Parliamentary questions

Departmental Bodies

Andrew Doyle

1147. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the steps his Department intends to take to ensure semi-State bodies and other organisations and bodies under the remit of his Department advertise vacant positions through the Public Appointments Service and publicjobs.ie in a clear and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39251/13]

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Andrew Doyle

1155. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will discuss the changes to the eligible area regarding the single farm payment and disadvantaged area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36881/13]

Horticulture Sector

Andrew Doyle

1163. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will bring forward grant aid packages in 2013 for the development of horticulture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37015/13]

Harbours and Piers Funding

Andrew Doyle

1164. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form the amount of capital funding and investment his Department has allocated to harbours and piers in County Wicklow from 2011 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37039/13]

Animal Identification Schemes

Andrew Doyle

1166. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or officials in his Department will consider asking the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to abolish the dog licence fee once the dog microchipping initiative comes into effect; the discussions his Department have held with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37049/13]

International Agreements

Andrew Doyle

1167. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department are monitoring the negotiations on securing an agreement between the EU and China on quality food products, organic food equivalency arrangement, fighting counterfeiting, co-operation in the areas of food security, rural development and research amongst others; the implications and opportunities for Ireland as a result of these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/13]

Commonage Framework Plans

Andrew Doyle

1170. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the July 2013 report that was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas entitled Review of Commonage Lands and Framework Management Plans produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine; his views on the ten recommendations contained in this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37246/13]

Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme

Andrew Doyle

1173. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline details on the 2013 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme; if he will detail in tabular form, the amount of funding provided on a county-by-county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37381/13]

Soil Fertility

Andrew Doyle

1174. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the data available to him regarding soil fertility levels, including soil phosphorus levels; the action his Department have taken on this matter in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37385/13]

EU Meetings

Andrew Doyle

1175. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the parameters of the discussions held with colleagues from other EU member states at the informal meeting of EU forest directors in Vilnius, Lithuania from 10 to 13 September 2013; if he will detail any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37416/13]

EU Meetings

Andrew Doyle

1176. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the parameters of the discussions held with ministerial colleagues at the informal meeting of Ministers for Agriculture (AGRI) in Vilnius, Lithuania from 8 to 10 September 2013; if he will detail any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37417/13]

Milk Quota Cessation

Andrew Doyle

1181. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when dairy quotas will be lifted; his views on whether lifting the production restrictions will enable Irish farmers to expand their operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37553/13]

Trade Agreements

Andrew Doyle

1182. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will discuss the recently implemented EU trade deal with Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama and the effects it will have on the Irish agriculture sector in view of the fact that both sides of the deal must work towards cutting tariffs on manufactured and agricultural goods and that dairy tariffs will be almost entirely eliminated; his views on whether any further effects will be felt here when the deal is expanded to Costa Rica, Guatemala, and El Salvador; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37573/13]

Organic Farming

Andrew Doyle

1183. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the key elements and general parameters of the recently launched Organic Farming Action Plan 2013-2015 by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37585/13]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Andrew Doyle

1206. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will discuss the targets on Irish agricultural emissions as negotiated between his Department, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, and the European Commission by 2020 in an overall policy package by the EU in the field of climate change; his views on whether such restrictions would place Ireland at a disadvantage to other economies in the production of milk and beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38042/13]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Andrew Doyle

1219. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will discuss the proposal by the European Commission to advance 2013's Common Agricultural Policy direct payments; the ramifications for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38354/13]

Milk Quota Applications

Andrew Doyle

1226. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding new entrants to the dairying scheme for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38572/13]

Milk Quota Trading Scheme

Andrew Doyle

1228. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the details of the final milk quota trading scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38612/13]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

1234. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department intends to take to ensure semi-State bodies and other organisations and bodies under its remit advertise vacant positions through the Public Appointments Service and publicjobs.ie, that is, in a clear and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39249/13]

Child Care Services Regulation

Andrew Doyle

1241. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the children and parents directly affected by and featured in the recent RTE documentary on crèches, in view of the fact that many concerned parents have now taken their children out of the such child care facilities due to a lack of trust in the system; the mechanism she has put in place for children who are in crèches between now and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37025/13]

Mental Health Services Funding

Andrew Doyle

1298. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the appointments made for community mental health services in 2012 and to date in 2013; the funding provided for these services over the past two years; if he expects there to be any delay in providing these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36982/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Andrew Doyle

