Parliamentary questions

Arts Funding

Paul Murphy

22. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the ability of arts and culture projects to question social and political matters without a risk to funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20207/18]

Homeless Persons Data

Paul Murphy

43. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the latest homeless figures; the councils that have discrepancies in their figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19781/18]

Respite Care Services

Paul Murphy

156. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding to allow for the full utilisation of newly refurbished facilities at a location (details supplied) which are vital for the provision of respite care; when the funding will be provided; the status of discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19352/18]

Vehicle Registration

Paul Murphy

83. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is undertaking a review of the vehicle registration tax following recent European Court of Justice rulings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19228/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Paul Murphy

136. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to commence Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19282/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Paul Murphy

137. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the disparity in services (details supplied); his plans to allocate more resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19283/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Paul Murphy

161. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the building of a permanent school structure at a school (details supplied); the reason the timeframes indicated to parents have not been kept to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18918/18]

Schengen Agreement

Paul Murphy

272. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Schengen visa waiver for Ukrainians will be extended to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17547/18]

Health Services

Paul Murphy

60. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); his views on their treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16530/18]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Paul Murphy

67. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans for the appointment of a full-time consultant for the sleep clinic in St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8; when the appointment can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17005/18]

Immigration Policy

Paul Murphy

82. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) will be permitted to enter the State if travelling with their Irish spouse and child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16531/18]

Departmental Funding

Paul Murphy

91. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the work of the integration centres in Tallaght and Clondalkin; the reason his Department has withdrawn funding for the centres, which has resulted in their closure; the measures he will take to ensure that these services are reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16529/18]

Central Bank of Ireland

Paul Murphy

229. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to prevent the closure of the Central Bank's print works in Sandyford in order to protect jobs and due to its strategic importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15236/18]

Public Transport

Paul Murphy

1287. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the decision to reduce the trams on the Luas Red line (details supplied); his further views on the impact on the frequency of Luas trams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15732/18]

Community Employment Schemes Operation

Paul Murphy

1404. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures taken by her Department to ensure that the attention of those on community employment schemes is drawn to their holiday pay entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15167/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Paul Murphy

8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has assessed the need for a second level school for the City West and Saggart area in Dublin which takes into account the existing and future needs of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14375/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Paul Murphy

50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the completion of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14374/18]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

1. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to the United States of America and his meeting with President Trump. [12786/18]

Foreign Policy

Paul Murphy

62. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the disqualification of legislators in Hong Kong with his Chinese counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14201/18]

Foreign Policy

Paul Murphy

92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the erosion of democratic rights in Hong Kong; the communications he has had with the Irish consulate regarding the recent by-elections in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14202/18]

Loan Books Purchasers

Paul Murphy

61. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the detail of his contacts with senior management of a bank (details supplied) in relation to the proposed sale of part of its loan book to vulture funds; his views on legislation to allow the Government block the sale of this loan book; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14114/18]

Insurance Costs

Paul Murphy

81. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the latest report of the cost of insurance working group; if the role of profit of the insurance industry in increasing premiums has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13660/18]

Banking Sector Regulation

Paul Murphy

91. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the contacts he has had with the European Central Bank in relation to the regulation of the banks' number of distressed mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13663/18]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Paul Murphy

92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on mortgage write-downs for mortgage holders in view of the willingness of a bank (details supplied) to offer a discount on loans it transfers to vulture funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13664/18]

Credit Unions

Paul Murphy

112. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach on the credit union sector, in particular with regard to tiered regulation and a review of levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13661/18]

Mortgage Book Sales

Paul Murphy

114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the contacts he has had with senior management of the main banks in relation to the potential sale of loan books to vulture funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13662/18]

General Practitioner Services

Paul Murphy

267. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if routine blood tests are covered by the medical card following media reports indicating many general practitioners are charging medical card patients for blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13226/18]

Swimming Pool Programme Administration

Paul Murphy

302. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures his Department is taking to resolve the fault in the swimming pool in a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13228/18]

