Parliamentary questions

Peace Commissioners

Andrew Doyle

517. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the number of peace commissioners allocated to an area (details supplied) is sufficient; if his attention has been drawn to the availability of peace commissioners in this geographic area; his views on whether additional peace commissioners are necessary to meet the demand for their voluntary services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36173/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

518. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the agreement made during the Irish EU Presidency on the creation of a European border surveillance system, EUROSUR; the implications of this for here; the State body that will take responsibility for it in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36190/13]

Schengen Agreement

Andrew Doyle

519. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Ireland will have access to the exchange of information between police and border authorities now that the Schengen information system has been achieved during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36224/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

520. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures contained in the agreement on the right of access to a lawyer in the criminal proceedings directive, achieved during the Irish EU Presidency; the implications for Ireland; the way it will affect the legal system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36226/13]

Judicial Appointments

Andrew Doyle

557. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering a recommendation from the 2012 Annual Report of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, following on from their 2002 point that persons appointed to the Judiciary should undergo a medical examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36401/13]

Green Paper on Defence

Andrew Doyle

589. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with officials in his Department and the Irish Defence Forces regarding a policy review and a detailed discussion document of Irish defence policy; when he expects the new Green Paper on Defence to be published, followed by a White Paper on Defence; the number of meetings held to date and the date on which the meetings took place of the interdepartmental group comprising representatives from the Departments of Defence, Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justice and Equality as well as the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána regarding the paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35984/13]

Naval Service Vessels

Andrew Doyle

590. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, the date and name of the vessel of the Irish Naval Service, of their patrols and visits to Rockall Island over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36144/13]

Trade Data

Andrew Doyle

612. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the expansion of diplomatic presence in emerging markets and the establishment of two new agriculture attaché posts in the Irish embassies in Beijing, China and Moscow, Russia announced in March 2013, in view of the importance Ireland attaches to the growing trade and maturing diplomatic relationships with China and Russia and which will further assist Irish food, drinks, ingredients, genomics, feed and equine sectors; when he expects these two agriculture attaché posts to be filled and by what method; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35983/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

615. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the key elements of the action plan for a maritime strategy in the Atlantic area, achieved under the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36179/13]

Domestic Pets

Andrew Doyle

616. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the agreement on non-commercial movement of pet animals and pet passports, achieved under the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36180/13]

Forestry Sector

Andrew Doyle

617. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an overview of the Presidency led EU position at the UN Forum on Forests that took place in Istanbul, Turkey between 8 - 19 April 2013; Ireland's positions and stances during the forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36227/13]

EU Conventions

Andrew Doyle

751. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the maritime labour convention package, now that the Irish EU Presidency has concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36177/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

752. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the marine equipment directive and agreement on recreational craft that were achieved during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36181/13]

European Innovation Partnerships

Andrew Doyle

753. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on Ireland's contribution to the council conclusions supporting the launch by the Commission of a European innovation partnership entitled "Smart Cities and Communities" during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36228/13]

Tourism Promotion

Andrew Doyle

754. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if in view of the recent visit to the Wicklow Mountains National Park by the First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama and the First Family, if he intends to commission a working group or some other similar arrangement with officials in his Department, and the Office of Public Works, to develop a full cultural tourism plan for the Glendalough area and the Wicklow Mountains National Park in view of its exposure on both the national and international stage on foot of this recent high profile visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36489/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Andrew Doyle

757. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail all jurisdictions, at both national and provincial level where Ireland has a reciprocal relationship for the exchange of driving licences, in both an Irish bilateral context, and within the umbrella of EU law; the date on which each agreement came into effect; if he will provide an update on current negotiations; if he is looking at further jurisdictions where this could be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36069/13]

Aviation Issues

Andrew Doyle

759. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the legal regulations surrounding microlight aircraft and their flying patterns, if the use of such aircraft registered with the Irish Aviation Authority are permitted to fly low over densely populated residential areas; the lowest flying level permitted when not on approach for landing; if particular microlight aircraft are able to land in private lands or if they must take-off and land from fully licensed airports, airfields and aerodromes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36142/13]

Rail Network

Andrew Doyle

760. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the general approach on rail interoperability and the plan to harmonise infrastructures on platform heights, tracks and widths and signalling systems during the Irish EU Presidency; if he will detail Ireland's engagement on this fourth railway package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36182/13]

