Tuesday, 1 Oct 2013

Written Answers Nos. 147-165

Emigration Data

Ceisteanna (147)

Heather Humphreys

Ceist:

147. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Taoiseach the number of persons who emigrated from Ireland in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40926/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Paul Kehoe)

The table provides the most recent estimates of net migration for the 12 month period ending mid April for the years 2004 to 2013. The table shows that 585,300 persons emigrated from the Republic of Ireland in the past ten years, while there were 792,900 immigrants into the Republic of Ireland over the same period. This resulted in a total estimated net migration of 207,200 persons over the ten years. The data is taken from the CSO’s annual Population and Migration Estimates release published in August 2013. The annual estimates for 2012 and 2013 are subject to revision.

Estimated migration (persons), 2004- 2013 *

Year ending April	Immigrants	Emigrants	Net migration**
2004	58,500	26,500	32,000
2005	84,600	29,400	55,100
2006	107,800	36,000	71,800
2007	151,100	46,300	104,800
2008	113,500	49,200	64,300
2009	73,700	72,000	1,600
2010	41,800	69,200	-27,500
2011	53,300	80,600	-27,400
2012	52,700	87,100	-34,400
2013	55,900	89,000	-33,100
April 2003 - April 2013	792,900	585,300	207,200

* 2012 and 2013 are preliminary and are subject to revision

** The net migration figure may differ from the sum of its components (immigration minus emigration) due to rounding

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (148)

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

148. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of workers here subjected to a regime of zero hour contracts by their employers and the way the latest available figures compare to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40976/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Paul Kehoe)

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. Information on zero hour contracts is not collected in the survey.

Tourism Data

Ceisteanna (149)

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

149. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Taoiseach the numbers of visitors to Ireland from emerging tourism markets, in particular China, India, Brazil, Russia and south-east Asia; and if there has been any noticeable increase in visitors from these countries in recent years. [40892/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Paul Kehoe)

The following table shows the number of overseas trips to Ireland from China, India, Brazil, Russia and South East Asia for the years 2009 to 2012.

Overseas Trips to Ireland by area of residence, 2009 - 2012

-	Brazil	Russian Federation	India	Peoples Republic of China	South East Asia
2009	14,500	8,356	13,198	11,703	21,465
2010	17,787	8,215	13,219	10,472	24,335
2011	26,387	12,375	16,151	13,729	28,403
2012	26,162	11,286	18,659	15,386	25,166

Source: Overseas Travel - Central Statistics Office

Over period 2009 to 2012 the largest increases in number of overseas trips by area of residence were Brazil (+80%), India (+41%), Russia (+35%), China (+31%) and South East Asia (+17%). The data in respect of South East Asia covers the following countries: Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore. Combined these countries/regions accounted for 96,659 overseas trips to Ireland in 2012, representing approximately 1.5% of the total number of overseas trips to Ireland in 2012 (6,517,200 trips).

Regulatory Impact Assessment Data

Ceisteanna (150)

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

150. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on all regulatory impact statements carried out on Bills in his Department since this Government took office to date; if he will list these Bills in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40429/13]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I have brought forward no legislation for which any Regulatory Impact Statements were required.

Constitutional Convention Membership

Ceisteanna (151)

Dara Murphy

Ceist:

151. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide breakdown of the payment paid to facilitators and note takers of the Constitutional Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40451/13]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

To date in 2013 there have been 5 plenary meetings held for the Constitutional Convention. In total, 19 facilitators have been paid €10,260 and 30 note takers have been paid €6,915 for these meetings.

EU Directives

Ceisteanna (152)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

152. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, the amount of Exchequer funds which have been used to pay for fines incurred by the State from the European Commission or other EU authorities because of a failure of the State to comply with EU regulations and directives; if he will provide a breakdown of the areas in which the fines were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39951/13]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The State has been required to pay fines in respect of two Court of Justice decisions. Details are set out in the Table. These are the only two instances in which Ireland has been levied with fines by the Court. Both relate to environmental issues which are now resolved.

