Parliamentary questions

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Eamon Ryan

30. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the new measures his Department may be considering regarding the way in which unpaid forms of work such as caring may be rewarded by the State; and the initial measures in this regard he may introduce in the next budget. [26234/17]

Departmental Contingency Planning

Eamon Ryan

165. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has implemented procedural changes in the workings of his Department to lessen the chance that the issue of reported delays in maternity benefit, which occurred recently, will not reoccur; if so, the details of such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26235/17]

National Security Committee

Eamon Ryan

4. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach when the last meeting of the national security committee took place; and the primary role and responsibilities of the committee. [25652/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

17. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with Mr. Michel Barnier. [25981/17]

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Eamon Ryan

55. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the correspondence he has had with Greek and other European Governments in regard to EU monitoring of the case of a person (details supplied) within the Egyptian court system. [25609/17]

Trade Strategy

Eamon Ryan

78. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions with his Chinese counterparts regarding the proposed belt and road initiative dubbed the new Silk Road. [24356/17]

Brexit Issues

Eamon Ryan

103. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with leaders of political parties in Northern Ireland regarding Brexit and the formation of a new administration following the latest assembly elections. [25654/17]

Northern Ireland

Eamon Ryan

323. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the meetings or discussions he has had with leaders in Northern Ireland regarding the formation of the Assembly in advance of the UK general election. [24357/17]

Social and Affordable Housing

Eamon Ryan

44. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the detail of the definition of affordable housing; the nature of the affordable housing; if affordable housing will be for rent or for sale; and the mechanism for designing, building and allocating such housing in view of the fact that of the 3,500 units 450 or 15.7% in the Poolbeg SDZ are to be affordable housing. [25025/17]

Planning Issues

Eamon Ryan

45. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the obligations on Irish Rail to seek planning permissions for the maintenance, development and improvement of the rail systems. [25026/17]

School Curriculum

Eamon Ryan

66. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of boys and girls respectively who study home economics at junior certificate level; and if he will consider making the subject compulsory at that level. [24725/17]

National Economic and Social Council

Eamon Ryan

13. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach when the next meeting of the National Economic and Social Council will take place. [24358/17]

Criminal Law

Eamon Ryan

51. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the prosecution of those soliciting or procuring sexual services, in accordance with Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offices) Act 2017, is under way; the way in which An Garda Síochána is planning to enforce the Act; and if there are statistics available in relation to enforcement since implementation. [24395/17]

Road Traffic Offences Data

Eamon Ryan

82. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has access to statistics regarding the level of intoxication of persons arrested and-or tested for drink driving; and the trend over time for the average level of intoxication of those arrested and-or tested. [24394/17]

Deportation Orders Data

Eamon Ryan

132. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of letters of intention to deport under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, issued by nationality in each of the years from 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; if they were asylum related or non-asylum related; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24563/17]

Leave to Remain

Eamon Ryan

133. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons, by nationality, granted leave to remain on humanitarian grounds under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 in 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; if they were asylum related or non-asylum related; the number of applications pending; if they are asylum related or non-asylum related; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24567/17]

Deportation Orders Data

Eamon Ryan

134. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders signed under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, by nationality, in 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; if they were asylum related or non-asylum related; the numbers of these enforced; if they were asylum related or non-asylum related; the number of these subsequently revoked under section 3(11); and if they were asylum related or non-asylum related [24566/17]

Voluntary Repatriation Schemes

Eamon Ryan

135. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who agreed to voluntary repatriation under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, by nationality, in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; if they were asylum related or non-asylum related; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24565/17]

European Fund for Strategic Investments

Eamon Ryan

27. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Finance to provide details on the funds that have been drawn down from within the State from the Juncker investment fund since its inception. [23572/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

23. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent trip to Canada and any discussions that took place regarding CETA. [22107/17]

Naval Service

Eamon Ryan

35. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for the development of naval capabilities, including increasing the role of the Naval Service in fisheries protection and monitoring Irish waters after Brexit. [23587/17]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Eamon Ryan

27. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach when the next meeting of the Cabinet committee on infrastructure, environment and climate action will take place. [20727/17]