Aviation Issues

Andrew Doyle

761. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on occurrence reporting in civil aviation and its progress during the Irish EU Presidency; the implications of this for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36183/13]

European Satellite Navigation Systems

Andrew Doyle

762. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on global navigation satellite systems and the agreement on Galileo during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36184/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

764. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the Council conclusions on dual careers for athletes during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36232/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

55. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open an embassy in Croatia, in view of its recent accession the European Union, if he will replace the existing honorary consul; his views that such an embassy would be able to manage the wider Irish interests in the Western Balkans, in view of the fact that numerous nations in the region are candidates for EU membership and will become EU member states in the years to come; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35687/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

56. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to appoint a new honorary consul in Lima, Peru, following the position becoming vacant on 1 August 2013; the medium to long-term plans he has for visa applications rather than applications being sent to the embassy of Ireland in Mexico City, Mexico; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35771/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

81. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions No. 169 of 28 May 2013, and 72 on 11 July 2013, if he will detail the representations received by the Central Bank of Ireland from industry stakeholders and organisation regarding the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive regarding the expansion or watering down of the Directive; if he will provide a full list of the persons and organisations from whom these representations came; the number of meetings the Central Bank of Ireland have had with stakeholders and interested parties regarding MiFID; with whom they were held and the date on which they took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35923/13]

Local Government Elections

Andrew Doyle

192. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who was elected to a local authority, as a member of a registered political party, subsequently resigns from the said party but later goes on to resign from the local authority, if the vacancy should be filled by either co-option by the party under whose banner he or she was elected, or through a nomination of the member who has resigned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35677/13]

Local Government Elections

Andrew Doyle

193. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 26 June 2013, if a person is permitted under current electoral law to run for a position on a County or City Council in two or more local electoral areas of the same local authority during the 2014 Local Elections; if a person who is elected to the same local authority for two or more local electoral areas, the way a vacancy should be filled for the area they choose not to represent [35678/13]

Peace Commissioners

Andrew Doyle

209. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering reforming the role of peace commissioners here in view of the fact that the current legislation governing their role is old, namely, the Courts of Justice Act 1924; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that although peace commissioners continue to have powers to issue warrants, under a small number of statutes, several decisions by the courts regarding the issuing of summonses and warrants were subject to a number of legal challenges in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and decisions of the superior courts raised serious doubts about the constitutional competence of peace commissioners to exercise such powers, thus limiting the role of peace commissioner and transferring their more onerous tasks to the courts; his views on completely overhauling the handbook and guidance manual explaining their role and duties to ensure information is updated in line with current legislation, and in view of the fact that the current handbook given to new peace commissioners is out of line with current documents that require the signature of a peace commissioner; the contents of the review that was initiated in early 2008 on the status and functions of peace commissioners; if any recommendations in the review were ever acted upon; the discussions that have been held in his Department on the future of this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35688/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

236. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the conclusions of the first Agriculture and Fisheries Council Agri-Fish during the Lithuanian EU Presidency that took place on 15 July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35691/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Issues

Andrew Doyle

268. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 665 of 2 July 2013 regarding the Health Service Executive management team that established a national control group to oversee the introduction of universal ownership for the reuse of foldable walkers, walking sticks and crutches from previous patients are made available for new patients, with sterilisation to ensure that their reuse is to the proper standard; the communications plan that will be put in place to ensure all persons working in the health care sector here are made aware of this initiative; if this scheme will cover general practitioners, accident and emergency departments and HSE offices throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35813/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Andrew Doyle

280. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the appointments to the board of Aer Lingus as ministerial nominees over the past seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35808/13]

Election Monitoring Missions

Andrew Doyle

146. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider prioritising sending experienced election observers and agents on further election observer missions as part of the EU and OSCE missions when requested to select persons from the approved roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34442/13]

Election Monitoring Missions

Andrew Doyle

147. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline upcoming election observer missions that his Department intend to send delegations to, including observers for missions organised by the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34454/13]

Consular Services Representations

Andrew Doyle

161. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the interaction that the Irish Consulate General had recently with the Governor of West Virginia in the United States; if he will outline other related events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34939/13]

