Parliamentary questions

Airport Development Projects

Jim Daly

127. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the strategic importance of Cork Airport to the development of the west Cork economy noting in particular the reliance of west Cork on tourism; the steps he will take to ensure that any future plans to develop the airport will ensure adequate input from the west Cork area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7713/14]

Sports Funding

Timmy Dooley

128. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will bring forward any plans from his Department to increase the number of active participants in sporting organisations here; if he will consider increasing the allocation of funding to organisations which promote increasing participation from persons who are currently not active in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7616/14]

Public Transport Provision

Alan Farrell

129. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the various proposals for a high frequency, high volume transport service between Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport and Swords; the timeframe for a preferred method to be costed; the implications on the next national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7527/14]

Aviation Issues

Thomas Pringle

130. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made a decision regarding the licence application by the long-haul service of Norwegian Air International to operate its service using a base here; if he has considered the implications regarding labour standards and labour-related rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7721/14]

Tourism Industry

Joan Collins

131. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether hotels-bed and breakfasts and so on should not increase the cost of their rooms by significant amounts when there are major events been held in a particular city or region. [7736/14]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Sandra McLellan

132. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his Department have any discussions with local authorities to resolve the issue of proof of ownership of council property in order to meet criteria for sports capital grants. [7799/14]

Driver Licences

Denis Naughten

133. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the legislation covering the processing of the new drivers' licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7525/14]

Transport Infrastructure

Seán Kyne

134. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the transport infrastructure projects that have been undertaken during the course of the current capital investment plan; the priorities for any future plan; the current position regarding the M17-18 motorway project and the standing of the Galway city outer bypass project in terms of a new capital investment plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7718/14]

Air Services Provision

Timmy Dooley

135. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made in establishing a direct air link between Ireland and China; if he has been in contact with his Chinese counterpart on this matter; if he has discussed this issue with Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland; if Tourism Ireland has a strategy to encourage more Chinese tourists here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7613/14]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Seamus Kirk

136. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of any recent discussions he has had with members of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Secretary of State on key cross-Border infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1484/14]

Road Projects Status

Jim Daly

137. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update from the National Roads Authority on its plans to upgrade the N71 in west Cork; if his Department is considering the provision of funding from future capital budgets to upgrade the N71 in west Cork; the priority that is being placed on this upgrade by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7714/14]

Garda Investigations

Mick Wallace

138. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons no action has been taken under article 16 provisions of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation - Chicago Convention - in relation to the searching of planes suspected of involvement in renditions, troops or arms transportation; when this situation will be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7671/14]

Harbour Authorities

Richard Boyd Barrett

139. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the value of the assets transferred from State ownership to the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company when the new company was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7723/14]

State Bodies

Shane Ross

140. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Taoiseach as far as he is aware if any official body under the aegis of his Department subscribes to the daily inflation data for Ireland collected by a company (details supplied); if so, the cost of this service; if the data will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7466/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

141. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7472/14]

State Bodies

Michael McNamara

142. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of any bodies under the aegis of his Department in respect of Government policy for which he is responsible for answering parliamentary questions pursuant to Standing Order 34. [7473/14]

Appointments to State Boards

Michael McNamara

143. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of bodies in respect of which he has the authority to appoint board members. [7474/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

144. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by 0 to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7635/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

145. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7651/14]

Security Checks

Noel Harrington

146. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Taoiseach if any of his departmental or ministerial offices have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since coming to office in March 2011; the reasons for this check; the results of this check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7900/14]

Departmental Bodies Establishment

Seán Fleming

147. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach if he will list any new organisations-agencies established in his Department since 9 March 2011; the role and functions and the annual operating budget for these organisations-agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7951/14]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Michael McGrath

148. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will clarify if all branches of the civil service within his Department are applying Department policy that staff progress on incremental salary scales on the basis of a single point per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8688/14]

Departmental Staff

Catherine Murphy

149. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a decision will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if a decision is internal to his Department; if not, the process that is being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7589/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

150. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by 0 to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7629/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

151. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7645/14]

Commemorative Events

Brendan Griffin

152. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to mark the centenary of the beginning of the Great War; his plans to honour the Irish war dead from that conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7769/14]

Security Checks

Noel Harrington

153. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any of his departmental or ministerial offices have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since coming to office in March 2011; the reasons for this check; the results of this check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7894/14]

Departmental Agencies

Seán Fleming

154. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will list any new organisations-agencies established in his Department since 9 March 2011; the role and functions and the annual operating budget for these organisations-agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7945/14]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Denis Naughten

155. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact he has had with key players on Capitol Hill in the US since the publication of the Border Security Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernisation Act of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7997/14]

Irish Communities Abroad

Micheál Martin

156. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's actions on the Irish diaspora; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2219/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Micheál Martin

157. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he took to mark the 20th anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2177/14]

Northern Ireland Marching Season

Micheál Martin

158. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position regarding the proposals on the Parades Commission made by Dr. Haass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2202/14]

Northern Ireland Marching Season

Micheál Martin

159. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet the Ulster Unionist Party to discuss the Haass report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2210/14]

Diplomatic Representation

Micheál Martin

160. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department is reviewing the number of Irish embassies across the eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3533/14]

Foreign Policy

Micheál Martin

161. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Irish neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4835/14]

Diplomatic Representation

Micheál Martin

162. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the United States ambassador to Ireland will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2176/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Micheál Martin

163. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has written to or spoken with Secretary of State Villiers regarding an inquiry into the Ballymurphy murders in 1971; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6190/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues he raised with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State during their recent meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8369/14]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Michael McGrath

165. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify if all branches of the civil service within his Department are applying Department policy that staff progress or incremental salary scales on the basis of a single point per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8683/14]

State Bodies

Shane Ross

166. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade as far as he is aware if any official bodies under the aegis of his Department subscribes to the daily inflation data for Ireland collected by a company (details supplied); if so, the cost of this service; if the data will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8699/14]

Property Tax Administration

Michael Healy-Rae

167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify a situation regarding the local property tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8059/14]

Universal Social Charge Application

Brendan Griffin

168. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to alleviate the burden of the universal social charge on employees in view of its initial introduction as a temporary measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7512/14]

Legislative Programme

Pearse Doherty

169. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance when the sale of loan books to unregulated third parties Bill will be published; the aim of the Bill; and the number of mortgage holders that are likely to be affected. [7552/14]

Property Tax Administration

Dominic Hannigan

170. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance the position in regards to a person who cannot get flood insurance for their home to have a lower household property tax valuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7609/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

171. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by 0 to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7628/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

172. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7644/14]

VAT Exemptions

Kevin Humphreys

173. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will exempt flood gates for private homes from VAT to assist homeowners to protect their properties from flooding; if he will consider introducing a tax incentive scheme for private home owners to assist them in protecting their property from flooding with the construction or purchase of non-return valves, flood defences, renovations and flood barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7688/14]

Credit Unions Regulation

Terence Flanagan

174. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in the Central Bank coming to agreement with a credit union (details supplied) regarding the building and value in use; when he expects that agreement to be reached which is stopping the credit union from having an annual general meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7750/14]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

175. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of a 1%, 2% and 3% cut in the standard and higher rates of income tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7756/14]

Universal Social Charge Yield

Brendan Griffin

176. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% cut in the universal social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7757/14]