Parliamentary questions

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Eamon Ryan

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

Departmental Contingency Planning

Eamon Ryan

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

National Security Committee

Eamon Ryan

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

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

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

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Eamon Ryan

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

Trade Strategy

Eamon Ryan

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

Brexit Issues

Eamon Ryan

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

Northern Ireland

Eamon Ryan

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

Social and Affordable Housing

Eamon Ryan

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

Planning Issues

Eamon Ryan

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

School Curriculum

Eamon Ryan

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

National Economic and Social Council

Eamon Ryan

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

Criminal Law

Eamon Ryan

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

Road Traffic Offences Data

Eamon Ryan

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

Deportation Orders Data

Eamon Ryan

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

Leave to Remain

Eamon Ryan

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

Deportation Orders Data

Eamon Ryan

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

Voluntary Repatriation Schemes

Eamon Ryan

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

European Fund for Strategic Investments

Eamon Ryan

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

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

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

Naval Service

Eamon Ryan

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

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Eamon Ryan

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

Departmental Bodies

Eamon Ryan

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

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

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

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

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

European Council Meetings

Eamon Ryan

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

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Eamon Ryan

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

Traffic Management

Eamon Ryan

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

Cycling Policy

Eamon Ryan

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

UN Committees

Eamon Ryan

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

Official Engagements

Eamon Ryan

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

National Mitigation Plan

Eamon Ryan

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

National Mitigation Plan

Eamon Ryan

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

Climate Change Negotiations

Eamon Ryan

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

Official Engagements

Eamon Ryan

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

National Cycle Network

Eamon Ryan

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

National Cycle Network

Eamon Ryan

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

National Cycle Network

Eamon Ryan

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

UN Conventions

Eamon Ryan

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

National Mitigation Plan

Eamon Ryan

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

National Raised Bog Management Plan

Eamon Ryan

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

Forestry Sector

Eamon Ryan

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

Hospitals Patronage

Eamon Ryan

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

Hospitals Patronage

Eamon Ryan

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

Legislative Programme

Eamon Ryan

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

EU Meetings

Eamon Ryan

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

Arts Promotion

Eamon Ryan

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

Wild Fires

Eamon Ryan

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

Census of Population Data

Eamon Ryan

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

Valuation Office

Eamon Ryan

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