Air Navigation Order

Andrew Doyle

164. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 562 of 9th July 2013 the procedure of notification that is required to be given to Ireland when aircraft enters Irish airspace, passes through Irish airspace or lands in Ireland carrying Heads of State or Heads of Government from other nations on military of State aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35141/13]

Passport Applications

Andrew Doyle

169. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 10 July 2013, the position regarding the issuing of a second passport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35442/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

171. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 7 May 2013, if the review of the Irish network on Honorary Consuls worldwide has concluded in view of the fact that he said the review would be completed by mid-2013; if he will outline the main points of the review; the date on which he intends to publish the review; if the review will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35459/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

172. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 66 of 29 May 2013 and 121 on 11 June 2013, if he will confirm the exact number of Corps Diplomatique or CD sign usage on Irish car registration plates; the number of CD signs that are allocated to each diplomatic mission here and if he will outline such in tabular form; if a central register is kept in his Department or that of the Revenue Commissioners to enable members of An Garda Siochana to verify particular vehicles using CD signs on vehicles; if he will detail the privileges that CD signs grants drivers of vehicles on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35460/13]

Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears

Andrew Doyle

258. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the procedure in place where an official of a financial institution does not offer the code of conduct for mortgage arrears from the Central Bank of Ireland to a client who is in mortgage distress; the details of the reprimand and if it is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34728/13]

Departmental Agencies Issues

Andrew Doyle

324. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, all appointments made to the National Council for Special Education consultative forum since March 2011; the tenure of each appointment; the rationale for the appointment of each person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34366/13]

Open Government Partnership

Andrew Doyle

397. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcomes of the recent Open Government Partnership Meeting held in Dublin; if future meetings are to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34362/13]

Official Engagements

Andrew Doyle

422. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the parameters of his recent address to the Bureau of European Policy Advisors high-level seminar of the European Commission in Brussels on 9 July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34708/13]

Appointment of Ombudsman

Andrew Doyle

436. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 10 July 2013, when he expects the current Ombudsman to step down from her current position upon taking up her new role as European Ombudsman; the discussions he had held on this matter with officials in his Department; if he or officials in his Department received correspondence from any person to date seeking to be appointed Ombudsman; if he will be issuing a notice to call for expressions of interest for persons seeking to become the Ombudsman; if the position will be advertised through the Commission for Public Service Appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35448/13]

EU Commission Green Papers

Andrew Doyle

464. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to make a submission to the European Commission based on its recent Green Paper publication on unfair trading practices in the business-to-business food and non-food supply chain in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34930/13]

Offshore Exploration

Andrew Doyle

703. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to set up a forum, made up of third level institutions, oil and gas companies, trade unions, Government nominees and environmental and community representatives, and if ongoing contact can be pursued with other countries such as Norway and Portugal to exchange ideas on best practice regarding offshore oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34395/13]

Local Authority Charges Application

Andrew Doyle

796. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount outstanding in development levies to local authorities, on an authority-by-authority basis; if he will compare these with the outstanding levies that were payable six months ago and if there has been an improvement in collection; the local authorities that are charging interest on late payments and those that are not; the years to which these development levies relate; the advice he will give to local authorities in collecting such outstanding levies; the local authorities that are not meeting their statutory obligations to publish the amounts collected or owed in levies in their annual reports or give details of the way any levies were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34991/13]

International Agreements

Andrew Doyle

912. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current extradition agreements with Brazil; if recent discussions or negotiations have taken place on this matter within his Department or with the Brazilian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34974/13]

Trade Agreements

Andrew Doyle

962. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Norway recently imposed huge import duties on particular agricultural products; the measures he intends to take in liaising with the Norwegian authorities on this issue of protectionism; his views that this move is contrary to single market aims to which many European nations aspire, despite Norway not being in the EU; his views that Irish exports to Norway will be impacted on by this recent move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34339/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

992. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline Ireland's contributions to the biennial 38th meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in Rome, Italy that took place from 15 to 22 June 2013 and was attended by the Minister of State at his Department; the outcome of the conference, in view of the importance of the event as Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of EU member states and responsibility for the co-ordination of EU positions and consensus seeking at the conference; the agreements he sought on the theme of the conference, sustainable food systems for food security and nutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35086/13]

