Parliamentary questions

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

21. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service vessels in service in March 2023; the number acquired and brought into service since then; the number decommissioned; the number mothballed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55689/23]

Ukraine War

Matt Carthy

22. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the activities of members of the Irish Defence Forces in Ukraine; the training and assistance they are providing; the mission or missions they are deployed as a part of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55693/23]

Ukraine War

Matt Carthy

23. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the nature of the weapons training being provided by the Irish Defence Forces in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55694/23]

Agriculture Supports

Matt Carthy

193. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in receipt of a basic payment in Monaghan in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the average payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55687/23]

Food Industry

Matt Carthy

194. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Agri-Food Regulator will be operational by years end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55688/23]

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

Matt Carthy

64. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if she will now establish an independent public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied), as previously agreed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. [55095/23]

An Garda Síochána

Matt Carthy

70. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in Cavan Monaghan who have retired or resigned in 2023; and the number of new recruits whom have been assigned to these counties in 2023. [55096/23]

Military Aircraft

Matt Carthy

89. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his role in the oversight in the stop-off of any military personnel or equipment at Irish ports or airports; if any such stop-off has included personnel or equipment on route to Israel or Palestine since 7 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54617/23]

Departmental Data

Matt Carthy

96. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the international organisations or posts for which his Department are responsible for the Irish Government being a nominating body; when any such position is next due to be filled; when any were last filled, and by who, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54729/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

97. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the President of Israel stating during an RTÉ broadcast that Irish taxpayer monies had been misused in the construction of tunnels by Hamas, in light of a review of funding provided by the European Union to Palestine which found that safeguards work well and that 'no evidence has been found to date that money has been diverted for unintended purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54730/23]

Foreign Conflicts

Matt Carthy

98. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with regard to the ongoing situation in Armenia and Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54732/23]

Human Rights

Matt Carthy

99. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; his engagements with regard to the ongoing civil strife and humanitarian situation in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54733/23]

Foreign Policy

Matt Carthy

100. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the response of the Irish government to a series of referenda held in Venezuela on Sunday, 3 December 2023; if he will report on his recent engagements with the accredited ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Ireland; the Irish and Guyanese embassies with which diplomatic relations with the Co-operative Republic of Guyana are maintained, and if he will report on any recent engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54734/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

101. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the topics he discussed with Israeli officials during his visit to Israel in September of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54735/23]

Departmental Schemes

Matt Carthy

120. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the renewable energy support scheme or any other financial support is in place for people living in the vicinity of Raragh Wind Farm in Kingscourt, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54640/23]

Legislative Measures

Matt Carthy

186. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the changes he intends to propose to the Defence Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54726/23]

Legislative Measures

Matt Carthy

187. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he intends to introduce legislation and pass legislation in relation to the Defence Acts; the timeframe in which a heads of Bill will be published; if he intends to allow conduct a public consultation and allow for pre-legislative scrutiny in advance of such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54727/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

188. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the percentage of women in the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces in each year to date since 2007, by year, in tabular form; the targets for the number of women participating in the Defence Forces from 2024 until 2028, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54728/23]

Military Aircraft

Matt Carthy

204. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport his role in the oversight in the stop-off of any military personnel or equipment at Irish ports or airports; if any such stop-off has included personnel or equipment on route to Israel or Palestine since 7 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54616/23]

Parking Provision

Matt Carthy

273. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will ensure that car parking facilities will be maintained for Department of Social Protection staff at Thomas Ashe Street, Cavan town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54847/23]

Departmental Offices

Matt Carthy

484. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that car parking facilities will be maintained for her Department’s staff at Thomas Ashe Street, Cavan town (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54846/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Matt Carthy

608. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when Departmental costings guidelines for TAMS-supported investments were last revised; if he intends to revise these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54724/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Matt Carthy

609. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of TAMs applications received to date under Tranche 1; the number processed; when the remainder are due to be processed by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54725/23]

Childcare Services

Matt Carthy

648. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the NCS subsidy is considered to be direct income to childcare services or a subsidy to parents; the implications of this consideration for accountancy obligations on childcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54489/23]

Childcare Services

Matt Carthy

672. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the childcare providers in counties Monaghan and Cavan that have informed his Department or associated agency of any reduction in services, including reduction of hours or numbers serviced, since 1 January 2023; the service affected in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54655/23]

