Parliamentary questions

Library Projects

Brendan Smith

274. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the proposal to provide a new library in Virginia, County Cavan; the stage this project is at; the estimated timeline for the tendering process; the estimated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24073/16]

Library Projects

Brendan Smith

275. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the proposal to provide a new library in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan; the stage this project is at; the estimated timeline for the tendering process; the estimated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24074/16]

Social Welfare Offices

Brendan Smith

371. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give further consideration to the request of the Clones and Ballybay municipal district to have the new Intreo for County Monaghan located in Ballybay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24204/16]

North-South Implementation Bodies

Brendan Smith

379. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the establishment of additional cross-Border bodies, as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, is under discussion at the North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23472/16]

Emigrant Support Services

Brendan Smith

380. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding he has provided to the emigrant support programme in 2016 to date and the various programmes he will fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23474/16]

Human Rights

Brendan Smith

381. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures or new initiatives being taken at a national and European level to address the persecution of women and the abuse of female human rights across the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23566/16]

Gender Equality

Brendan Smith

382. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role Ireland will play as a member of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24064/16]

Middle East Issues

Brendan Smith

383. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken to date to rebuild Gaza following pledges made at a conference in Cairo in 2014; the aid committed by the Government to this project; the actual expenditure by the Government on this project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24065/16]

Drainage Schemes Status

Brendan Smith

394. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to carry out major drainage work on the River Erne system in County Cavan due to the ongoing problems with flooding in that catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23467/16]

Drainage Schemes Status

Brendan Smith

395. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans, if any, to carry out drainage work on the Dromore River system in County Monaghan due to ongoing problems with flooding in that catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23468/16]

Drainage Schemes Status

Brendan Smith

396. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcome of recent discussions, if any, he has had with the Northern Ireland authorities relating to flooding problems caused by the River Erne in County Fermanagh and County Cavan; if there have been any discussions regarding the need to carry out the appropriate drainage and remedial works to alleviate the serious flooding problems that are caused in part by the restrictions to water flow through the River Erne at the channel between the Upper and Lower Lough Erne and at the channel between the Lower Lough Erne and the Cliff Dam near Belleek; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23469/16]

Drainage Schemes

Brendan Smith

397. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding that has been allocated to Cavan County Council to date in 2016 to carry out essential drainage work; if it is proposed to allocate further funding to the council and, if so, if he will outline the drainage work to be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23476/16]

Drainage Schemes

Brendan Smith

398. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding that has been allocated to Monaghan County Council to date in 2016 to carry out essential drainage work; if it is proposed to allocate further funding to the council and, if so, if he will outline the drainage work to be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23477/16]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Brendan Smith

444. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the full complement of beds will be in use at a nursing unit (details supplied); when additional staff will be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23475/16]

National Drugs Strategy Publication

Brendan Smith

640. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the new national drugs strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24057/16]

Home Help Service

Brendan Smith

641. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the average delay that occurs in commencing home support following initial approval of such support in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24058/16]

Home Help Service

Brendan Smith

642. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals there are to recruit additional home support workers in counties Cavan and Monaghan as difficulties arise in some instances in commencing such support for persons following initial approval and also at holiday time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24059/16]

Home Help Service

Brendan Smith

643. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours approved for counties Cavan and Monaghan for 2016; the number approved to date; if the number of hours approved is likely to meet the demand for these supports in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24060/16]

Home Help Service

Brendan Smith

679. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of home help-home support hours provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan on an annual basis from 2010 to 2015 inclusive and to date in 2016; the proposals there are to increase the number of hours currently available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24117/16]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Smith

731. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of the most recent European Agriculture and Fisheries Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24110/16]

Agricultural Colleges

Brendan Smith

732. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals to increase the number of places on courses in the Teagasc agricultural colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24111/16]

Mobile Telephony Services

Brendan Smith

755. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome of any recent discussions he or his Department has had with the Commission for Communications Regulation or with mobile telephone companies on the inadequate mobile telephone coverage, particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan; his plans to improve coverage without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23471/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Brendan Smith

757. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve broadband telecommunications infrastructure in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23565/16]

Road Improvement Schemes

Brendan Smith

838. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to provide specific funding in 2017 to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance the necessary upgrading of the N2 from north of Monaghan town to the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24106/16]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

839. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to provide specific funding in 2017 to progress a road project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24107/16]

