visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38804/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Brendan Smith

120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to violence on the streets of Belfast during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38805/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Brendan Smith

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to violence on the streets of Belfast during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38806/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent Amnesty eport in relation to the victims of violence in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38807/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

123. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent European Union Council of Ministers' meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38808/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

124. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at the EU Council of Ministers in to the ongoing crisis in Syria; the proposals the EU have put forward in relation to the need to achieve a political settlement at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38809/13]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Smith

125. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the humanitarian disaster in Syria and adjoining regions; if there are proposals to provide much needed additional humanitarian aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38810/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

126. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals and view points he put forward at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the ongoing crisis in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38811/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

127. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals Ireland has put forward at the United Nations in relation to the urgent need to achieve a political settlement in relation to the ongoing crisis in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38812/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update in relation to the arrest of Irish citizens in Egypt; the discussions he has had with the authorities in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38813/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the most recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the proposed Bill of Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38822/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

130. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the most recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive in respect of the Irish language Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38823/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013; the proposals there are to have further discussions with Members of the US Congress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38835/13]

IBRC Bond Issues

Joe Higgins

132. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding developers bonds worth €7,517,371 that were held in the now liquidated Irish Bank Resolution Corporation for housing estates in the Fingal Council area. [36992/13]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider amending the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997) to return to the original situation whereby patients who self-refer to physiotherapy may claim reimbursement for those expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37089/13]

VAT Rate Application

Clare Daly

134. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if VAT will be levied on water charges when he introduces them. [37288/13]

Financial Services Ombudsman

Michael Healy-Rae

135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in implementing key legislation which will allow the Financial Services Ombudsman to have the power to name and shame misbehaving financial firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/13]

Universal Social Charge Payments

Dominic Hannigan

136. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the way a person who is employed by their own company and is then contracted out by this company to another company for a service pays the universal social charge since it it their company that is being paid for the work and not the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37685/13]

Universal Social Charge Payments

Dominic Hannigan

137. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline exactly on what income the universal social charge is payable; if persons from outside the State who are paid a fee to work here are liable for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37686/13]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will divert a percentage of any taxes raised through consumption taxes on tobacco or high sugar or fat products towards an oral healthcare programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37773/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Sandra McLellan

139. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of the amount of money raised from the local property tax in each local authority area in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38077/13]

EU Funding

Seán Kyne

140. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the number and location of projects for which his Department has secured funding from the European Investment Bank in 2013; and the progress of the engagement between his Department and the Council of Europe Bank. [38091/13]

Vehicle Registration

Andrew Doyle

141. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the font styles that are permitted to be used on Irish car registration plates; the date on which the last review of such fonts was conducted by the relevant authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38267/13]

VAT Rate Application

Richard Boyd Barrett

142. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance in view of the increase in commercial water charges next year when Irish Water add VAT to the bills, his plans to ensure that small and struggling businesses avoid this increase. [38443/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Catherine Murphy

143. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish the numbers of residents per city and county that have registered and paid the property tax in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38780/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Catherine Murphy

144. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish the numbers of residents in each town in County Kildare that have registered and paid the property tax in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38781/13]

VAT Rate Application

Nicky McFadden

145. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance if the VAT rate of 9% for restaurant and catering services, hotel and holiday accommodation, admissions to cinemas, theatres, certain musical performances, museums and art gallery exhibitions, fairgrounds or amusement park services, the use of sporting facilities, hairdressing services, and printed matter will be maintained; if he will acknowledge the significant role this VAT rate plays in developing the food, tourism and hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36797/13]

Vehicle Registration

Joe McHugh

146. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance in view of the registrations of just 126 motor homes here in 2013 compared with 1014 in 2009 and 880 in 2010, if he will review the performance of the sector with reference to price elasticity of demand and cross-price easticities as well as income factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36855/13]

VAT Exemptions

Pearse Doherty

147. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the supports available from his Department to the aviation leasing industry including exemptions from VAT and other forms of taxation and an estimation of the value of the exemptions to the Exchequer and the number employed in this sector. [36901/13]

Pensions Levy

Maureen O'Sullivan

148. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) pays more in PRD tax than on their superannuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36908/13]

European Banking Union

Thomas Pringle

149. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance the approach of the Irish Government to current proposals encompassing the ECB, the European Commission, the national Governments of the 28 Union and l7 Eurozone states in regard to a mechanism for the Financial Supervision of the Euro and the establishment of a Single Financial Resolution mechanism for the Euro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36918/13]

Prize Bonds

Colm Keaveney

150. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance in view of the special case of prize bonds, if he will consider raising the anti money laundering requirement purchase threshold from €25 to €100 in order that a balance may be achieved between convenience of purchase for customers and the need to counter money laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36923/13]

