Tuesday, 13 Dec 2016

Written Answers Nos 58-78

European Security Strategy

Ceisteanna (58)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

58. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the establishment of a joint EU military headquarters; his further views on the increased militarisation of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39832/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The proposal being advanced is not of an EU joint military headquarters but rather the development of a joint civil/military operational headquarters, which can support the effective planning and operations of CSDP operations. As I previously advised the House, there have been proposals around for some time, that the EU should establish a joint operational headquarters to support the planning and conduct of its civil and military operations. A permanent joint civil-military operational headquarters, appropriately configured, could potentially deliver more effective and responsive CSDP operations in support of the UN and international peace and security, a position which Ireland supports.

This is a matter which EU Member States, including Ireland, will consider in the context of the Council Conclusions of 14 November on implementing the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy. Ireland will participate fully in that process and in the ongoing development of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in support of the UN and international peacekeeping and crisis management.

Current proposals are designed to improve the effectiveness of operational planning and conduct capacity within the EU for both civil and military operations under CSDP. I do not believe that that represents an increase in or a move towards militarisation of the EU. The Lisbon Treaty provides that the Common Security and Defence Policy “shall provide the Union with an operational capacity drawing on assets civil and military. The Union may use them on missions outside the Union for peace-keeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. The performance of these tasks shall be undertaken using the capabilities provided by the Member States”.

I am satisfied that the issue of having an effective joint planning and operational capacity to support CSDP civil and military operations is one which is reasonable to consider in this regard, particularly having regard to the EU’s comprehensive approach to international crises.

Defence Forces Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (59)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

59. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of experts being referred to in the responses to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 18 June 2013 and No. 69 of 24 November 2015, in which it is stated that those experts concur with the prescribing practices for Lariam followed by the Defence Forces; and the names of the experts involved. [39703/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The Working Group on Malaria Chemoprophylaxis was established in January 2011 and reported in April 2013. The purpose of the Group is to review, inter alia, issues arising in relation to the use of Lariam, particularly in the context of the current and potential litigation. The Group was re-convened in August 2015 and is due to complete its report shortly. As with the Group’s original report, the current report is being produced in the context of current and potential litigation and is, therefore legally privileged, as is information about the working group.

Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 34.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (61)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

61. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which partnerships have been encouraged between the Defence Forces and the private sector in the County Kildare area with a view to increased research, innovation and enterprise development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39822/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach and Minister for Defence

There is an ongoing requirement to examine new and innovative means of improving capabilities in the security and the defence domain, so that the Defence Forces are in a position to undertake the roles assigned by Government.

On that basis, the Government approved arrangements in July 2011, whereby Enterprise Ireland (EI) would support the Department of Defence and Defence Forces capability development through engagement with Irish-based enterprise and research institutes on the use and application of innovative civilian technologies in the military sphere.

The Government decision allowed for greater engagement with EI and EI supported companies which could contribute to Defence Forces capabilities across the full range of its activities.

The Government’s White Paper on Defence states that my Department will “identify opportunities for cooperative-collaborative engagement between the Defence Forces and Irish-based enterprise and research institutes, including third level colleges”. In line with this, work is ongoing to further develop the Defence Enterprise Initiative.

Projects proposed by institutes and companies, where they are seeking to partner with, or involve, Defence Forces participation are submitted to the Defence Enterprise Committee for consideration. The Defence Enterprise Committee consists of personnel from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and Enterprise Ireland. All capabilities to be researched are vetted and agreed at the highest level in the Defence Organisation to ensure compatibility with the roles assigned to the Defence Forces by the Government.

The engagement is targeted at companies and research institutes which have relevant technologies or are developing technologies which can support Defence Force capabilities and does not target specific geographical area. However, I am aware of two projects involving the Defence Forces and Kildare based companies, one of which was part of a successful bid for Horizion 2020 funding in 2016.