It should be noted that the Government has established an Interdepartmental Committee on EU Engagement to ensure rigorous and ongoing examination of transposition and implementation of EU legislation.

The Committee is chaired by the Minister of State for European Affairs and is attended by senior official representatives of all Government Departments, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Committee’s terms of reference include examining participation in the shaping of EU legislation, including transposition of EU legislation and handling of infringements to minimise the risk of penalties and fines.

Case	Directive	Date of Judgment	Daily Penalty	Lump Sum	Paid
C66/06 (C279/11) EIA/On-farm developments	85/337/EC	19/12/2012	-	€1,500,000	Paid in full 22/03/13 Case closed 26/04/13
C188/08 (C374/11) Septic Tanks	Articles 4, 7-14 of Directive 75/442/EEC	19/12/12	€648,000 (€12,000 per diem from date of judgment to date of full compliance with judgement = 54 days)	€2,000,000	Paid in full March 2013 Case closed 23/07/13

Official Languages Act 2003 Compliance

Ceisteanna (153)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

153. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the arrangements put in place by his Department to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act, specifically requirements for signage in departmental offices, schools, third level institutions; details of any assessments undertaken by departmental staff to assess requirements; the number of signs assessed; when any corrective actions were put in place; if any or all of the actions taken by his Department were within the designated timeframes set out in legislation, if not, the reasoning for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40553/13]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Official Languages Act 2003 provides that all designated public bodies (including my Department) should prepare a statutory scheme detailing the services they will provide in both official languages. This Department’s first such scheme was agreed with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and came into force in 2005. This Scheme, and its successor, set out the extent to which services are currently available through Irish, and identify areas for future enhancement.

Regulations under Section 9(1) of the Act, dealing with oral announcements (recorded); stationery headings; and signage, came into effect on 1 March 2009. These regulations were to take effect over a period of time up to 1 March 2013. The majority of my Department’s signs were already in both languages at the time the Regulations came into force, and staff have worked to ensure, on an ongoing basis, that they continue to comply with the Regulations.

A routine assessment of our compliance with the Regulations on signage was carried out by the Office of the Coimisinéir Teanga on 26 September 2013. We have not yet received their report on this assessment, but we will ensure that any recommendations they make are put into effect as soon as possible

Legislative Process

Ceisteanna (154, 155)

Kevin Humphreys

Ceist:

154. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of the Acts or specific provisions of Acts under his Department that have not yet been commenced; if it is intended to commence the provision in each case; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40606/13]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There are no Acts or specific provisions of Acts under my Department that have not yet been commenced.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

155. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the level of compliance with European Union directives within his ministerial areas of responsibility; the current fines resulting from non-compliance and potential fines resulting from present non-compliance the State is or may be exposed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40642/13]

The Taoiseach

The Department of the Taoiseach has no EU Directives awaiting transposition. Responsibility for transposing EU measures into Irish law rests with individual Departments with responsibility for the relevant policy area. I would draw the Deputy’s attention to our much improved record in the transposition of EU Directives. Ireland achieved a zero% transposition deficit score in the December 2012 Internal Market Scoreboard, by transposing all Directives on time. We were only the second Member State to achieve this since the Scoreboard was first compiled in 1997. We achieved a score of 0.3%, which is half the 0.6% EU-wide average, in the May 2013 Internal Market Scoreboard.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (156)

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

156. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the number of advisers, programme managers, press officers and political staff and communications staff employed by his Department in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40709/13]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Details of the number of staff appointments by the Taoiseach are set out for the periods concerned.

January to March 2011

Title	Number per post
Special Advisers	6
Secretarial Assistant	1
Personal Assistants	7
Personal Secretaries	3
Government Press Secretary	1
Deputy Government Press Secretary	2
total :	20

from 9 March 2011

Title	Number per post
Chief of Staff	1
Special Advisers	4
Personal Assistants	6
Personal Secretaries	3
Government Press Secretary *	2
Deputy Government Press Secretary	1
Assistant Government Press Secretary	1
total :	17

* one Government Press Secretary post was from 09.03.11 to 30.06.11.

