Parliamentary questions

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

8. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continues to be enhanced, with particular reference to their ability to respond to emergencies, if and when they arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22092/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues within the Defence Forces have been resolved as per recommendations in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22091/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which plans are afoot for the implementation of the extension of the DART to Leixlip, Celbridge, Maynooth, Kilcock, Sallins, Naas and further afield; the extent to which such works are in hand; whether requests from the commuters in north Kildare to extend the turntable points to an area beyond Maynooth and Kilcock, given the wider catchment area and demand for transport services, are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22090/24]

Passport Services

Bernard Durkan

97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied), who applied ten weeks ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22210/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which he continues in his efforts to ensure the full implementation of all aspects of the report of Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22325/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues relating to pay and conditions within the Defence Forces have been resolved or are under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22326/24]

Departmental Budgets

Bernard Durkan

105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the budget available to his Department remains sufficient to meet requirements in the course of the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22327/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the Army is being upgraded and updated in line with the requirements of a modern army within the European Union, in the event of a threat arising from any quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22328/24]

National Security

Bernard Durkan

107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the EU might be encouraged to contribute to defence and coastal security measures on the Irish coast on the basis that such measures would have beneficial impact on Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22329/24]

National Security

Bernard Durkan

108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which coastal, air and sea surveillance continues at pace, given the various threats in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22330/24]

Air Corps

Bernard Durkan

109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the Air Corps continues to be upgraded in line with the needs of an island country and the need to ensure regular coastal surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22331/24]

Departmental Properties

Bernard Durkan

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of vacant, disused or decommissioned properties owned by his Department that potentially could be used for accommodation purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22332/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of all branches of the Defence Forces; if further recruitment is required to bring each branch of the forces up to optimum strength; if issues regarding salary, pay and conditions are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22333/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues of pay and morale within the Defence Forces are being addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22334/24]

Transport Costs

Bernard Durkan

137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to monitor transport costs and the contributory factors thereto, with a view to ensuring any negative impact on the economy might be alleviated insofar as is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/24]

Transport Policy

Bernard Durkan

138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which steps are ongoing to ensure the viability of the transport sector, notwithstanding any challenges from whatever source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22314/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date in the electrification of the Dublin-Maynooth rail line, with particular reference to the towns likely to expect an enhanced service; the extent of the parking arrangements currently proposed; if such arrangements can be improved in line with local requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22315/24]

Road Tolls

Bernard Durkan

140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the total amount paid in tolls in the past eight years to date in regard to all tolled locations throughout the country, without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22316/24]

Traffic Management

Bernard Durkan

141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent, if any, to which heavy vehicles use the main arterial routes to and from the city at peak travel times; the action being taken on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22317/24]

National Transport Authority

Bernard Durkan

142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the degree to which alternative energy can be or is being used by the National Transport Authority, with particular reference to both rail and bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22319/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport when any rail carriages in storage will be brought into service; the manner in which this could benefit commuters in north County Kildare and throughout the greater Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22320/24]

Traffic Management

Bernard Durkan

144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the degree to which his Department monitors the various traffic routes nationally with a view to ensuring advancement of upgrading proposals before reaching gridlock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22321/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which north Kildare rail commuters can expect enhanced and improved services in the future, given the demographic trends and the need for the public to have confidence in the transport system in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22322/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which it might be possible to ensure the availability of extra carriages to meet commuter demands affecting the towns of Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey and Celbridge, Hazelhatch, Sallins and Newbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22323/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date in the preparation of the extension of the DART to Maynooth and further afield to such locations as Kilcock and Enfield, with a view to catering for the commuter belt across north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22324/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for the one-parent family allowance can be processed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22306/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct rate of disability allowance or other allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22308/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment might be considered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22310/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which a disability allowance was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22312/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a naturalisation certificate will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22214/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current status of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22303/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22305/24]

Deportation Orders

Bernard Durkan

221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in assessing an application to have a deportation revoked in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22307/24]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the assistance that can be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22313/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card might be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22304/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a social worker might be appointed to address the needs of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22309/24]

Climate Change Policy

Bernard Durkan

63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which Ireland continues to make progress towards meeting climate change issues with particular reference to flooding prevention, land drainage or management and any other issues of potential positive impact in meeting the various climate challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21542/24]

National Broadband Plan

Bernard Durkan

64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which broadband provision throughout the country is progressing as intended; if efforts continue to bridge communication gaps that have become obvious; if he can see a means whereby the provision of broadband throughout all the regions can be maximised in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21543/24]

Passport Services

Bernard Durkan

83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to indicate if and when passports will be approved in the case of persons (details supplied), who applied for renewal six weeks ago and where the witness made an error on the form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21201/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Bernard Durkan

131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he can take to speed up the provision of broadband services through the medium of fibre-optics throughout County Kildare, with particular reference to known blackspots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21831/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bernard Durkan

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which each sector in the economy can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction over the next five years without negatively impacting on economic output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21832/24]

Environmental Policy

Bernard Durkan

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department has examined the fullest possible extent to which all measures to offset the impact of meeting such targets on industry, sector by sector, with particular reference to the need to avoid permanent damage to the economy while at the same time meeting carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21833/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Bernard Durkan

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department continues to explore electricity generation from non-fossil fuels by way of wind, wave or solar; the full extent of the investment to date in each element of the sector; the degree to which he expects such investment to materialise in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21835/24]

Telecommunications Services

Bernard Durkan

135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which mobile telephone services remain good when compared with other European Union or adjoining countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21836/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Bernard Durkan

136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the provision of broadband continues to meet targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21837/24]

Waste Management

Bernard Durkan

137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the national waste management plan continues to address the relevant issues, with particular reference to reduction, reuse and recycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21838/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Bernard Durkan

138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which investment in wind turbines that are capable of producing electricity in the short term can be funded as a matter of urgency, with particular reference to the dependency of Ireland and Europe on imported fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21839/24]

Electricity Generation

Bernard Durkan

139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which electricity generation and production costs here are in line with those in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21840/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

420. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21713/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

421. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review can be undertaken into the recent decision to offer a reduced rate of disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21731/24]