IDA Ireland Supports

Brendan Smith

855. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts made to date, and if any new initiatives are being undertaken, to attract an industry or manufacturing facility to a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23473/16]

Action Plan for Jobs

Brendan Smith

862. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if projects in counties Cavan and Monaghan will be funded under the community enterprise centre scheme in 2016, if a new competitive call will be launched under this scheme in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24062/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Brendan Smith

5. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach his plans to proceed with an all-Ireland forum and invite all interested parties to contribute to this forum. [20908/16]

Census of Population Publication

Brendan Smith

29. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the latest census data will be completed. [20907/16]

Job Creation

Brendan Smith

47. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is aware of the urgent need to provide much needed additional job opportunities throughout counties Cavan and Monaghan; the proposals her Department and the State's industrial promotion agencies have to assist in job creation and in the maintenance of existing employment; if she will direct the agencies to implement specific strategies for areas such as Cavan and Monaghan which will be impacted adversely by the British decision to leave the European Union and the difficulties facing many local small, medium and large enterprises that are heavily reliant on the Northern Ireland and British market, taking into account the weakening of the value of sterling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22788/16]

Job Creation

Brendan Smith

73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is aware of the urgent need to provide much-needed additional job opportunities throughout County Cavan following the further loss of jobs at a company (details supplied); the proposals that she and the State's industrial promotion agencies have to assist in job creation and in the maintenance of existing employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22787/16]

Road Projects Expenditure

Brendan Smith

66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to provide much needed additional funding to local authorities in view of the deterioration of large parts of the non-national road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22475/16]

Road Projects Expenditure

Brendan Smith

75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals, he has to provide additional funding in 2016 to Cavan and Monaghan county councils in respect of essential repairs and necessary upgrading to the non-national road network in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/16]

Insurance Coverage

Brendan Smith

151. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the widespread concern within the hospitality sector about the non-availability of insurance cover by Irish insurance companies, specifically for the entertainment sector; if he is further aware that no Irish companies are providing such insurance and that such premia have increased substantially; the measures he will implement to deal with such problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22612/16]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

316. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date for the next meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister for Education in sectorial format, as provided for in the North-South Ministerial Council; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22860/16]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

387. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date for the next meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister for the Environment in sectoral format, as provided for in the North-South Ministerial Council; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22859/16]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

489. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out the status of the proposed immigration reform legislation in the US; if he made contact with Senators or Members of the House of Representatives since the recent United States Supreme Court decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22613/16]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

490. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the discussions he has had with the United States authorities and Irish emigrant support groups following the decision of the US Supreme Court on the proposed immigration reform legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22614/16]

Cross-Border Projects

Brendan Smith

549. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the restoration of the Ulster Canal; the funding provided in her Department's Estimates in 2016 for this project and the likely expenditure; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22890/16]

Hedge Cutting Season

Brendan Smith

550. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she will implement changes to the closed period for hedge cutting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22891/16]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

682. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the date for the next meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in sectoral format, as provided for in the North-South Ministerial Council; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22858/16]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Brendan Smith

768. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the areas of natural constraint scheme will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22803/16]

Superlevy Fine

Brendan Smith

769. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has put proposals to the EU Agriculture Commissioner in relation to the postponement of super-levy fines for 2016 and 2017 in view of the crisis affecting dairy farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22804/16]

GLAS Administration

Brendan Smith

770. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the GLAS scheme will reopen; the number of persons to be approved for this scheme in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22805/16]

Ministerial Meetings

Brendan Smith

771. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to meet at an early date his counterpart in the British Government, with particular reference to the recent EU membership referendum, and the issues that will affect farming and the agrifood sector and the implementation of the CAP; the issues of common concern to farmers throughout all of Ireland and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22806/16]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

773. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next meeting of the beef forum will be held; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22832/16]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Brendan Smith

774. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in implementing Food Harvest 2020, for each sector provided for in that strategy, published in July 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22833/16]

Importation of Fertilisers

Brendan Smith

775. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he had discussions with the EU Agriculture Commissioner, and-or with other members of the EU Commission, regarding the need to abolish the EU tariffs on the import of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22834/16]

State Aid

Brendan Smith

776. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the necessary provisions will be implemented to enable farmers to access low-cost short-term loans, due to serious cash flow pressures at present, as provided for at the EU Agriculture Council in respect of state aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22835/16]

Dairy Sector

Brendan Smith

777. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he will make at the next EU Agriculture Council in respect of the need to support the dairy sector through its present difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22836/16]