Government Publications Office

Ceisteanna (157)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

157. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the reason printed copies of the Constitution are not currently available for purchase from the Government Publications Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40744/13]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department's policy is to have an appropriate stock of the popular edition of the Constitution available in the Government Publications Office and at other appropriate outlets at all times. Having regard to economic constraints, there is of course a need to ensure that the document is not over-stocked. On the last occasion on which a re-print was ordered - in May 2013 - the Department was conscious of the impending judgement in relation to the Thirty-first Amendment to the Constitution as well as of the forthcoming referendums which, if carried, will necessitate the publication of a revised edition of the Constitution. Accordingly, a lower than normal re-stock was ordered on that occasion.

The Department was recently notified by the Government Publications Office that stocks of the popular edition of the Constitution were running low and a small re-print of the current edition was ordered. This is being undertaken at the moment and delivery to the Government Publications Office is expected on Thursday. The Constitution is of course available on my Department's website as well as on the electronic Irish Statute Book.

North-South Implementation Bodies

Ceisteanna (158)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

158. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the formal mechanisms that are in place for facilitating formal engagements between local authority managers and their equivalent counterparts in Northern Ireland; if there is a strategic planning unit in the North-South Ministerial Council to consider integrated joined-up thinking in education, transport, and public health provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40799/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, that formal engagement takes place between the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) and their counterparts in Northern Ireland through SOLACE. Managers in border counties also liaise with their counterparts in neighbouring counties in Northern Ireland. A formal arrangement exists between Louth local authorities and Newry and Mourne District Council. In March 2011, the local authorities from Newry and Mourne District Council, Louth County Council, Drogheda Borough Council, Dundalk Town Council and Ardee Town Council signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in a number of thematic areas including: emergency planning, renewable energy and green technology, tourism and recreation, sustainable economic growth and job creation.

The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) was established under the Good Friday Agreement to develop consultation, co-operation and action within the island of Ireland - including through implementation on an all-island and cross-border basis - on matters of mutual interest and within the competence of the Administrations, North and South. Education, transport, and health are among the Areas of Cooperation in which common policies and approaches are agreed by our Ministers and their colleagues from the Northern Ireland Executive in the North South Ministerial Council at Sectoral, Institutional and Plenary meetings which are then implemented separately in each jurisdiction. While the Joint Secretariat in Armagh, jointly-staffed by civil servants from both administrators, supports and facilitates the Council, it is not mandated to have a specific unit of the type envisaged by the Deputy. Instead, the relevant Departments in both jurisdictions co-operate closely. I understand that this co-operation between Departments involves engagement as appropriate with regional authorities and local stakeholders on both sides of the border.

Official Languages Act 2003 Compliance

Ceisteanna (159)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

159. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the arrangements put in place by his Department to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act, specifically requirements for signage in departmental offices, schools, third level institutions; details of any assessments undertaken by departmental staff to assess requirements; the number of signs assessed; when any corrective actions were put in place; if any or all of the actions taken by his Department were within the designated timeframes set out in legislation, and if not the reasoning for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40547/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am satisfied that all new signage erected in buildings occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is compliant with the terms of Regulations (SI 391 of 2008) made under para 9(1) of the Official Languages Act. The Department conducts routine internal inspections of its buildings, in the course of which any issues arising in relation to existing signage are addressed and any inappropriate signs are removed. My Department has recently facilitated inspections of buildings selected by An Coimisinéir Teanga and we are currently awaiting the report of these inspections. My officials will continue to engage with An Coimisinéir Teanga to address any recommendations arising in the report.