Traveller Culture

Paul Murphy

356. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on calls by the Traveller community for a cultural centre to highlight and celebrate Traveller culture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13227/18]

European Central Bank

Paul Murphy

117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he has discussed bribery allegations against a Latvian ECB board member with his EU colleagues or with the ECB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12971/18]

Dog Breeding Industry

Paul Murphy

30. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will review legislation relating to dog breeding establishments in view of recent cases of welfare issues in some large establishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7154/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Paul Murphy

48. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on plans to extend high-speed broadband to all rural areas in the south Dublin County Council area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8742/18]

Dog Breeding Industry

Paul Murphy

58. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the resources for inspections of dog breeding establishments; his further views on whether legislative change is required in relation to inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7155/18]

Motor Tax Exemptions

Paul Murphy

50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the policy regarding charging motor tax on blood bikes; if his Department has considered the recent policy changes in the United Kingdom in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3947/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Paul Murphy

139. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the full commencement of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7636/18]

Teachers' Remuneration

Paul Murphy

221. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his Department anticipates receiving the results of the pay review into two-tier pay for teachers; the timeframe he envisages to end pay inequality; his views on whether two-tier pay is a breach of the principle of equal pay for equal work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7301/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Paul Murphy

542. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the extension of broadband to the Bohernabreena area; the reason there are no plans under way to extend to areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7095/18]

Disabilities Assessments

Paul Murphy

94. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if it is policy not to adjust the start time on waiting lists for treatment by the school-age team should an appeal find that the child's original needs assessment shows that he or she is in need of treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6276/18]

World Economic Forum

Paul Murphy

10. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. [4569/18]

Employment Rights

Paul Murphy

32. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the employment rights issues raised by the industrial dispute in a company (details supplied) and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6290/18]

Workplace Relations Commission

Paul Murphy

37. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will direct the Workplace Relations Commission to devote more resources to carrying out inspections on fishing vessels (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6016/18]

Fishing Vessel Safety

Paul Murphy

152. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if inspectors at the Workplace Relations Commission have the training they need to carry out inspections on fishing vessels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6015/18]

Garda Reports

Paul Murphy

71. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to discuss the report into the Jobstown protest given to him by An Garda Síochána on 26 July 2017 with the acting Garda Commissioner; if he will recommend changes in Garda procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5683/18]

Garda Reports

Paul Murphy

104. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has examined the report into the Jobstown protest given to his Department on 26 July 2017 by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5682/18]

Housing Provision

Paul Murphy

90. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a review of the affordable purchase scheme in order to use publicly owned land solely for social and affordable housing will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4574/18]

Home Loan Scheme

Paul Murphy

117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a review of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme to improve its affordability will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4573/18]

Garda Reports

Paul Murphy

92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the report into the Jobstown protest which his Department received from An Garda Síochána on 26 July 2017 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3544/18]

Departmental Funding

Paul Murphy

151. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to lower funding or decrease staffing, including community employment schemes, to projects funded by her Department at a facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3565/18]

Health Services

Paul Murphy

419. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason the waiting time for treatment by the school-age team for a person (details supplied) will not be adjusted to take into account their successful appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3345/18]

Motor Tax

Paul Murphy

507. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will exempt the Blood Bikes Ireland scheme from motor taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3325/18]

Public Procurement Contracts Data

Paul Murphy

83. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the State has contracts with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2634/18]

Public Procurement Contracts

Paul Murphy

84. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the due diligence measures taken on companies to which State contracts are awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2635/18]

Adoption Legislation

Paul Murphy

198. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to fully enact the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2185/18]

Youth Services

Paul Murphy

441. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board's involvement in an organisation's facility (details supplied); if there are plans to decrease its involvement; the plans that exist to continue employment schemes there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1710/18]