Another Kildare company has been involved with the Irish Maritime Energy and Resource Cluster (IMERC) on an ongoing basis since 2010. IMERC is a partnership of the Naval Service, University College Cork, and Cork Institute of Technology. This research and commercial cluster aims to realise Ireland’s economic potential in the global, maritime and energy markets and brings together expertise in the fields of energy engineering, maritime operations, maritime technology and ecosystem governance. In collaboration with IMERC, the Naval Service is involved in a number of research initiatives in the maritime domain.

My Department and the Defence Forces will continue to provide assistance to EI and companies supported by EI in 2017 and beyond.

Tribunals of Inquiry Expenditure

Ceisteanna (62)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

62. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach the total cost to his Department to date of the Moriarty Tribunal. [39416/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Moriarty Tribunal was established in 1997 and published its Final Report in March 2011. Following publication of that Report, the Tribunal’s back-up team was substantially reduced. A small legal and administrative staff remains in place to deal with applications for third-party costs and with the ongoing business of wind-down. The Tribunal is also subject to a number of legal proceedings for which it uses its own legal resources as much as possible.

Total expenditure by my Department from the establishment of the Moriarty Tribunal in 1997 to end-November 2016 was €54.652 million.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (63)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

63. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of the preparations for Brexit. [39813/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Government has considered Brexit issues regularly since the UK referendum result, including on foot of ten separate Memoranda for Government. I am ensuring that a whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being developed, including through the Brexit Cabinet Committee which I established following the referendum result, which I chair and which will involve all Ministers as required. The issues involved concern all Ministers, Departments and Agencies and require a consistent and comprehensive whole-of-Government response.

The Cabinet Committee on Brexit has met on a number of occasions, most recently on 24 November, to continue overall coordination of our preparations for the negotiations on Brexit which will take place once the British Government submit their Article 50 notification.  The Committee also considers the potential impact of Brexit for Ireland, as well as any economic opportunities that may arise.   Separately, a special Government meeting was held on 16 November to consider Brexit issues and, in particular, to prepare for an important plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh on 18 November. 

I have also restructured my Department to ensure that Brexit is treated as a crucial cross-cutting issue, including by creating a newly amalgamated International, EU and Northern Ireland Division, under a new Second Secretary General. The work of this Division includes supporting the Cabinet Committee on Brexit and the Cabinet Committee on European Affairs.

Work on Brexit is also supported by the Minister and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who now have a greater role in EU matters overall, with a newly created EU Division and the existing Division dealing with Anglo Irish affairs both having important roles to play.

Across Government, relevant Departments, agencies and overseas missions are being strengthened to deal with Brexit.

Departmental Agencies Data

Ceisteanna (64)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

64. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies in tabular form; the total number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [39352/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Table

No	Board	Total Members	Number of Women	% of Women
1	National Statistics Board (NSB)	8	3	37.5%
2	National Economic and Social Council (NESC)			Term of Office expired.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (65)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

65. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the total photography costs for his Department per annum since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance in tabular form; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39477/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The total expenditure by my Department on photography from 9 March 2011 to 7 December 2016 is provided in the following table:

Year	Amount spent on photography
2011 (9 March to December )	€28,069
2012	€13,449
2013	Department - €6,778 EU Presidency - €38,172
2014	€12,750
2015	€9,820
1 January to 7 December 2016	€22,805.60

The increase in costs for 2016 over 2015 is due to a requirement to have an official record of the ceremonies to mark the centenary of Easter 1916 and other historic Commemoration events.

Photography costs in my Department have reduced significantly in recent years. The 2016 expenditure to date represents over 70% of a reduction when compared with expenditure of €83,398 in 2008. Increasingly my Department utilises its own staff to take photographs in-house, thereby reducing costs.

The use of local photographers on international trade missions is required to distribute images to the domestic media to accompany the coverage of domestic journalists who are travelling on behalf of their organisations. Utilising local agencies is cost efficient and costs are kept to a minimum.

In relation to the EU Presidency costs - as is standard for all Presidencies there is a host photographer to capture the images for the Presidency and to distribute them around the world.