VAT Rate Application

Tony McLoughlin

151. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to the current VAT rate on coal, based on the fact that there remains a price differential of 7.5% in terms of VAT between this Country and Northern Ireland and furthermore that the price difference from 1 May 2014 will be €52.67 per tonne due to proposed increases in carbon taxes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/13]

State Banking Sector

Andrew Doyle

152. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the percentage sharehold that the Government has in the Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37016/13]

National Treasury Management Agency Reports

Michelle Mulherin

153. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the amount being spent by the National Treasury Management Agency on a yearly basis on surveillance both inside and outside the jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37034/13]

National Treasury Management Agency Investigations

Michelle Mulherin

154. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the nature and means of surveillance and searches being undertaken by National Asset Management Agency and service providers on its behalf of the developers or other persons who owe money to NAMA; and if he will clarify that confirmation has been obtained from service providers that they are acting within the law in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37035/13]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Andrew Doyle

155. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if discussions have been held between officials in his Department on reintroducing a car scrappage scheme in the coming twelve months; if discussions have taken place with other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37050/13]

Financial Services Regulation

Andrew Doyle

156. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 on 18 July 2013; his views that the IBAN format for account identification will be suitable for the single euro payments area in view of the fact that the traditional means of account identification here such as Bank's National Sort Code and Account Numbers will no longer be used; his views that both Bank Identifier Code and IBAN will continue to enable easy and burdenless transactions and financial dealings for both consumer and businesses here working with the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37058/13]

Departmental Agencies

Stephen Donnelly

157. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the number of silent SMS messages the Revenue Commission or any agency under his remit has instructed providers to send in the past three years and by network provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37068/13]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider amending the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997) to return to the original situation whereby patients who self-refer to physiotherapy may claim reimbursement for those expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37088/13]

Tax Compliance

Bernard Durkan

159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of outstanding liabilities with the Revenue Commissioners in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37093/13]

Departmental Telecommunications

Eoghan Murphy

160. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering introducing a freephone number to contact Revenue in view of the fact that mobile devices cannot avail of the current freephone number and so many households no longer have landlines. [37104/13]

European Central Bank

Andrew Doyle

161. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements his Department has in place for a liaison office to the European Central Bank in Frankfurt Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37138/13]

Tax Code

Michael Healy-Rae

162. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that the taxation system for multinational companies is retained to ensure that this country remains an attractive destination for these multinational companies who give much needed employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37184/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Michael Healy-Rae

163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if all of our moneys paid in property tax will go towards funding badly needed local services or will the money be used to reduce the national deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37187/13]

Budget Submissions

Finian McGrath

164. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support the budget submission from NCBI on the 17,300 persons living with significant sight loss here. [37220/13]

VAT Rate Application

Finian McGrath

165. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will keep the VAT rate at 9% in restaurants in order to save and develop employment. [37221/13]

VAT Rate Application

Ciara Conway

166. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance if he will give a commitment to retaining the rate of VAT for the food, hospitality and tourism sector at 9 %; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37235/13]

European Central Bank

Andrew Doyle

167. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he supports recent proposals by the European Central Bank to publish the minutes of the Governing Council meetings that are held on a monthly basis, as opposed to the 30-year embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37240/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Sandra McLellan

168. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance if receipts will be issued to persons who pay the local property tax; when same will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37257/13]

Central Bank of Ireland

Patrick Nulty

169. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance the pension entitlements and any other redundancy benefits that is being paid out and was paid out to the former Financial Regulator (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37262/13]

Credit Unions

Andrew Doyle

170. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the measures being taken to ensure the future of credit unions in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the current proposals he and his Department have for safeguarding the community institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37269/13]

Fiscal Policy

Andrew Doyle

171. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the parameters of the medium-term economic plan for Ireland once we exit the international bail-out programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37272/13]

IBRC Mortgage Loan Book

Clare Daly

172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the reason individual homeowner mortgages were not disposed of at a discounted rate in the liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, although other loans were.
[37289/13]

Banking Inquiry

Michael Healy-Rae

173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a recent survey that two thirds of business owners believe that politicians should be kept well away from any inquiry into what went on in Irelands banking system in the run up to the economic crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37303/13]

Personal Debt

Pearse Doherty

174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has any concerns over the independence of StepChange Debt Charity as the selected third party service provider for the Central Bank's pilot scheme for multi-debt restructuring given that it is funded by financial institutions. [37308/13]

Personal Debt

Pearse Doherty

175. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of financial institutions currently operating here funded directly or through their British associates, StepChange Debt Charity. [37309/13]

