Parliamentary questions

Proposed Legislation

Paul Murphy

960. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015; his views on whether the separated sale of alcohol in mixed retail outlets should be maintained in the Bill, contrary to the lobbying of the retail and alcohol industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41394/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1375. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of circuses registered here under Article 4 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1739/2005 each year for each of the past five years, in tabular form; the names of those circuses; if registrations have been revoked or refused since 2007; if so, the number of same, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41510/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1376. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animal passports issued by the Irish authorities to circus animals as per Article 7 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1739/2005 each year for each of the past five years, in tabular form; if any prosecution has been undertaken for non-possession of a passport; if so, the number of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41511/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1377. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of the venues registered under Article 6 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1739/2005 in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41512/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1378. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of veterinary inspections carried out under Article 9 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1739/2005 in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41513/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1379. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appointments of authorised officers he has made under Article 5 of the European Communities (Circuses) Regulations 2007; the current number of authorised officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41514/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1380. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fixed penalty notices issued per year in each of the past five years under Article 10 of European Communities (Circuses) Regulations 2007, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41515/16]

Driver Test Data

Paul Murphy

1592. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the pass rates on the driving test for each county or other similar local area for 2016; his views on any difference on the pass rates in different areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1259/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with senior management of a company (details supplied) on his recent visit to the United States of America; and if he discussed Ireland's tax policy and the recent European Commission ruling on the company's tax liability. [39840/16]

Homelessness Strategy

Paul Murphy

45. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on her Department's actions in respect of the record levels of child homelessness; her views on the long-term impact on those children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40122/16]

Child Protection Services Provision

Paul Murphy

60. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures being taken by her Department regarding socially and economically disadvantaged young adults; her views on the levels of poverty and homelessness among young adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40121/16]

European Defence Capabilities

Paul Murphy

48. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the European Commission's proposals for a common EU military research and development fund and common military procurement fund; his further views on the use of EU institutions for military purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39831/16]

European Security Strategy

Paul Murphy

58. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the establishment of a joint EU military headquarters; his further views on the increased militarisation of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39832/16]

Tax Treaties

Paul Murphy

172. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on Ireland's tax treaties with developing countries; his further views on a Eurodad report (details supplied) which shows that Ireland's tax treaties have, on average of EU states, introduced the highest amount of reductions of developing country tax rates; his views on the impact this has on tax takes in developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39892/16]

Tax Avoidance

Paul Murphy

173. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on reported dramatic increases of so-called sweetheart deals between states and corporations to minimise tax in the EU and, in particular, in Luxembourg and Belgium (details supplied); his further views on whether such facilitation of aggressive tax planning and avoidance is negative; if he will support measures at an EU level to prevent these practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39893/16]

Tax Code

Paul Murphy

183. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if the unemployment benefits paid to former staff of the EU institutions under article 29(a) staff regulations of officials of the European Communities are subjected to PRSI and USC in view of the fact they are on unemployment benefit which is normally exempted when paid by the State; if those persons in receipt of this EU unemployment benefit can avail of the PAYE tax credit on a par with those in receipt of Irish unemployment benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40052/16]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Paul Murphy

517. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to provide a consultant to deal with chronic fatigue syndrome; if plans are in place to open a HSE clinic or unit specialising in the illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40044/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Paul Murphy

202. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided for Cheeverstown House each year for the past five years; if the funding model has changed in this period; if additional funds have been provided to fund renovations to respite care wards since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39361/16]

Climate Change Negotiations

Paul Murphy

41. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he received an invitation to the United Nations climate change conference in Marrakesh in the second week of November 2016. [36040/16]

Library Services Staff

Paul Murphy

204. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the roll out of unstaffed libraries; his further views on the important role of library staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38738/16]

Rare Diseases Strategy

Paul Murphy

32. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of genetic counsellors as outlined in the national rare disease plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37770/16]

Commemorative Events

Paul Murphy

480. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 965 of 16 September 2016, if she will confirm that the 2016 event was the ninth annual famine commemoration, in view of the fact that the initial launch in 2008 included both local input and a formal State ceremony; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37609/16]

Disability Support Services

Paul Murphy

604. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department will investigate the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37593/16]

Public Sector Pay

Paul Murphy

4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contacts his Department has had with trade unions regarding pay restoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36542/16]

Public Sector Pay

Paul Murphy

19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the demands by trade unions for increased pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36541/16]

Programme for Government Implementation

Paul Murphy

1. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government. [34862/16]

