Parliamentary questions

Mortgage Arrears Rate

Pearse Doherty

407. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has carried out an impact assessment on the potential effect on the numbers in mortgage distress if water charges are introduced. [10567/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Pearse Doherty

409. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a proposed sewage scheme (details supplied) in County Donegal. [12801/13]

Property Services Regulation

Pearse Doherty

469. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 26 February 2013, if he will provide an estimate of the total number of commercial leases here and the total number that will be captured on the new commercial leases database; and if he will outline the principal reasons for omissions of extant leases from the commercial leases database. [12635/13]

Garda Investigations

Pearse Doherty

470. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to the publication of what is claimed to be a transcript of a conversation (details supplied), if a complaint has been made to An Garda Síochána and-or if An Garda Síochána is investigating the matter to establish if an offence may have been committed under tribunals of inquiry Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12636/13]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Pearse Doherty

545. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the broadcast of a BBC "Spotlight" programme on 5 March 2013 on the horsemeat scandal, if he will confirm that his Department responded to an approach two years ago which raised concerns about Irish horses and the food chain; and if the approach was responded to by his Department with a statement that the mess will clean itself. [13081/13]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Pearse Doherty

546. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the broadcast of a BBC "Spotlight" programme on 5 March 2013 on the horsemeat scandal, if he can confirm that he was requested to provide a comment to the programme makers but responded that he was too busy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13082/13]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Pearse Doherty

547. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the broadcast of a BBC "Spotlight" programme on 5 March 2013 on the horsemeat scandal, if he will confirm that information was provided to his Department two years ago which raised concerns about Irish horses and the food chain; and, if so, the way in which his Department responded to those concerns. [13083/13]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Pearse Doherty

548. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the broadcast of a BBC "Spotlight" programme on 5 March 2013 on the horsemeat scandal, if he proposes to investigate the claims made in the programme regarding passports for low weight and less valuable horses to the meat trade being switched for higher weight and more valuable horses to the meat trade. [13084/13]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Pearse Doherty

549. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the broadcast of a BBC "Spotlight" programme on 5 March 2013 on the horsemeat scandal, if he will confirm the number of horses slaughtered in the State in 2012; and if he will quantify the way the slaughtered animals were subsequently processed. [13085/13]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Pearse Doherty

550. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the broadcast of a BBC "Spotlight" programme on 5 March 2013 on the horsemeat scandal, if he will confirm that he is satisfied with the operation (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if any of the concerns raised in the programme will be investigated by his Department. [13086/13]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

570. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to a report in a Sunday newspaper which suggested that generic drugs and medicines here cost as much as 24 times more than the same medicines in Britain, the research undertaken by his Department or by the Competition Authority in this area; and the steps he will take to ensure that drugs and medicines are sold at reasonable prices here. [12634/13]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

612. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to a report in a Sunday newspaper which suggested that generic drugs and medicines here cost as much as 24 times more than the same medicines in Britain, the research he had undertaken in this area and the steps he will take to ensure that drugs and medicines are acquired at reasonable prices here. [12633/13]

Roads Maintenance

Pearse Doherty

679. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the situation in the town of Glenties, County Donegal, where in September 2010 during the annual fair, a member of An Garda Síochána diverted a lorry loaded with stone along a county road by-pass of the town which resulted in the collapse of the Mulantiboyle bridge, with this being the only route to by-pass the town, his views on whether at present the town is in a very vulnerable position with regard to any accidents or emergencies which may occur in the town as there is currently no route to divert traffic; if he will agree to prioritise funding in 2014 to ensure that this bridge is reinstated as a matter of safety and security for the town on Glenties. [12802/13]

Road Improvement Schemes

Pearse Doherty

680. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding allocated to the main street of Ardara Town, County Donegal, was not spent in this area; if he will agree to prioritise this town which is on the N56, national secondary route, to ensure that the obvious safety measures in the town can be resolved and ensure that this heritage town which attracts a large number of tourists each year can continue to progress on the already extremely progressive works being undertaken by the local community.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12803/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Pearse Doherty

34. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of extra hours that will have to be worked by primary teachers and by primary school principals under the terms of Croke Park two. [11756/13]

Croke Park Agreement Issues

Pearse Doherty

44. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers who for the past number of years have been making superannuation payments from their supervision and substitution allowance will not receive any pension benefit from such payments unless they retire within the next three years; and the way it is proposed that this element be dealt with. [11757/13]

Hospital Services

Pearse Doherty

236. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently awaiting insulin pump therapy in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin; the number of nurses on leave from this Department and if this is impacting on the delivery of this very important therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12058/13]

Garda Deployment

Pearse Doherty

7. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda personnel whose specific role is the detection of crime, on a district basis for the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [11571/13]

Garda Deployment

Pearse Doherty

12. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of dedicated drug units operational in An Garda Síochána on a division by division basis for the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [11572/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Pearse Doherty

88. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the time taken to process appeals upheld by Student Universal Support Ireland; his views on whether this time is efficient in view of the length of time students are already waiting for their grants to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11810/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Pearse Doherty

89. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process involved in finalising an appeal upheld by Student Universal Support Ireland; and if he will provide detail on the timeframes involved for each process. [11811/13]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Pearse Doherty

90. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in reassessing an appeal which was upheld on 5 February 2013 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason Student Universal Support Ireland are advising that appeals upheld by them are generally taking two weeks to process when clearly this is not so; the reason SUSI have advised the applicant that this process may take another four weeks before their grant is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11822/13]

National Internship Scheme Placements

Pearse Doherty

88. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of JobBridge interns in each Department and subsidiary bodies. [11370/13]

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Pearse Doherty

101. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the way she can put a cap on illness benefit of 12 months in cases when there is ongoing treatment such as chemotherapy involved. [11380/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

144. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the distress to mortgage holders at Irish Nationwide/Irish Bank Resolution Corporation whose mortgage was not processed as usual as a result of the liquidation of IBRC; if he will guarantee that these mortgage holders will not suffer financially, including through credit reputation, because of the delays; and the steps he will take to ensure that they can return to a monthly budgeting with confidence. [11074/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

158. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the tender document issued by the special liquidator of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation for the provision of independent valuation services to value loans for sale. [11340/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the valuation process to be undertaken in respect of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation's legacy loan book that will be offered for sale; if he will provide the par value and post provision book value of the IBRC loan book at 6 February 2013; and if he will provide an estimate of the time needed to value the IBRC loan book. [11341/13]

IBRC Loans

Pearse Doherty

160. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that Irish Bank Resolution Corporation is this week, week ending 27 February 2013, writing to borrowers regarding the disposal of their loans, the process to be adopted by the special liquidator KPMG to ensure that any sale is transparent, that potential buyers have access to adequate information and sufficient time to arrange financing and that the interests of the taxpayer will in general be protected and the sale price maximised. [11344/13]

NAMA Portfolio

Pearse Doherty

161. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the National Asset Management Agency is to demolish half a dozen ghost estates here, if he will confirm the approach taken by NAMA in making a demolition decision; the overall cost of demolishing such estates; if the estates have already been identified; and if so, if he will provide their addresses and provide a reassurance that NAMA will first attempt to dispose of ghost estates prior to demolition in order to minimise the cost of NAMA to the taxpayer. [11345/13]

NAMA Operations

Pearse Doherty

162. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement by the National Asset Management Agency that it is sponsoring a two year study at the Economic and Social Research Institute, if he will confirm the object of the study; the cost of the study and the contribution to that cost by NAMA; the deliverables to be provided by the study and when they will be delivered; and if they will be published and the consideration NAMA gave to using other research bodies for the study. [11347/13]

Sale of State Assets

Pearse Doherty

163. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to his announcement of the sale of Irish Life to Great West Life for €1.3 billion, if he will confirm the price earnings ratio implied by the sale; and if he will provide a comparison with price earnings ratios of comparable companies. [11348/13]

