Parliamentary questions

Departmental Reviews

Marian Harkin

9. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance for an update on the review of the disabled drivers scheme; and the new criteria being considered line with international best practice. [15225/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if, following the recent film industry stakeholder forum, he is planning any future changes to section 481 the film tax credit to ensure greater security of employment and incomes for workers in the film industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15245/24]

Departmental Reviews

Pádraig O'Sullivan

18. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance when the new primary medical certificate criteria will be introduced; if he can provide any update on the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15285/24]

Fuel Prices

Pádraig O'Sullivan

31. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the reinstatement of fuel excise relief in April 2024; and the estimated cost of the reinstatement in August 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15286/24]

Departmental Reviews

Catherine Connolly

40. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance for a status update on his Department's work to develop a new scheme to replace the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme as recommended by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group; the number of meetings held by the senior officials group to date, and the dates of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14380/24]

European Council

Matt Carthy

1. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his position on the adoption of qualified majority voting rather than the current requirement of unanimity on matters relating to defence at the European Council. [13142/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific projects that are being undertaken by Ireland under the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, including Permanent Structured Cooperation, PESCO; his plans for future projects under this programme and the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme, ITPP, through NATO’s Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12256/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

3. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will ensure that proposed amendments to the Defence Acts provide for a role for representative associations on the external oversight body, do not infringe on the rights of any Defence Forces personnel to be a member of a representative association and do not excessively prohibit the freedom of expression of members of the Defence Forces. [13143/24]

Departmental Meetings

Mick Barry

5. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reasons his Department facilitated a meeting between an organisation (details supplied) and the EDA’s CEO in September 2023; if he will publish the names of the persons who participated in the meeting between those two organisations; the topics that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13292/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

6. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 23 January 2024, the status of the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12835/24]

Defence Forces

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

7. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to list the military equipment, munitions and hardware purchased from Israeli-based or Israeli-owned defence companies in each of the past ten years; the current contracts that are awaiting delivery over the next five years; and the value of each. [13274/24]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

8. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the annual cost of providing Army security at Portlaoise prison; the number of prisoners in the prison that this security relates to; whether the need for an Army presence there is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13033/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

9. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the engagements between his Department and-or the Defence Forces with the Israeli Defence Forces or other Israeli bodies since January 2023; and if proposals for further engagements are currently under consideration or review. [13158/24]

White Papers

James Lawless

11. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an overview on the implementation of the White Paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13023/24]

Naval Service

Cathal Berry

12. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the proposed procurement of a multi-role vessel for the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13281/24]

Naval Service

Thomas Gould

13. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of sailings the Naval Service cancelled in the past 12 months due to staffing shortages. [13241/24]

Defence Forces

Thomas Gould

14. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether he has engaged on the reported €10 million payouts on Defence Forces claims in the past three years. [13242/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

15. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the combined budget for the Defence group Vote each year from 2020 to 2024; the percentage uplift each year from the previous year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13282/24]

Road Safety

Martin Kenny

64. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on his Department’s work in relation to road safety and to tackle the continuing rise in road fatalities. [13496/24]

Driver Test

Michael Lowry

65. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the current waiting times for driving tests in all County Tipperary test centres; the number waiting in each test centre; the reason for the extended delays in each test centre; the steps he is taking to address these driving test delays; these matters require immediate attention and swift action to alleviate the distress and inconvenience caused to persons in County Tipperary who are waiting for a profound period of time to have their driving test completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13476/24]

Aviation Industry

Martin Kenny

66. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he can provide an update on the national aviation strategy and its impact on Dublin Airport and regional airports. [13497/24]

Bus Services

Mairéad Farrell

67. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the cancellation of a service (details supplied) from Galway to Dublin Airport; if he is considering steps to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13234/24]

Road Projects

Pádraig O'Sullivan

68. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport about the progress that will be made on the Mallow relief road in the coming months given recent allocations from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11867/24]

Bus Services

Aindrias Moynihan

69. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport his plans and timelines to upgrade bus services across mid-Cork, including Macroom to Cork, Macroom to Bandon and other local services based around Macroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13251/24]

Active Travel

Thomas Gould

70. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether he is aware of an uneven allocation in funding for active travel in 2024 in Cork city. [13240/24]