The following below lists the occasions for which photographers were used and costs associated with each occasion:

Photography Costs from 9 March 2011 to 7 December 2016
Vendor Name	Description	Cost
The Press Association	The Press Association, Nottingham	€139.30
Hackett's Reprographics	Visa photos for 1 of the Taoiseach's delegation for USA Mar 2011, 10 Mar 2011	€20.25
Maxwell Photography	1916 Commemoration 24/04/2011	€502.45
Maxwell Photography	SDLP 14/04/2011	€371.17
Maxwell Photography	Launch of Census 10/3/2011	€357.25
Maxwell Photography	Newly appointed Ministers 15/03/2011	€478.25
Maxwell Photography	Jesse Jackson 21/03/2011	€409.58
Maxwell Photography	Book of Condolence - Japan 22/03/2011	€401.42
Maxwell Photography	US Ambassador Dan Rooney 28/03/2011	€401.42
Maxwell Photography	Jpegs 1916 Commemoration 04/04/2011	€60.50
Maxwell Photography	Mass New Dail 09/03/2011	€508.50
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach Office Photo Call 09/03/2011	€538.75
Maxwell Photography	Reception New Ministers 09/03/2011	€391.13
Maxwell Photography	New Cabinet Meeting 10/03/2011	€492.17
Maxwell Photography	New Ministers Appointments 09/03/2011	€780.75
Maxwell Photography	The Late Dr. Garret Fitzgerald's Funeral 21-22 May 2011	€2,359.50
My Photobook.ie	27 May 2011 - My PhotoBook.ie	€140.80
Maxwell Photography	President Obama Visit 23 May 2011	€4,537.50
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach Enda Kenny & Church Leaders on 19 May 2011 at Government Buildings	€409.58
Maxwell Photography	British PM Visit to Gov. Buildings on 18 May 2011.	€629.50
Maxwell Photography	US Congressman on 16 May 2011. assignment covering attendance, taking colour, processing, digital contact sheet.	€280.42
Maxwell Photography	Hungarian Prime Minister 01-06-11	€409.58
Maxwell Photography	Excellence Awards 09/06/2011	€857.59
Maxwell Photography	North South Ministerial Council 10-6-11	€812.21
Maxwell Photography	President of European Council 17/6/11	€562.04
Maxwell Photography	President Obama Visit 23 May 2011	€260.15
Maxwell Photography	Obama and Cabinet Ministers 23 May 2011	€740.52
Maxwell Photography	Maxwells Invoice - New Ambassadors 30-6-11	€332.75
Maxwell Photography	Chinese Delegation	€357.25
Maxwell Photography	Saudi Minister 14 June 2011	€280.42
Maxwell Photography	Richard Haass meets Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 01/04/2011	€371.17
LK Photo	Costs relating to St. Patricks Day Visit to Washington 2011	€2,106.14
Maxwell Photography	New Sec Gen and Ian Paisley on 26/07/2011.	€318.84
Maxwell Photography	Meeting EU Parliament President 12 July 2011.	€696.05
Maxwell Photography	Strategy for International Services Industry 14-7-2011	€349.08
Hackett's Reprographics	Product code FPP75DIG10-15, (QTY 10-15) 7x5 Digital Prints.	€30.76
J. Higgins Photos	Photos Taoiseach 4/5 May 2011 visit to New York	€303.30
Maxwell Photography	Arvato meeting with Taoiseach 21 Sept 2011.	€560.84
BANK OF IRELAND	19 November 2011 - www.gettyimages.com	€212.96
Maxwell Photography	Photocall TAOISEACH & New SDLP Leader 09/11/2011.	€340.92
Maxwell Photography	Photographer for the Presidential Inauguration on 11/11/2011.	€3,956.70
2012
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach signs Book of condolence 20 Dec 2011.	€371.17
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach - Christmas Media Meeting 22 Dec 2011.	€296.75
The Press Association	12 January 2012 - Photos of Prime Minister David Cameron with Taoiseach Enda Kenny 10 Downing Street.	€122.01
Maxwell Photography	British Irish council 13/01/12	€531.05
Maxwell Photography	Photos/Taoiseach meeting with Deputy PM Nick Clegg	€377.30
Maxwell Photography	Blue Star Programmes on 07/02/2012.	€539.36
Maxwell Photography	EU Presidency Job winning logo on 02/02/2012.	€687.26
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach & Tánaiste attend 'Progress to date' launch 07/03/2012.	€195.57
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd	Launch of the Stability Treaty Website, 19 April 2012.	€409.63