Direct Provision System

Paul Murphy

551. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures in place if a resident in direct provision is suspected of not occupying his-her accommodation; if these procedures allow for due process including the presentation of evidence, the ability of the resident to contest the evidence and to put forward his-her own evidence; the sanctions that exist; the appeals process; the notice period given to direct provision residents if they are moved from the accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55198/17]

Direct Provision System

Paul Murphy

552. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the eviction of a person (details supplied) from their accommodation in Knocklasheen direct provision centre in November 2017 was the result of a fair process in view of the lack of notice, an ability to contest evidence and to appeal the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55199/17]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Paul Murphy

905. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason the disbursement of lottery grants to a group (details supplied) has been delayed; if this disbursement can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55223/17]

Community Employment Schemes Operation

Paul Murphy

1601. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department funds the paying of holiday pay for those on community employment schemes who pass away while working on the scheme and who have built up a holiday entitlement. [55196/17]

Middle East Peace Process

Paul Murphy

28. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel by the United States of America and the relocation of its embassy; his further views on the removal of the invitation to President Trump; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53199/17]

State Aid

Paul Murphy

141. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the extension of EU state aid rules to regulatory alignment between the EU and Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53198/17]

Health Strategies

Paul Murphy

308. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposal in the report of the Dublin Midlands Hospitals Group strategy group to downgrade 24-hour accident and emergency cover in Portlaoise hospital; his views on the impact on the local population's health care and the potential complications in the treatment of high-security prisoners in the nearby prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52840/17]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his officials have carried out inspections at a location (details supplied); if reports of these inspections will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52822/17]

Child Benefit Data

Paul Murphy

490. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of expanding the child benefit payment to include 18 year olds who are still in full-time secondary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52871/17]

Commissions of Investigation

Paul Murphy

6. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he or his officials have received reports on the search he requested to be carried out in the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to information pertaining to the disclosures tribunal; and if he will report on the results of the search. [51998/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Paul Murphy

55. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the completion of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52003/17]

School Accommodation

Paul Murphy

80. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the conveyancing process in the transfer of the land for a school (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52004/17]

Garda Investigations

Paul Murphy

75. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the internal Garda review into the Jobstown protest investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51743/17]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Paul Murphy

81. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be an investigation into the non-transference of documents relevant to the disclosures tribunal; his views on whether there needs to be an external investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51740/17]

Departmental Correspondence

Paul Murphy

102. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he, former Ministers in his Department or senior Department staff had contact with the Director of Public Prosecutions or An Garda Síochána regarding the Jobstown protest trials and investigations; the nature and content of these contacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51741/17]

Garda Operations

Paul Murphy

108. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the contacts his Department has had with An Garda Síochána on Operation Mizen will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51742/17]

Housing Management Companies

Paul Murphy

247. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the need to introduce legislation to regulate private management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45298/17]

Disability Support Services Provision

Paul Murphy

406. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the cuts made to organisations providing services and advocacy for those that suffer from dyspraxia-DCD; his plans to consider increasing the funding to organisations such as an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50302/17]

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Paul Murphy

18. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views regarding the CETA trade agreement between the EU and Canada in respect of the possibility of undermining regulatory standards; her plans to seek ratification of CETA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49590/17]

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Paul Murphy

36. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the investor courts system contained in the CETA agreement between the EU and Canada with regard to the advantageous position it provides to investors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49589/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

12. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to the United States of America and in particular his meetings with representatives of a company (details supplied). [47860/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

13. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his invitation to President Donald Trump to visit here. [47861/17]

Climate Change Policy

Paul Murphy

49. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered the Citizens' Assembly's recommendations on climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49088/17]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

57. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to make changes to the national mitigation plan to introduce binding targets in view of research presented by a centre (details supplied) at COP23 which shows that greenhouse gas emissions will rise in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49091/17]

National Mitigation Plan Implementation

Paul Murphy

65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to incorporate the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly into the national mitigation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49089/17]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

88. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the recent study by an organisation (details supplied) on the use of gas and other fossil fuels in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49090/17]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Paul Murphy

364. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the funding that will be provided in 2018 for the drugs task forces; the details of the allocation of that funding between the different task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49036/17]

Child Benefit Eligibility

Paul Murphy

569. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to reintroduce child benefit for 18 year olds attending secondary education in view of the unfairness inherent in the current situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48901/17]

Northern Ireland

Paul Murphy

16. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the threat to jobs in a company (details supplied) in his meetings with the British Government or leaders of the Northern Ireland parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48319/17]

Catalan Referendum

Paul Murphy

17. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the issue of the jailing of members of the Catalan Government and other repressive measures with the Spanish ambassador or with the Spanish Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48320/17]

Housing Assistance Payment Eligibility

Paul Murphy

252. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to review policy to allow flexibility for persons marginally over the income limits on eligibility to HAP to avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48471/17]

Disability Services Provision

Paul Murphy

72. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the waiting time for treatment by the school age team for a person (details supplied) will be adjusted to take into account their appeal; if he will reply to questions on this matter not addressed by the HSE in correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47982/17]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Paul Murphy

350. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the process of site acquisition for a school (details supplied); when the process will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46199/17]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Paul Murphy

351. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the process of site acquisition for a school (details supplied); if the planning permission process can begin before the site acquisition is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46200/17]

Public Services Card

Paul Murphy

1225. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has obliged An Post to request the public services card from welfare recipients when collecting payments; if her Department obliges An Post to request the production of identification from welfare recipients when collecting payments; if so, the identification documents which are accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46234/17]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

41. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which housing will be managed in view of the ending of the Cabinet committee on housing. [39676/17]

Maternity Benefit Data

Paul Murphy

257. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of the additional maternity leave and benefit for mothers of premature babies who are currently on maternity leave but the children of which were born before 1 October 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45396/17]

Office of the Ombudsman

Paul Murphy

123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of the judicial reviews against the Ombudsman have been settled on terms favourable to the applicants, including their costs being paid; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that there is a backlog of complaints before the in house complaints procedure that have not been opened; if changes to the in house complaints procedure will be examined to ensure that it operates in a timely and effective manner to prevent needless and expensive court challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45182/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

163. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the preliminary statements issued by two election observation research missions that were in attendance at the independence referendum in Catalonia held on 1 October 2017; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that a number of Irish election roster observers took place on these missions; if he will invite them to attend a debriefing session to give first-hand evidence of the events they observed on referendum day including armed masked men entering polling stations to prevent voting happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45171/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

164. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the arrangements in place whereby his Department provided funding to an organisation (details supplied) to support the deployment of Irish election observers; if it will be extended to a unit of a university (details supplied) that is planning an election observation mission to Somaliland and that would use funding to deploy additional Irish observers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45172/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

165. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 26 July 2017, the number of late applications received to join the current election roster; the reason these three particular late applications were admitted to the process in view of the fact that this was explicitly ruled out in the public call; the level at which this decision was made to admit these persons that resulted in others being displaced; if there were other departures from the published process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45173/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

166. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 397 of 26 July 2017, if the election consultant observer who had the volunteer grant written off had to provide vouchers to account for the grant; if the details of the grant scheme will be published in order to ensure accountability and transparency in the operation of this grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45175/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

167. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the names of the members of the election observation roster; the date that each was appointed or reappointed; the number of missions completed by each member since 2013; if he has satisfied himself that all members of the roster are suitable for deployment overseas; the mechanism to appoint replacement members to fill vacancies on the roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45176/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

168. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the nature of training provided to election observers by his Department in 2013; the reason it was felt necessary to train the observers at that time; the cost of the training; the persons that were eligible to attend this training; the names of the persons; the expenses or allowances they were paid to attend the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45177/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

169. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if civil servants who partake in election observations are entitled to the higher remuneration; the arrangement for expenses paid to such civil servants; if they are higher or lower than those given to other Irish election observers deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45178/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

170. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied with the workings of the election observation roster operated by his Department in view of concerns regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45179/17]