Parliamentary questions

Inter-Country Adoptions

Andrew Doyle

243. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position in relation to the establishment of a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Russia for the purpose of inter-country adoption; if she intends to seek a date for continuation of further talks with the Russian authorities for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31278/13]

Aviation Issues

Andrew Doyle

304. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the health and safety procedures and plans that will be put in place during FlightFest on 15 September 2013, taking place in the skies over the city of Dublin that his Department, the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin City Council and The Gathering are co-hosting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31352/13]

International Relations

Andrew Doyle

21. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic relations Ireland has with Croatia, which on 1 July 2013 will become the newest and 28th member state of the European Union; the constructive engagements he has had with the Croatian Government over the past six months during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU; the measures he will be taking in the months and years ahead for the benefit of enhanced Irish-Croatian relations; his views on whether there will be more significant trade links between the two nations together in the Single Market; when he expects to be in a position to travel to Croatia to meet with his counterpart in Zagreb; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30655/13]

Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Andrew Doyle

57. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline Ireland's participation and contribution to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe during the Ukrainian Chairperson-in-Office, the immediate successor to the Irish chairmanship in 2012; the work he and his officials engaged in with their counterparts in the Ukraine during the handover period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30656/13]

Local Elections

Andrew Doyle

182. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30871/13]

Local Authority Staff Issues

Andrew Doyle

188. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the guidelines in place for local authorities for the redeployment of staff after the driving licence services are transferred to the Road Safety Authority later in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30994/13]

Election Management System

Andrew Doyle

189. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures in place to detect if non-Irish EU citizens who are registered to vote in European Parliament elections here in 2014 in individual constituencies and for a different constituency in another EU member state where they are from, therefore voting twice for the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30995/13]

Irish Statute Book Application

Andrew Doyle

148. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a detailed breakdown in the number of downloads that have occurred to date of the Irish Statute Book Application available for download on both the Apple AppStore and the Android Google Play Marketplace for smartphones and tablet devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30109/13]

State Solicitors

Andrew Doyle

149. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach the current number of State solicitors operating here in different geographical areas; if he will detail the number of and identify the locations in which State solicitors were appointed on indefinite contracts and-or contracts that do not need to be re-advertised before the practice of lifetime appointments was ended; the number and detail of the location of State solicitors who currently operate that work under fixed term contracts that need to reapply for appointment at the end of their term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30329/13]

Overseas Missions

Andrew Doyle

157. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if annual reports are still made and compiled by the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York; the use and purpose of these reports and who they are accountable to in his Department in Dublin; if these UN reports by the delegation are made public and if they are laid before Dáil Éireann and the Houses of the Oireachtas, either on an annual basis or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30108/13]

UN Security Council Membership

Andrew Doyle

160. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken by the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations by both the outgoing and incoming Ambassadors on Ireland's approach on seeking election to the UN Security Council as a rotating non-permanent member for the 2021-2022 elected term; the steps he believes that will make Ireland a successful candidate for the position from the Western European and Others Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30308/13]

Africa Ireland Economic Forum

Andrew Doyle

170. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations that are under way for the upcoming Ireland Africa Economic Forum taking place on 3 October 2013; his views on whether this will strengthen Irish interests on the continent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30610/13]

European Banking Sector

Andrew Doyle

200. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if officials in his Department or the Central Bank of Ireland have been in consultation with the European Central Bank regarding a programme to provide cheap funding to small businesses, a programme similar to that run by the Bank of England in the United Kingdom entitled Funding for Lending that commenced in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30318/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

204. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the parameters of the discussions held with Ministerial colleagues at the 3248th ECOFIN Council meeting in Luxembourg on 21 June 2013; if he will detail any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30362/13]

Third Level Fees

Andrew Doyle

281. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will be conducting a study or a report on the impact that increasing student fees for third level students is having on families with children attending college, in view of the fact that he has committed to increasing the third level registration fee for students by €250 annually in the coming years; if he will conduct such a study or report internally by officials in his Department or if they will be seeking external tenders for expert consultants to carry out such a study who will be independent; when he expects such a report to be commissioned; the length of time in which he expects such a study to be completed; the length of time he expects to receive such a report; and if he will outline when the report or study will be finalised or when it will feed into policy by his Department. [30536/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Andrew Doyle

295. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the decision to bring the deadline forward by one month for applications to be made to Student Universal Support Ireland for the 2013/14 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30687/13]