Exports Controls

Andrew Doyle

1002. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council to lift its ban on the importation of Irish beef and lamb; the opportunities that arise for Ireland as a result of this decision; if he intends to visit the Gulf region in the near future to agree veterinary health certificates with all the specified GCC nations to ensure exports commence as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35462/13]

Airport Security

Andrew Doyle

1199. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 562 of 9th July 2013 the number of notifications given to his Department when civilian aircraft on non-EU commercial, civilian flights applied for authorisation traffic rights when carrying Heads of State or Heads of Government from other nations in the past five years; the number that have been approved and rejected; if he will provide in tabular form, the nations involved and the date of each landing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35143/13]

Cycling Facilities

Andrew Doyle

1207. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the National Transport Authority's work in the design of a cycle route in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35438/13]

Road Improvement Schemes

Andrew Doyle

1208. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the National Transport Authority’s work in the design of a footpath (details supplied), land transfer and all associated activities; if he will provide a detailed map of where the new footpath will run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35439/13]

Public Transport Initiatives

Andrew Doyle

1209. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the National Transport Authority's work in the design, tender and construction of an interchange scheme (details supplied); if he will provide detailed drawings of the final interchange when complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35440/13]

Public Transport Initiatives

Andrew Doyle

1210. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the National Transport Authority's work on a pedestrian crossing and footpath scheme in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35441/13]

Air Accident Investigations

Andrew Doyle

1211. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the persons who are perceived to be interested parties by the air accident investigation unit of his Department when a draft final report is issued; the way a person or organisation may become an interested party in an investigation to be able to comment before final consideration is given to the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35443/13]

Road Traffic Offences

Andrew Doyle

1212. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the different blood alcohol levels and concentrations for drinking under the influence of alcohol here that are provided in the Road Traffic Acts, that is, policed by An Garda Síochána, as a measure to reduce fatalities and improve safety on the roads; the differences for public service vehicle drivers and normal drivers of vehicles; the measurements and limits that are in place when a person driving a private vehicle who is stopped at an authorised mandatory alcohol testing checkpoint and does not have a driving licence on his person; if he will detail in these circumstances if they are tested as a public service vehicle driver or a normal driver during a mandatory alcohol test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35447/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

69. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline, in tabular form, the most recent visit that ambassadors and officials from his Department have taken from their various Embassies of Ireland, where they are permanently based around the world, to countries that particular embassies have secondary accreditation to other nations; the general guidelines that are issued from his Department for officials visiting countries where secondary accreditation is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34072/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

72. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 28 May 2013, if he will detail the representations received by him and his Department from industry stakeholders and organisation regarding the markets in financial instruments directive regarding the expansion or watering down of the directive; if he will provide a full list of the persons and organisations from whom these representations came; the number of meetings he and/or his Department officials have had with stakeholders and interested parties regarding MiFID; with whom they were held and the date on which they took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33996/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

94. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to school leavers with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34034/13]

Site Acquisitions

Andrew Doyle

102. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update in tabular form of all school sites purchased by his Department in 2012 and to date in 2013; the price paid for each site; the size of each site; the address of each site; the name of the vendor of each site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34087/13]

Trade Agreements

Andrew Doyle

114. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the financial services regulatory measures he would envisage or hope to see contained within the transatlantic trade and investment partnership deal negotiations that got underway this week; his views on whether any such deal will negatively impact on the financial services industry here that employs thousands of people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Andrew Doyle

133. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeals officer will be appointed as soon as possible and review the case of a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if she will review the situation and provide a timeframe for when the appeal decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34064/13]

Irish Language Issues

Andrew Doyle

143. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding whether written correspondence, as the only form of complaints procedure between an individual and an Irish registered company mainly based in Ireland but operating across member states may only return complaints in English as opposed to Irish, the language the complaint was initially made in; if his attention has been drawn to other member states' position regarding same, such as in Spain, where large firms operating in member states must communicate back in Spanish, the national language, if written to in Spanish, as required by law; if he intends to look at implementing similar measures in Ireland for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34073/13]

Offshore Exploration

Andrew Doyle

148. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he and his Department intend to review the Petroleum and Other Minerals Act 1960; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34088/13]