Sale of State Assets

Pearse Doherty

164. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to his announcement of the sale of Irish Life to Great West Life for €1.3bn, the reason he was unable to achieve a premium on the sale price reported in December 2011, in view of improving economic sentiment in the State and in the eurozone. [11349/13]

Banks Recapitalisation

Pearse Doherty

165. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an assessment of the benefits of replacing the promissory notes extant at the Educational Building Society, part of the Allied Irish Banks group, with long term government bonds. [11350/13]

Credit Availability

Pearse Doherty

166. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he or his Department have investigated the use of personal guarantees for commercial lending in the State; if he has compared practice in this area with other jurisdictions; and if personal guarantees are a deterrent to economic development. [11351/13]

NAMA Operations

Pearse Doherty

167. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 285 of 19 February 2013, the reason he did not publish the directions issued to the National Asset Management Agency on or around 6 February 2013 at that time; the reason NAMA has not itself published the directions; and the reason he failed to publish the directions last week as stated in his reply. [11352/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Pearse Doherty

170. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if any State contracts had been provided to Ernst and Young since 2011; and if so, if he will list the contract details and value. [11448/13]

NAMA Legal Fees

Pearse Doherty

174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the judgement in the High Court case between the National Asset Management Agency and the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information, the total legal fees incurred by NAMA to date in the case and the estimate of all legal costs including those of the OCEI. [11488/13]

NAMA Court Cases

Pearse Doherty

175. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the judgement in the High Court case between the National Asset Management Agency and the Office of the Commissioner for Environment Information, if he has considered issuing a direction to NAMA pursuant to section 14 of the NAMA Act 2009, not to appeal the judgement of the High Court to the Supreme Court. [11489/13]

IBRC Legal Cases

Pearse Doherty

179. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the quantum of gross legal fees billed to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation as a result of the direct engagement of a law firm (details supplied) for both calendar year 2012 and for 2013 between 1 January and 6 February 2013. [11594/13]

IBRC Legal Cases

Pearse Doherty

180. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the quantum of payments made by Irish Bank Resolution Corporation to a law firm (details supplied) for both calendar year in 2012 and for 2013 between 1 January and 6 February 2013. [11595/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Pearse Doherty

183. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who availed of the special assigned relief programme tax relief in 2012; the number of persons who have submitted preliminary tax payments for 2013 on the basis of the new SARP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11645/13]

Departmental Properties

Pearse Doherty

241. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm whether a piece of land in Dublin 20 (details supplied) is currently under the control of the Department of Finance. [11208/13]

Constitutional Amendment on Children

Pearse Doherty

243. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 294 of 20 November 2012 and 691 of 6 November 2012, if he will provide the total number of persons employed in the following roles in the children's referendum, special presiding officers, presiding officers, supervisory presiding officers and area inspectors, poll clerks, count supervisors, count calculators and counters. [11342/13]

Offshore Islands

Pearse Doherty

314. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding that will be made available to upgrade the roads infrastructure on County Donegal's populated offshore islands in 2013; the total expenditure by his Department in 2012 on infrastructure programmes on County Donegal's populated offshore islands; the amount allocated in his Department for the development of infrastructure on County Donegal's populated offshore islands in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10941/13]

Offshore Islands

Pearse Doherty

315. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has allocated a sum of money to facilitate the commencement of construction of a helipad on Toraigh Island should planning permission for the project be approved in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10942/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Pearse Doherty

341. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 503 of 17 July 2012, the progress made in relation to the advancement of the Falcarragh sewerage scheme, County Donegal; when this project is likely to commence; the amount of funding allocated by his Department to the advancement of this project in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11031/13]

Noise Pollution Legislation

Pearse Doherty

347. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation and regulations governing issues of noise pollution with specific reference to noise pollution created by vehicles on roads in residential areas. [11210/13]

Noise Pollution Legislation

Pearse Doherty

348. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the noise pollution restrictions that apply to a road (details supplied) in Dublin 20 and the person responsible for enforcing these restrictions. [11211/13]