Foreign Direct Investment

Andrew Doyle

343. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details surrounding the mobile and tablet application that is to be launched soon by Industrial Development Agency Ireland; the devices and marketplaces to which the app will be available; his views on whether it will be beneficial in attracting further inward investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30628/13]

Elected Mayor for Dublin Metropolitan Area

Andrew Doyle

412. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on a directly-elected Mayor for Dublin; if this proposal will abolish the Cathaoirleach roles in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council and Fingal County Council; the discussions his officials have held both within his Department and with other stakeholders recently regarding developments in the past number of months; if there are any indications at this stage if it will be considered to extend a directly-elected Mayor to other local authorities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30105/13]

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Andrew Doyle

446. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline in tabular form, the number of officials seconded from his Department to various Embassies, Honorary Consuls and other associated missions by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade around the world on a location-by-location basis; the rank of each official at each location; if he will outline the term length of each secondment; the start date of each current secondment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30106/13]

Registration of Wills

Andrew Doyle

481. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to provide for a register of wills in Ireland; if Ireland ever signed the Convention on the Establishment of a Scheme of Registration of Wills when drafted in 1972; if his attention has been drawn to any plans within the EU to draw up a directive on the administration of probate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30696/13]

Ministerial Transport

Andrew Doyle

495. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the number of times on a yearly basis, a helicopter aircraft from the Irish Air Corps landed at the helicopter landing pad on top of Government Buildings at Merrion Street, Dublin, between 26 June 1997 and 8 March 2011 as part of the ministerial air transport service; the passengers for which each landing was conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30611/13]

Departmental Properties

Andrew Doyle

496. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the amount of funding his Department has allocated for the upkeep and maintenance of properties owned by his Department and the Irish Defence Forces in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30698/13]

Live Exports

Andrew Doyle

518. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any delays are occurring at present on the live shipping exports to Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30607/13]

Suckler Cow Quota

Andrew Doyle

525. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the issue of the fertility of suckler herds has been brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30688/13]

Early Child Care Education Issues

Andrew Doyle

529. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the provision of the free pre-school year is being used by various childcare and preschool facilities during early childhood care to increase childcare fees and charge parents a large top-up fee or premium on top of the States' provision of the free year; her views on whether these additional top-up payments and premiums are narrowing the number of institutions that parents can choose to send their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30107/13]

Road Projects Contracts

Andrew Doyle

657. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 25 April 2013, if he will provide an update regarding the proposed national motorway maintenance and renewal contract being put forward by the National Roads Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30305/13]

Dublin Bus Services

Andrew Doyle

659. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Dublin Bus intends to roll-out free Wi-Fi on Dublin Bus services; if discussions have taken place between officials in his Department and Dublin Bus on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30315/13]

National Car Test

Andrew Doyle

670. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail on a centre-by-centre basis, when the last audits of all National Car Testing Service centres and facilities were conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30695/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

29. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of agreements he and his officials have achieved over the past six months as part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU; what he expects to achieve at the June meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, of which he is the current chairman; the outcomes he expects for the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy and other important matters; if he expects all of these issues to be signed off on and the trilogues completed by the end of the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29207/13]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Andrew Doyle

68. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is committed to spending 70 cent in every €100 on overseas aid by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29513/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Andrew Doyle

70. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the decision by the President of the United States of America to arm rebel forces in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29589/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

71. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline Ireland's diplomatic relations with Abkhazia; if recognition of such has been discussed with his colleagues from other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29594/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

72. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations he and his Department have made to date in advance of the European Council summit in December 2013 that will play host to a substantive debate on European security and defence matters; if he can outline at this juncture what stage discussions within his Department have reached; his views on whether this summit may change the nature of public debate here regarding collective security and defence in the EU, given the recent comments by President of the Council, Herman Van Rompuy that the EU needs a long-term and more systematic approach to co-operation in this policy field; if pooling of Irish defence resources is going to be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29617/13]

Common Foreign and Security Policy

Andrew Doyle

73. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if co-ordination of EU member states' policies at the United Nations General Assembly is the responsibility of the member state holding the Presidency of the EU, which Ireland is right now, or the responsibility of the European External Action Service delegation to the UN; if it is the responsibility of member states, the role Ireland has played in this over the past six months of the Irish Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29619/13]