Tax Rebates

Gerry Adams

176. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is entitled to a tax refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37319/13]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Michael McGrath

177. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the right to tax relief on the cost of maintaining a guide dog to families who have the use of an autism assistance dog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37331/13]

Property Taxation Application

Michelle Mulherin

178. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance if a building that is used as a dwelling but which has no toilet facilities is liable for the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37351/13]

Credit Unions

Pearse Doherty

179. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total paid to a special manager (details supplied) in County Kildare since their appointment. [37369/13]

Departmental Bodies

Andrew Doyle

180. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the current status of the proposed amalgamation of the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman and the Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman; the progress made on this to date; when he expects this merger to be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37376/13]

Excise Duties

Andrew Doyle

181. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance his views on freezing the excise duty on motor fuels in respect of the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37394/13]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Pearse Doherty

182. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the tax returned to the Vodafone group; if so, the reason and the cost to the State; and if he will provide any other companies which operate internationally to which the Government has returned tax in the past three years. [37403/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Andrew Doyle

183. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will provide a certificate to persons wishing to sell their home to prove that the local property tax has been paid up to a particular date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37410/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

184. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the parameters of the discussions held with ministerial colleagues at the 3252nd Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) Council meeting in Brussels on 9 July 2013; the agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37411/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

185. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the parameters of the discussions held with Ministerial colleagues at the Informal Meeting of Ministers for Economic and Financial Affairs in Vilnius, Lithuania from 13 to 14 September 2013; if he will detail any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37418/13]

Pension Provisions

Sean Fleming

186. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance his plans to refund the pension levy deducted from pension funds in view of the new requirements which show many of them to be in an actual deficit situation; the way this levy may continue to be deducted from these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37441/13]

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Jim Daly

187. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Finance the total cost of all media advertising to his Department for each of the past five years; the efforts his Department is making to ensure that local media both print and radio are being supported as well as national media by his Department's budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37478/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Kevin Humphreys

188. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all bodies, boards or committees under the remit of his Department to which ministerial appointments are made; the statutory provision providing for the making of such appointments in each case; the annual allowances or other payments made to the chairperson; the annual allowance or other payment made to an ordinary member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37493/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Kevin Humphreys

189. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of the boards, bodies or committees under the remit of his Department where there is currently a vacancy to be filled by ministerial appointment; if so, if the vacancy relates to the chairperson or an ordinary member or members, specifying the number of vacancies in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37508/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Kevin Humphreys

190. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of the bodies, boards or committees under the remit of his Department where there is anticipated to be a vacancy within the next six months to be filled by ministerial appointment; if so, if the anticipated vacancy relates to the chairperson or an ordinary member or members, specifying the number of anticipated vacancies in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37523/13]

Crime Prevention

Andrew Doyle

191. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the measures that are being taken by State owned financial institutions to combat ATM fraud; his views on the current level of scamming that is taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37548/13]

Credit Unions Restructuring

Andrew Doyle

192. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the role of the Credit Union Restructuring Board; its activities since it was established; his views on whether having the board independently separate from the Central Bank of Ireland is the best use of this body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37550/13]

VAT Rates Reductions

Tom Fleming

193. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance in view of the decision to reduce the VAT rate from 13% to 9% and the significance of this reduction to the tourism sector in Kerry and throughout the country and the very positive implications it has had on the industry in creating and maintaining jobs, giving value for money, if he will support the calls to keep the VAT rate at 9% and ensure that Ireland has a strong and competitive tourism industry going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37630/13]

VAT Rate Application

Dominic Hannigan

194. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the 9% VAT rate that is in place for the tourism sector will be maintained in Budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37696/13]

Vehicle Registration

Robert Troy

195. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the amount Ireland pays annually in penalties for not complying with EU regulation to abolish vehicle registration tax; and the amount the Government receives from VRT each year. [37716/13]

Excise Duties

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

196. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Finance if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding excise duty and below cost selling of alcohol; if he will implement the recommendations made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37736/13]

Pension Provisions

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

197. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Finance if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding a pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37738/13]

IBRC Mortgage Loan Book

Michael Healy-Rae

198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37745/13]

Tax Code

Michael Healy-Rae

199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether it is critical that the taxation measures that improve the competitiveness of agriculture and encourage investments and restructuring are supported and should include the retention of the 90% agricultural relief and capital acquisition tax thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37747/13]

Fuel Laundering

Michael Healy-Rae

200. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance in view of the estimated loss of over €200 million a year through the illegal sale of fuels, that is, washed diesel being sold as proper road diesel, if he will consider bringing in a quality assurance scheme nationwide which would guarantee the consumer the quality of the product that they are purchasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37751/13]