EU Programmes

Matt Carthy

110. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has been informed of a proposal by the European Commission to establish a programme modelled on the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) scheme, to support the EU arms industry; if he intends to oppose the establishment of such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53236/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

120. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to the Department’s correspondence to the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts on 16 July 2021 (details supplied), the total compensation sought by the West Bank Protection Consortium from Israel to date; the amount received; if payment was not received, if the Irish Government sought to ensure that payment was received in advance of Foreign Ministers of the European Union agreeing to renew the EU-Israel Association Council in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53453/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

121. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland sought for the European Union to make renewal of the EU-Israel Association Agreement contingent upon Israeli payment of compensation sought to the West Bank Protection Consortium; if such a payment was sought and if so, the amount received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53454/23]

Humanitarian Aid

Matt Carthy

122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian assistance Ireland has provided to the people of Gaza during the temporary ceasefire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53460/23]

Humanitarian Aid

Matt Carthy

123. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian assistance that Ireland has provided to the people of Gaza in coordination with the European Union during the temporary ceasefire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53461/23]

Humanitarian Aid

Matt Carthy

124. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland or the European Union have provided field hospitals to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53462/23]

Humanitarian Aid

Matt Carthy

125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland or the European Union have provided humanitarian assistance in the form of Civil Defence equipment to the people of Gaza to assist rescuing the estimated 6,000 Palestinians trapped under rubble; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53463/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

126. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in light of statements from Israel’s Heritage Minister that the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Gaza was ‘one of the possibilities’ with regard to Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza, whether or not it is the position of the Irish Government that the state of Israel possesses nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53464/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

127. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the reprimand of the Irish ambassador to Israel in response to a social media post by An Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53477/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

128. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in light of an announced rebuke of the Irish ambassador, if his Government has reconsidered the actions of the Deputy Head of Mission of the Israeli mission in Ireland, who levelled accusations against the Irish Government of funding Hamas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53478/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

129. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he has taken in response to the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank; the increased funding announced for illegal Israeli settlement construction and expansion in the West Bank, described by the High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Policy as a breach of international humanitarian law; the increased funding to ‘search and destroy’ European Union-funded projects in the West Bank; the funding for arming illegal settlements in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53479/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

130. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to President of the European Commission burdening NGOs with bureaucracy in an attempt to stem aid to Palestine, in the spirit of an announced cessation of aid to Palestinian rebuked by Ireland and other member states, and despite a recent review having concluded that existing safeguards ‘work well’ and that ‘no evidence has been found to date that money has been diverted for unintended purposes’; and so as to ensure parity of treatment with regard to aid to Palestine and trade with Israel, in line with statements of the Taoiseach, the actions he has taken to limit trade with Israel in a comparative manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53480/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

131. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his efforts to secure the release of Palestinian people interned by Israel in administrative detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53481/23]

United Nations

Matt Carthy

136. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland abstained on the UN General Assembly resolution which called on Israel to withdraw from the occupied Golan Heights in accordance with previous Security Council resolutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53733/23]

United Nations

Matt Carthy

137. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the UN General Assembly resolutions and UN Security Council resolutions that Ireland has voted on that called on Israel to withdraw from the occupied Golan Heights, the dates of each resolution and the position taken by Ireland in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53734/23]

Naval Service

Matt Carthy

147. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service operations and patrols scheduled and cancelled in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53455/23]

Official Travel

Matt Carthy

148. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of instances where a Minister has had to make alternative travel arrangements due to an Air Corps plane being unavailable due to mechanical or staffing issues in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date, by year, in tabular form; the cost associated with the alternative arrangements in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53456/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

149. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the legislative basis for mandatory selection which would compel members of the Defence Forces to serve overseas as part of an EU battlegroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53457/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

150. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the occasions on which the Defence Forces have used a process of mandatory selection to enlist members to missions or operations in each of the years from 2000 to date in 2023; the number of members involved in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53485/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

151. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has any proposals for the Defence Forces to participate in overseas missions for which the triple-lock neutrality protection currently precludes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53486/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

152. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are proposals to deploy the German-led EU battlegroup to missions that Ireland is currently precluded due to the triple-lock neutrality protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53487/23]

Military Honours

Matt Carthy

154. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the review of the processes of awarding military medals; when he expects the review to be completed; if he intends to implement changes to the processes involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53791/23]

Military Honours

Matt Carthy

155. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he could utilise the same discretion that established the Independent Review Group on Jadotville to review the potential of awarding a military medal for gallantry to a person (details supplied); if he will ensure that such a review is completed before the 25th anniversary of the person's death in May 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53792/23]