Election Management System

Pearse Doherty

351. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 431 of 20 November 2012 and 691 of 6 November 2012, if he will provide the total number of the persons employed in the following roles in the Children's Referendum who were immediately previously unemployed or on the live register, Special Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers and Area Inspectors, Poll Clerks, Count Supervisors, Count Calculators and Counters. [11343/13]

Garda Equipment

Pearse Doherty

393. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has ever undertaken research into the use of polygraph technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11585/13]

Personal Insolvency Act

Pearse Doherty

399. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the Personal Insolvency Act to remove the veto from lenders over restructuring plans. [10584/13]

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Pearse Doherty

414. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the number of foreshore and aquaculture licences processed to completion by his Department in 2012; the average waiting times for the processing of the applications; the number of applications still awaiting determination; the steps taken by his Department to expedite the processing of the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10940/13]

Fisheries Protection

Pearse Doherty

428. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 549 of 22 January 2013 and the vote of the European Parliament on the 6 February 2013 to adopt a legislative resolution on the proposal of a regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 regarding the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms, when the amendment to the regulation is likely to become law; the outstanding procedures to be completed to allow the amendment to become law; the implications and opportunities this amendment will have for our small fishermen, particularly in the offshore island of Arranmore, County Donegal surrounded by the waters of ICES Division VIa and when the provisions of the amendment are likely to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11284/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Pearse Doherty

465. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form per county the number of people over the age of 70 years who have had their medical card eligibility reviewed in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the number of medical cards that have been cancelled as a result of the review; the number of medical cards that have been cancelled as a result of incomplete documentation submitted for review purposes; the number held to be eligible for the full medical card upon completion of the review; the number of medical cards that have been cancelled pending the outcome of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10943/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Pearse Doherty

466. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he has published the new guidelines for the motorised transport grant; the number of applications for the motorised transport grant that have been processed to date in 2013; the number of applications awaiting processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10944/13]

Health Services Provision

Pearse Doherty

534. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) in Dublin 22 has not yet received an assessment for autism from the Health Service Executive in Dublin. [11278/13]

Home Help Service Provision

Pearse Doherty

535. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Donegal currently in receipt of home help; the number of these that are living alone; the number of persons in County Donegal who have had their home help package reviewed on 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of these who have had their home help package reduced as a result of the review; the number of those with reduced home help hours who live alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11283/13]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Pearse Doherty

2. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the raising of interest rates by AIB on variable rates mortgages; and if he will call on the bank to explain its decision and let it know it is unacceptable. [10748/13]

IBRC Staff

Pearse Doherty

40. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation that have been re-hired and the number of those re-hired who earn less than €100,000, between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000, between €300,000 and €400,000 and those who earn more than €400,000. [10561/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

41. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has carried out any assessment on the economic impact of the sale of the bonds which replaced the promissory notes by the Central Bank at an earlier date than predicted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10560/13]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Pearse Doherty

86. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total of the gross salaries of the top ten earners in each of Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation and Permanent TSB/Irish Life in 2011 and 2012. [10852/13]

Public Procurement Tenders

Pearse Doherty

21. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by the school supply sector who believe their businesses cannot survive if excluded from the public procurement process; and the action he will take to tackle these concerns. [10432/13]

Public Sector Pensions

Pearse Doherty

26. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to the Exchequer if he imposed public service pension reduction bands (details supplied) to all public sector pensions, including local authorities and State agencies. [10430/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

63. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Act and the appointment of a special liquidator to resolve IBRC's balance sheets, the way the liquidator will deal with outstanding loans to the company; the way the liquidator will approach the outstanding issue of loans that are secured against mortgaged properties, where the property owner has arranged a debt write down with their bank following a sale; his views on whether the liquidator should allow property sales to go ahead and loans to be separated out from properties and repaid to the liquidator, or whatever asset manager is eventually appointed, on their own. [10475/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

64. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain the decision to provide €1 billion credit facility from the National Asset Management Agency for the use of the special liquidator of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; when the decision was made; what the credit facility is intended to be used for; the way the €1 billion, if used, will be repaid to NAMA; if he had to seek permission to use NAMA for such a credit facility from another entity such as the European Central Bank; if the funding of the credit facility comes from cash assets at NAMA; and if NAMA can still meet its bond repayments due at the end of 2013. [10476/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

65. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an assessment of the value privileged inside information may have to potential buyers of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation during the term of liquidation. [10502/13]

Legislative Process

Pearse Doherty

66. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will identify all non-Government parties which contribute to the drafting of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013. [10503/13]

Legislative Process

Pearse Doherty

67. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the involvement of a law firm (details supplied) in the drafting of any part of the Irish bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013. [10504/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

94. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement by the National Asset Management Agency on 21 February 2013 that it has made a €1bn credit line available to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, if he will confirm the interest rate and arrangement fee that applies to the facility and any moneys advanced under it. [10643/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

95. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement by the National Asset Management Agency on 21 February 2013 that it has made a €1bn credit line available to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, if the NAMA action was subject to a NAMA board decision; and if so, the date of the board decision. [10644/13]

NAMA Portfolio

Pearse Doherty

96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement by the National Asset Management Agency on 21 February 2013 that it expects to realise about €750 million by reversing asset transfers by certain debtors and taking charges over previously unencumbered assets up from a previous estimate of €500 million money realised from these sources will be used to pay down debts owed to the taxpayer; if NAMA can confirm if any of these transfer reversals were made as a condition of approving a business plan; and if so, the volume and value of transfer reversals made under this condition. [10645/13]

NAMA Portfolio

Pearse Doherty

97. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement by the National Asset Management Agency on 21 February 2013 that it expects to realise about €750 million by reversing asset transfers by certain debtors and taking charges over previously unencumbered assets up from a previous estimate of €500 million money realised from these sources will be used to pay down debts owed to the taxpayer, if NAMA can confirm the actual volume and value of asset transfer reversals achieved to date; and the basis for the valuation of the asset transfer reversals. [10646/13]

NAMA Portfolio

Pearse Doherty

98. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement by the National Asset Management Agency on 21 February 2013 that it expects to realise about €750 million by reversing asset transfers by certain debtors and taking charges over previously unencumbered assets – up from a previous estimate of €500 million money realised from these sources will be used to pay down debts owed to the taxpayer, if NAMA can confirm if any consideration was provided to the developer or the transferee in return for agreement to reverse the transfer. [10647/13]

Data Protection

Pearse Doherty

99. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the Data Protection Commissioner investigation of the alleged unauthorised removal of confidential data by a former employee of the National Asset Management Agency. [10649/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Pearse Doherty

116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when payment of a student grant award from Student Universal Support Ireland will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10483/13]

Garda Investigations

Pearse Doherty

223. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the Garda Síochána investigation of the alleged unauthorised removal of confidential data by a former employee of the National Asset Management Agency. [10648/13]

Broadband Services Speeds

Pearse Doherty

102. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has identified any legislation needed for the rollout of high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9972/13]

Tax Reliefs Application

Pearse Doherty

186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the operation of the SARP tax relief passed in Budget 2012, including the number of persons who have availed of this tax relief; the total amount of relief awarded and the number of jobs that have been directly created as a result of this relief. [9744/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance in relation to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the par value, impairment provision and book value of loans at 31 December 2012, 31 January 2013 and 6 February, 2013. [9745/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

188. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 13 February 2013, the reason only €123m of €323m of deposits in Irish Bank Resolution Corporation on 31 January 2013 are at risk of loss. [9746/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

189. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question 60 of 13 February 2013, if he will outline the types of deposit that comprise the €123m of deposits that are at risk of loss, and if any Irish credit unions are amongst the depositors whose deposits are at risk. [9747/13]