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd	Olympic Torch Photocall at Govt Buildings on 06/06/2012.	€268.45
QiLai	Photographer for Taoiseach's visit to China 25/28 March 2012	€2,817.49
Maxwell Photography	Carers Strategy Launch in the Italian Room on 19th July 2012.	€439.11
LK Photos	Taoiseach's visit to US 19-21 March 2012.	€1,774.78
Lafayette Photography Ltd	NSMC in Farmleigh on 15/06/2012	€174.24
Lafayette Photography Ltd	National Day of Commemoration 08/07/2012	€555.75
Lafayette Photography Ltd	Olympic Reception at Farmleigh 15/08/2012 -CD of photographs	€330.16
Lafayette Photography Ltd	Official Photography services for visit of Secretary of State Northern Ireland on 01 Oct 2012.	€87.66
Michael Hudson Photos	Taoiseach's Visit to Chicago, 17 March 2012	€302.35
Lafayette Photography Ltd	18hrs of photography over 4 days for the JPEGs for Whos Who on the Irish Presidency Website	€3,168.51
2013
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd	EU Conference of Presidents, Dublin Castle on 31 December 2012	€116.85
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd	Presidency meeting of European Parliament Leaders, Dublin Castle 29th Nov 2012	€430.51
Maxwell Photography	Photography Prints for Convention Inaugural Meeting on 1st Dec 2012.	€1,763.46
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Family photo shot, post production touch up + prints (36copies) for the EU Directors General Informal meeting (13-14/1/2013)	€512.62
Maxwell Photography	2 JPEG images of the Taoiseach/Cyprus President Nov 2005 - 28 Jan 2013.	€34.44
Lafayette Photography Ltd	Eucharistic Congress Reception Dublin Castle 1st July 2012	€171.01
Lafayette Photography Ltd	Visit of Secretary of State Northern Ireland on 01 Oct 2012, 18 images sent to media	€19.43
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Photocall for 40 years in the EU, Art Exhibition, 25 February 2013.	€318.54
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal Justice and Home Affairs meeting, Dublin Castle, 18/01/13	€1,471.99
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy visit, Dublin Castle, 9/1/2013	€1,645.47
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal Justice and Home Affairs meeting, session 2, Dublin Castle, 17/1/2013	€1,449.89
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal EU Affairs meeting, Dublin Castle 21/01/13.	€1,564.62
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Employment 8th Feb. 2013 Dublin Castle.	€817.91
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Employment 7th Feb. 2013 Dublin Castle.	€1,573.31
Levon Biss Photography Ltd	Prints of Taoiseach's Time Magazine cover 26/11/2012	€111.95
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	31st Dec 2012 for EU Flag Raising Ceremony attended by Taoiseach at Dublin Castle.	€669.09
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Visit of Presidents Barroso & Schulz at Government Buildings on 28/2/2013. - Post Production Fee	€257.43
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Defence Ministers 13/2/2013, Dublin Castle.	€817.91
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Development & Co-operation Ministers 12/2/2013, Dublin Castle.	€1,559.45
M M McNally Photographer	Taoiseach's visit to Downing Street on 11 March 2013.	€335.03
E Hill Photography	Taoiseach's visit to Enniskillen, 11 November 2012.	€700.60
Peter Cavanagh Photography	Whos Who for Presidency. 27/28 Sept. 2012 & 16 Oct 2012.	€1,600.00
Magnum Computers	Photos of Taoiseach's visit to Cleveland, Ohio. October 2012.	€192.41
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Gymnich meeting - 23rd March 2013.	€484.58
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Energy Ministers at Dublin Castle 24 April, 2013	€1,181.62
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers at Dublin Castle 23 April, 2013	€1,307.04
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers at Dublin Castle on 22nd April 2013	€821.57
