Parliamentary questions

Broadband Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

356. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a progress report on the roll-out of broadband and high speed broadband in the various areas (details supplied) of counties Wicklow and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33025/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure

Andrew Doyle

382. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding his Department allocated for a particular site refurbishment (details supplied) in County Wicklow during 2013; the amount of this funding that has been drawn down to date and by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33167/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure

Andrew Doyle

383. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the applications or expressions of interest he has received for the provision of services at a particular housing site (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if any of these approaches has involved the provision of funding from his Department; the amount of funding set aside for 2013 for the provision of services at the said site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33168/13]

Register of Electors Administration

Andrew Doyle

387. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013, in Part 4, means the applications for inclusion in the supplement to the postal and special voters lists in advance of the 21st day before polling day at presidential, European, local elections or referendums can be included on the postal and special voters lists, but not for general elections or Dáil by-elections; if there is an explicit reason extending this period to allow more time for the receipt of applications for inclusion on postal and special voters lists has not been included for elections to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33299/13]

Register of Electors Administration

Andrew Doyle

388. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale for the decision to repeal the requirement in the Referendum Act 1994 for An Post to make copies of referendum Bills available for inspection and purchase by members of the public at post offices in the run-up to referendums, contained within the Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013; the amount this mechanism has cost the State in each referendum between 2006 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33304/13]

Prison Accommodation

Andrew Doyle

406. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recent examination of the feasibility of Wi-Fi Internet, wireless telecommunications systems and communications infrastructure in a prison environment by the Irish Prison Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32887/13]

Judicial Appointments

Andrew Doyle

427. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline every judicial appointment made in 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33186/13]

Naval Service Vessels

Andrew Doyle

439. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 23 May 2013 the process he, in conjunction with the Irish Naval Service, will use for the naming of the two new vessels to be delivered in early 2014 and 2015 to replace the LE Emer and LE Aoife; if a decision has been made on the matter yet; when he expects a decision to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33185/13]

Regulation of Sunbed Use

Andrew Doyle

525. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the pending legislation and regulations that he intends to put in place for the regulation of sunbeds; if his plans include the restriction of sale of private sunbeds in addition to sunbeds available for public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33300/13]

Air Navigation Order

Andrew Doyle

562. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedure of notification that is required to be given to Ireland when aircraft enter and pass through Irish airspace carrying Heads of State or Heads of Government from other nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33181/13]

Air Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

570. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no current direct flight exists between Ireland and any city in the People's Republic of China; his views on whether such a direct air link would provide additional benefit for Ireland, in view of the current level of trade between the two countries; the discussions he has held on this matter in the past two years; his views on whether such a route would be beneficial for Ireland in view of the visit here last year of the then Vice President and now President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33184/13]

Driving Test Regulations

Andrew Doyle

572. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of agent network locations that he is seeking to establish in County Wicklow through SGS Ireland for the national driving licence service centres; the locations that have been agreed; if all locations in the county will open by the September 2013 deadline, if job creation will be an element of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33306/13]

EU Regulations

Andrew Doyle

573. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the implications for Ireland if caravans, trailers and motorcycles may have to carry separate number plates from 2016 onwards as a result of a recent vote by the European Parliament; if he believes licence plates should remain in Ireland's competence or should be part of an overall EU policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33314/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

58. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the status of military attachés to foreign embassies and Governments here, either on a resident or non-resident basis; if he will outline in tabular form the current list of nations that have military attachés here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32630/13]

Passport Applications

Andrew Doyle

59. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current expected and waiting times for all the various forms of applying for a passport, including the Passport Express Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32628/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Andrew Doyle

60. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will publish a copy of the letter he recently sent to the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, regarding immigration reform in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32649/13]

EU Issues

Andrew Doyle

61. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he believes that there is significant overlap in the Foreign Affairs Council and the General Affairs Council in the European Council; if he further believes they should be merged into one council; if he will outline the proposed reforms Ireland intends to put forward in the future in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32652/13]