Legislative Process

Ceisteanna (160)

Kevin Humphreys

Ceist:

160. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the Acts or specific provisions of Acts under his Department that have not yet been commenced; if it is intended to commence the provision in each case; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40600/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Specific provisions of Acts under my Department that have not yet been commenced are Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act 2008 and paragraph (iv) of section 1 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 2012.Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act would provide, if commenced, that guardians’ consent, to the issuing of a passport would be considered to be enduring for the child up to the age of 18. These provisions have not been commenced as changes to the passport technology system would require considerable modification, for which funding has not yet been obtained.

Paragraph (iv) of Section 1 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 2012 will add to the definition of “treaties governing the European Union”, contained in Section 1 of the European Communities Act 1972; the Protocol on the concerns of the Irish people on the Treaty of Lisbon, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, done at Brussels on 16 May 2012. Paragraph (iv) of Section 1 of the 2012 Act will be commenced as soon as the Protocol has been ratified by all EU member states. At present, eight member states have yet to ratify the Protocol. Our embassies in those countries are in regular contact with the relevant national authorities with a view to encouraging ratification as soon as possible and my Department is closely monitoring the matter.

EU Directives

Ceisteanna (161)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of compliance with European Union directives within his ministerial areas of responsibility; the current fines resulting from non-compliance and potential fines resulting from present non-compliance the State is or may be exposed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40636/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has no EU Directives awaiting transposition. Responsibility for transposing EU measures into Irish law rests with individual Departments with responsibility for the relevant policy area. I would draw the Deputy’s attention to our much improved record in the transposition of EU Directives. Ireland achieved a zero% transposition deficit score in the December 2012 Internal Market Scoreboard, by transposing all Directives on time. We were only the second Member State to achieve this since the Scoreboard was first compiled in 1997. We achieved a score of 0.3%, which is half the 0.6% EU-wide average, in the May 2013 Internal Market Scoreboard.

Passport Applications

Ceisteanna (162)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

162. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a passport error in respect of a person (details supplied). [40717/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Last month the individual in question made direct contact with the Passport Service in regard to the gender value in the passport which was issued to her in February, 2011. The circumstances of her complaint have been investigated. The following facts were established:

(i) the individual in question declared on her application form that her gender was male;

(ii) the individual’s error with regard to her gender went through the passport process without being changed;

(iii) her passport was subsequently issued with the male gender value on display;

(iv) the records of the individual’s previous passport show her gender as female;

(v) No transgender issues arise in this case that would warrant a change in her gender.

In light of these findings, the Passport Service found that a free replacement passport should issue. This was done on 17 September, 2013.

It is a matter of regret that this unfortunate sequence of events placed the individual and her family in a difficult and stressful situation while travelling abroad recently. While it accepted that the incorrect statement of gender was not identified during the processing of the application, the onus must be on each applicant to complete his/her application form correctly and on receipt of the passport to check that their personal details are correct. Section 8 of the Passport Application Form requires the applicant to declare that the particulars in the application are correct and the information notes, which accompany the application form, also advise that it is essential that the application is completed correctly .

Moreover, it is clear that despite her regular use of the incorrect passport, this error was only recently detected. Once an error in the printed details is discovered by an applicant, the matter should be reported to the Customer Care Unit in the Passport Service. Passport policy permits the early and free replacement of erroneous passports. Early detection of such errors will result in quick remedial action and avoid any difficulties while travelling abroad.

Inter-Country Adoptions

Ceisteanna (163)

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

163. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on meetings with the relevant Russian authorities in relation to changes in Russian adoption legislation that has meant that a number of prospective adoptive parents here may now be unable to adopt. [40846/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I understand the Deputy is referring to changes introduced in July this year to the adoption legislation in the Russian Federation. I am aware of the serious implications which now arise for several prospective adoptive parents who believed that they were at an advanced stage in the adoptions process. I can confirm that the Irish Embassy in Moscow approached the relevant Russian authorities shortly after the introduction of the new provisions in order to clarify the impact on prospective adoptive parents. The Russian Ministry of Education and Science advised the Embassy that all Russian orphaned children, including those already referred to prospective parents, must now be on the national adoptions database for an additional 6 months than was previously the case, before being eligible for international adoption. In response to a subsequent request from my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald T.D., who has lead responsibility on this matter, I asked our Embassy in Moscow to seek an urgent meeting with the relevant Russian authorities to see whether there may be any scope to waive new regulations in respect of prospective adoptive parents from Ireland who have been most affected by the new Russian provisions.