Vehicle Registration Issues

Andrew Doyle

77. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the non-disability schemes for remission of the vehicle registration tax available to organisations that provide transportation for cancer patients that do not fall into the category of disability that are available through the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29451/13]

Departmental Funding

Andrew Doyle

84. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the resources available to him, both within and outside his Department, in terms of expert statistical analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29592/13]

Departmental Funding

Andrew Doyle

112. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the resources available to him, both within and outside his Department, in terms of expert statistical analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29591/13]

Climate Change Policy

Andrew Doyle

151. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the progress made at the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg on 18 June under his chairmanship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29588/13]

Data Retention

Andrew Doyle

169. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the concerns of the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Viviane Reding, regarding the PRISM surveillance programme run by the National Security Agency in the United States (details supplied); the ramifications it has for Irish and EU citizens data; if he has concerns that PRISM or similar programmes is aimed at Irish citizens; if this was raised at the EU-US Justice Ministerial meeting on 14 June and if Ireland was represented at this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29604/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

172. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the preparations he and his Department have made to date in advance of the European Council summit in December 2013 that will play host to a substantive debate on European security and defence matters; if he can outline at this juncture what stage discussions within his Department have reached; his views on whether this summit may change the nature of public debate here regarding collective security and defence in the EU given the recent comments by President of the Council, Herman Van Rompuy that the EU needs a long-term and more systematic approach to cooperation in this policy field; if pooling of Irish defence resources is going to be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29618/13]

Search and Rescue Service

Andrew Doyle

229. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the current status of the contract provided to an external body, CHC, to carry out the Irish Coast Guard helicopter operations; when the current contract was signed and when it expires; if he will update Dáil Éireann on the current rotation and upgrade of aircraft taking place within the Irish Coast Guard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29593/13]

Overseas Missions

Andrew Doyle

29. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the work that has been undertaken by the 108th infantry battalion of the Irish Defence Forces that are currently deployed in Lebanon serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon since their arrival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28710/13]

European Court of Human Rights Rulings

Andrew Doyle

61. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the next opportunity will arise for Ireland to appoint a new judge to the European Court of Human Rights as part of the Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, France; if he will provide details of the current and all previous appointments to the court by the Government; the costs associated with the position in tabular form over the past 15 years; if he will detail annually the salary that this position commands and Ireland's annual financial contribution to the court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29009/13]

Ministerial Travel

Andrew Doyle

63. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the engagements of the Minister of State who is responsible for trade and development in terms of the recent Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Canada; the person who accompanied him on the visit; if he will outline in tabular form the trade figures between the two countries on a year-by-year basis from 2011 to present; if he expects this figure for 2013 to grow by the end of the year on foot on his recent travels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28783/13]

North-South Ministerial Council

Andrew Doyle

67. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues he intends to raise at the upcoming North-South Ministerial Council plenary meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28915/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Andrew Doyle

68. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his Minister of State's recent engagements at the June plenary session of the European Parliament held in Strasbourg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28926/13]

Official Engagements

Andrew Doyle

71. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 14 May 2013, if he intends to accept the offer made to him by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, Ms. Vesna Pusiç, to attend the central celebration on the occasion of Croatia’s accession to the EU to be held in Zagreb on 30 June 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29060/13]

Food Security

Andrew Doyle

74. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent interactions the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, USA, had with Mr. Jonathan Shrier, the US State Department Special Representative for Global Food Security and with Dr. Raj Shah, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development regarding aid, hunger, climate, nutrition, access to food, care, health and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29200/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Andrew Doyle

79. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding recent negotiations he and his officials have had regarding the sovereignty and territory of Lough Foyle; if he has discussed the matter at recent meetings with his British counterpart, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Right Honourable William Hague MP; the status of the current negotiations with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29302/13]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Andrew Doyle

96. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if recent discussions have taken place within his Department on amending the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 and related acts to allow patients claim a reimbursement for physiotherapy expenses when they self refer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29160/13]

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

136. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow has only received sanction for a special needs unit as opposed to a completely furnished model, in line with other public private partnership arrangements and as per other schools in similar categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28953/13]

Student Grant Scheme Delays

Andrew Doyle

157. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that he and his Department have recently put in place to ensure that the delays seen in the last academic year with the Student Universal Support Ireland are not repeated for the 2013/14 year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29391/13]

Heritage Sites

Andrew Doyle

163. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the visitor numbers at each site owned or run by the Office of Public Works for 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28631/13]

