Parliamentary questions

National Gallery

John Browne

12. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the expected completion date of the renovation of the National Gallery of Ireland and the Irish Museum of Modern Art; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26119/13]

Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas

Mary Lou McDonald

13. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mary Lou McDonald den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta céard iad na himpleachtaí a mheasann sé a bheidh ann mar thoradh ar an múnla nua maoinithe atá curtha os comhair na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas do líon agus do chaighdeán na seirbhísí do phobal na Gaeilge agus do chúrsaí fostaíochta d’fhostaithe sna heagrais bhunmhaoinithe reatha; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [26253/13]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Michael Colreavy

14. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael Colreavy den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cathain atá sé ar intinn ag an Aire cinn Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a fhoilsiú; agus cad iad na haighneachtaí a fuair a Roinn i dtaobh an Bhille seo. [26248/13]

Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Gerry Adams

15. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a detailed account of the amount of money spent by Culture Ireland in 2012 and in the year to date in 2013; if he will provide specific details of the way the money was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26095/13]

The Gathering Events

Bernard Durkan

16. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department have identified the widest possible range of cultural events in the context of The Gathering with a view to maximising the projection of a positive image of the country internationally; the extent if any to which his Department or its subsidiary bodies have been in a position to offer grant assistance for such promotional events including festivals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26243/13]

Proposed Legislation

Niall Collins

17. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to amend the Official Languages Act 2003; if he will outline these plans to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26127/13]

Commemorative Events

Seamus Kirk

18. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific preparations that have been made to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26147/13]

Departmental Staff Training

Seán Crowe

19. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will give a detailed account of the amount of money spent by his Department in 2012 and in the year to date in 2013 on training and development in arts and heritage; if he will provide specific details of the way the money was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26096/13]

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Jonathan O'Brien

20. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Jonathan O'Brien den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cathain a bhí an cruinniú deireanach ag an gCoiste Feidhmiúcháin atá freagrach as an Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge, cé chomh minic a tháinig siad le chéile le bliain anuas, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ag an gcoiste sin; cén teanga oibre a úsáidtear sna cruinnithe [26256/13]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

21. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department can fully exploit the potential for job creation throughout the arts sector; if he anticipates any increase in such employment in the current year over previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26244/13]

Arts Promotion

Dessie Ellis

22. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of money his Department has allocated for 2013 for the arts in education programme; if he will provide specific details of the way the money will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26100/13]

Irish Language

Peadar Tóibín

23. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an leagfaidh sé amach plean, ina mbeidh spriocanna bliantúla, maidir le líon na n-aistritheoirí agus na n-ateangairí atá ag teastáil do na poist ar ardchaighdeán atá ar fáil ag Éirinn san Aontas Eorpach faoi 2016; má dhéanann sé sin, an bhfoilseoidh sé an plean seo chun go mbeidh na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge in ann cabhrú leis na spriocanna a bhaint amach agus chun go mbeidh an pobal ar an eolas faoi na deiseanna fostaíochta atá ar fáil san Aontas Eorpach [26246/13]

Arts Promotion

John McGuinness

24. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to require artists to donate their labour for free in order to receive State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26125/13]

Irish Language

Brian Stanley

25. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the latest annual report of the Coimisinéir Teanga his assertion that there is no secure stable basis to the system for confirming language schemes, on the widespread failure of public bodies who fall under the Official Languages Act to bring in and implement new language schemes; and his plans to ensure that more language schemes are agreed and implemented. [26245/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Sandra McLellan

26. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a detailed account of the amount of money spent by his Department on consultancy services and policy reviews in arts and heritage in 2012 and to date in 2013; if he will provide specific details on the way the money was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26092/13]

Lough Leane Loop Trail

Brendan Griffin

27. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on the round Lough Lein trail, County Kerry; the anticipated timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26012/13]

Arts Promotion

Mick Wallace

28. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has received any report from the high level implementation group set up to oversee the implementation of the arts in education charter; if he will publish the reports of the implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26242/13]

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Jonathan O'Brien

29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Jonathan O'Brien den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé sásta, i gcomhthéacs na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, 2010-2030, struchtúr ardleibhéil a chur ar bun idir na húdaráis agus eagraíochtaí pobail na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, trína bhféadfar moltaí a dhéanamh sula gcuirfear ar aghaidh chuig na hAirí cuí iad. [26258/13]

Arts Promotion

Mick Wallace

30. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made to date on the implementation of the arts in education charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26241/13]

Air Strips

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

31. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil na hAerstráicí in Inis Bó Finne agus sa Chloigeann á n-úsáid faoi láthair agus an bhfuil aon phleananna ag an Roinn tuilleadh forbartha a dhéanamh orthu. [26251/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

32. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has had any input into the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights in view of the importance of forests to our national heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26282/13]

Commemorative Events

Martin Ferris

33. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of money his Department has allocated for the commemoration programme in 2013; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the projects and events the money will be spent on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26099/13]

Inland Waterways Development

Clare Daly

34. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will engage with local stakeholders to develop a waterways strategy that facilitates those who want to live on houseboats. [26014/13]

Údarás na Gaeltachta Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

35. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mary Lou McDonald den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sé soiléiriú ar cad iad na spriocanna fostaíochta atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta don bhliain seo, 2013; cén dul chun cinn atá déanta acu agus an bhfuil na spriocanna tréimhsiúla a bhí acu á mbaint amach; cé méid post nua atá cruthaithe i mbliana sa Ghaeltacht le tacaíocht ón Údarás; cé méid post atá caillte; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ar an staid fostaíochta sa Ghaeltacht go ginearálta. [26254/13]