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Ministers for Trade at Dublin Castle 18 April, 2013	€1,535.67
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Hunger-Nutrition Conference at Dublin Castle 15 April,2013	€968.41
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	ECOFIN Ministerial Informal meeting on 13/4/2013	€1,870.49
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministerial Informal 12 April 2013.	€4,126.55
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Hunger-Nutrition & Climate Change at Dublin Castle on 16th April 2013.	€817.91
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Commission College meeting Dublin Castle on 10 Jan 2013 - Prints & Digital Imaging	€2,042.61
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Health Informal Ministerial Meeting 4th March, Dublin Castle attendance	€276.75
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	EU Presidency Team Group Shot on 01 May 2013.	€302.58
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Health Informal Ministerial Meeting 5th March 2013- Dublin Castle.	€1,134.33
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Gymich meeting 22nd March 2013, Photography & high resolution imaging	€1,570.00
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Ministerial Informal, Agriculture Ministers on 27th & 28th May 2013	€2,453.74
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Ministerial Informal - Competitiveness [Dept. DJEI ] 2nd May 2013	€817.91
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Competitiveness - Council day on 03 May 2013.	€1,134.34
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Family photos of Presidency team at Government Buildings on 01 May 2013.	€31.38
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Presidency Liaison Officers Photos at Dublin Castle on 27 May 2013.	€162.01
Marty Katz Photography & James Higgins Photography	St Patrick's Day Visit, New York - 16-17 March 2013	€2,235.66
Maxwell Photography	North South Ministerial Meeting on 05/07/2013 at Dublin Castle Sundays F.T.P. images to Media outlets	€706.02
Maxwell Photography	EU Presidency staff event on 05/07/2013 at Dublin Castle - Upload of images to online gallery	€292.74
Maxwell Photography	Round table discussion with the Taoiseach and on Online Retailers on 06 Sept 2013.	€292.74
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach's meeting with Bill Clinton at Government Buildings - 09/10/2013	€249.69
2014
Maxwell Photography	Extra copies of prints of the Queen & President Obama's visit, May 2011 ordered for Taoiseach	€77.18
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment, Taoiseach's Address of the Nation, 15th December 2014	€956.94
Maxwell Photography	Photography Services for the Convention on the Constitution final plenary meeting 22nd & 23rd February 2014	€511.68
DNP Service	Taoiseach's visit to Japan, 3-4 December 2013.	€244.23
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment for the visit of the Spanish on the 6th March 2014	€519.06
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment for the visit of the German Prime Minister on the 7th March 2014	€396.06
Maria Photography	Taoiseach's visit to Abu Dhabi & Dubai, January 2014.	€2,695.80
Dan Hallissey Photography	Taoiseach's visit to Boston, 16 March 2014.	€506.77
Marty Katz Photography	Photography for Taoiseach Enda Kenny & delegation's trip to Washington DC on 13 & 14 March 2014	€1,740.64
Maxwell Photography	Official Photography at State Funeral of the late Albert Reynolds 23rd Aug 2014 at Mansion House and Donnybrook Church	€2,841.30
James Higgins Photography	Photographs of the Taoiseach's visit to New York on 17 March 2014.	€252.71
Dowlings Pharmacy	Passport photos for Pat Shelly 04 Sep 2014	€6.00
Boots Chemist	Photo's for Taoiseach 13 July 2014	€2.10
Getty Images International	EU, All About Jobs campaign, purchase of iStock photo subscription for 3 months, 7th Oct 2014	€207.87