Departmental Properties

Andrew Doyle

171. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 339 of 11 June 2013 regarding parking in the lower yard of Dublin Castle, the steps that he and his officials are taking to incrementally reduce car parking at the said site until it is discontinued fully; if this process will be done when officials from the Revenue Commissioners, Comptroller and Auditor General's office, Office of Public Works, an Garda Síochána, Chester Beatty Library and Assay Office who currently have parking access retire; if he intends to remove parking access from current officials to ensure the longevity of the site, in view of the castle's historic importance; if he intends to do so, the date of same; when the last new car parking permit or access was given out for the lower yard of the castle and for what period of time; the criteria there is at present or will be in the future for the exceptional basis for parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29057/13]

Appointments to State Boards

Andrew Doyle

181. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he intends to fill the two current vacancies on the National Consumer Agency that have been vacant since 1 May 2013, in view of the fact that it will soon merge with the Competition Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29048/13]

Appointments to State Boards

Andrew Doyle

182. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he intends to publicly advertise for the vacant position on the board of Industrial Development Agency Ireland through the Public Appointments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29049/13]

Trade Agreements

Andrew Doyle

185. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made at the Foreign Affairs Council, Trade, in Luxemburg in June 2013; the progress made on the trade and investment agreement between the European Union and the United States of America, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; the negotiations on the EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement; the EU's trade relations with China; the other matters that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29404/13]

Care Services

Andrew Doyle

234. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of days in notice required to be given by a caree to a carer if the caree wishes to cease availing of the services of the carer on the carer's allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28960/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Andrew Doyle

237. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer's allowance has been refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow when the person has medical certificates and evidence to say that the caree needs full time care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28987/13]

EU Issues

Andrew Doyle

279. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to the EU Telecoms Council held in Luxembourg on 6 June 2013, if he will provide further details regarding the early agreement on the re-use of public sector information which will improve the availability of publicly held information by removing barriers to its access which will facilitate the development of new services and innovative products; the measure this would entail here; the public sector information he will intend this to involve in an Irish context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29051/13]

Parliamentary Questions Numbers

Andrew Doyle

283. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of parliamentary replies issued by him or Ministers of State from his Department to this Deputy on a yearly basis from 2011 to date in 2013; the number of these replies that contained an undertaking to provide information or extra information requested either from his Department or a body under the aegis of his Department; if he intends to begin replying to Parliamentary Questions on the record of Dáil Éireann with answers from bodies under the aegis of his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that other Government Departments with bodies under their aegis provide written answers on the record of Dáil Éireann without having the bodies reply to the matter directly in private to Deputies; if he intends to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29255/13]

Foreshore Issues

Andrew Doyle

297. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if plans are under way in his Department regarding the reform of the Foreshore Act 1933 regarding his role or authority to award foreshore leases for construction in Irish coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles from the coast; if any reforms are under way; if they will require amendments to the Planning Acts; if any reforms will deviate power from him and if so, to whom; if local authorities will be brought into any such decision-making regarding construction in Irish coastal waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28834/13]

Electoral Reform

Andrew Doyle

299. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the reduction in the number of County Registrars may limit the ability or availability of returning officers for each Dáil constituency for subsequent general elections; the steps he is taking to ensure that the existing number of County Registrars will be in a position to handle the multiple count centres throughout the country for future general elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29059/13]

Local Authority Charges Application

Andrew Doyle

337. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of all the different categories, types and levels of fees charged by a local authority (details supplied) in County Wicklow on a graveyard by graveyard basis in each year from 2008 to 2012; the rules and regulations regarding burial grounds set down by him and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29033/13]

Electoral Reform

Andrew Doyle

338. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since six county registrars have been appointed (details supplied) to become Specialist Judges of the Circuit Court for the purposes of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 and that with the reduction in the number of County Registrars from 23 to 17, with the work redistributed following consultation with the serving county registrars, that the number of County Registrars will be severely curtailed and may limit the ability or availability of returning officers for each Dáil constituency for subsequent general elections; the steps he is taking to ensure that the existing number of County Registrars will be in a position to handle the multiple count centres throughout the country for future general elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29058/13]

Climate Change Policy

Andrew Doyle

353. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Ireland was represented at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that took place from 3 - 14 June 2013, under the direction of Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres; if so, if he will outline Ireland's contribution at the conference and the positions taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29392/13]