Road Projects

David Stanton

71. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the amount of extra funding support his Department has provided to Cork County Council for the repair of roads damaged by flooding in the wake of Storm Babet; his plans to provide further allocations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13047/24]

Driver Licences

Martin Kenny

72. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he can provide an update on the proposed changes to category W licences; if he has engaged with the RSA to discuss the changes prior to the announcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13232/24]

Public Transport

Neasa Hourigan

73. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address anti-social behaviour and abuse directed at workers on the public transport network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13225/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that additional funding will be provided to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council for much-needed improvement works to the non-national road network in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13262/24]

Bus Services

Mark Ward

76. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to increase the capacity of public buses along the C spine route from Lucan; what measures are being taken to address overcrowded buses at peak times along this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12767/24]

Programme for Government

Mary Lou McDonald

1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [7937/24]

Programme for Government

Alan Dillon

2. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the programme for Government. [9029/24]

Programme for Government

Pádraig O'Sullivan

3. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [9218/24]

Programme for Government

Brendan Smith

4. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [9335/24]

Programme for Government

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

5. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [9336/24]

Programme for Government

Cian O'Callaghan

6. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [10350/24]

Programme for Government

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [10619/24]

Programme for Government

Paul Murphy

8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [10622/24]

Programme for Government

Mick Barry

9. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [12453/24]

Departmental Offices

Mary Lou McDonald

10. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit in his Department. [7939/24]

Departmental Offices

Mick Barry

11. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit in his Department. [9340/24]

Departmental Offices

Cian O'Callaghan

12. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit in his Department. [10351/24]

Middle East

James Lawless

13. Deputy James Lawless asked the Taoiseach for a report on his joint correspondence, along with the Spanish Prime Minister, to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the situation in Gaza. [7943/24]

Middle East

Seán Haughey

14. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a report on his joint correspondence, along with the Spanish Prime Minister, to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel association agreement. [9015/24]

Middle East

Mary Lou McDonald

15. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a report on his joint correspondence, along with the Spanish Prime Minister, to European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen on the situation in Gaza. [9140/24]

Middle East

Mick Barry

16. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach for a report on his joint correspondence, along with the Spanish Prime Minister, to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the situation in Gaza. [9341/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

17. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach for a report on his joint correspondence, along with the Spanish Prime Minister, to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the situation in Gaza. [10615/24]

Middle East

Paul Murphy

18. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach for a report on his joint correspondence, along with the Spanish Prime Minister, to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the situation in Gaza. [10621/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

1. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will urgently set a date on which Ireland will officially recognise the state of Palestine. [11047/24]

Human Rights

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the call of the UN Secretary General for an independent investigation into the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians as they sought aid in Gaza; the action he has taken to avoid mass starvation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11215/24]

European Union

Matt Carthy

3. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his position regarding the proposed reappointment of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission considering her interventions in respect of Israel's aggression against the people of Palestine. [11048/24]

International Relations

Gary Gannon

4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason the Israeli ambassador has not been summoned by his Department after the killing of a person (details supplied) despite the Russian ambassador rightfully being summoned in the wake of another death in Russia; and the reason the same standards are not applied to both. [11135/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

5. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposed new embassies and consulates that will be opened in 2024; if he will ensure that a new Irish consulate is opened in Australia in light of the growing Irish population there and the strengthening links between Ireland and Australia. [11049/24]

Middle East

Gary Gannon

7. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has made a decision on if and when Ireland will support South Africa's case against Israel in the ICJ, which alleges that the latter is committing genocide in Palestine. [11134/24]

Human Rights

Cathal Crowe

8. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the case of a political prisoner (details supplied) in Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10849/24]

Middle East

Gino Kenny

9. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to his European counterparts about placing sanctions on Israel for its bombardment of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10255/24]

Ukraine War

James Lawless

10. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views of the establishment of an international centre for the prosecution of the crime of aggression in Ukraine by Eurojust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10861/24]

Ukraine War

Pádraig O'Sullivan

11. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the action he is taking in relation to diplomatic outreach efforts and co-operation with Ukraine and other countries to ensure the widest possible international support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace on the basis of the key principles and objectives of Ukraine's peace formula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10899/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

12. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in light of his statement of 30 January last, if he has received legal analysis of the genocide convention, the court's provisional measures order and consultation with other contracting parties regarding the case taken by South Africa against Israel; and if he has concluded his urgent consideration in respect of to the filing of a declaration of intervention. [10949/24]