Departmental Bodies

Eamon Ryan

36. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach when the next meeting of the National Economic and Social Council will take place. [21883/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

7. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with the Danish and Dutch Prime Ministers and the details of any agreements made regarding a common approach to Brexit. [20416/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

13. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach the discussions he has had with political leaders in Northern Ireland regarding the formation of a new administration following the recent Assembly elections. [20726/17]

European Council Meetings

Eamon Ryan

18. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings at the Special European Council on 29 April 2017. [20417/17]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Eamon Ryan

44. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out the expected emissions from the transport sector in 2020 and 2030; and the reason the national mitigation plan has a number of gaps relating to reductions in emissions from the transport sector. [22362/17]

Traffic Management

Eamon Ryan

49. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to alleviate congestion in Dublin within the next four years, in view of the estimated annual cost of €350 million due to delays in traffic. [22109/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

73. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's progress in implementing the national cycle policy framework; his Department's progress towards meeting the smarter travel targets; and the reason for the lack of investment in the capital investment plan. [22108/17]

UN Committees

Eamon Ryan

99. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the Government will submit its fifth, sixth and seventh report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in view of the fact that it has missed the last reporting deadline by over three years. [22352/17]

Official Engagements

Eamon Ryan

172. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will be represented in the Irish delegation to the UNFCCC meetings of the UNFCCC SBI and SBSTA in Bonn in May 2017 and if officials from his Department will attend the side event on scaling up green energy finance and swapping fossil fuel subsidies for sustainable energy solutions. [22351/17]

National Mitigation Plan

Eamon Ryan

229. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the nature of the expertise in carbon sequestration in peatlands he is able to rely on within his Department or by means of consultancy contracts when considering whether actions relating to peatland carbon sequestration should be included in the national mitigation plan and whether to support the mandatory inclusion of wetland management in the proposed 2030 targets for the non-traded emissions from EU member states. [22346/17]

National Mitigation Plan

Eamon Ryan

230. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the analysis he has carried out or has access to regarding the cost effectiveness of greenhouse gas mitigation by means of storing and sequestering carbon in peatlands. [22347/17]

Climate Change Negotiations

Eamon Ryan

231. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to detail the Departments and agencies that will be represented at the UNFCCC meetings of the SBI and SBSTA in Bonn in May 2017; and the Department that will be attending the side events on global peatlands initiative and rediscovering the magnificent carbon storage potential of wetlands and peatlands. [22348/17]

Official Engagements

Eamon Ryan

245. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will be represented in the Irish delegation to the meetings of the UNFCCC SBI and SBSTA in Bonn in May 2017; if it will attend the side events on climate action for transport mitigation and adaptation and strengthening leadership on low carbon transport to deliver long-term climate goals. [22350/17]

National Cycle Network

Eamon Ryan

246. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Government is on track to meet the objective in policy 4.1 of the national cycle policy framework that by 2020 the environment in the immediate vicinity of schools will be a safe and attractive low speed environment with speed limits strictly enforced and drop off by car within a given distance restricted. [22353/17]

National Cycle Network

Eamon Ryan

247. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps which have been taken to encourage use by local authorities of special equipment to maintain and sweep off road cycle tracks and cycleways in pursuance of policy 5.4 of the national cycle policy framework. [22354/17]

National Cycle Network

Eamon Ryan

248. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps which have been taken to ensure that local authorities provide mobile guarded bicycle parking facilities to let for special events (details supplied) in pursuance of policy 7.3 of the national cycle policy framework. [22355/17]

UN Conventions

Eamon Ryan

266. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department will be represented in the Irish delegation to the meetings of the UNFCCC SBI and SBSTA in Bonn in May 2017; and if it will be attending the side events on greening with jobs: decent work and just transition in the Paris Agreement and policy solutions for a climate friendly materials sector. [22349/17]

National Mitigation Plan

Eamon Ryan

51. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the modelling which underpins the national mitigation plan; the key assumptions regarding the use of biomass in power generation; and his views on the future of carbon capture and storage. [21887/17]