Maxwell Photography	Photography for North South Ministerial Council on 3rd Oct 2014, Dublin Castle.	€547.35
CreativeShot Photography	United Irish Cultural Center - San Francisco 4 June 2014.	€753.07
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	EU - Photography of Minister Ged Nash at 2 events in Carlow 26th November 2014	€491.14
2015
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	EU - 10 Low Resolution images from Minister Ged Nash events in Carlow 26 November 2014	€124.85
Getty Images International	EU 'All About Jobs campaign' purchase of monthly iStock photo subscription for January 2015	€207.87
Department of Foreign Affairs	Photographs of the Taoiseach Enda Kenny attending Youth Reception - Irish Consulate New York September 2014	€198.68
Mr John Kingman	Photography for Taoiseach's visit to New York, 22-24 September 2014.	€317.89
Getty Images International	All About Jobs - purchase of one year iStock subscription for stock photos for All About Jobs section of Merrion St, 25 Feb 2015	€1,966.77
Dowlings Pharmacy	Dowlings Pharmacy - Passport photos 26 Feb 2015	€6.00
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Photography costs for the visit of Mr. Manuel Valls Prime Minister of France to Government Buildings 24 April 2015	€160.00
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Photography costs for the visit of Mr. Manuel Valls Prime Minister of France to Government Buildings 24 April 2015	€181.50
Marty Katz Photographer	St. Patrick's Day 2015. Taoiseach's visit to Washington, DC, USA. 16-17 March 2015.	€2,459.34
Allison Shirref Photographer	Taoiseach's visit to Atlanta, USA, 13 & 14 March 2015.	€1,112.10
Lensmen & Associates	Minister J. Deenihan TD photoshoot with Soyna O'Sullivan on 30 April 2015 at Government Buildings	€553.50
Conor McKeown Photographer	Photographer for US Ambassador's visit to Castlebar - April 2015	€120.00
Maxwell Photography	Photography costs for Data Protection Event on 2 July 2015	€447.72
Maxwell Photography	Photography Assignment for State Funeral of Thomas Kent - 18 September 2015	€1,475.80
Fotogioberti Studio	Taoiseach's photos with PM Renzi, 10 July 2015.	€488.00
1 January to 7 December 2016
Maxwell Photography	Extra copies of Ceann Comhairle with Queen, taken during her visit to Ireland in 2011	€17.22
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment for Flag-Raising Ceremony, 1 January 2016	€644.52
Getty Images International	All About Jobs - purchase of one year iStock subscription for stock photos for All About Jobs section of Merrion St, from 18th February 2016 to 18th February 2017	€1,966.77
M McNally Photographer	Photographs of the Taoiseach's visit to London, 9 November 2015.	€278.47
AM Photography	Photographs of the Taoiseach's visit to Paris, France, 9 September 2015	€250.00
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment for Commemoration Ceremony and Parade and Kilmainham Gaol Wreath-Laying Ceremony, Easter Sunday 27 March 2016	€3,099.60
Irish Gallery of Photography Ltd	Photograph presentation for State Reception Dublin Castle 27th March 2016	€4,674.00
Lensmen & Associates	Photography assignment for Interfaith Ceremony and Unveiling of Remembrance Wall, Glasnevin, Sunday 3 April 2016	€430.50
Maxwell Photography	Photographs of new Cabinet at first meeting, 11 May 2016. Including syndication to media outlets	€873.76
British Irish Council	Official Photo of the British Irish Council Summit Dublin 2015	€751.10
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Photography assignment for Somme Centenary Commemoration Ceremony and National Day of Commemorations, 9 and 10 July 2016	€3,109.44
Maxwell Photography	Photography for Visit of VP Biden, 21-26 June 2016	€3,047.94
Marty Katz Photography	Photography for Taoiseach Enda Kenny St Patrick's Day visit to Washington DC 14-15 March 2016 and Ireland 100 at Kennedy Centre, Washington DC on 17-18 May 2016	€3,108.78
Lensmen & Associates	Photography for inaugural meeting of Citizens' Assembly on 15th October 2016	€553.50