1306. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the paediatric rheumatology service for children in Irish hospitals; if he will outline on each date when current and previous consultants have been appointed to the service over the past seven years; if he will outline appointments during that time who are no longer in the hospitals; the expected waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37072/13]

Health Services

Andrew Doyle

1350. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if particular health centres (details supplied) in County Wicklow run by the Health Service Executive are fully wheelchair accessible for staff and the persons alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37408/13]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Andrew Doyle

1361. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a proposed primary care centre (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this project will go ahead as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37542/13]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Andrew Doyle

1534. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he supports the establishment of a forum on long-term residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38356/13]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

1594. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department intend to take to ensure semi-State bodies and other organisations and bodies under the remit of his Department advertise vacant positions through the Public Appointments Service and publicjobs.ie in a clear and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39254/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Andrew Doyle

1598. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a full list of routes operated by Bus Éireann that are wheelchair friendly; the date on which each route was made wheelchair friendly; the routes they plan to upgrade to wheelchair friendly status in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36914/13]

Driver Licences

Andrew Doyle

1599. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all categories of vehicles permitted to drive as per the back of the new plastic card driving licences should be contained in Section 9 on the front of the new cards issued by the Road Safety Authority; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the W category that covers work vehicles and land tractors is not being included in Section 9 on the front when it is a permitted category on the back of the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36916/13]

Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

1604. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that Iarnród Éireann has taken to ensure the process for recruiting 20 new revenue protection officers is done in a clear and transparent manner; if he will provide a full job description of the role; the number of applications received for the positions; if the positions were publicly advertised and if so, by what means and methods; the number of persons called for interviews for the positions; when he expects the positions to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37031/13]

Rail Services

Andrew Doyle

1605. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a ticket machine will be put in place at a train station (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37040/13]

Aviation Issues

Andrew Doyle

1606. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the implications the European Commission’s proposed Single European Sky will have for all Irish airports and the Irish Aviation Authority; the number of submissions and the number of comments his Department received in view of the recent consultation process that concluded on 6 September 2013; the way his Department reached out to numerous stakeholders in order to receive a wide field of submissions that will feed into Ireland's negotiations plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37041/13]

Road Safety

Andrew Doyle

1608. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it has been brought to his attention that speed bumps installed on a particular road (details supplied) in County Wicklow that were installed using funding from the National Transport Authority are hazardous and causing vehicles to swerve into the middle of the road to avoid the ramps; if the NTA has had any correspondence from public representatives or the local authority regarding funding to fix the said ramps to ensure cars no longer swerve to avoid the bumps, enhancing the safety for both road users and pedestrians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37129/13]

Road Traffic Offences

Andrew Doyle

1610. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether fixed charge notices for cyclists to be introduced in line with the road safety strategy is suitable for most rural areas; if he is considering ensuring that the measures to be legislated for in the near future are confined to urban areas where cyclist safety is more at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37141/13]

Museum Projects

Andrew Doyle

1611. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the setting up of an Irish museum of sport; if such a facility would be attached to a museum already in existence or set up as an entirely independent and separate entity; if he has received a report or feasibility study on the matter; if he will identify any suitable locations for the museum; if he will confirm the museum will be based in Dublin or elsewhere; when he expects any decision to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37158/13]

Road Safety

Andrew Doyle

1613. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the nationwide review of speed limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37198/13]

Road Safety

Andrew Doyle

1614. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the impact the nationwide review of speed limits will have in a county (details supplied); if he will detail the roads, if any, that will have their speed limit adjusted; if he will outline in tabular form the roads, old speed limit and new speed limits as a result of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37203/13]

Aviation Issues

Andrew Doyle

1615. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to date regarding a new national aviation policy; the number of submissions received during the consultation phase; the next steps before the new policy is published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37210/13]

Roadside Memorials

Andrew Doyle

1623. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has ever set out a policy for gravestones or memorials to be located on roadsides here; the guidance given to local authorities for getting permission to put these memorials on the different categories of roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37335/13]

Public Transport

Andrew Doyle

1624. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when current contracts for routes that Dublin Bus operates will be coming to an end; if he is satisfied that commuters and regional areas in the commuter belt and greater Dublin area will benefit as a result of the tendering out of particular routes and public service obligation routes when the current Dublin Bus contract expires; his views on whether current monopoly of contracts held by Dublin Bus at present is good for public transport users; if the next tendering phase will result in a transparent decision making process; the ramifications for particular routes (details supplied) in Dublin as a result of the competition in public transport in the bus market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37337/13]