Event Licences

Andrew Doyle

152. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of event licences that have been issued by local authorities in 2012 for events that were for a duration of longer than two weeks; the type of events they were; the location at which they were held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33974/13]

Event Licences

Andrew Doyle

153. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation under which local authorities may issue event licences; if he will detail the current legislation; the length of time a particular event may be held continuously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33975/13]

Local Authority Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

158. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of requests received in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 from a local authority (details supplied) in County Wicklow seeking sanction to fill positions at the local authority; the outcome of each of these requests; the nature of each of the positions; the term of the contract in each case where the filling of the position was sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34083/13]

Immigration Policy

Andrew Doyle

172. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the circumstances in which a citizen of the United States of America may attend schools in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34071/13]

EU Treaties

Andrew Doyle

180. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the implications for Ireland as a result of the decision by the British Home Secretary, Rt. Hon. Theresa May, on further opt-outs by the United Kingdom on EU justice and home affairs, announced on 8 July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34075/13]

Trade Agreements

Andrew Doyle

209. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to monitor the agricultural elements of the EU-Canada trade deal that is currently being negotiated; if officials from his Department are currently involved in the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34070/13]

Child Care Services Funding

Andrew Doyle

212. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a county breakdown of the total funding she and her Department have allocated for the second round of child care capital grants in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33947/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Andrew Doyle

220. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health when he will bring forward a transparent framework for negotiations for nursing home care under the fair deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33950/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Andrew Doyle

235. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned with the disconnect between the Health Information and Quality Authority, the body responsible for the regulation and inspection of nursing homes and the National Treatment Purchase Fund as the purchaser of care on residents behalf, in view of the fact that the NTPF may be taking a narrow definition of long-term care services and not taking into account the private and voluntary nursing home statutory responsibility under the national quality standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34013/13]

HSE Staffing

Andrew Doyle

245. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that any career breaks offered by the Health Service Executive are targeted in areas where there is an excess supply of labour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34086/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Andrew Doyle

256. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that between 19 January 2013 and 5 July 2013, 263,936 plastic card drivers licences have been issued by the Road Safety Authority, if he will provide a breakdown of the total number of persons who have opted in to be an organ donor and those who have not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34019/13]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

63. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to advertise all temporary, contractual, permanent and other similar forms of attaché positions at various embassies and diplomatic missions publicly through forums such as the Public Appointments Service and publicjobs.ie in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33749/13]

Passport Applications

Andrew Doyle

64. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a second passport can be issued to Irish citizens which they require to travel to certain countries around the world for whom it would provide an inconvenience to display stamps in their passports from particular countries that would create some difficulty for them to enter into other countries for the reason of their previous travel history; the documentation an individual would need to supply to his Department in order to avail of a second passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33750/13]

Overseas Development Aid Issues

Andrew Doyle

67. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 3 July 2013, if he will further outline details on the number of Irish companies with interests in Africa; the countries in which they operate, in view of the fact that the information is not commercially sensitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33931/13]

Teaching Qualifications

Andrew Doyle

138. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of teachers, both primary and post-primary, on the payroll of his Department; the breakdown of this figure, in tabular form; the total number of full-time primary and post-primary teachers on the payroll of his Department who have ordinary degrees (Level 8), Masters degrees (Level 9) and PhDs (Level 10); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33751/13]

Student Support Schemes Issues

Andrew Doyle

139. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the student grant scheme 2013 (S.I. No. 159/2013) is implemented as a statutory instrument as opposed to an Act of the Oireachtas; if, given its extensive scope and comprehensiveness, he intends in the future to put such law into an initial Act of the Oireachtas as part of the overall package of political reform for better legislative oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/13]

Office of the Ombudsman Staff

Andrew Doyle

145. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements in place to seek a replacement for Ms Emily O'Reilly as the Ombudsman after she takes up her new role as the European Ombudsman; the process for an Acting Ombudsman until a new Ombudsman is appointed by the Government; the anticipated timeframe before the new Ombudsman is in situ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33745/13]

Budget 2014 Issues

Andrew Doyle

176. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the names of the voluntary groups and organisations she has met to date in advance of the budget 2014 negotiations; the rationale for the selection of the groups she has met; the dates on which she met them; if she will state if other groups contact her between now and October that she will agree to have discussions with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33847/13]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Andrew Doyle

201. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the recent developments made on extending the ban on smoky coal across the country over the next three years; the discussions both he and his officials have had on this recently with the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland regarding extending the ban on all all-island basis; when he expects to receive the joint North-South study commissioned on 6 May this year; when he expects to bring forward legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33747/13]

Road Traffic Offences

Andrew Doyle

210. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the different blood-alcohol levels and concentrations for drinking under the influence of alcohol in Ireland that are provided for in the Road Traffic Acts, that is policed by An Garda Síochána, as a measure to reduce fatalities and improve safety on our roads; the differences for public service vehicle drivers and normal drivers of vehicles; the measurements and limits that are in place when a person driving a private vehicle who is stopped at an authorised mandatory alcohol testing checkpoint and does not have a driving licence on their person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33748/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

221. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on future reform of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the World Food Programme; his views on the possibility of a merger between the two UN organisations given their ability to conduct joint reports, such as that in 2012 when they completed a joint rapid food security needs assessment mission in Syria, and that both the organisations are based in Rome, Italy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33845/13]

Irish Coast Guard Issues

Andrew Doyle

258. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the provision of a new Irish Coast Guard building and premises at a particular location (details supplied) in County Wicklow; his plans to draw funding for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33722/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

259. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 on 4 July 2013, the position regarding each international organisation, international agency or international body that Ireland is a member of; that his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is a member of; if he will provide the full list as per all other Government Departments responding to a similar parliamentary question on that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33744/13]

Air Accident Investigations

Andrew Doyle

260. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 731 of 14 May 2013 if he will provide an update of his Department's air accident investigation unit's investigation of an incident involving aircraft (details supplied) in County Wicklow on 13 July 2012; when he expects the unit in his Department to issue the draft report to interested parties; when he expects to be in a position to publish the final report into the incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33752/13]

Road Signage

Andrew Doyle

261. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the purpose and intention of the Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (SI 187 of 2013); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33753/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

120. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible for or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32865/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

134. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to fill the recent vacancy of the Consul General of Ireland in Boston; if he will fill the vacancy in the near future to demonstrate Ireland's commitment to the New England area in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33183/13]

Surveillance of EU Offices

Andrew Doyle

140. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the President of the United States of America agreeing to hold high-level bilateral talks with Germany over US surveillance and security monitoring of EU offices in both Washington and New York, if he will confirm whether or not a similar offer has been made to Ireland to discuss the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33460/13]

Prize Bonds

Andrew Doyle

145. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 2 July 2013, regarding anti-money laundering requirements for prize bonds, if officials in his Department have engaged with the National Treasury Management Agency regarding whether exemptions will be made available under European directives applied to small value purchases of prize bonds facilitated on behalf of the State by An Post and the Prize Bond Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33416/13]

Financial Services Sector Remuneration

Andrew Doyle

180. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent vote of the European Parliament that voted against curbing fund managers bonuses; the way this move affects Ireland's position on Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33461/13]

Schools Refurbishment

Andrew Doyle

216. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 2 July 2013, the position in regard to all approvals for additional accommodation and emergency works in an area in County Wicklow to date in 2013 by his Department's school building unit; if he will include the school name, roll number, date approved, type of additional accommodation or emergency work approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33308/13]

Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest

Andrew Doyle

255. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the key measures contained within the recently initiated Protected Disclosures Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33305/13]

International Surveys

Andrew Doyle

271. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the recent ranking of Ireland in the top ten ranking on the Global Innovation Index 2013, a survey by the World Intellectual Property Organisation and Cornell University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33313/13]

Trade Agreements

Andrew Doyle

274. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether the opening of formal negotiations between the US and the EU on 8 July 2013 in Washington DC on the transatlantic trade and investment partnership will be hampered as a result of the recent disclosure of US surveillance activity on EU offices in both Washington and New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33459/13]

National Internship Scheme Numbers

Andrew Doyle

301. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number who benefit from the JobBridge scheme in County Wicklow; if she will list in tabular form the number who have taken up this benefit and the number of those who have gone on to full-time or part-time employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33024/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Andrew Doyle

314. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting or delay period for a decision to be made by an appeals officer for the provision of carer's allowances that is administered by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33350/13]