Parliamentary questions

Driver Licences

Andrew Doyle

281. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on mutual recognition of Irish driving licences with all the Canadian provinces and territories; the current status of Irish driving licence recognition for Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut; if he will provide an update on activities by the Road Safety Authority and the embassy of Ireland in Ottawa on having Irish driving licences recognised and setting up a reciprocal recognition scheme between each jurisdictions where recognition is not yet established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9912/14]

Potato Sector

Andrew Doyle

580. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he is taking to promote potato producer groups in order to support growers in marketing their produce. [9190/14]

Forestry Sector

Andrew Doyle

611. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that forestry management regulations are being proposed as legislation prior to the publication of a draft of the proposed forestry policy; the proposed publication of the draft forestry policy; and the consultation time envisaged for the draft forestry policy. [9647/14]

Public Transport

Andrew Doyle

248. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list from the National Transport Authority of all real time passenger information displays at bus stops in County Wicklow on which it will make progress in 2014, with data broken down on planning, proposed installation and activation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8672/14]

Foreign Policy Review

Andrew Doyle

54. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of submissions his Department received based on the public consultation document his Department published on a proposed review of foreign policy and external relations between October 2013 and the deadline for submissions in February 2014; if it received any late submission; if he will provide a full list of the persons and organisations from whom these submissions came; when he expects to be in a position to publish the review; if it will be in the form of another White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8511/14]

Special Education Review

Andrew Doyle

254. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the review of the visiting teacher services; if any of the parents of the affected children are being consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7707/14]

Public Procurement Contracts

Andrew Doyle

323. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the number and value of public procurement contracts, above and below the EU threshold requirements, which were issued to foreign companies from 2008 to 2012, inclusive. [8046/14]

Metal Detectors

Andrew Doyle

437. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will update the regulations on the detection of metal using metal detectors to bring them in line with those in the United Kingdom. [7934/14]

Food Safety Standards Regulation

Andrew Doyle

676. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the action he has taken to collect and analyse data on the growing incidence of persons with food allergies here; and if research into human food intolerances and gut health is being carried out by Teagasc. [8104/14]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

726. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the appointment of a urologist to Temple Street hospital; and if he will provide a timeframe for the appointment. [7918/14]

Departmental Programmes

Andrew Doyle

775. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposed budget for the centralised computerisation of the shipping and seafarers' registries. [8087/14]

Financial Instruments

Andrew Doyle

88. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate the tools to avoid excessive speculation in commodity derivatives under the new markets in financial instruments directive and regulation which he has described; if he will further indicate who the regulators here will be; and the commodity derivatives which will be affected here. [7397/14]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Andrew Doyle

249. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 529 of 4 February 2014, the measures and particular refurbishment works that will be undertaken by the Office of Public Works at a Garda Station (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the timeline for each of the refurbishment works and measure; the total cost of the works for the station for 2014, improving the quality of the service provided by An Garda Síochána in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6665/14]

IBRC Liquidation

Andrew Doyle

176. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the terms of the emergency legislation to liquidate IRBC; the protection measure provisions currently in place regarding the protection of over 13,250 mortgage holders previously with Irish Nationwide Building Society; if protection is included under the current legislation from any fund taking over the home loans valued at €1.8 billion currently owned by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5367/14]

Financial Instruments

Andrew Doyle

195. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the way the new agreement on the markets in financial derivatives impact here; and the action he will take on this issue. [5707/14]

Public Procurement Contracts

Andrew Doyle

252. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in regards to the practice in relation to awarding 12% of Government tenders to foreign companies, if he will state the monetary value of these tenders and the impact on the Exchequer and job creation for our small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5377/14]

Public Procurement Contracts

Andrew Doyle

285. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the policy in relation to support and training of small and medium enterprises in relation to Government tenders mentoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5368/14]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Andrew Doyle

378. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he has taken to ensure that the negative environmental implications of fracking gas extraction techniques on local water supplies and Irish farming international quality standards are included in any decision on the cost-benefits of extraction of gas by fracking, before exploratory gas fracking licenses are issued. [5441/14]

National Energy Efficiency Action Plan

Andrew Doyle

403. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a monitoring system for the carbon control strategy which applies to all buildings in the State portfolio. [5443/14]

State Properties

Andrew Doyle

424. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a national carbon control strategy for all the buildings in the State portfolio. [5442/14]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Andrew Doyle

529. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposed improvements to a Garda station (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if a new station has been proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5316/14]