Aviation Issues

Andrew Doyle

1625. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the arrangements that have been put in place for diversionary and unscheduled landings of Airbus A380 aircraft in Irish airports, in view of Ireland's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean; if he will provide a list of airports here that the A380 is capable of landing at and taking off from, in view of its size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37339/13]

Road Safety

Andrew Doyle

1626. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the parameters of the discussions held to date between his Department, the Road Safety Authority and the Garda regarding wearable glasses with technological advancements and smart technology for persons driving on Irish roads; if he will confirm that a full assessment will be taken before any such action is taken on their usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37340/13]

Coast Guard Services

Andrew Doyle

1627. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an approach has been made by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration regarding the Irish Coast Guard regarding search and rescue requirements in Irish coastal waters when the US resumes manned space missions in the future in view of the fact that their abort area for future missions is within 400 km of the coast of Ireland, within the range of the modern Sikorsky helicopter in the fleet; if any such co-operation would require additional costs and resources for the Irish Coast Guard; if the US would be financially contributing towards search and rescue requirements, should be they be needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37341/13]

National Transport Authority

Andrew Doyle

1628. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide costings for the National Transport Authority's Draft Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 for the Greater Dublin Area; if he will provide a breakdown of the costings of each scheme and project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37345/13]

Road Safety Authority Staff

Andrew Doyle

1629. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process that will be used to appoint a new chief executive officer of the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37348/13]

Dublin Bus Staff

Andrew Doyle

1630. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the employment terms of all the different categories of employees within Dublin Bus; the grades and salaries within the organisation, including all overtime, expenses, allowances and other related items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37365/13]

Air Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

1631. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the effects on the Irish aviation market if the merger of American Airlines and US Airways goes ahead in the United States; if he believes that current competition law and or an anti-trust case taken against the merger in the United States, creating the world's largest airline, would have been beneficial for Irish consumers or would have had a negative impact, given that both airlines currently operate routes from Irish airports; if his attention has been drawn to a European Commission decision regarding this proposed merger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37367/13]

Coast Guard Services

Andrew Doyle

1632. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown on a year-by-year basis of the number of call-outs of each of the coast guard units that serve the County Wicklow coastline from 2005 to present; the average coast guard call out time for emergencies which occur along the Wicklow coast; the length of shoreline and nautical miles which are covered by each of the coast guard units covering County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37377/13]

Airport Development Projects

Andrew Doyle

1633. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the provision of an additional runway at Dublin Airport; the amount that has been allocated by his Department for the runways to date over the past number of years; if he will provide a breakdown on the way this money was spent; if he has been provided with a timeline for the next phases of development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37386/13]

Integrated Ticketing

Andrew Doyle

1634. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the introduction of the new public services card may be integrated into the existing Leap card technology on public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37391/13]

Government-Church Dialogue

Andrew Doyle

1635. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of engagements that the Minister of State with special responsibility for Tourism and Sport had on his August 2013 visit to the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37404/13]

Government-Church Dialogue

Andrew Doyle

1636. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the parameters of the discussions held with ministerial colleagues at the informal meeting of Ministers for Transport in Vilnius, Lithuania from 15 to 16 September 2013; if he will detail any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37419/13]

Public Transport

Andrew Doyle

1644. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request all providers of public transport, mainly Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, through his Department and the National Transport Authority, to have the correct spelling of Kilpedder, County Wicklow, used on all their signs, websites, timetables and Internet applications, as opposed to the incorrect spelling of Kilpeddar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37540/13]

Public Transport

Andrew Doyle

1645. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether Busáras, the central bus and coach station in the capital, should be opened up to private sector operators to create more competition in the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37547/13]

Coastal Protection

Andrew Doyle

1646. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a ship (details supplied) that ran aground off the Dublin and Wicklow coastline in August 2013 posed a threat to the coastline in terms of pollution; if the sandbanks near the Kisk Bank will pose a threat to other shipping movement in the area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37552/13]

Driver Licences

Andrew Doyle

1673. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Road Safety Authority has fully notified other Governments of the recent changeover of Irish driving licences from a paper to a new plastic format; if the RSA has notified global publishers of books and other material of the changeover in Irish driving licences, in view of the fact that some 2013 publications of driving licences around the world do not have a record of the new plastic licences currently being issued here; if the RSA will make concerted efforts to notify such publishers for future reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38110/13]