School Transport

Matt Carthy

252. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with Bus Éireann to address the situation where a child whose application has been sanctioned is still waiting to be assigned transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53689/23]

An Garda Síochána

Matt Carthy

390. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number, in tabular form, of gardaí in total, and of each rank, based in County Monaghan currently, and for the end of each year 2009-2022, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53482/23]

An Garda Síochána

Matt Carthy

391. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the Garda and the stations that were operational in each Garda station in County Monaghan for each year 2009-2023 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53483/23]

Hospital Equipment

Matt Carthy

508. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 22 of 9 November 2023, which centre the two CT scanners and one MRI scanner are based in within the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital group; if a request has been made for additional MRI or CT scanners to be located at Monaghan Hospital; the status of any such request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53237/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

144. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he condemns the actions of Israel in Gaza that have resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. [53017/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

146. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to take any measures, such as diplomatic, economic, trade, legal or political, against the Israeli Government in response to the ongoing breaches of international law by the State of Israel. [53018/23]

Northern Ireland

Matt Carthy

169. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the relevant timelines regarding the initiation of a case to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of the so-called legacy Bill adopted by the British Parliament; if he has engaged with those individuals who have taken cases; and if Government intends to take an inter-state case on this issue. [52835/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

188. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with the Government of South Africa; and if he has sought to join its referral of the situation in Palestine to the International Criminal Court. [52836/23]

Consular Services

Matt Carthy

208. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to open a new consulate in Australia. [52838/23]

Foreign Conflicts

Matt Carthy

214. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements he has had with his European counterparts in relation to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. [52834/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

224. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposed timeline to honour the Government commitment to recognise the state of Palestine. [52837/23]

International Relations

Matt Carthy

246. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs about Ireland’s diplomatic relationship with the state of Qatar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52939/23]

Official Engagements

Matt Carthy

247. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings and engagements that he and his Department have had with the state of Qatar in 2023; any proposals for further meetings or engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52940/23]

Housing Schemes

Matt Carthy

396. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the supports available for the refurbishment of vacant agricultural buildings with a view to bringing them into residential use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52954/23]

Public Procurement Contracts

Matt Carthy

40. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if public procurement rules allow for the exclusion of companies based in a state that is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. [52358/23]

Public Procurement Contracts

Matt Carthy

70. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if public procurement rules allow for the exclusion of companies that are complicit in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. [52357/23]

Humanitarian Aid

Matt Carthy

97. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. [52223/23]

Humanitarian Aid

Matt Carthy

98. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding that has been provided by the Irish Government to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan; the purpose of this funding; if he intends to provide additional funding for these purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52224/23]

Humanitarian Aid

Matt Carthy

99. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any meetings or engagements in respect of the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan; the detail and outcome of any such meeting or engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52225/23]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Matt Carthy

122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 28 September 2023, if he has reverted to the Local Government Management Agency with feedback on the draft Codes of Practice and Data Protection Impact Assessments in order to permit local authorities to install CCTV cameras in the vicinity of bottle banks and other waste collection locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52274/23]

Horticulture Sector

Matt Carthy

321. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has proposals to amend planning laws to permit the excavation of peat for horticulture purposes in tandem with efforts to determine alternatives to the use of peat by the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52104/23]

Agriculture Industry

Matt Carthy

442. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to allow the mushroom sector to source peat from within the State while it continues to identify potential alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52106/23]

International Protection

Matt Carthy

507. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to use a property (details supplied) for the purpose of emergency accommodation for people seeking international protection; if so, the public engagement and consultation that has been conducted in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52273/23]

Trade Relations

Matt Carthy

58. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the value of dual-use items or military goods approved for export to Israel in each of the years 2019 to date; and if he will direct the trade licensing and control unit within his Department to refuse export licence applications for dual-use items and military goods to Israel, given the ongoing breaches of international humanitiarian law and ongoing war crimes committed by Israel. [51442/23]

Job Losses

Matt Carthy

62. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether he has engaged with the management of a company (detail supplied) in respect of their announced intention to close facilities at Monaghan and Lough Egish; and whether he has made any efforts to protect these sites from closure. [51441/23]

Ireland Strategic Investment Fund

Matt Carthy

101. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the guidance provided to the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund regarding industries, sectors or otherwise, which it is prohibited from investing in. [51425/23]