Judicial Appointments

Andrew Doyle

358. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there is scope for the appointment of more County Registrars following the reduction in numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29058/13]

Courts Service Issues

Andrew Doyle

381. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the discussions held by the Building Committee of the Courts Service at their last meeting that is chaired by a High Court Judge; the decisions and recommendations that the committee made or did during that meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28943/13]

Judicial Appointments

Andrew Doyle

389. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there is scope for the appointment of more County Registrars following the reduction in numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29059/13]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Andrew Doyle

433. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact portfolio and responsibility arrangements that are to be transferred from him to the new Minister of State at his Department following their appointment in June 2013; when the legal documentation providing for such transfer will be signed; if a statutory instrument, the delegation of ministerial functions must be enacted before the new Minister of State takes up their role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28776/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Andrew Doyle

444. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline Ireland's preparations in anticipation of its participation in this month's biennial 38th meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in Rome, Italy; the agenda that Ireland will be pressing at the meeting; the agreements Ireland is seeking at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29010/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

449. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail his action following on from Commission Directive 2012/24/EU of 8 October 2012 amending, for the purpose of adapting its technical provisions, Council Directive 86/297/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the power take-offs of tractors and their protection; if he will detail the contents of the Directive and the implications it has for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29052/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

450. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail his action following on from Directive 2012/12/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 April 2012 amending Council Directive 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption; if he will detail the contents of the Directive and the implications it has for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29053/13]

North-South Ministerial Council

Andrew Doyle

451. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends, at the next North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Armagh on 10 July 2013 with his counterpart from Northern Ireland, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O'Neill MLA, to raise the issue of the falsification of potato seed labels in Northern Ireland that I have previously brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29055/13]

Child Detention Centres

Andrew Doyle

486. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 866 of 11 June 2013, if the one remaining male who absconded from the Oberstown Boys School in Lusk, County Dublin, has been brought back into custody; the steps her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department are taking regarding liaising with an Garda Síochána in returning the absconder to Oberstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29056/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Andrew Doyle

514. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the Minister of State for Primary Care's recent engagements at the EU-CELAC Co-Operation and Co-Ordination Mechanism on Drugs, that took place Quito, Ecuador between 11 - 14 June; if he will outline other engagements he had on the visit; the person who accompanied the Minister on the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28782/13]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Andrew Doyle

545. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 436 of 11 June 2013 if he or officials in his Department have had discussions regarding plans to include Williams Syndrome on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29050/13]

Cycling Facilities

Andrew Doyle

576. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline in tabular form on a yearly basis the amount of funding his Department has provided for the Dublin Bikes scheme since its inception and operated through Dublin City Council under various headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29301/13]

Parliamentary Questions Numbers

Andrew Doyle

589. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of parliamentary replies issued by him or Ministers of State from his Department to this Deputy on a yearly basis from 2011 to date in 2013; the number of these replies that contained an undertaking to provide information or extra information requested either from his Department or a body under the aegis of his Department; if he intends to begin replying to Parliamentary Questions on the record of Dáil Éireann with answers from bodies under the aegis of his Department, including bodies such as Irish Rail-Iarnród Éireann, the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, the National Transport Authority, the National Roads Authority, the Railway Procurement Agency, the Road Safety Authority, Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Sports Council; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that other Government Department with bodies under their aegis provide written answers on the record of Dáil Éireann without having the bodies reply to the matter directly in private to Deputies; if he intends to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29061/13]

Parliamentary Questions Numbers

Andrew Doyle

596. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of parliamentary replies issued by him or Ministers of State from his Department to this Deputy on a yearly basis from 2011 to date in 2013; the number of these replies that contained an undertaking to provide information or extra information requested either from his Department or a body under the aegis of his Department; if he intends to begin replying to Parliamentary Questions on the record of Dáil Éireann with answers from bodies under the aegis of his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that other Government Departments with bodies under their aegis provide written answers on the record of Dáil Éireann without having the bodies reply to the matter directly in private to Deputies; if he intends to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29415/13]

United Nations Reform

Andrew Doyle

52. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail his position on the future reform of the United Nations General Assembly; his views on whether the European Union delegation to the UN will one day be a full member of the UNGA in its own right, in view of the fact that it holds full membership rights in some UN organisations and its relatively recent upgrade to enhanced observer status with speaking rights; his views on whether both member states and the EU being members of the UNGA could expose differences and create conflicting positions between Ireland and the EU at the UNGA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28461/13]