Human Rights Cases

Paul Murphy

40. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent sixteenth postponement of the trial of a person (details supplied) in Egypt; the contacts his Department has had with the person and the Egyptian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36308/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Paul Murphy

56. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has assessed the impact on youth poverty of the lower rates of unemployment allowance; if so, the findings of such an assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36028/16]

Child Maintenance Payments

Paul Murphy

64. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the way child maintenance is considered in means tested payments in view of the fact that often families can be worse off if in receipt of the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36027/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Paul Murphy

77. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans on cutting unemployment payments following reported comments (details supplied) made at a recent Pobal conference in Dublin City University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36026/16]

Carer's Allowance Waiting Times

Paul Murphy

83. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the processing times for carer’s allowance and benefit applications; the measures he will take to reduce these times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36025/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Paul Murphy

87. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has reviewed the number of properties available to rent within the rent allowance limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36029/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Paul Murphy

282. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider reviewing the regulations for rent supplement for those who are in homeless accommodation in view of the costs and difficulties they face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35946/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Paul Murphy

416. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person's family (details supplied) were not informed of case funding review meetings; if any further case funding review meetings will take place; if a date will be fixed for the assessment from the HSE that the person has been due to receive since March 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35891/16]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Paul Murphy

427. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to the Tallaght drug and alcohol task force each year since its foundation in 1997 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35949/16]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Paul Murphy

428. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider increasing the funding to the Tallaght drug and alcohol task force in view of the fact that the task force did not receive a commensurate increase in its budget following the increase in its responsibilities when alcohol was added to its remit in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35950/16]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Paul Murphy

429. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on increasing the budget for drug and alcohol task forces; his further views on whether increased funding should form part of the new strategic action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35951/16]

Dental Services Provision

Paul Murphy

446. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the provision of 24-hour emergency dental cover; if his Department has made any plans to expand the coverage of emergency dental cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36153/16]

Housing Provision

Paul Murphy

12. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress towards reaching the goal in Rebuilding Ireland that by mid-2017, emergency hotel and bed and breakfast type accommodation for families will only be used in limited circumstances. [35428/16]

NAMA Assets Sale

Paul Murphy

48. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the advertisement of NAMA rental properties for sale on the basis of the potential for large rent increases and reports that a bank (details supplied) intends to sell off up to €1.9 billion in distressed buy-to-let mortgages to vulture funds, in view of the impact this could have on tenants; and if he has raised cross-cutting issues that affect housing with the Minister for Finance, including at the Cabinet sub-committee on housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35429/16]

Teacher Recruitment

Paul Murphy

28. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he envisages difficulties in recruiting extra teachers, as outlined in the budget speech made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in view of the inferior terms and conditions for new teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30837/16]

School Patronage

Paul Murphy

65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 8 November 2016, if his Department has considered the balance of schools of different ethoi in the Tallaght area; if his Department has considered the lack of an Educate Together secondary school in the Citywest area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35174/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

224. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a ban on wild animal circuses on animal welfare grounds; if his Department has investigated the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35389/16]

NAMA Operations

Paul Murphy

4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the reports in the press (details supplied) of repeated lobbying by a former Deputy to NAMA in regard to his business partners' interests in properties controlled by NAMA and the allegation in those reports that those business relationships were not declared to NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34251/16]

Banking Sector

Paul Murphy

8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he is reconsidering the planned privatisation of the State's share in the banks in view of the recent fall in their respective share prices and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34039/16]

European Banking Sector

Paul Murphy

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he has made provisions for instability in the European banking sector in view of reported difficulties in German and Italian banks in particular; and the discussions he has had with his counterparts on this matter. [34038/16]

Tax Reliefs Costs

Paul Murphy

25. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will conduct a review of the projected cost of the exemption from capital gains tax he granted to investments in commercial property where the property is held for seven years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34041/16]

Fiscal Policy

Paul Murphy

34. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the comments by the chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (details supplied) on compliance with EU fiscal rules; his views on whether the EU fiscal rules are therefore overly restrictive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30839/16]

NAMA Operations

Paul Murphy

48. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on block sales of NAMA rented residential properties being advertised (details supplied) for sale on the basis of the potential for very large rent increases, in view of the scale of the housing crisis and the likelihood rent increases on this scale could effectively lead to mass evictions of tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34040/16]

