Parliamentary questions

International Agreements

Michael Colreavy

97. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is proposed to include in an intergovernmental agreement between the Government and the British Government on the export of electricity a commitment that all electricity generated above that required to meet this State's 2020 target will be exported to assist the UK in achieving its target. [53206/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Michael Colreavy

98. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether the 2007 target of 500MW per year to be generated by ocean energy will be met. [53257/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Michael Colreavy

114. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the empty housing estate in County Sligo will be demolished in view of the need for social housing there; if there is a bond from the developers; and who will pay the cost of demolition. [53337/13]

Local Authority Elections

Michael Colreavy

330. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding voting areas in County Sligo (details supplied). [52786/13]

Local Authorities Management

Michael Colreavy

331. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Sligo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52787/13]

Water Meters Installation

Michael Colreavy

332. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when water metering will be rolled out in County Sligo; if this has gone to tender; and the number of jobs that will be created in County Sligo as a result of same. [52788/13]

Agriculture Schemes Payments

Michael Colreavy

426. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the insulation grant for young farmers will be reinstated; and if the early retirement scheme for farmers will be reinstated. [52784/13]

Installation Aid Scheme Applications

Michael Colreavy

427. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what fund is available to young farmers after they do their green card, as the fund that was in place ceased in 2007. [52785/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

16. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is concerned that after a period of sustained lobbying, by pro-fracking industry, the EU Parliament refused to support a motion calling for a mandatory environmental impact assessment to be applied to planning applications involving fracking. [44981/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

139. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the recently published national ground water vulnerability map which indicates that some of Leitrim's ground water may be extremely vulnerable and at risk of pollution or contamination, and that it was indicated the map will be used to better understand and manage land use and development that have the potential to impact on ground water, if he will now agree that hydraulic fracturing poses an unacceptable risk of pollution and-or contamination of extremely vulnerable groundwater, and that it should now be decided that hydraulic fracturing will not be permitted anywhere in Ireland. [52258/13]

Coillte Teoranta Lands

Michael Colreavy

200. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will follow the example of the Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development by giving an undertaking that no Coillte lands will be let, leased or sold in the short or longer term to persons or companies seeking to introduce hydraulic fracturing in Ireland. [52280/13]

Bord Gáis Privatisation

Michael Colreavy

2. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of his rejection of private sector bids for Bord Gáis Energy, his views on the fact that privatisation is not a viable option and that the optimum strategy for BGE going forward is to retain and develop it in public ownership. [51805/13]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Colreavy

5. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether this State needs to achieve its targets for renewable energy production and self-sufficiency in electricity generation prior to initiating the large scale export of energy generated from renewable sources. [51806/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Colreavy

12. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will define the consultation means in the context of overhead pylons, in view of the fact that the decision has been made in many instances. [51672/13]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Colreavy

130. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether the bulk of the projected wind energy exports to Britain will be supplied by offshore or onshore installations. [50908/13]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Colreavy

131. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether it is good policy to develop wind farms in this State to generate electricity for export; and when that electricity will be taken into the national grid and assist in attaining targets. [50957/13]

Animal Welfare

Michael Colreavy

554. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grounds on which the docking of the tails of certain working breeds of dogs can be justified; and if this is related to the requirements for showing such dogs. [50636/13]

Offshore Exploration

Michael Colreavy

135. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the positive reports on the potential to bring oil onshore from the Barryroe and Dalkey fields, his views on the recent report on strategic requirements for oil refining which concluded it is not necessary to retain Whitegate in operation. [49666/13]

SEAI Wind Atlas

Michael Colreavy

413. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 408 of 4 October 2011, the status of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland wind atlas; if the update to the wind atlas is now complete; if the semi-State energy companies in his remit supplied their wind data to SEAI for inclusion in the updated atlas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49480/13]

Animal Welfare

Michael Colreavy

562. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the docking of dogs' tails will still be permitted, even though section 16 of the Animal Welfare Act would appear to prohibit such practices for cosmetic purposes. [48825/13]

Local Authorities Management

Michael Colreavy

107. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no meeting of Sligo Borough Council has taken place since 1 July 2013; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the executive of Sligo Borough Council has ignored several formal requests from the Mayor of Sligo, as per the standing orders of the council, to convene monthly meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48446/13]

Planning Issues

Michael Colreavy

670. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the consequences and penalties facing developers who provide false information on a planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46165/13]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Colreavy

672. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether, as owners of our wind resource, the people are entitled to the best information in relation to same; the measures he will take to ensure developers of wind farms are required by law, under threat of strict penalties, to provide, in planning applications, production estimates from statistical analysis of their wind data to a stated degree of confidence - for example, 90th percentile or P90 - so that the planning authorities might have the best possible economic information available in reaching decisions in relation to community gain contributions, special contributions, section 48/49 contributions and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46169/13]

Garda Vetting Applications

Michael Colreavy

795. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the legislation governing the qualification requirements and recruitment processes for persons engaged on-site by organisations such as holiday camps, film studios, sports events and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46472/13]

Road Projects Status

Michael Colreavy

1274. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the current situation regarding the upgrading of the N4 between Castlebaldwin and Cloonamahon. [46290/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

2. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the structural damage to hydraulic fracturing equipment with consequential environmental damage and possible water contamination triggered by recent flash floods in a heavily fracked area of Colorado, USA. [45353/13]

National Postcode System Establishment

Michael Colreavy

5. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures he will take to ensure the introduction of the recently announced national postcode system does not compromise personal data. [44984/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

13. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will arrange for an independent expert report on the economics of hydraulic fracturing as an input into the decision on whether to ban fracking. [44982/13]

Waste Management Expenditure

Michael Colreavy

36. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the increase in funding in budget 2014 of 19% for the environment and waste management, how this funding will be used; and the reason for the cut in the landfill levy by 21%. [44813/13]

Energy Schemes Issues

Michael Colreavy

39. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which funding for the €25 million investment in housing energy efficiency in the recent budget announcements has been sourced; how it will be allocated; the criteria for persons seeking funding from this initiative; and if there are any short, medium and longer-term deadlines for implementation. [44839/13]

Cruthú Fostaíochta

Michael Colreavy

86. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael Colreavy den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad post atá cruthaithe agus caillte sa Ghaeltacht le 12 mhí anuas; agus an bhfuil na figiúirí seo de réir na spriocanna atá leagtha síos ag a Roinn; agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aige an maoiniú a bheidh ar fáil don Údarás a mhéadú i bhfianaise an mhéadaithe le cúpla bliain anuas ar an mhaoiniú a fhaigheann na heagrais fiontraíochta eile, agus i bhfianaise na leibhéal ard dífhostaíochta sa Ghaeltacht. [44222/13]

Museum Projects

Michael Colreavy

92. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the names of the museums that received funding under the local and regional museums scheme 2012; the amount allocated to each museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44236/13]

Motorised Transport Grant Eligibility

Michael Colreavy

389. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that all elderly persons with severely limited mobility and living in isolated rural areas with poor public transport services were entitled to be considered for motorised transport grant while that grant was open to new applicants, and that eligibility was not restricted solely to those requiring a car for the purposes of travelling to and from employment.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43509/13]

Job Creation Data

Michael Colreavy

15. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created as a result of the increase in exports since the Government came to office. [42594/13]

Job Creation Targets

Michael Colreavy

46. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the target number of additional jobs to be created in the manufacturing sector over the life time of this Oireachtas; and the number of additional manufacturing jobs created since the Government came to office. [42595/13]

Semi-State Bodies Privatisation

Michael Colreavy

31. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when, as part of his Department’s asset disposal programme, he expects the sale of Bord Gáis Energy to be complete; and if negotiations have begun on the future terms and conditions of BGE staff. [42517/13]

National Lottery Licence Sale

Michael Colreavy

39. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason An Post National Lottery Company Labour Relations Commission proposals have been uploaded to his Department’s licence competition virtual data room and presented as an agreed document despite no staff ballots on the proposals having been held thus far. [42516/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Michael Colreavy

187. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the legislative basis for placing a person of unsound mind in a group home; the basis for setting charges relating to the care of such a person; the procedures used to ensure the proper and accountable management of the person's financial resources. [42555/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Michael Colreavy

118. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make a commitment to protect the maintenance grant and its qualification criteria at current levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42199/13]

Bullying in Schools

Michael Colreavy

126. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that will benefit from the 70 anti-bullying training sessions to which he has allocated €40,000; and his plans to expand this scheme. [42198/13]

Tax Code

Michael Colreavy

11. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure all companies incorporated in Ireland but not tax resident anywhere pay corporation tax here. [41514/13]

Banks Recapitalisation

Michael Colreavy

18. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made on separating banking and sovereign debt. [41496/13]

International Relations

Michael Colreavy

18. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the protests in Catalonia on 11 September for self-determination; if he supports the demand of the majority of Catalan people to hold an independence referendum in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41174/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Michael Colreavy

31. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the loyalist violence which erupted during July in Belfast; if he has discussed this issue with political representatives and community representatives in Northern Ireland and his counterpart in Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41153/13]

Tourism Promotion

Michael Colreavy

116. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the State's performance in attracting repeat visitors to Ireland; the way we compare to other European countries in attracting repeat visitors; if there is any strategy in order to ensure that we increase the proportion of visitors to Ireland who return to visit. [40894/13]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Michael Colreavy

430. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received any licensing applications from companies which propose to carry out onshore petroleum extraction but do not propose to use the method of hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40680/13]

Mental Health Services Funding

Michael Colreavy

12. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to close the 22-bed mental health unit at St. Brigid’s, Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40034/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Michael Colreavy

42. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to maintain and upgrade public nursing home facilities to meet the Health Information and Quality Authority standards, to invest sufficiently to do so and to ensure that the public nursing home sector is enhanced, in view of the growing need for, and overall shortage of, nursing home beds and the over-reliance on private nursing home provision, leading to cherry-picking by private providers with higher dependency applicants for nursing home places left at the back of the queue. [40033/13]

North-South Co-operation

Michael Colreavy

7. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for greater co-operation in policing and justice here. [39763/13]

Court Accommodation Provision

Michael Colreavy

39. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are further closures of rural court houses expected in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39750/13]