Community Care

Andrew Doyle

722. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the number of whole time equivalents for community services; the number employed on temporary contracts, via agencies or through voluntary organisations contracted to deliver services on behalf of the Health Service Execitive in the areas of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, medical officers, for the years 2012 and 2013 for Counties Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5505/14]

Public Transport Initiatives

Andrew Doyle

767. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 16 May 2013, if he will ask both Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority, separately, to provide an update on replacing the pedestrian bridge at the level crossing near Bray train-DART-bus station in County Wicklow that was taken down in 2011; if the proposed dates for the construction of the new bridge are still on target; the current dates projected for the work from now until the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5669/14]

Public Procurement Contracts

Andrew Doyle

63. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is an up to date pro forma Public Works Contract for minor works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4418/14]

Public Procurement Contracts

Andrew Doyle

64. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any of the public works contracts have any reference to any national collective agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4419/14]

Industrial Disputes

Andrew Doyle

74. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there is any relevant national collective agreement in place which is a legally binding collective agreement between the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union, TEEU, and any other party including local authorities and the health service for public works contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4421/14]

Local Authority Housing

Andrew Doyle

126. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of any houses purchased by Wicklow Town Council in the past three years; if he will provide a detailed breakdown and cost for that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4420/14]

Health Services Staff

Andrew Doyle

768. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the reason section 39 agencies are not allowed to participate in the incentivised career break in line with Health Service Executive staff. [4155/14]

Departmental Strategies

Andrew Doyle

188. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has drawn up a digital strategy document, similar to that operated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/14]

State Papers

Andrew Doyle

401. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration has been given to moving the period before publication of State papers from 30 years to 20 years, in line with the UK; if his Department is aware that the UK is currently publishing its state papers twice per year until it reaches the 20-year point; if this shift can be made possible to ensure Irish and UK state papers are published together; if his Department foresees any ramifications if, in time, Irish papers are published ten years later than British papers; the effect this will have on history publications and teachings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2878/14]

State Properties

Andrew Doyle

444. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a national carbon control strategy for all the buildings in the State portfolio. [2612/14]

State Properties

Andrew Doyle

445. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a monitoring system for the carbon control strategy for all buildings in the State portfolio. [2613/14]

Garda Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

525. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the process for the current Garda recruitment will give priority to current members of the Garda Reserve in view of the tick-box option on the application form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2875/14]

Garda Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

526. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a detailed breakdown of figures of persons who have applied for the recent round of Garda recruitment; the number of these applicants who are currently members of the Garda Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2876/14]

Pest Control Programmes

Andrew Doyle

571. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to require pest control companies to institute guidelines for the handling of feral cats in view of the Animal Health and Welfare Act. [2791/14]

Grant Payments

Andrew Doyle

695. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider providing a capital grant scheme for mountain rescue organisations in County Wicklow (details supplied) to enable the organisations to improve the service they provide to the public in times of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2877/14]

Tourism Policy

Andrew Doyle

696. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of Ireland's engagement history with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation based in Madrid, Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2879/14]

Animal Welfare

Andrew Doyle

639. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action being taken by his Department to consult all stakeholders on a low-cost, all-Ireland microchip system for horses and dogs to promote the welfare of these animals. [55444/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Andrew Doyle

83. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered allowing an exemption to the local property tax for an estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of the serious failures by the local authority as revealed by a 2007 fire and safety audit that it conducted; if his attention has been drawn to the upgrades being made by the local authority to all local authority-owned properties on the estate but have refused to do so for privately owned properties and will not provide details of the 2007 report to residents; if this matter has been previously raised with him, highlighting the disparity between public and privately owned homes in the estate; if, given the above, he will allow an exemption to be made to this estate for the tax in view of the serious fire and safety problems along with dangerous building materials and electrical problems that have culminated in fires claiming several people's lives since the estate was built in 1972 as temporary housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54735/13]

Local Authority Housing Standards

Andrew Doyle

166. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious failures by the local authority on an estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow as revealed by a 2007 fire and safety audit which the local authority conducted; if his attention has been drawn to the upgrades being made by the local authority to all local authority owned properties on the estate but has refused to do so for privately owned properties and will not provide details of the 2007 report to residents; if this matter has been previously raised with him, highlighting the disparity between public and privately owned homes in the estate; if the 2007 fire and safety audit has ever been provided to him, his predecessors or his Department officials; if he will release this audit into the public domain which highlights the dangerous building materials and electrical problems that have culminated in fires claiming several peoples lives since the estate was built in 1972 as temporary housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54734/13]