The Ambassador has since discussed the matter with the Deputy Foreign Minister, seeking some flexibility on their part in dealing with the unique set of circumstances that these Irish families find themselves in and seeking his assistance in arranging a meeting with the Minister for Education and Science, who has lead responsibility on the Russian side. I very much hope that this meeting can take place soon.

Minister Fitzgerald has also discussed the matter with the Russian Chargé d’Affaires in Dublin and her Department will host a delegation of Russian officials later this month for further talks on a proposed bilateral adoptions agreement between Ireland and the Russian Federation.

Let me conclude by saying that I have the greatest sympathy for those who believed they were nearing the end of the process of adoption only now to find themselves in an exceptionally difficult situation as a result of the changes in Russian procedures. Indeed, my Department has been in contact with a number of prospective parents in Ireland who fear that they will now be unable to complete their adoptions before 31 October 2013 when their Irish certificates of eligibility are due to expire under the Adoptions Act 2010. I hope that a satisfactory arrangement can be arrived at to accommodate their particular circumstances.

Diplomatic Representation Issues

Ceisteanna (164)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

164. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the locations of Irish embassies and consulates across the world; and the number and grade of DFA officials stationed in each. [40973/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

Mission	Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Officers posted from HQ	Locally engaged (including agency) administrative, clerical and other support staff
Abu Dhabi	1 Assistant Secretary 1 Third Secretary	4
Abuja	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	5
Addis Ababa	1 Counsellor 2 Development Specialist 1 Higher Executive Officer 1 Junior Professional Intern	4
Ankara	1 Assistant Secretary 1 Assistant Principal Officer 1 Third Secretary	4
Athens	1 Counsellor 1 First Secretary 1 Higher Executive Officer	5.3*
Atlanta	1 First Secretary	1
Beijing	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	12
Berlin	1 Second Secretary 3 First Secretary/APO 1 Third Secretary	6
Berne	1 Assistant Secretary 1 Third Secretary	3
Boston	1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	3
Brasilia	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	4
Bratislava	1 First Secretary	2
Brussels (Embassy – including PfP representation)	1 Counsellor 1 First Secretary 1 Higher Executive Officer 1 Clerical Officer	4
Brussels (Permanent Representation to the European Union)	2 Assistant Secretary 2 Counsellor 11 First Secretary/APO 2 Third Secretary 1 Higher Executive Officer 2 Executive Officer 17 Clerical Officer	6
Bucharest	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary	5
Budapest	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	4
Buenos Aires	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	3.4*
Cairo	1 Counsellor 1 Assistant Principal Officer 1 Third Secretary	6
Canberra	1 Counsellor 1 First Secretary	7.1*
Chicago	1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	3.4*
Copenhagen	1 Second Secretary 1 Third Secretary	4.4*
Dar-Es-Salaam	1 Principal Development Specialist 1 Senior Development Specialist 2 Development Specialist 1 Higher Executive Officer 1 Junior Professional Intern	3
Edinburgh	1 First Secretary 1 Clerical Officer	1
Freetown	1 Development Specialist 1 Third Secretary	1
Geneva (Permanent Mission to the United Nations) (Including temporary extra staff relating to Ireland’s membership of the UN Human Rights Council)	1 Assistant Secretary 4 First Secretary 2 Third Secretary 1 Executive Officer 1 Junior Professional Intern 2 Interns 1 Clerical Officer	3.5*
Hanoi	1 Counsellor 1 Senior Development Specialist 1 Development Specialist 1 Third Secretary 1 Clerical Officer	3
Helsinki	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	3
Kampala	(Ambassador post currently vacant) 1 Senior Development Specialist 1 Third Secretary	4
Kuala Lumpur	1 Assistant Secretary 1 Third Secretary	5.5*
Lilongwe	1 Principal Development Specialist 1 Senior Development Specialist 1 Third Secretary 1 Junior Professional Intern	1
Lisbon	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	3
Ljubljana	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	3
London (including Passport office)	1 Assistant Secretary 2 Counsellor 3 First Secretary/APO 2 Third Secretary 2 Higher Executive Officer 4 Executive Officer 2 Staff Officer 8 Clerical Officer	13.5*