National Raised Bog Management Plan

Eamon Ryan

347. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans for the rewetting of midland bogs. [21886/17]

Forestry Sector

Eamon Ryan

5. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered continuous cover as an alternative, in view of the afforestation his Department has planned; and if he has carried out a review of the potential for higher value output derived from continuous cover. [21383/17]

Hospitals Patronage

Eamon Ryan

20. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health the assurances he can provide that the proposed agreement between the National Maternity Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital will not restrict the provision of medical procedures in the new facility. [20741/17]

Hospitals Patronage

Eamon Ryan

74. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health if there are other ownership models in which the ownership of the National Maternity Hospital would not accrue to those owning the land at which the hospital is to be located. [20740/17]

Legislative Programme

Eamon Ryan

179. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to commence section 28(1) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. [21043/17]

EU Meetings

Eamon Ryan

3. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with Chancellor Merkel. [17914/17]

Arts Promotion

Eamon Ryan

46. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to address the deficit in affordable artist studio space around the country, in particular in Dublin city; if she will liaise with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to introduce legislation that would support the inclusion of a provision of artistic, creative and cultural space in all new developments, such as 2% in all developments over 200 units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20414/17]

Wild Fires

Eamon Ryan

60. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her Department's estimation of damages caused, loss of habitat and loss of wildlife in view of the recent and ongoing spate of dangerous and severe wildfires across the countryside over the past month and in the context of the recent passage of the Heritage Bill which extends the permitted burning periods into March; and the existing measures in place to prevent illegal burning and current enforcement practices. [20415/17]

Census of Population Data

Eamon Ryan

88. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach the reasons for the ethnic and cultural categorisations currently used in the census, in view of concerns that they do not reflect the diversity of modern Ireland. [20854/17]

Valuation Office

Eamon Ryan

99. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied with the time period within which Valuations Office Ireland responds to requests for the revaluation of properties, which now passes two years; her views on whether the office requires extra resources; if so, if she will provide extra resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20839/17]

Visa Applications

Eamon Ryan

100. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the requirement for Afghan nationals applying for Irish visas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20853/17]

Deportation Orders Data

Eamon Ryan

210. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of letters of intention to deport under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 issued in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; if they were asylum-related or non-asylum-related; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20859/17]

Leave to Remain

Eamon Ryan

211. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons granted leave to remain on humanitarian grounds under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; if they were asylum-related or non-asylum-related; the number of applications pending; if they are asylum-related or non-asylum-related; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20860/17]

Deportation Orders Data

Eamon Ryan

212. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders signed under section 3 of the Immigration Act in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; if they were asylum-related or non-asylum-related; the numbers of these enforced; if they were asylum-related or non-asylum-related; the number of these subsequently revoked under section 3(11); if they were asylum-related or non-asylum-related; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20861/17]

Voluntary Repatriation Schemes

Eamon Ryan

213. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who agreed to voluntary repatriation under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; if they were asylum related or non-asylum related; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20862/17]

Planning Issues

Eamon Ryan

507. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if planning authorities, under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2015 or lobbying Act, are required to record details of consultations or discussions with certain groups of persons (details supplied) in respect of proposals to zone lands regarding which the discussions happen separately to the process of written submissions on draft development plans. [20838/17]

Social and Affordable Housing

Eamon Ryan

508. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if further measures will be introduced to address housing affordability and specifically the reintroduction of an affordable housing scheme. [20842/17]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Eamon Ryan

509. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to give Dublin City Council greater flexibility in deciding the levels of social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ. [20844/17]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Eamon Ryan

510. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to allow higher levels of social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20845/17]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Eamon Ryan

511. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether 10% social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ, is adequate to make a meaningful contribution to reducing housing waiting lists in Dublin city; and the steps he will take to ensure that Poolbeg West SDZ can make a more meaningful contribution to social housing provision in Dublin city. [20846/17]

Housing Data

Eamon Ryan

512. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the monthly totals of housing units for which local authorities have received planning permission commencement notices for the most recent 12 months for which the data is available, by month and local authority, in tabular form. [20863/17]