Road Safety

Andrew Doyle

1674. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a safety audit was ever conducted by the National Transport Authority as part of the funding it provided to the local authority regarding new cycle lanes and a footpath (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if the attention of the NTA has been drawn to concerns with the project's current state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38118/13]

Air Accident Investigations

Andrew Doyle

1677. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role of the Air Accident Investigation Unit's Inspector on Call; the response time for the position in attending scenes of air accidents for each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38270/13]

National Transport Authority

Andrew Doyle

1678. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of submissions the National Transport Authority received for its consultation on the Draft Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 for the Greater Dublin Area; the number of these submissions that were received from local authorities; the bodies who sent submissions and the date upon which they were received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38298/13]

National Transport Authority

Andrew Doyle

1679. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider requesting the National Transport Authority to extend the deadline for submissions on the consultation on the Draft Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 for the Greater Dublin Area, whose initial deadline was set for early September, in order that sufficient time might be given to local authorities and their members to go through the detailed document and make a comprehensive submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38299/13]

National Transport Authority

Andrew Doyle

1681. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Irish Rail's contract with the National Transport Authority only specifies the number of trains it has to run, as opposed to a minimum capacity level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38355/13]

Road Safety

Andrew Doyle

1691. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has been involved in the installation of a pedestrian crossing at a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38583/13]

Road Signage

Andrew Doyle

1692. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for legislation regarding signs and signage based on lands adjacent to different categories of roads throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38589/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

31. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Questions No. 169 of 28 May 2013 and No. 72 on 11 July 2013, if he will detail the representations received by the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels from industry stakeholders and organisations regarding the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive regarding the expansion or watering down of the Directive; if he will provide a full list of the persons and organisations from whom these representations came; the number of meetings the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union have had with stakeholders and interested parties regarding MiFID; with whom they were held and the date on which they took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36060/13]

Consular Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

38. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the capabilities of the State's emergency consular assistance team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36159/13]

Rockall Island

Andrew Doyle

39. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on recent work by the Embassy of Ireland in Copenhagen, Denmark with the Danish authorities regarding Rockall Island; if any recent discussions have been held, in view of the fact that Denmark is a party to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and given its responsibility for the foreign affairs of the Faroe Islands, whose deadline for submission to the commission is in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36160/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

40. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on progress made in regard to the access process for Montenegro during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36186/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

41. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on progress made regarding the EU's neighbourhood policy during the Irish Presidency, specifically regarding Armenia, Georgia and Moldova; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36187/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

42. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on progress made during the Irish Presidency on ensuring the EU speaks with one voice to strengthen its role in international organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36188/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

43. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on progress made during the Irish EU Presidency on supporting crisis management operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36189/13]

Budget 2014 Issues

Andrew Doyle

71. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has held with officials in his Department regarding consideration of targeted income tax cuts for working middle-income families in the context of budget 2014, which is set to be unveiled in October; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35982/13]

Customs and Excise Controls

Andrew Doyle

109. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the maritime patrol capabilities of the Revenue Commissioners and its Irish tax and customs section; the names of the vessels currently in service, their capabilities and their recent activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36143/13]

Financial Services Regulation

Andrew Doyle

111. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance if he or officials in his Department have held discussions with the EU or US regarding the United States of America and its participation in the International Bank Account Number system; his views on whether the inclusion of the US in IBAN would improve financial dealings for both consumers and business here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36155/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

112. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the progress made on implementing an EU regulation governing VAT rules for cross-border services and any agreements achieved on this tax file to ensure consistency in the application of the new VAT rules across member states in respect of telecommunications, broadcasting and e-services which are supplied cross-border; the implications for Ireland as a result of this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36163/13]

Education Schemes

Andrew Doyle

219. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the Erasmus scheme and Eramus+ programme; if he will outline Ireland's contribution to this policy during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36171/13]

University Ranking System

Andrew Doyle

223. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures agreed, during the Irish EU Presidency, on the new university ranking system, U-Multirank; the measures and steps taken to ensure the new system, across EU member states, is fair and transparent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36230/13]

Official Travel

Andrew Doyle

252. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the parameters of the deal with an airline and travel agent (details supplied) that allowed his Department officials, and public representatives, to avail of set airline fees and other perks between Ireland and Europe as part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first six months of 2013; his views on whether significant savings were made on travel as a result of this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35990/13]

State Properties

Andrew Doyle

258. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the State usage that has been allocated for the former Whitehall Garda Station, Dublin; what the property will be used for and by whom; the length of time that a lease to another State body lasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36066/13]