United Nations Resolutions

Andrew Doyle

62. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail the names of resolutions and the dates that Ireland has voted for and against at the United Nations General Assembly from 2011 to the present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32653/13]

United Nations Reform

Andrew Doyle

64. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the establishment of a United Nations parliamentary assembly to scrutinise the work of the UN; if established, the way he envisages Ireland's participation in the parliamentary assembly; if he will detail Ireland's position, stance and contribution to the establishment of such an assembly to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/13]

Official Engagements

Andrew Doyle

66. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagements he had in Zagreb, Croatia, to mark the celebration of Croatia's accession to the European Union on 30 June 2013; if he will detail other engagements he had in Croatia to mark the occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32741/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Andrew Doyle

67. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the current mass demonstrations taking place in Egypt, notably in the capital city of Cairo; if he will identify if any Irish citizens have been caught up in the current demonstrations taking place; the plan Ireland has in place for assisting Irish citizens in the region; if he will outline, in view of other governments pulling their staff out of their embassies in the country, if he plans to do likewise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32743/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

68. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is concerned regarding the recent revelations of apparent spying and surveillance by the United States of America on the EU's delegations to both the US in Washington and the UN in New York; if his attention has been drawn to any such concerns regarding this taking place on member states' diplomatic missions within the US, notably the Irish Embassy, consulates general and any other diplomatic activity in the US; if he shares the same concerns as the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and the Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, Elmar Brok; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32747/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

69. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32811/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

114. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline 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 responsible for or co-responsible for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32810/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

130. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline each international organisation, agency or body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32808/13]

Proposed Legislation

Andrew Doyle

132. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of upcoming legislation to amend the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act to modernise the senior management structure in the Houses of the Oireachtas; if he intends to bring forward legislation before the summer recess, during which a senior official is due to retire; if the legislation will incorporate the top level appointments commission for the appointment of the Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and Clerk of Dáil Éireann; the recent discussions he has had on this matter with the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann and the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann; if, in the event the legislation is not introduced before the summer recess, he will detail the arrangements the Oireachtas will have to put in place in the interim, before legislation is brought forward later in 2013 to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32742/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

134. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32815/13]

Intellectual Property Protocol

Andrew Doyle

137. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline the details of the International Treaty on Intellectual Property that was signed on 28 June 2013 in Marrakesh, Morocco, under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU; if the treaty requires ratification here through primary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32658/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

141. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32813/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

151. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body that Ireland is a member of that her Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of her Department is responsible for or co-responsible for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32816/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

162. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32804/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

166. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32806/13]

Road Safety Issues

Andrew Doyle

173. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it has been brought to his attention that for families with six or more children, to be compliant with new road safety measures regarding seat belts, that families need to upgrade their vehicles from seven seater vehicles to either eight or nine seat vehicles; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as a result of this change that motor taxation may increase by 300%-400% when they purchase adequately sized older vehicles leaving families a huge bill for the motor tax on older vehicles in order to be legally compliant; if he is intending to take measures to alleviate this situation for families struggling to pay the huge increase in motor taxation as a result of this road safety measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32669/13]

Planning Issues

Andrew Doyle

175. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he or officials in his Department are planning any legislative amendments to deal with a recent High Court decision on the demolition of unauthorised developments; the communications his Department have had with local authorities in this regard; if in view of encouraging local authorities to appeal such decisions to higher courts, he or his officials have considered the costs of further legal action this would have on the exchequer; if given any such advice, his Department is giving any financial assistance to local authorities in dealing with this matter; when he intends to bring legislative amendments forward rather than dealing with lengthy expensive periods in the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32744/13]

Septic Tank Registration Scheme

Andrew Doyle

176. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 23 April 2013, if he will provide information regarding the code of practice being drawn up for septic tank inspectors; the dealings his Department has had with the Environmental Protection Agency on this matter; when he expects inspectors to be appointed and be in a position to start conducting inspections in particular local authorities (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32745/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

186. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32809/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

212. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will set out each international organisation, agency or body of which Ireland is a member of and for which his Department, or any State body or agency under the aegis of his Department, is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32814/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

229. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32807/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

235. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32803/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

240. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body that Ireland is a member of that her Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of her Department is responsible for or co-responsible for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32805/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

272. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32812/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

279. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline each international organisation, international agency or international body of which Ireland is a member and for which his Department or a State body or agency under the aegis of his Department is responsible or co-responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32817/13]

Air Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

280. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it has been brought to his attention that no direct flight exists between Ireland and Silicon Valley or San Francisco in California; if he believes such a direct air link would provide an employment boost to the Irish economy in terms of foreign direct investment given Silicon Valley is a central hub for worldwide technology companies; the discussions he and his Department officials have held with multi-national employers or airlines on this matter in the past two years; if he believes such a route would be hugely beneficial for Ireland given the pre-cleared for US customs and immigration at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32852/13]

Arms Trade

Andrew Doyle

63. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 11 June 2013, if he will provide an update in the provision of legislation in Irish law for the ratification of the arms trade treaty he intends to bring before Dáil Éireann later this year; the steps that have been taken to date by officials in his Department in this matter to ensure early ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32307/13]

Election Monitoring Missions

Andrew Doyle

64. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No.120 of 11 June 2013, the names of persons whom his Department sent on the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe election observation mission to oversee the presidential elections in Mongolia on 26 June 2013; the costs that each person will incur; if he will outline in tabular form the expenses of each person; the activity of the mission during the election and to report on their outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32333/13]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Andrew Doyle

66. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 28 May 2013 and the Immigration Reform Bill that was passed by the United States Senate on a 68-32 vote on 27 June 2013, to outline the measures contained within the Bill and the possible ramifications it will have on future J1 visas that many thousands of Irish college students avail of every summer; if new fees will be introduced on employers who hire J1 students for the usual 12 week period; his views on whether any such fees imposed on US employers will deter them from hiring Irish students, threatening the future of the J1 visa scheme; if it is apparent to him how this measure in the Bill would be paid or who would pay; his views on whether this measure contained in the Bill is unfair and unworkable; the measures he, officials in his Department and the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC will be taking in the near future to ensure representations are made to every member of Congress, particularly those in support of the Irish cause, before this Bill is voted on in the United States House of Representatives to ensure amendments are made to the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32493/13]

Overseas Development Aid Issues

Andrew Doyle

67. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the main points regarding the Minister of State with responsibility for trade and development's address to the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa EU Presidency Seminar in Dublin on 27 June 2013 entitled Africa's Development Future: land, hope and hunger; the number of persons on the African Continent who are employed by Irish companies; if he will detail where this data and statistical information is available; the Irish companies that interact with his Department that operate in Africa and the sectors they are involved with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32495/13]

Registered Employment Agreements

Andrew Doyle

149. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the legislative measures he intends to take on registered employment agreements following on from the recent striking down elements of the Industrial Relations Act 1946 by the Supreme Court in McGowan and others v. The Labour Court, Ireland and the Attorney General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32494/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

174. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the parameters of the Minister of State's recent address to the International Conference on Nuclear Security in Vienna, Austria on 30 June and 1 July; if he will detail the bilateral engagements and other meetings he had at the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32482/13]

Waste Water Treatment Inspections

Andrew Doyle

175. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 27 June 2013, and the recently signed Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, when he expects grants to be made available for the upgrading of households whose septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems are deemed to require remediation following an inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32492/13]

Garda Vetting Process

Andrew Doyle

188. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person should receive confirmation when he or she has passed the vetting process by the Garda central vetting unit; if a person may request the confirmation from the employer or organisation that requires the Garda vetting; if a person may request a certificate or other comparable form of confirmation of vetting from the central vetting unit to prove he or she has passed Garda vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32489/13]

Garda Vetting Process

Andrew Doyle

189. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that have been taken to date on the setting of up an the e-vetting system; the way the process would work for both approved employers/organisations and persons to be vetted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32490/13]