Human Rights

Barry Cowen

20. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the recent developments in the cases of political prisoners in Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10799/24]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

54. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking to promote accountability for violations of international law, including international crimes, arising out of Russia's invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10851/24]

Ukraine War

Cormac Devlin

61. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is supportive of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s peace formula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10852/24]

Human Rights

Cathal Crowe

68. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the case of a political prisoner (details supplied) in Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10848/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

77. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the European Commission's assessment of the draft updated National Energy and Climate Plan of Ireland (details supplied); what measures he is taking to respond to the assessments recommendations; what changes he plans to make to avoid the Commission’s assessment that Ireland’s NECP is not sufficient to meet 2030 targets; how he plans to ensure that Ireland’s share of renewable energy is sufficient to meet the 2030 target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11411/24]

Energy Policy

Denis Naughten

78. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps which he is taking to enhance the domestic sourcing and production of HVO as a replacement for diesel and kerosene; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11325/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

79. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the deposit return scheme; to provide an update of his Department’s work to assess the operation of the scheme since its inception; to report on the work on the consultative group to ensure that concerns of those with accessibility issues are heard; to provide an update on the review of the scheme's infrastructure by disability organisations; to report on how his Department will monitor how unredeemed deposits are used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11412/24]

Illegal Dumping

Noel Grealish

80. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what additional resources will be given to local authorities to better enforce illegal dumping laws following the introduction of legislation clearing the way for the use of drones, CCTV and other technologies in detecting offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11050/24]

Departmental Schemes

Denis Naughten

81. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that had their retrofitting applications refused in 2022 and 2023, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10135/24]

Fuel Poverty

Denis Naughten

82. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to address fuel poverty in homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10134/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the increase in the amount of electricity being generated from onshore wind, offshore wind, solar and other renewables respectively in 2023; the research being carried out in the State in respect of harnessing wave and tidal energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11069/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Colm Burke

85. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what action his Department is taking to ensure Ireland achieves its goal of 8 GW of solar connections by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10954/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

86. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 25 January 2024, the date on which the export tariff phase of the small-scale renewable energy support scheme will be launched; the status of the work by economic consultants for his Department regarding the revision of the levelised cost of energy estimates required for small scale and community based generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11059/24]

Post Office Network

Brendan Smith

88. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are proposals to expand the range of services available through the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11122/24]

Energy Policy

Ruairí Ó Murchú

89. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to the creation of a funding mechanism to assist with the conversation of fossil fuel-run community district heating systems, details supplied, into more sustainable fuel-run systems and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11190/24]

Recycling Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

91. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures in place for the deposit return scheme for housebound or disabled persons who shop for groceries online and are unable to physically access the deposit return scheme in shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11151/24]

Recycling Policy

Pauline Tully

93. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he has taken to rectify the deposit return scheme, which is inaccessible in its current format for disabled people, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11127/24]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [7768/24]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

2. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will next meet. [8205/24]

Cabinet Committees

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

3. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will next meet. [8696/24]

Cabinet Committees

Pádraig O'Sullivan

4. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [9013/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul McAuliffe

5. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [9022/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [9317/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

7. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [9320/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bernard Durkan

8. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [10386/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Mary Lou McDonald

9. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [7770/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

10. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [8697/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Peadar Tóibín

11. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [8796/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Brendan Smith

12. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [9021/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [9318/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Paul Murphy

14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [9321/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Cian O'Callaghan

15. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [10349/24]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Dillon

16. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [7873/24]

Cabinet Committees

Peadar Tóibín

17. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [8795/24]

Cabinet Committees

Pádraig O'Sullivan

18. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [9014/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul McAuliffe

19. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [9023/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [9319/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

21. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [9322/24]

Housing Schemes

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

42. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on her Department’s plans to address dereliction and vacancy in rural towns and villages. [10548/24]

Water Safety

Paul Murphy

43. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development with regard to her responsibility for Water Safety Ireland what measures she intends to take to reduce the number of drownings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10747/24]

Community Development Projects

Paul Donnelly

44. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how she is supporting communities across the country to develop local strategies in communities that have significant pressures, and if she will provide funding for new community development workers. [10819/24]