Wildlife Protection

Andrew Doyle

331. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the provisions, safeguards and measures that are currently in place regarding drag hunting here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53964/13]

Hunting Guidelines

Andrew Doyle

490. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the provisions, safeguards and measures currently in place regarding drag hunting here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54008/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Andrew Doyle

319. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions he has taken to undertake the economic analysis of the agricultural biomass-generated biogas supply chain in order to support the co-ordinated development of the sector and to make recommendations on the use of biogas in Government buildings or in Government vehicles; and if a steering group on the biogas sector development has been planned for the foreseeable future. [53061/13]

Animal Breeding Regulations

Andrew Doyle

347. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has set up a departmental recording system for all the data collected by all local authorities to establish the basis for the analysis of the implementation of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, whose purpose was to ensure the control of dog breeding establishments and the enforcement of dog welfare in these establishments; as the issue of dog welfare in dog breeding establishments is an issue for two Departments, the action he will take to ensure that the guidelines for procedures for the enforcement of the welfare provisions in the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 will be worked out with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to assist the local authorities in carrying out their duties under the Act. [53060/13]

Foreign Policy Review

Andrew Doyle

37. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when his Department will be conducting a review of foreign policy; the consultation process he intends to engage in for the comprehensive review; the opening and closing dates of the public consultation process; the forum that will contribute to the overall review; the other stakeholders that will be involved in the review process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51435/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Andrew Doyle

350. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the lack of commercial outlets for willow and miscanthus biomass and the €3.5 million in grant aid, if he has reviewed the cost benefit of planting willow and miscanthus as a biomass crop for alternative energy production as part of achieving the national Kyoto alternative energy production targets; if he has or intends to produce a joint policy statement on the production and delivery of willow and miscanthus for alternative energy production in Ireland with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and if he intends to promote the use of miscanthus and willow biomass in Government buildings heating boilers, given the success of the system in Johnstown Castle. [51738/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Andrew Doyle

137. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to develop a national strategy to assist the processing of food waste in the production of biogas for biofuel. [50879/13]

Dog Breeding Establishments

Andrew Doyle

138. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will publish the number and size of dog breeding establishments that have registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by county under the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2010. [50881/13]

Dog Breeding Establishments

Andrew Doyle

139. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has reviewed the enforcement of welfare standards in each county since the implementation of the Dog Breeding Establishment Bill 2010. [50892/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

432. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if incentives are being considered for the use and optimisation of vehicles for the use of bio-methane biofuels, in view of their reduced GHG emissions. [50771/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

433. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a national policy on the use of biogas as a fuel in Government vehicles has been developed or is proposed. [50862/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

442. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the approved national system for the delivery of CNG biogas into the national gas network will be finalised. [50765/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

443. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the impact of the potential sale of an Bord Gáis Energy on the future development potential of the biogas sector. [50766/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

444. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a steering group to promote the production of biogas has been planned in the foreseeable future. [50767/13]

Wind Energy Generation

Andrew Doyle

445. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any study has taken place to show the amount of reduction in the fossil fuel import bill that has taken place from 2006 to 2012 as a result of the wind farm energy supply being delivered into the national grid. [50769/13]

Food Safety Standards Regulation

Andrew Doyle

557. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if national guidelines are planned for the traceability of meat supplied to the beef, sheep and pig processing plants to resolve the issue of substitution of imported meats in Irish-labelled meat exports. [50759/13]

Animal Feedstuffs

Andrew Doyle

558. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to establish a working group to promote the production of feed compounds to reduce the ever-increasing imported feed bill. [50762/13]

Farm Waste Management

Andrew Doyle

559. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has taken any action to promote the use of biogas from agricultural waste; and if he has promoted the use of biomethane fuel in agricultural vehicles. [50764/13]

Sports Capital Programme Administration

Andrew Doyle

195. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to invite applications for the next round of the sports capital programme; if there will be changes to the terms and conditions of the programme and the application process from the last round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47240/13]

The Gathering

Andrew Doyle

196. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work he and his agencies are carrying out in relation to building on the legacy of The Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47241/13]

European Council Meetings

Andrew Doyle

122. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will discuss the outcomes of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting that took place in October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46263/13]

Property Taxation Assessments

Andrew Doyle

207. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the reason a local property tax letter from the Revenue Commissioners to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow says the person's 2014 LPT is €810, as opposed to a lesser amount, in view of fact that the 2013 LPT return for the half year was €202; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46704/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Andrew Doyle

215. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Revenue Commissioners have set the date of the end of November for payment of the 2014 local property tax for the persons who pay by credit card; the penalties that will apply to persons who pay later than this date; if the Revenue Commissioners will consider extending the card payments deadline date beyond November until the end of the year, in line with dates for persons paying via other methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46879/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Andrew Doyle

532. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive a date for an oral hearing in relation to their carer's allowance appeal application; when a final decision will be made; her views on the length of time it takes for an oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46484/13]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Andrew Doyle

618. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a progress report on the roll-out of broadband, high-speed broadband and fibre broadband in an area (details supplied) of County Wicklow; if the State will intervene to ensure access to broadband service in the area, in view of the fact that the competitive market has failed to deliver such service for small businesses that are expanding; the way the national broadband plan will improve broadband speeds in this area, in view of the number of small and medium enterprises, new homes and proposed new developments in its environs; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that similar towns nearby have access to fibre broadband that is sufficient for essential business communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46381/13]

Seniors Alert Scheme Issues

Andrew Doyle

667. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding made available to County Wicklow through the local authority, community and voluntary groups for the seniors alert scheme on a yearly basis from 2010 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46147/13]

Job Initiatives

Andrew Doyle

1253. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide for the use of social or local employment clauses in future capital projects under his Department’s remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47242/13]

Traffic Calming Measures

Andrew Doyle

1263. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ask the National Transport Authority to outline the funding available to the local authority to conduct works at a village (details supplied) in County Wicklow under traffic management, safety for cyclists and pedestrians over the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45897/13]

Ports Development

Andrew Doyle

1287. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to bring forward legislation to provide effect to the measures outlined in the ports policy document published earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46894/13]

Aviation Industry Regulations

Andrew Doyle

275. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Irish Aviation Authority has noted that an advisory panel to the United States Federal Aviation Administration has recommended allowing personal electronics to be used throughout flights, including during take-off and landing; if such discussions have been held regarding a similar arrangement within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45456/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Andrew Doyle

126. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a jobseeker's assistance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45011/13]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Andrew Doyle

219. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the funding allocated through the microenterprise loan fund scheme through Microfinance Ireland for an area (details supplied); broken down into the number of applications received; the number approved; the total value of loans approved to each business; the number of jobs supported in each enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44394/13]

Job Initiatives

Andrew Doyle

266. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of employee applicants and successful employee applicants for the JobsPlus scheme in three counties (details supplied). [44395/13]

Voluntary Work Option Issues

Andrew Doyle

306. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if all officials at regional offices of her Department are made fully aware and possess a certain level of knowledge of the voluntary work option, thus removing a barrier to letting persons volunteer in their community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44762/13]

National Volunteering Strategy

Andrew Doyle

376. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a new national volunteering strategy is currently being formulated as a departmental policy document; if such a policy document being prepared will seek input from the community and voluntary sector through a public consultation mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44761/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Andrew Doyle

518. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if, in the context of examination of eligibility for medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow, he will review the need for a medical card, cognisant of their medical requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44337/13]

Air Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

604. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the abolition of the air travel tax will allow Ireland to become a major transatlantic hub, in view of its competitive position against other airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44537/13]

Common Security and Defence Policy

Andrew Doyle

111. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the preparations he has made to date in advance of the European Council summit in December 2013 that will play host to a substantive debate on European security and defence matters; if he will outline the stage discussions within his Department have reached; his views on whether the summit may change the nature of public debate here regarding collective security and defence in the EU in view of the recent comments by the President of the Council, Herman Van Rompuy, that the EU needs a long-term and more systematic approach to co-operation in this policy field; if pooling of Irish defence resources is going to be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43711/13]

Land Issues

Andrew Doyle

114. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the bodies of the State responsible for bonds and land bonds between the years of 1930 and 1980; if bonds that were issued between these years are still claimable if a State body that issued bonds between these years is no longer in existence; the State body that now has the records for this period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43721/13]

Election Management System

Andrew Doyle

214. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process for the selection of venues as polling booths for elections and referenda; if any guidelines are issued by his Department for the selection of venues; his views on whether community halls should be used, where available, as opposed to schools, thus allowing schools to remain open for regular days where voting is held on a week day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43050/13]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Andrew Doyle

297. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an interdepartmental group has been established between different Government Departments regarding meeting the targets set down in Food Harvest 2020; the Departments that are involved in this group; the frequency with which the group meets; the progress that has been made on this to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43467/13]