Dental Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

220. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the forthcoming review of the Dental Act 1985, which will identify the regulatory and other reforms required in the dental health professions; the progress that has been made to date on this issue; if consultations have been held to date with relevant stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32411/13]

Public Transport Initiatives

Andrew Doyle

242. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the service provided by the new Real Time Ireland application by the National Transport Authority, integrating all real time arrival information services from Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, DART, Irish Rail and Luas; if the application development was publicly procured; the total cost of the application to date and if he will clarify any outstanding payments; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the number of downloads that have occurred to date of the application available for download on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Android marketplace for smartphones and tablet devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32407/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Andrew Doyle

243. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the measure contained with the Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013 regarding the graduated driver licence system and the two-year period after a person passes their driving test in the novice category to have N plates is excessive; his views on whether a shorter timeframe such as six months or 12 months would be more appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32431/13]

National Transport Authority

Andrew Doyle

245. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that the National Transport Authority, NTA, has made available for the provision of a footpath and improved alignment at a location (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the amount of the allocated funding that has been drawn down by the local authority to date or has been spent by the NTA to date; when he expects the project works to commence and when they are to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32533/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Andrew Doyle

162. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 11 June 2013, his views on the further level of civil and political unrest in Turkey; if any Irish citizens have been caught up in the demonstrations taking place; his views on the case involving one Irish citizen receiving consular assistance from the Embassy of Ireland in Ankara; the plan Ireland has in place for assisting other Irish citizens in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31675/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Andrew Doyle

163. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the current civil and political unrest in Brazil; if any Irish citizens have been caught up in the current demonstrations taking place; the plan Ireland has in place for assisting Irish citizens in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31676/13]

Emigrant Support Services

Andrew Doyle

166. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 30 May 2013, if he has received the full report that the consul general in Boston requested from the executive director of the Irish International Immigration Centre, Boston, following on from an incident relating to an Irish J1 visa holder; the measures being taken to ensure incidents like this do not occur in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31937/13]

Money Laundering

Andrew Doyle

240. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the current anti-money laundering requirements for Prize Bonds; his views on whether the current level is sufficient; if he has considered raising or lowering this threshold; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many bonds are sold and given as gifts by persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31821/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

244. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline measures taken at the June ECOFIN meeting to secure protections against excessive financial speculation in the food and other commodity derivative markets through the review of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive; the progress that has been made on this issue at administrative level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31934/13]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Andrew Doyle

276. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the current list of public relations or related consultancy contracts and agreements that the Central Bank of Ireland is currently in or has procured in the last five years, including in recent weeks; if any of these public relations deals regarding media management has been directly or indirectly related to the recent Anglo Irish Bank tapes controversy; the value of these public relations arrangements; the starting date of negotiations and the proposed length of each deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32174/13]

School Accommodation

Andrew Doyle

303. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline all approvals for additional accommodation and emergency works in an area (details supplied) in 2013 to date 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. [31593/13]

Departmental Expenditure

Andrew Doyle

304. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 12 March 2013, in view of the fact that the State over the past four years has spent nearly €5 million on payslips and postage to school employees and pensioners, the progress that has been made in his Department in implementing a cost effective online payslip system that is intended to be rolled out by the end of 2014; if consideration has been given to bringing this forward in view of the significant savings it would yield for the State; if the scheme will be similar to the online payslip facility that ran on a pilot basis for officials from his Department in Tullamore, County Offaly; if physical payslips ceased to be issued by his Department to officials nationwide by 15 March 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31615/13]

Proposed Legislation

Andrew Doyle

411. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of forthcoming whistleblower legislation; when he expects any such Bill will come before Dáil Éireann; the provisions contained within the Bill and the measures contained within the legislation to deal with whistleblowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31846/13]

Company Registration

Andrew Doyle

426. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new companies, of various types, that have been registered with the Companies Registration Office in tabular form on a yearly basis between 2008-2012, and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31797/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Andrew Doyle

455. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 18 June 2013, if a decision on an appeal in respect of a carer's allowance will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31761/13]

Energy Conservation

Andrew Doyle

477. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail the recent announcement he has made regarding exemplar energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31604/13]

Local Government Reform Expenditure

Andrew Doyle

515. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been set aside by local authorities from 2007 to date in 2013 in order to cover the lump sums payable to members of local authorities who retire or fail to retain their seats at the local elections set to take place in 2014; the advice he and his Department have given or will give to local authorities on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31699/13]

Water Meters Installation

Andrew Doyle

523. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if water calibration and verification of water meters will be part of the installation of water meters by Irish Water and the three companies who will be awarded contracts next month for the installation of water meters throughout the country; if it will be done at household, residential, district and commercial levels as they go about installing over one million meters at a pace of 27,000 per month; if he will outline the measures he is taking to ensure the metering of potable water will be compliant with EU regulations and directives; if he is satisfied that calibration will meet international standards; if he will outline the measures he will take to ensure the international standards will be met as water meters get older; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31936/13]

Proposed Legislation

Andrew Doyle

531. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the key measures contained within the Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32167/13]

Electoral Reform

Andrew Doyle

532. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 15 May 2013 and No. 465 of 28 May 2013, the flexibility and restrictions that will be included for postal voters; if the measures will be contained in the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2013 that will amend the Electoral Act 1992 or the recently initiated Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill 2013; if postal and supplementary voter lists extension date will include Dáil, European, presidential and local elections, as well as referenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32179/13]

European Parliament Elections

Andrew Doyle

533. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 12 June 2012, if in view of a decision taken at European level to reduce Ireland’s number of MEPs from 12 to 11 at the next European Parliament elections in 2014, the implications it has on the report; if he is considering forming a new Commission to report on electoral boundaries for next year’s European Parliament elections in view of the number of constituencies needing to be revised; if the new report will be taking submissions from the public in a suitable timeframe as per all previous Constituency Commission reports on Dáil and European Parliament boundaries; when submissions will be taken from the public regarding the boundaries; when the Commission will be reporting to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32184/13]

Visa Applications

Andrew Doyle

540. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the current pilot visa scheme that was awarded to Marketing English in Ireland; if he will detail the circumstances and decisions regarding the awarding of the pilot visa scheme to MEI and if public procurement was followed; the date on which this scheme came into effect, the date on which it will end: if and when the scheme will be reviewed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32153/13]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Andrew Doyle

569. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the redress scheme in place for the survivors of the Magdalen laundries, following on from the Dr. Martin McAleese report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31953/13]

Student Visas Applications

Andrew Doyle

576. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current waiting time for the processing of student visa applications for the purposes of studying here; his views on whether this waiting time is comparable and competitive with other nations competing for international students to come to study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32151/13]

Student Visas Applications

Andrew Doyle

577. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting period for the processing of student visa applications for the purposes of studying here in each month for the years 2009 to 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32152/13]

Official Engagements

Andrew Doyle

581. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the details of his address to the 30th International Workshop on Global Security in Paris, France on 24 June 2013; if he will detail the bilateral meetings and other engagements he had at the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31640/13]

Defence Forces Personnel

Andrew Doyle

582. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the different ranks of all members in the Irish Defence Forces including the Permanent Defence Force, the Reserve Defence Force, the Irish Naval Service, the Naval Service Reserve, the Irish Air Corps and any other associated part of the Defence Forces; the comparisons that can be made in the ranks between the different sections of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31694/13]

Overseas Missions

Andrew Doyle

584. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if the Irish Defence Forces will be deployed to Mali from 1 July as per the United Nations Security Council resolution of 25 June 2013 regarding a UN peacekeeping force made up of 12,600 troops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31847/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Andrew Doyle

665. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if a scheme or mechanism is in place by either his Department or the Health Service Executive so that used 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; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such a scheme or mechanism would allow for significant saving for the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31735/13]