Human Rights

Paul Murphy

199. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on reports from a group (details supplied) that Italian authorities tortured migrants, including beatings, sexual humiliation and electric shocks, to meet an EU target of 100% of migrants giving fingerprints; if he will raise the issue with his Italian and EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34114/16]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Paul Murphy

1. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on European affairs last met. [33524/16]

EU Meetings

Paul Murphy

39. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on discussions held with his European counterparts regarding further military co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33820/16]

Defence Forces Medicinal Products

Paul Murphy

42. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on discussions held with PDFORRA regarding the ongoing use of Larium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33819/16]

Tax Yield

Paul Murphy

96. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the relatively low increase in the income tax take in 2016 despite the rise in employment; his views on whether this points to the need to increase wages of low and middle income workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34042/16]

Brexit Issues

Paul Murphy

2. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the all-Ireland forum on Brexit that was held on 2 November 2016. [33523/16]

Vehicle Registration

Paul Murphy

125. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he or his Department has considered tax exemptions, VRT, motor tax or other for a charity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33709/16]

School Accommodation

Paul Murphy

165. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he or his Department assessed the need for a secondary school in the Citywest area of Dublin 24; if he has taken into account that there are four primary schools in the area and no secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33703/16]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

1. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Mr. Michel Barnier, EU chief Brexit negotiator. [30629/16]

Brexit Issues

Paul Murphy

54. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions or consultations he has had with his counterparts in the EU concerning the impact on EU foreign and military policy in view of the UK's decision to leave the EU. [27143/16]

Medical Card Eligibility

Paul Murphy

489. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will report on promised plans to extend free GP care to all under 12s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32020/16]

Public Sector Pay

Paul Murphy

10. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider ending pay inequality by restoring a common pay scale for all public sector workers and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31006/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Paul Murphy

12. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or his Department has advised other Departments regarding the restoration of pay and conditions with the ASTI trade union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30840/16]

Public Services Provision

Paul Murphy

18. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the public spending to GDP rate; his further views on whether it is sufficient to deliver quality public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30841/16]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Paul Murphy

128. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he envisages difficulties in recruiting additional nurses and midwives that have been outlined in the budget speech of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the inferior terms and conditions for new nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30838/16]

National Internship Scheme Review

Paul Murphy

7. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the replacement of the JobBridge scheme; the safeguards to defend the rights of participants that are envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28793/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Paul Murphy

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the record high level of rent in the private rented sector if his Department will increase the rent limits for rent supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28790/16]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Paul Murphy

22. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on reviewing the rules regarding the back to education allowance to allow persons to pursue courses that represent a development in their learning, training and career prospects but which may not represent progression as currently implemented under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28792/16]

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Paul Murphy

29. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection when his Department will publish the Millar report on the situation of lone parents; his views on reported leaks of the report which indicate that the report finds that cuts have made lone parents worse off and that this has contributed to child poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28791/16]

State Pensions

Paul Murphy

42. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the establishment of a universal single-tier State pension rather than the existing two-tier structure, which gives a lower rate for those who have been out of work caring for family members or in training for a longer period in their working life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28794/16]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Paul Murphy

1. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the last meeting of the Cabinet committee on European affairs took place. [28290/16]

Departmental Strategies

Paul Murphy

228. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28308/16]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Paul Murphy

279. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28309/16]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Paul Murphy

407. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28307/16]

State Aid Investigations

Paul Murphy

22. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if, following the judgment from the European Commission concerning a company (details supplied), an analysis as to the extent to which other multinational corporations may be liable for taxes to the State or to other jurisdictions has been undertaken; if this amount has been quantified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27618/16]

NAMA Investigations

Paul Murphy

41. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will support a full investigation into all of NAMA's major portfolio sales in view of the recent concerns regarding the sale of NAMA's Northern Ireland portfolio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27619/16]

Visa Applications

Paul Murphy

67. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to any family members of Irish citizens who are refugees from the Syria-Iraq conflict; if she takes into account the particular difficulties of acquiring in-date travel documents for these refugees when seeking visas to Ireland to be reunited with their family members resident here; if she will consider issuing travel documents to such persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27424/16]

Family Reunification Applications

Paul Murphy

79. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will explore the measures possible to ensure the safe passage of an Irish family's family members (details supplied) to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27216/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Paul Murphy

93. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on any discussions she has had with the British Government regarding the free movement of persons following the Brexit vote; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19477/16]

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Paul Murphy

255. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the position and the work of the Government and the Irish permanent representation in relation to the examination by the European Council of the scope of provisional application of CETA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27770/16]

