Parliamentary questions

Departmental Bodies

Michael McNamara

41. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of 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. [7002/14]

Ministerial Appointments

Michael McNamara

42. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of bodies to which he has the authority to appoint board members. [7017/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

43. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [7032/14]

Passport Application Refusals

Bernard Durkan

44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if and when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7109/14]

Passport Controls

Brendan Smith

45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the checks made to ensure the security and integrity of Irish passports; if he will outline the staff selection process carried out before hiring staff to the Passport Office; if he is concerned at recent investigations into the Passport Office by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7130/14]

Living City Initiative

Billy Kelleher

46. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the progress of the roll-out of the Living City Initiative; when the designated areas will be identified by local authorities; when the ministerial order will be moved for commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7106/14]

VAT Rate Application

Derek Nolan

47. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will broaden the remit of those businesses which benefit under the special VAT rate of 9% for bus operators working in the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6975/14]

Tax Rebates

Derek Nolan

48. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will allow bus operators working in the tourism industry to avail of a rebate on diesel charges similar to that applicable to airlines and ferry companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6976/14]

Departmental Bodies

Michael McNamara

49. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of 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. [7001/14]

Ministerial Appointments

Michael McNamara

50. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of bodies to which he has the authority to appoint board members. [7016/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

51. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance 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. [7031/14]

National Debt

Lucinda Creighton

52. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if he will estimate the total annual savings to the State under debt servicing costs if the interest charged on Ireland's EFSF, EFSM and bilateral loans to the UK, Denmark and Sweden were reduced by 0.5%; if he will provide an estimate of the total annual savings to the State under debt servicing costs from the first year of maturity of the EFSF, EFSM and bilateral loans to the UK, Denmark and Sweden if an extension of maturities to 50 years were provided on all these loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7041/14]

Budget Consultation Process

Michael Healy-Rae

53. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding representation for pensioners organisations in decision-making processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7059/14]

Universal Social Charge Exemptions

Terence Flanagan

54. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if all couples are exempt from paying the universal social charge regardless of which spouse is over 70 years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7064/14]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Áine Collins

55. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will direct the Revenue Commissioners to be flexible on a case-by-case basis in their approach to the type of vehicle, particularly the engine size criteria, as the current regulation of 2,000 cc does not suit certain specific applicants, that is, farmers who need 3 litres plus engines to enable them to participate to some extent in family farm work. [7105/14]

VAT Rate Application

Gerry Adams

56. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the VAT and other taxes or duties that apply in respect of the selling of coffins within the State. [7144/14]

VAT Rate Application

Gerry Adams

57. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the VAT and other taxes or duties that apply in respect of undertakers within the State and the purchase of coffins. [7145/14]

VAT Rate Application

Gerry Adams

58. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the VAT or any other taxes or duties payable on the importation of coffins from Northern Ireland. [7146/14]

VAT Rate Application

Gerry Adams

59. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out any investigation into allegations of non-payment of VAT, tax or other duties on the sale of coffins from Northern Ireland or outside the EU. [7147/14]

VAT Rate Application

Gerry Adams

60. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the checks that are carried out to ensure that all VAT, taxes or other duties on the sale or purchase of coffins are properly collected. [7148/14]