Financial Services Regulation

Pearse Doherty

190. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total held in deposits by Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society on 1 October 2010; the total held in deposits in Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society on 1 October 2010 not covered by the eligible liabilities guarantee; the charge to the Deposit Guarantee Scheme if Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society were liquidated on 1 October 2010. [9748/13]

Financial Services Regulation

Pearse Doherty

191. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total of unguaranteed unsecured senior bonds in Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society on 1 October 2010. [9749/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

192. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance in relation to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the way the special liquidator will obtain independent valuations of IBRC’s loans; when such valuations will be undertaken and completed; the identity of the party or parties undertaking the valuation; the methodology to be used and the cost of the independent valuations. [9750/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

193. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance in relation to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the way the special liquidator will ensure all loan sales are conducted in an open and transparent fashion so that potential buyers will be able to obtain adequate information and have sufficient time to assemble financing and in general, the way the special liquidator will ensure that the sales price obtained represents the optimum value for the taxpayer. [9751/13]

Government Bonds

Pearse Doherty

194. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 13 February 2013, if he will confirm what he means by conditions of financial stability; if such conditions exist today and, if not, by reference to what metric will he judge when such conditions have been met, and specifically if there is an interest rate metric by reference to which these bonds will not be diosposed of on the sovereign bond market. [9752/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

195. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline any restrictions on activities of the former chief executive officer of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation during the period of the IBRC liquidation. [9753/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

196. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the former chief executive officer of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation is precluded from advising potential buyers of IBRC assets during the period of the IBRC liquidation. [9754/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

197. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the confidentiality restraints that apply to the former chief executive officer of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. [9755/13]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Pearse Doherty

198. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement on 8 January 2013 by the National Treasury Management Agency, if he will confirm the volume and value of applications received by a company (details supplied) in respect of the €300-350m equity fund; the volume and value of applications approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9756/13]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Pearse Doherty

199. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement on 8 January, 2013 by the National Treasury Management Agency, if he will confirm the volume and value of applications received by a company (details supplied) in respect of the €100m equity fund; the volume and value of applications approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9757/13]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Pearse Doherty

200. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement on 8 January, 2013 by the National Treasury Management Agency, if he will confirm the volume and value of applications received by a company (details supplied) in respect of the €100m equity fund; the volume and value of applications approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9758/13]

Banks Recapitalisation

Pearse Doherty

201. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the announcement on 25 July 2011, of the sale of a 35% stake in Bank of Ireland to a group of North American investors for a price of up to €1.123bn, if he will confirm the sums received to date; the date received, and a schedule of any further payments due. [9765/13]

Credit Unions

Pearse Doherty

202. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if credit unions are part of the eligible depositors who will be burnt as a result of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Act; and the steps he is taking to assist credit unions in this eventuality. [9823/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

203. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the net asset position of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation at 30 June 2012; in view of his Department's forecast of a net cost to the Exchequer in 2013 of €1 billion in respect of IBRC liquidation for the eligible liabilities guarantee, if he will confirm the loss being recorded at IBRC between 1 July 2012 and the date on which IBRC is finally would down in 2013. [9824/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

204. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance what will happen in June 2013 when the €3 billion loan from Bank of Ireland to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, originally provided in June 2012, secured on a 2025 Government bond, falls due. [9825/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

205. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the consideration given by him in the liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation to unsecured creditors taking legal action against IBRC and him, after assets in the form of promissory notes worth €27.7 billion at June 2012 were exchanged for bonds worth €25 billion, thereby wiping out IBRCs capital base. [9826/13]

Sale of State Assets

Pearse Doherty

206. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will lay before Dáil Éireann the un-audited accounts of Irish Life for the year ended 31 December 2012. [9827/13]

Sale of State Assets

Pearse Doherty

207. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the consideration he has given to using the proceeds from the sale of Irish Life, for a stimulus package aimed at reducing unemployment. [9828/13]

Consumer Protection

Pearse Doherty

304. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the charges that can be applied to flights when booked by credit card; and if he will legislate to ban such practices. [9635/13]