State Properties

Andrew Doyle

259. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the purpose for which 91-93 Merrion Square, Dublin, will be used; by whom, when it is ready for use next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36068/13]

State Properties

Andrew Doyle

261. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the usage that has been allocated for the former Garda stations in County Wicklow (details supplied); the use to which the property will be put and by whom; the length of any potential lease; the lengths his Department have gone to for making use of the properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36162/13]

Public Procurement Regulations

Andrew Doyle

262. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the provisional agreement on a public procurement package achieved during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36169/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

285. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made under the Irish EU Presidency on the digital agenda and specifically, a data protection reform package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36164/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

286. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on the achievements made during the Irish EU Presidency regarding EU space policy, EU space industrial policy, the European Space Agency and space surveillance and tracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36167/13]

Companies Law Issues

Andrew Doyle

287. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether the company law (accounting) directive, between EU member states, will reduce an administrative burden for small and medium enterprises in the long run, but in the short and medium term if he sees this changeover to be burdensome to Irish small and medium-sized enterprises; his views on whether now is the correct time to be making these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36168/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

288. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on state-aid modernisation and progress made on the matter during the Irish EU Presidency, specifically regarding good aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36170/13]

EU Presidency Issues

Andrew Doyle

289. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on achievements made during the Irish EU Presidency on advancing trade with our partners in Asia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36185/13]

European Capital of Culture

Andrew Doyle

368. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Designation of European Capitals of Culture for 2017 and 2018, that was discussed during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36231/13]

International Agreements

Andrew Doyle

430. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the agreements achieved under the Irish EU Presidency regarding the European Network and Information Security Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36165/13]

Broadband Services Charges

Andrew Doyle

434. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures contained in the progress report on reducing the costs of high speed broadband under the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36166/13]

EU Directives

Andrew Doyle

435. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on an agreement achieved during the Irish EU Presidency on the safety of offshore oil and gas operations directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36176/13]

Energy Policy Review

Andrew Doyle

437. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail Ireland's contributions to the European Council discussion on the Commission's communication, entitled "Making the internal energy market Work"; if Ireland's concerns were incorporated into the communique; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36229/13]

Maritime Vessel Recycling

Andrew Doyle

447. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the agreement on ship recycling regulation during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36178/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Andrew Doyle

460. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the Vartry tunnel replacement project and the action programme that is currently in place for the Vartry tunnel and water supply in County Wicklow, in view of recent reports of a fault line that has been identified; the measures he and his Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the two local authorities involved in the tunnel are taking to address the deficiencies in quality and security of water supply; if there has been any development regarding a bypass tunnel or pipe and if his Department has received the contract documents from Dublin City Council so a replacement can proceed, in view of the fact that the Vartry tunnel dates from the middle of the 19th century and supplies 80 megalitres of potable water to 335,000 people every day; if he will outline, in tabular form, on a yearly basis, the amount of funding the Vartry tunnel has received from 2000 to 2012, and to date 2013; when he expects construction work to commence on a repair or replacement tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36157/13]

Water Pollution

Andrew Doyle

461. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the agreement on the directive on priority substances in water during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36174/13]

International Agreements

Andrew Doyle

462. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the global legally binding agreement on mercury achieved under the Irish EU Presidency; if the Treaty will require transposition into Irish law; by what method; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36175/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Andrew Doyle

471. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, the complete list of estates and properties in two counties (details supplied) that have been exempted from the local property tax following a challenge to the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36468/13]

EU Funding

Andrew Doyle

491. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the establishment of an internal security fund during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36223/13]

Judicial Appointments

Andrew Doyle

503. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering amending current legislation in order that a member of the judiciary is elevated from a lower court to a higher court, that the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board is consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35986/13]

International Policing Co-operation

Andrew Doyle

507. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way an Irish citizen may avail of a certificate, or other form of document, from Irish authorities to use as evidence in another EU member state to prove they have no criminal record; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36058/13]

International Policing Co-operation

Andrew Doyle

515. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way an Irish citizen may avail of a certificate or other form of document from Irish authorities to use as evidence in another EU member state to prove they have no criminal record for the purposes of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36154/13]

Peace Commissioners

Andrew Doyle

516. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the number of peace commissioners allocated to an area (details supplied) is sufficient; if his attention has been drawn to the availability of peace commissioners in this geographic area; his views on whether additional peace commissioners are necessary to meet the demand for their voluntary services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36172/13]