Departmental Agencies Staff Data

Andrew Doyle

380. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an outline of the staffing resources at the Adoption Authority of Ireland; if this has increased or decreased in the past number of years; if she will provide the specific figures of staff employed in the Adoption Authority in the area of inter-country adoption; if she will confirm that current staffing levels in the area of inter-country adoption are sufficient enough to allow for inter-country adoption to resume here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43576/13]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Andrew Doyle

381. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when inter-country adoptions will commence between Ireland and the United States of America in view of the recent conclusion of inter-country adoption operating arrangements between both countries; if she will provide details of the road map governing the inter-country adoption process that will operate between the two countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43577/13]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Andrew Doyle

382. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether it will be necessary to put in place transitional measures for Irish applicants for inter-country adoption who are already registered with a US Hague-accredited agency, before an Irish agency is approved to work with US agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43578/13]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Andrew Doyle

383. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether Irish applicants for inter-country adoption already registered with a US Hague-accredited agency will incur any additional costs when switching to an Irish agency once an Irish agency is established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43581/13]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Andrew Doyle

384. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding inter-country adoption between Ireland and Vietnam since the signing of the administrative agreement on inter-country adoption between Ireland and Vietnam in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43582/13]

Tourism Promotion

Andrew Doyle

451. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Fáilte Ireland will outline the funding that has been made available to festivals throughout the country under their regional festivals scheme fund from 2011 to date in 2013; if he will detail the amount that has been allocated for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43167/13]

Road Projects Status

Andrew Doyle

452. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority will provide an update on the progress that has been made to date on the N11 upgrade project between Arklow and Rathnew in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43173/13]

Job Creation

Andrew Doyle

38. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether the programmes and initiatives run by both the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland are now overlapping in a significant manner, thus diminishing their capabilities to conduct their work both here and abroad; if discussions have taken place regarding the pooling of resources to enhance job creation here and a potential merger of the two organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42570/13]

Passport Service Issues

Andrew Doyle

48. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the main features on the new passports that were introduced on 3 October 2013; if they contain any new security features; if he has notified other EU member states and the rest of international immigration authorities of the changes to the new Irish passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42861/13]

International Bodies Membership

Andrew Doyle

92. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has given consideration to joining the international research body, the European Particle Physics Centre at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, in view of the fact that membership would bring financial benefits for Ireland, aiding science education and promotion; the amount membership would cost and the amount associate membership would cost per annum; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that multinational technology companies based here cannot compete for contracts from CERN because Ireland is not currently a member; his views on whether it will be economically beneficial for Ireland to become a member; when the last review was held by Ireland for becoming a member of the body; if he is considering conducting a new review in view of the economic advantageous position in which membership would place Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42571/13]

Departmental Funding

Andrew Doyle

128. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual subvention his Department provides to An Post; the amount on a yearly basis from 2007 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42784/13]

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Andrew Doyle

129. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if he will outline his recent engagements with the Governor of the US State of California, Jerry Brown, on his recent visit to Ireland in July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39056/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Andrew Doyle

359. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the EirGrid grid link project as part of the national electricity grid linking Leinster and Munster; if he will detail its proposed passage through an area in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42180/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Andrew Doyle

378. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on a sewerage scheme (details supplied) as part of the Water Service Investment Programme 2010-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/13]

Irish Water Establishment

Andrew Doyle

387. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if projects that have been approved in County Wicklow under the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013 but have yet to commence will be included in the Irish Water capital investment plan for 2014-2015, currently being drafted; if an agreement has been put in place between his Department and Irish Water to ensure the projects in County Wicklow under the existing programme are complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41913/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Andrew Doyle

614. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 487 of 1 October 2013, if a logbook may be released to An Garda Síochána for a vehicle (details supplied) in County Wicklow for their inspection in order to pay road tax at the large public service vehicle rate, in view of the fact that the vehicle registration tax has been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42124/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Andrew Doyle

617. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on mutual recognition of Irish driving licences with the province of Ontario, Canada, where numerous Irish persons currently reside; if he will provide an update on activities by the Road Safety Authority and the Irish embassy in Ottawa on having their Irish driving licences recognised and setting up a reciprocal recognition scheme between the jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42278/13]

Rail Services

Andrew Doyle

621. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline Irish Rail's new policy of less carriages per journey during off-peak hours as an energy saving measures; if he will provide in tabular form the number of carriages on each train commencing from, passing through, or arriving at stations (details supplied) in County Wicklow on the DART timetable; if a review by Irish Rail of the new policy has taken place, in view of the overcrowding that has occurred on some of the journeys with less carriages. [42342/13]

Schools Emergency Funding

Andrew Doyle

109. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support an application for emergency funding grant in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41635/13]