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Paul Murphy

256. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the Government’s position as to which elements of CETA fall under EU competence and which are considered to fall under national competence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27771/16]

EU Issues

Paul Murphy

466. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he supports the position of the European Commission President, Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, as outlined in his recent state of the union speech supporting the creation of the position of an EU Foreign Minister; the consultations that have been had with this State on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26584/16]

EU Issues

Paul Murphy

467. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he supports the statement by the European Commission President, Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, in his recent state of the union speech that Europe can no longer afford to rely on the military might of others or let France alone defend its honour in Mali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26585/16]

Vehicle Clamping

Paul Murphy

881. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the enactment of all the sections of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015; the envisaged timeline for the setting of clamping regulations by the NTA; his views on whether management companies clamping residents for arrears of management fees should be prohibited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26653/16]

European Defence Capabilities

Paul Murphy

971. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the position of Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker regarding EU defence as outlined in his state of the Union speech, which included support for the establishment of a European defence fund to encourage research and innovation and for a toughening up of EU defence policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26577/16]

Motor Insurance

Paul Murphy

251. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a review of regulations regarding motor insurance in view of the practice of many motor insurance companies denying coverage to cars over ten years or older; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25118/16]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Paul Murphy

423. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the policy of not permitting special needs assistants, SNAs, who took redundancy prior to 1 May 2014 to be employed in full-time SNA positions, especially in view of the fact that the option of taking panel rights instead of a redundancy payment was available to these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25329/16]

Departmental Expenditure

Paul Murphy

576. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of money that has been budgeted for the work of the Expert Commission on Water Charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24790/16]

Human Rights Cases

Paul Murphy

843. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the hunger strike of a person (details supplied) in detention in Israel; if he will report on any representations on the matter he or his Department has made with the Israeli state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25076/16]

Consular Services Provision

Paul Murphy

848. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his views on the detention of a person (details supplied) in Iran; the representations he or his Department have made to the Iranian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25697/16]

Commemorative Events

Paul Murphy

965. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos 873 and 874 of 14 April 2016, if she will confirm that the inaugural official National Famine Commemoration Day took place in 2008 as indicated by a press statement (details supplied) which announces this year's commemoration as the 9th consecutive year in which the National Famine Commemoration has taken place, as opposed to this event being an informal one. [25113/16]

Hospital Staff

Paul Murphy

1311. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department has considered or would consider the establishment of family care co-ordinator positions in hospitals to assist families diagnosed with genetic illnesses or who have other complex care needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25686/16]

Appointments to State Boards

Paul Murphy

1483. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the consultations he undertook when he reappointed the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland; if these consultations included consultation with the board of Horse Racing Ireland; if a business case was prepared in advance of this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25110/16]

Beef Technology Adoption Programme Payments

Paul Murphy

1590. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to approve the insecticide flupyradifurone for use here; his views on the insecticide's potential impact on the bee population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26041/16]

Driving Test Regulations

Paul Murphy

1751. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the policy of the driving test centres not to reimburse the application fees of those who are not permitted to take the test due to warning lights on their car's dashboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24586/16]

Swimming Pool Programme Funding

Paul Murphy

1797. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the allocation of funding to South Dublin County Council to allow for repair works to be carried out on the swimming pool of Tallaght Leisure Centre in order to allow the full 25 metre pool be used; his views on the regular repair works that have been required; if he will review the widespread practice of local authorities outsourcing management and repair of pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25449/16]

Trade Agreements

Paul Murphy

1881. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on calls for a suspension of TTIP negotiations between the EU and the USA at the upcoming meeting of trade ministers in view of the reported comments from the French trade Minister (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25468/16]

European Defence Capabilities

Paul Murphy

1956. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on reports in the French and German press (details supplied) on calls by the French and German defence Ministers for closer EU military co-operation post Brexit, including measures such as a joint headquarters, a single EU budget for military research and procurement and the establishment of an EU military academy; if he supports such calls; if not, the steps he will take to oppose such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/16]

Taoiseach's Communications

Paul Murphy

9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach to report on recent communication he has had, written or otherwise, with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. [20702/16]

Military Aircraft Landings

Paul Murphy

422. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 419 of 12 July 2016, the number of American troops and military hardware which have used Dublin Airport in each of the years from 2001 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23176/16]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Paul Murphy

6. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will receive the report on the outcome of an all-island research programme on unconventional gas exploration and extraction, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21622/16]