Housing Data

Eamon Ryan

513. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the monthly totals of housing units for which local authorities have received certificates of compliance on completion for the most recent 12 months for which the data is available, by month and local authority, in tabular form. [20864/17]

Human Rights

Eamon Ryan

650. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with the Russian Ambassador the allegations published in a newspaper (details supplied) that gay men are being arrested, detained, tortured and killed in the Russian Republic of Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20847/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Eamon Ryan

651. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 26 January 2017, the steps that have been taken to prepare a new call for roster members; if he will publish criteria in advance for membership and arrange for competitive interviewing and testing to ensure only roster members who are able, competent, committed and willing to undertake missions are appointed; when he expects to publish the new call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20848/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Eamon Ryan

652. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance and support his Department provides to independent observers not on the current roster who volunteer their expertise to observe elections overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20849/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Eamon Ryan

653. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if election observers are obliged to furnish tax clearance certificates prior to undertaking missions supported by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20850/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Eamon Ryan

654. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department conducts Garda vetting on persons supported by his Department going overseas on election observation missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20851/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Eamon Ryan

655. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has a process by which election observer roster members can be removed; if so, the number who have been removed from the current roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20852/17]

Health Services

Eamon Ryan

1137. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to the resourcing of lymphedema services in Dublin; the number of persons that are being treated for both primary and secondary lymphedema; the location of services provided for its treatment in Dublin; his plans to increase the resourcing of this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20840/17]

National Mitigation Plan

Eamon Ryan

1298. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on Germany's request that accounting for managed wetlands be obligatory for EU member states for their 2030 greenhouse gas emissions targets. [20858/17]

Rail Services Provision

Eamon Ryan

1391. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase services on the Maynooth and Dunboyne M3 parkway lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20843/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

1392. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that have been taken by his Department or agencies under its aegis to ensure that road designers cycle all routes for which they are producing designs, in pursuance of policy 2.9 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [20855/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

1393. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that have been taken by his Department or agencies under its aegis to provide support to carrying out new experiments in road design, traffic management and use of space in urban areas, in pursuance of policy 2.11 of the National Cycle Policy Framework; and the locations at which such experimental approaches have been implemented. [20856/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

1394. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the schools for which audits of routes from residential areas have been carried out in pursuance of policy 4.1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [20857/17]

Northern Ireland

Eamon Ryan

47. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to Secretary of State Brokenshire since Mr. Brokenshire’s announcement that he would consider a return to direct rule if talks to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland fail. [17915/17]

Brexit Issues

Eamon Ryan

8. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s engagements with the EU’s Brexit negotiating team, led by Mr. Michel Barnier. [16459/17]

VAT Rate Reductions

Eamon Ryan

112. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reducing the VAT rate charged on dog grooming services from 23% to 13.5%, in view of the fact the present situation creates inequalities, for example, if a grooming service is offered at a veterinary clinic, the 13.5% rate applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17289/17]

Environmental Legislation

Eamon Ryan

298. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current primary and secondary legislation dealing with contaminated soil, including soil contaminated by hydrocarbons; his plans to revise existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17287/17]

Environmental Legislation

Eamon Ryan

299. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the facilities licensed to be used for the disposal of contaminated soil, including soil contaminated by hydrocarbons; the location of these facilities; the current status of the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17288/17]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Eamon Ryan

300. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the consideration given to peatland rewetting and restoration as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the context of drafting the national mitigation plan; and the reason no measures for peatland rewetting, rehabilitation or restoration were included in the draft plan. [17290/17]

Waste Management Data

Eamon Ryan

301. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being taken to improve segregation of domestic green waste and to prevent contamination of waste being exported from the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17291/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

310. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Garda national roads policing bureau and the Director of Public Prosecutions communicated with his Department in May 2015 on SI 332 of 2012 which removed the legal obligation on cyclists to use certain cycle facilities; and if so, the reason for these communications. [17292/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

311. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there have been any results from the examination of the success of additional planning guidelines and instruments (details supplied) as devices to facilitate producing cycling friendly urban planning, which was to be undertaken in pursuance of policy 1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework; the way he will ensure, in accordance with that policy, that the most successful tool is used more extensively in order that future developments are planned in a cycling friendly way; if he will provide documents resulting from the examination; and if this examination is not complete, the work done to date and the anticipated timescale for completion. [17293/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

312. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made in carrying out a study on bicycles, planes and airports in pursuance of policy 8.10 of the National Cycle Policy Framework. [17294/17]

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

313. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress in developing cycling demonstration towns in pursuance of policy 1 of the National Cycle Policy Framework; and the detail of evaluations which have been done of such progress and the future work planned in this regard. [17295/17]

Brexit Issues

Eamon Ryan

10. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach when he last spoke to or corresponded with the British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May, to discuss Brexit arrangements; and the details of that conversation. [16458/17]

Tax Avoidance

Eamon Ryan

62. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the measures he is taking to ensure banks operating here are paying the correct effective tax rate in view of a recent report (details supplied) that shows that banks here pay an effective tax rate of 6%, with some paying only 2%. [16465/17]

Freedom of Information Remit

Eamon Ryan

329. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if business improvement districts established under the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 will be brought in under the Freedom of Information Acts in the interest of openness, accountability and transparency. [16577/17]

Nuclear Plants

Eamon Ryan

622. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the correspondence he has received from the United Kingdom on the proposed nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point C; and the response he has made. [16481/17]

Nuclear Plants

Eamon Ryan

623. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the correspondence he has received from the United Kingdom on the proposed nuclear power plant at Wylfa; and the response he has made. [16482/17]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Eamon Ryan

650. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current or recent levels of greenhouse gas emissions, expressed in Mt CO2e, in the greater Dublin area which were used as the baseline emissions in the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2016 to 2035. [16478/17]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Eamon Ryan

651. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the levels of greenhouse gas emissions, expressed ​in Mt CO​2​e, in the greater Dublin area ​which are ​predicted to occur consequent on the ​implementation of the ​Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2016 to 2035. [16479/17]

EU Regulations

Eamon Ryan

652. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to release for public consultation the draft statutory instrument which will transpose EU Regulation 598/2014. [16480/17]

British-Irish Co-operation

Eamon Ryan

23. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has raised issues or concerns regarding Irish sovereignty in the context of foreign agents, with particular reference to British operatives involved in the incidents which have led to the Pitchford inquiry in the UK, with her counterpart; if so, the details of that discussion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8757/17]

Departmental Funding

Eamon Ryan

66. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason 47.1% or €3,933,413 of the €8,244,939 allocated to Ireland from the European fund for the integration of third country nationals in each of the years 2007 to 2015 was returned to the EU; and the reason for not accepting integration funding in view of her Department's contributions to the EU migrant and refugee fund. [10040/17]

Third Level Institutions

Eamon Ryan

142. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a full-time employee with a third level college who is due to reach the age of 65 years in March 2017 and therefore faces mandatory retirement in September 2017 will be able to agree an extension of their employment contract for an additional period; and the flexibility which exists for the extension of such public sector employment contracts in advance of the expected change of the rules regarding mandatory retirement ages. [14786/17]

Departmental Reviews

Eamon Ryan

206. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the report of the committee to review the reports of the Cork local government committee; and when he expects to know of its recommendations. [14851/17]

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Eamon Ryan

544. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expert advice he has sought and received in regard to the likely impact of aviation growth internationally on the achievement of the Paris Agreement temperature goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14848/17]

Airport Development Projects

Eamon Ryan

545. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expert advice he has sought and received in regard to the likely impact of a new runway at Dublin Airport on Ireland’s achievement of the Paris Agreement temperature goals, and on the achievement of the national transition object enshrined in the Act. [14849/17]

Airport Development Projects

Eamon Ryan

546. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will issue a direction to the Dublin Airport Authority to report to him urgently on the implications of continued growth of traffic at the airport, through the building of an additional runway and otherwise, for the furtherance of the national transition objective and the achievement of the Paris Agreement temperature goals; and if he will issue a direction to the authority that any and all works relating to the new runway should be suspended pending a full Government review of this issue. [14850/17]