Lusaka	1 Principal Officer 1 Development Specialist 1 Third Secretary 1 Junior Professional Intern	3
Luxembourg	1 First Secretary	4
Madrid	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	10
Maputo	1 Counsellor 1 Senior Development Specialist 2 Development Specialist 1 Third Secretary 1 Junior Professional Intern	3
Maseru	1 Counsellor 1 Senior Development Specialist	2
Mexico	1 Counsellor 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	5
Moscow	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary 2 Clerical Officer	9
New Delhi	1 Counsellor 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	6
New York - Consulate General	1 Counsellor 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary 1 Executive Officer	12
New York (Permanent Mission to the United Nations)	1 Assistant Secretary 1 Counsellor 4 First Secretary 2 Third Secretary 1 Executive Officer	6
Nicosia	1 First Secretary	3
Oslo	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	3
Ottawa	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	5
Paris	1 Assistant Secretary 2 First Secretary 2 Third Secretary	13
Paris (Permanent Mission to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and UNESCO)	1 Counsellor 1 First Secretary	1
Prague	1 Counsellor 1 Higher Executive Officer	5
Pretoria	1 Assistant Secretary 2 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	8
Ramallah	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	4
Riga	1 First Secretary	2
Riyadh	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	8
Rome	1 Deputy Secretary 1 First Secretary	8.8*
San Francisco	1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	3
Seoul	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	4
Shanghai	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary 1 Clerical Officer	4
Singapore	1 Assistant Secretary 1 Third Secretary	4
Sofia	1 Counsellor 1 Higher Executive Officer	4
Stockholm	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	3
Strasbourg	1 Assistant Secretary 1 Third Secretary 1 Intern	3
Sydney	1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	3
Tallinn	1 First Secretary	2
Tel Aviv	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary	3.5*
The Hague	1 Assistant Secretary 1 Assistant Principal 1 Third Secretary	5
Tokyo	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	7
Valletta	1 First Secretary	2
Vienna (Embassy)	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	5
Vienna (Permanent Mission to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe)	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary	3
Vilnius	1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary	3
Warsaw	1 Assistant Secretary 1 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary	4
Washington DC	1 Deputy Secretary 1 Counsellor 3 First Secretary 1 Third Secretary 1 Executive Officer 1 Clerical Officer	8

The above table does not include Consulates headed by Honorary Consuls, the staff of which are not employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

*Full Time Equivalent – this number takes account of officers on work-sharing arrangements.

Prisoner Welfare

Ceisteanna (165)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

165. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Irish citizen (details supplied) has been in prison for three years in Northern Ireland during which the person has not been questioned by the PSNI or charged with a crime; that the person has not had a parole hearing, to which prisoners are entitled annually, for more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40984/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor this and other cases very closely. The individual referred to is a convicted prisoner who was released by the British authorities under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual has as a result been in custody for over three further years. In May 2013 the Supreme Court refused leave to the individual to appeal the decision to revoke his license. A further appeal in relation to the granting of bail has not yet been heard by the Supreme Court and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter.

I understand that the Parole Commissioners are due to conduct a second review of this case and the timing of the proceedings is for the Parole Commissioners to determine. The Parole Commissioners’ process is strictly independent and, under Rule 22 of the Parole Commissioners’ Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009, information about the Commission’s proceedings cannot be made public. My officials have raised developments in this case with the British side and continue to follow developments closely.