Food Exports

Brendan Smith

779. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional resources will be provided to Bord Bia to assist client companies exporting to Northern Ireland and Britain due to difficulties arising from the weakening of the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22845/16]

Live Exports

Brendan Smith

780. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the export of live cattle to Turkey is likely to commence; if all the necessary protocols have been put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22846/16]

Food Exports

Brendan Smith

781. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council on to the need to have additional food products exempted from the Russian ban on exports from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22847/16]

Pigmeat Sector

Brendan Smith

782. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council on the ongoing difficulties facing the pigmeat sector; the proposals there are to provide additional assistance at European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22848/16]

Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility

Brendan Smith

783. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has secured agreement from the European Commission to have an advance payment of 70% of the basic payment scheme by mid-October 2016 in view of the income difficulties facing farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22849/16]

Pigmeat Sector

Brendan Smith

784. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in the implementation of the report prepared by the pig industry stakeholder group; the timeline for the implementation of the measures proposed in that report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22850/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Brendan Smith

785. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of any discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development following the British decision to leave the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22861/16]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

786. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date for the next meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in sectoral format, as provided for in the North-South Ministerial Council; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22862/16]

Grocery Industry Regulation

Brendan Smith

908. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her proposals to establish an independent ombudsman office in respect of retail regulation, due to concerns over the unfair treatment of farmers and suppliers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22894/16]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

922. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date for the next meeting with her counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive in sectorial format, as provided for in the North-South Ministerial Council; the issues to be discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22856/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Brendan Smith

8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 601 of 8 June 2016, if he has had discussions with ComReg regarding the application of a universal service obligation on broadband telecommunications providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21511/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Brendan Smith

15. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve the broadband telecommunications service throughout counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he is aware that households, educational and business interests, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are concerned about the inadequate service that exists in many areas in these counties; if he will undertake the necessary investment programme without further delay to bring the broadband services up to a proper standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21512/16]

Drug Trials

Brendan Smith

187. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his proposals to licence and authorise the drug Ampligen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21797/16]

Emergency Departments Closures

Brendan Smith

222. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health to confirm that there will be no change to the status of the emergency department in Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21903/16]

School Meals Programme

Brendan Smith

152. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review an application for funding from a community project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21578/16]

Peace and Reconciliation Programme

Brendan Smith

167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the new PEACE programme will be operational; the funding allocated to this programme; the financial contribution by the European Union, by the Irish Government and by the British Government.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21581/16]

EU Funding

Brendan Smith

168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the new INTERREG programme will be operational; the funding allocated for this programme; the financial contribution by the European Union, by the Irish Government and by the British Government.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21582/16]

EU Funding

Brendan Smith

169. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to confirm that there will be no delays to projects funded through cross-Border bodies where contracts are due to be finalised within the next few months; if the result of the recent British European Union membership referendum will have any effect on the roll-out of these programmes.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21583/16]

Home Help Service Provision

Brendan Smith

51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals there are to increase the number of home help hours in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [20979/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Smith

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase between December 2015 and May 2016 in the number of outpatients waiting more than a year for a consultation in Cavan General Hospital. [20978/16]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Brendan Smith

150. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her proposals to provide additional resources to the Garda vetting unit in view of the delays that occur in the processing of applications which causes problems for persons taking up new employment or changing employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20738/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Brendan Smith

738. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to upgrade the broadband telecommunications infrastructure in an area (details supplied); if he will give consideration to the requests of local residents and local business to have an adequate and modern broadband service provided in that area without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21057/16]

Economic Competitiveness

Brendan Smith

808. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her proposals to assist small and medium enterprises that are totally or heavily dependent on the Northern Irish and British market for exports, given the weakening of the value of sterling; if she is aware that such companies are experiencing difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21339/16]

Constituency Boundaries

Brendan Smith

116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he proposes to establish the Dáil Éireann constituencies boundaries commission in July 2016 following the provisional 2016 census returns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19913/16]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

170. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his recent meeting with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, the First Minister, Ms Arlene Foster, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin Mc Guinness; if he has made specific arrangements with the Northern Ireland Executive to work together following the UK referendum on membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19970/16]

Dairy Sector

Brendan Smith

237. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to the European Union Agriculture Commissioner relating to the urgent need to provide additional support for the dairy sector following the Commissioner's statement (details supplied) that the provision of further support for that sector is justified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19971/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Brendan Smith

62. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the implications for the working of the European Court of Human Rights and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement arising from the British decision to leave the European Union. [19088/16]

Departmental Meetings

Brendan Smith

646. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to consider a request from a local authority (details supplied). [19692/16]

Farm Assist Scheme

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will review the farm assist scheme as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18711/16]

Farm Assist Scheme

Brendan Smith

19. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that changes to the farm assist scheme introduced in budgets 2012 and 2013 have had a very negative effect on many low-income farmers; if he will reverse these measures at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18712/16]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of schemes to assist local authorities in providing closed circuit television for areas where there is anti-social behaviour and incidences of crime on a constant basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18995/16]

Social and Affordable Housing Funding

Brendan Smith

11. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether setting up funding models in conjunction with various private equity funds is the most efficient way to provide social and affordable housing to deal with the current crisis. [18460/16]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislative changes he plans to implement to provide for the much needed massive increase in social and affordable housing in order to deal with the current housing crisis. [18461/16]

International Agreements

Brendan Smith

140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the implications for the working of the European Court of Human Rights and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement arising from the British decision to leave the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18765/16]

EU Issues

Brendan Smith

239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the implications for the implementation of Irish defence policy following the British decision to leave the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18767/16]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

316. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will formally recognise the actions of the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq against the Yazidi people as genocide, given the United Nations report citing these actions as such; his proposals to encourage the international community to recognise the genocide and to request the United Nations Security Council to refer this ongoing barbarity to the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18043/16]

Hospital Consultant Contracts

Brendan Smith

362. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his proposals to ensure that adequate resources are provided to continue the present level of services for the centre of excellence for sarcoma in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin; if he is aware of the concerns of the Sarcoma Action Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18581/16]

Job Losses

Brendan Smith

534. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the discussions she or the statutory agencies under the remit of her Department have had or propose to hold with the senior management in a company (details supplied) or with representatives of employees, given the recent announcement of redundancies in that company, to ensure that all possible assistance is provided to employees who may lose their jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18516/16]

Job Losses

Brendan Smith

535. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the discussions she has had with senior management or representatives of employees in a company (details supplied), in view of the recent announcement of redundancies, to ensure that appropriate supports are provided without delay for employees who may lose their jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18517/16]

Job Losses

Brendan Smith

552. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the discussions she has had or proposes to have with the senior management of a company (details supplied) on the need for this company to retain the maximum level of employment in County Cavan in view of its recent announcement regarding redundancies; if the statutory agencies under the remit of her Department have offered assistance to the company or its employees on employment retention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18518/16]

Carbon Tax Implementation

Brendan Smith

43. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to exempt household fuel products from carbon tax in view of the difficulties for fuel merchants and small businesses in the Border counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17517/16]

Carbon Tax Yield

Brendan Smith

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the serious concern of fuel merchants in the Border counties following the imposition of a carbon tax on household fuel products; that the viability of many of these businesses is under threat; that revenue is being lost to the State; his plans to reduce the level of carbon tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17516/16]

Pigmeat Sector

Brendan Smith

279. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 2 June 2016, if funding has been allocated to the Irish Pig Society to provide compensation to smaller scale pig producers, following on from the pigmeat compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17786/16]

Improvement Works in lieu of Local Authority Housing Scheme

Brendan Smith

143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his proposals to encourage the use of and improve the criteria for the scheme of improvements in lieu of rehousing, as this scheme could help in the retention and improvement of existing housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17618/16]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Smith

192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have taken place at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council regarding the possibility of suspending trade agreements with Israel until such a time as peace talks resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17382/16]

Farm Assist Scheme

Brendan Smith

311. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection his proposals to reverse the changes to the farm assist scheme that were introduced in budgets 2012 and 2013; if he is aware that these changes have had a very negative effect on many low income farmers; if he will give consideration to the immediate reversal of those measures, in view of the serious income difficulties across all farm sectors at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17313/16]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Brendan Smith

548. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to launch a new sports capital programme 2016, if he has provided for this in his Estimates for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17240/16]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Brendan Smith

581. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the next recruitment campaign for the Permanent Defence Force will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17209/16]

Defence Forces Reserve Strength

Brendan Smith

595. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his proposals to increase numbers in the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17316/16]

North-South Interconnector

Brendan Smith

25. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome of discussions he had with EirGrid in relation to the North-South electricity interconnector; if he is aware of the widespread opposition in communities in counties Monaghan, Cavan and Meath placing the transmission lines underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16156/16]