Legislative Measures

Matt Carthy

126. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance if he will facilitate the progress of the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023 to Committee Stage as a matter of priority. [51424/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

162. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel of each rank who have signed up to participate in the EU Battlegroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51694/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

163. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will review the decision to withdraw Defence Forces troops from the UNDOF UN peace keeping mission in Golan Heights, considering the increased tensions in that region and the poor sign-up of Defence Forces personnel in the EU Battlegroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51695/23]

International Bodies

Matt Carthy

24. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of funding provided to the International Criminal Court in each year since 2002; the purpose of any ring-fenced funding by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51417/23]

United Nations

Matt Carthy

25. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will engage with other nations with regard to bringing a Uniting for Peace Resolution (General Assembly Resolution 377(V) to the United Nations General Assembly with a view to making appropriate recommendations for collective measures regarding the situation in Palestine, including the calling for ceasefires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51418/23]

Foreign Policy

Matt Carthy

26. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will engage with the South African government and seek to join their recent referral to the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51419/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

27. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish citizens that have vacated Gaza since the onset of the most recent Israeli attacks; the supports that have been provided to these citizens by the Irish Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51501/23]

Official Engagements

Matt Carthy

28. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings and events that he attended during his visit to Egypt, Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of each engagement. [51504/23]

Industrial Development

Matt Carthy

77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an IDA business development consultant has been hired; if Government have reconsidered the creation of such a role in light of the ongoing breaches of international humanitarian law and ongoing war crimes committed by Israel. [51416/23]

Housing Provision

Matt Carthy

98. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people that his Department, or associated agencies, has assisted that vacated Gaza since the onset of the most recent Israeli attacks; the supports that have been provided to these citizens by her Department and associated agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51503/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Matt Carthy

108. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people that her Department has assisted who vacated Gaza since the onset of the most recent Israeli attacks; the supports that have been provided to these citizens by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51502/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

33. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the recruitment targets, the number of expected retirements and the net increase of personnel within the Defence Forces in each year up to 2028. [51139/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

35. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on action 28 of the Strategic Framework: Transformation of the Defence Forces; if the agreed civil-military management policy position on the implementation of the working time directive within the Defence Forces will be finalised by the end of 2023; the average working hours of members of the Permanent Defence Force, by rank; and if the recording of hours is intended to be permanent or temporary. [51140/23]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Matt Carthy

37. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will include the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 in the terms of reference for the tribunal of inquiry arising from abuses allegations brought to public attention by a group (details supplied); and if any other amendments to the terms of reference will be made arising from engagements with the group and another group. [50880/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the situation with regard to Defence Forces personnel deployed with UNIFIL and UNDOF; and if he will report on any actions taken in view of the deteriorating security circumstances. [50879/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

54. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the annual capital investment required to meet Level of Ambition 2 of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and the amount allocated in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. [50878/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

56. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when he intends to publish a detailed implementation plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [50876/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

58. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount expended on Israeli goods and services in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and the amount of which related to military equipment or hardware. [50877/23]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

88. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of any Irish citizens, or family members of Irish citizens, who have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50630/23]

Foreign Policy

Matt Carthy

90. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has ever made a referral in respect of the Genocide Convention to the International Court of Justice or to the UN in respect of allegations of acts of genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50785/23]

Foreign Policy

Matt Carthy

91. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered making a referral in respect of the Genocide Convention to the International Court of Justice or to the UN in respect of allegations of acts of Genocide committed by Israel in the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50786/23]

Food Industry

Matt Carthy

218. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the announcement by a company (details supplied) that it intends to close two facilities in County Monaghan along with a further facility in County Down; whether he has engaged with the company to have this decision revised; the supports that his Department and associated agencies will provide the workers involved; and whether he has any concerns for further job losses in the agri-food sector in County Monaghan. [51107/23]

Health Services

Matt Carthy

552. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if Children's Health Ireland prioritises admission in respect of acute neonatal care to patients who live closer to CHI hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50978/23]

Hospital Services

Matt Carthy

553. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) will be transferred to either Crumlin or Temple Street Children's Hospital to receive the acute neonatal care intervention required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50979/23]

North-South Interconnector

Matt Carthy

27. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of the North South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50170/23]

North-South Interconnector

Matt Carthy

47. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the meetings he has had and the briefings he has received in respect of the North South Interconnector; and whether he has had any meetings in this regard with local communities or landowners that are directly affected by this project. [50171/23]