Rail Network

Andrew Doyle

710. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the details regarding the slippage of land near a rail line (details supplied) in County Wicklow; to outline when the events occurred and the measures Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail are taking on the matter; if a permanent solution will be put in place by them to ensure the long-term use of rail services along that line; if it has met with the local authority to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31641/13]

Roads Maintenance

Andrew Doyle

715. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority has received a submission from a local authority regarding the provision of funding to amend a stretch of road (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if funding will be made available for making the particular section safer for motorists; when he envisages any such funding being made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31814/13]

Tourism Promotion

Andrew Doyle

61. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 18 June 2013 regarding visitor numbers to Glendalough in County Wicklow, 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, he intends to commission a working group or some other similar arrangement with officials in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Office of Public Works to develop a full cultural tourism plan for the Glendalough area 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. [31086/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

73. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the parameters of the discussions held recently between the Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin and the Irish ambassador to Bulgaria, His Excellency John Rowan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31181/13]

European Court of Human Rights Nominations

Andrew Doyle

78. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 18 June 2013, if he will outline the lists of three candidates that Ireland has put forward, on each occasion it is asked, for possible selection as a Judge of the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31274/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

82. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting that took place in Luxembourg on 24 June 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31312/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

83. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcomes of the General Affairs Council meeting that took place in Luxembourg on 25 June 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31314/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

84. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the rationale for the appointment of a new Honorary Consul for Kazakhstan in Almaty, in view of the fact that his Department is currently conducting a review of the Honorary Consul Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31329/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

85. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current status of the outstanding nominees for the positions of Honorary Consuls in Nairobi, Kenya; Kathmandu, Nepal and Antalya, Turkey; if he will detail if and when the nominations will be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31330/13]

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Andrew Doyle

86. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of officials that have been seconded from his Department, including Irish Aid, to other Government Departments, EU institutions and bodies, international organisations, NGOs, other nation states and any other body; the level, grade and rank of each official that is on secondment; the name of each body an official is currently with; the length of each secondment, detailing time seconded to date and expected secondment remaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31335/13]

Third Level Partnerships

Andrew Doyle

124. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding on a research and student exchange agreement in Dublin between the University of Maryland and University College Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31332/13]

Proposed Legislation

Andrew Doyle

142. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 142 of the 16 May 2013 and 67 of 23 May 2013, if he will clarify that the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013 that will provide for a statutory qualified privilege for private papers of Members and official documents of the Houses will include that of political staff working in their parliamentary and constituency offices in terms of their documents, emails and other communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31442/13]

Departmental Staff Secondments

Andrew Doyle

180. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of officials that have been seconded from his Department, to other Government Departments, EU institutions and bodies, international organisations, NGOs, other nation states and any other body; the level, grade and rank of each official that is on secondment; the name of each body an official is currently with; the length of each secondment, detailing time seconded to date and expected secondment remaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31336/13]

Local Authority Funding

Andrew Doyle

189. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding given by his Department under the aegis of Wicklow Town Council and Wicklow County Council for a housing development (details supplied) in County Wicklow and under which schemes these moneys have been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31277/13]

Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems

Andrew Doyle

191. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he plans to introduce a grant scheme to provide financial assistance to households whose septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems are deemed to require remediation following an inspection; when he expects to be in a position to announce such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31315/13]

Green Paper on Defence

Andrew Doyle

227. 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; if it is proposed to amend the triple lock system that is currently in place where deployment of the Irish Defence Forces requires the approval of the Government, Dáil Éireann and a UN mandate; if he will detail other discussions held with officials regarding new policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31331/13]

Humanitarian Aid

Andrew Doyle

228. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline Ireland's recent interaction with the World Food Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31184/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Andrew Doyle

234. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the conclusions of the final Agriculture and Fisheries Council during the Irish EU Presidency that took place in Luxembourg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31313/13]

Child Care Reports

Andrew Doyle

238. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made to date on ensuring all inspection reports of child care facilities will be uploaded online and available for all parents to examine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31198/13]