Inland Waterways Development

Clare Daly

36. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the contact he has had with Waterways Ireland to promote and facilitate houseboats as an alternative lifestyle choice, potential amenity and tourism asset. [26013/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have concerns regarding the impact on biodiversity in our forests should the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26283/13]

Údarás na Gaeltachta Issues

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

38. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ar an bhforbairt atá beartaithe ag an gcomhlacht Bioniche/Mylan in Indreabhán, Contae na Gaillimhe, i bhfianaise an mhéadaithe ar an líon post a d’fhógair an Taoiseach anuraidh, cé méid post atá cruthaithe go dtí seo; cé méid post a bhfuil súil ag an Aire go gcruthófar iad; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [26255/13]

Údarás na Gaeltachta Issues

Michael P. Kitt

39. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén beartas agus cé na pleananna atá ann chun níos mó post a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [26107/13]

Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas

Pearse Doherty

40. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil aon dul chun cinn déanta ó thaobh teacht ar shocrú maidir le maoiniú na mbuneagras Gaeilge. [26250/13]

Arramara Teo

Pearse Doherty

41. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé soiléiriú ar thodhchaí Arramara Teo; agus cad atá á dhéanamh aige chun slí bheatha na mbainteoirí feamainne a chaomhnú. [26249/13]

Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas

Michael Colreavy

42. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael Colreavy den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas faoi thodhchaí Fhorbairt Naíonraí Teo; cén maoiniú a bheidh ar fáil dóibh sa tréimhse atá le teacht; agus cad é todhchaí na scéime maidir le deontais atá á gcur ar fáil dóibh faoi láthair. [26247/13]

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

43. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sé soiléiriú i dtaobh an bhfuil i gceist aige scéim deontais a chur ar fáil do mhná tí sna Coláistí Samhraidh a bhfuil gá acu le breis spáis lóistín chun tacú leo a dtithe a thabhairt suas chuig na caighdeáin chuí ó thaobh sábháilteachta agus sláinte de. [26252/13]

Overseas Development Aid

Andrew Doyle

44. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline Ireland's contribution to the recent international conference on education and development in Brussels on post-2015 millennium development goals; his interaction with European Commissioners, Andris Piebalgs and Kristalina Georgieva; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26317/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Robert Dowds

45. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any consideration has been given by the United Nations or European Union to imposing a no-fly zone over Syria to prevent the bombing of civilians by the Syrian regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26356/13]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

46. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the expected level of funding that will be provided in his Department's budget for overseas aid in budget 2014; if he will confirm that Ireland will be in a position to fulfil a commitment to keep its provision of overseas aid at 70 cent in every €100 by the year 2015; if he will indicate the current level of invigilation of that funding in programme countries; and the way his Department measures the impact and success of Irish Aid in each country concerned. [26367/13]

Passport Applications

Andrew Doyle

47. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the upcoming changes to passport application procedures that are currently pending; if these new changes will make the process of acquiring a passport for Irish citizens cheaper, faster and more efficient; if an effective communication plan is in place to deal with this new process and effectively relay this message to the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26405/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Andrew Doyle

48. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent discussions he had, in addition to discussions the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and development had, with the former British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Right Honourable David Miliband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26408/13]

Emigrant Support Services

Andrew Doyle

49. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding that the Irish International Immigrant Centre in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, has received from his Department per year from 2007 to 2012; if the centre is legally obliged to report Irish citizens to immigration authorities for taking extra work; if the centre could instead offer supports to Irish citizens and help Irish immigrants in view of the fact that it receives Irish taxpayer funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26414/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

50. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the developments and discussions that took place at the 27 May 2013 meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council held in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26416/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

51. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he held with ministerial colleagues at the 27-28 May 2013 meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council held in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26458/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Andrew Doyle

52. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position regarding the EU arms embargo against Syria; if he supports arming rebels in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26459/13]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

53. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the date on which the current panel for the recruitment of third secretaries in his Department was formed; when the panel will expire; the number of persons listed on the current panel and the number appointed from the panel; when a new panel will be formed to generate a new list of persons to be called to become third secretary; if applications for inclusion on the panel will be publicly advertised through the Public Appointments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26473/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

John Deasy

54. Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures his Department is taking with regard to potential changes to the J1 visa system in legislation currently being considered in the United States Congress. [26482/13]

Departmental Budgets

Sean Fleming

55. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has received any indicative figure from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the fiscal adjustments his Department will be asked to make in 2014 and 2015; the size of that adjustment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26549/13]

Emigrant Support Services

Brendan Smith

56. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent actions of the Irish International Immigrant Centre in Boston in relation to a young J1 Irish visa holder; his views on the adequacy and suitability of advice provided by such centres; if he has received a comprehensive report on this particular incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26556/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

57. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting of 27 May 2013 in relation to the ongoing conflict in Syria and the humanitarian crisis in that region; if any new initiatives were approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26560/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the request of the Irish-Syrian Solidarity Campaign in relation to the call by the local co-ordinating committees of the opposition in Syria for a no-fly zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26561/13]

Middle East Peace Process

Brendan Smith

59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any new initiatives were discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the urgent need to renew the Middle East peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26562/13]

Overseas Development Aid

Maureen O'Sullivan

60. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade following his Department's acknowledgement of the contradiction between policies to promote biofuels, on one hand, and hunger alleviation goals, on the other, if he will raise this issue forcefully at the upcoming Hunger Summit in London on 8 June as EU policies on biofuels are currently under review during the Irish EU Presidency; if he will demonstrate Irish Aid's commitment to a whole-of-Government approach to development in its new policy document, One World, One Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26573/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the up to date position in relation to the new E3 visa initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26593/13]