School Accommodation

Andrew Doyle

69. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of prefabs that will be replaced in schools (details supplied) in County Wicklow, under his Department's prefab replacement scheme, phase 2, announced on 10 June 2013; the value of the grants that will be made available to each school; the number of prefabs he intends to replace under this scheme at each of the said schools; the number of students in each school that this will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28458/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Andrew Doyle

73. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, all new places being made available to both primary and secondary schools in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow in the coming months and years; if he will outline all the upgrades and emergency works in the area since his appointment; if he will outline new school places and new schools, where prefabs have been replaced; the other beneficial moves he has made for the said area since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28543/13]

Schools Building Projects Expenditure

Andrew Doyle

74. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding that has been allocated for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow under the investing in infrastructure and jobs package announced last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28559/13]

National Lottery Licence Sale

Andrew Doyle

79. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the national lottery is in breach of EU competition law, occupying a dominant position; his views on whether this will affect the sale of the lottery licence, where the expressions of interest deadline has recently expired; the number of expressions of interest his Department has received for the lottery licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28457/13]

World Trade Negotiations

Andrew Doyle

82. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline his preparations for the ninth World Trade Organisation ministerial conference taking place in Bali in December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28421/13]

Local Authority Funding

Andrew Doyle

232. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline, in tabular form on a council basis, the amount a number of local authorities (details supplied) will be receiving as part of the additional €50 million that has been committed as part of the investing in infrastructure and jobs plan that was announced on 5 June 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28449/13]

Stadium Projects

Andrew Doyle

233. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his Department were approached in the past two years by the Football Association of Ireland regarding assistance, financial or otherwise, with its debt repayments on the Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road in Dublin; if meetings between the FAI and his officials have taken place in the past two years at which the debt repayments on the stadium were discussed; if any sort or form of solidarity payment was sought by the FAI from his Department or associated bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28456/13]

Road Tolls

Andrew Doyle

234. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a road (details supplied) in County Wicklow will be tolled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28460/13]

Electoral Divisions Report

Andrew Doyle

60. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the report on the Constituency Commission produced in June 2012 recommending no changes to electoral boundaries for European Parliament elections; 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 the Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26847/13]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Andrew Doyle

65. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the May 2012 report entitled Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration produced by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture; his views on the eleven recommendations contained in this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26629/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

102. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach the work his Department is currently undertaking on various pieces of upcoming legislation, through a potential Bill to go through the Houses of the Oireachtas or through Statutory Instrument, to ensure Ireland is in compliance with the upcoming deadlines of Directives from the European Union; the deadline in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27481/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

108. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagements the Minister of State for Trade and Development had at the United Nations in New York on 3 June, specifically around the signing of the Arms Trade Treaty on behalf of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26790/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

111. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his Minister of State's recent engagements at the May Plenary session of the European Parliament held in Strasbourg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26959/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

117. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the work his Department is currently undertaking on various pieces of upcoming legislation, through a potential Bill to go through the Houses of the Oireachtas or through Statutory Instrument, to ensure Ireland is in compliance with the upcoming deadlines of Directives from the European Union; the deadline in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27475/13]

Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Andrew Doyle

120. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress the state of Mongolia has made as the newest member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, which entered the organisation during Ireland's Chairperson-in-office at the 57th Ministerial Council in Dublin, December 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27542/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

121. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 66 of 29 May 2013 regarding the use of Corps Diplomatique or CD sign usage on Irish car registration plates, if he will confirm that there is no legislative basis here for the use of these signs despite the existence of the Vienna Convention; if he will outline the other Departments his officials have been engaging with on the identification of vehicles for accredited diplomats; when he expects this review to be complete; if a new piece of legislation will be required to bring the use of these signs into the legal framework of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27568/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Andrew Doyle

123. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the current civil and political unrest in Turkey; if any Irish citizens have been caught up in the current demonstrations taking place; the plan he has in place for assisting Irish citizens in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27659/13]

State Visits

Andrew Doyle

128. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the recent engagements the Minister of State for European Affairs had on their recent visit to Croatia; if he will highlight the importance of engaging with Croatia as the newest member of the European Union from 1 July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27783/13]

Banking Operations

Andrew Doyle

138. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance his views on the receivership of a hotel group (details supplied) in County Wicklow having regard to the fact that other hotels in the group are being profitably run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26850/13]