Consultancy Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (66)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

66. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011, per annum, in tabular form; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [39493/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The following table details the external consultant reports commissioned by my Department since March 2011:

Name	Costs	Date of Commission	Date of Publication	Consultant
Health and Safety Statement 2011	€1,270	2011	2011	QTS Limited
Health and Safety Statement 2012	€1,270	2012	2012	QTS Limited
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Assessment and Disabled Access Review	€307	2013	2013	QTS Limited
Health and Safety Statement 2013 and Risk Assessment	€1,783	2013	2015	QTS Limited
Local Diaspora Toolkit	€14,300	2015	2015	Clinton Institute, UCD

Public Relations Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (67)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

67. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the details of the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department, per annum, since March 2011 in tabular form; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external firms. [39509/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The following table provides details of external public relations firms employed by my Department from 9 March 2011 to 7 December 2016:

Year	Name of Consultant	Purpose of Consultancy
2012 and 2013	Caroline Erskine, Media and Public Affairs Consultant	To assist in the implementation of the communications plan for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and Associated Projects
2013 and 2014	Q4 Public Relations	Support for the Convention on the Constitution
2016	Q4 Public Relations	Media liaison services for the Citizens' Assembly

My Department ensures that it gets best value for money in the procurement of all goods and services and keeps to a minimum the engagement of public relations firms. In the cases set out above, the use of external public relations firms was limited to work carried out for Ireland's EU Presidency in 2013 and the Constitutional Convention. In September of this year a contract was awarded to a public relations firm, following a competitive tendering process, to provide support for the newly established Citizens' Assembly.

Ministerial Staff

Ceisteanna (68)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

68. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach the number of staff employed by him and each Minister of State, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, press secretaries and other positions, in tabular form; the pay rate for each assistant; and the total cost. [39561/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There are 21 political staff employed by my Department, details as follows:

Position	Annual Salary
Chief of Staff	€156,380
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach for Policy and Programme Implementation	€87,258
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach for Policy and Programme Implementation	€87,258
Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip	€87,258
Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip	€79,401
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach	€77,275
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach	€68,293
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach	€68,293
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach	€55,415
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach	€65,000
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach	€72,546
Personal Secretary to the Taoiseach	€46,315
Personal Secretary to the Taoiseach	€37,588
Government Press Secretary	€118,931
Assistant Government Press Secretary	€65,000
Deputy Government Press Secretary	€91,624
Chief Strategist to the Independent Alliance	€91,624
Political Coordinator to the Ministers in Government	€91,624
Civilian Driver for the Government Chief Whip	€32,965
Civilian Driver for the Government Chief Whip	€34,700
Civilian Driver for the Leader of the Seanad	€34,700
Total:	€1,549,448

The political staff working with Minister of State Paul Kehoe, Minister of State Dara Murphy and Minister of State Joe McHugh are not on the payroll of my Department.

Ministerial Staff

Ceisteanna (69)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

69. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach if any staff employed in the public and Civil Service are seconded to work with him or any Minister of State in their constituencies; the number of same; and the cost to his Department. [39576/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There are six staff assigned to work in my Constituency Office. Three are based in Government Buildings, two of whom are established civil servants, and one who is on contract. One of the established civil servants is on secondment from the Department of Social Protection. The three remaining staff are based in Castlebar and are on contract.

There are three staff assigned to work in the Chief Whip's Constituency Office, two of whom are established civil servants based in Government Buildings, and one who is on contract (paid by the Oireachtas) and based in Ratoath, Co. Meath. One of the two civil servants working in the Chief Whip's Constituency Office is on secondment from the Legal Aid Board.

Minister of State Murphy has three staff in his Constituency Office in Cork. One established civil servant (paid by my Department and seconded from the Central Statistics Office) and two contract staff (both paid by the Oireachtas).

Minister of State Kehoe has four staff in his Constituency Office. Two established civil servants are seconded by my Department to the Department of Defence and are assigned to the office. They are based in Government Buildings and are paid by the Department of Defence. Minister of State Kehoe also has two contract staff (both paid by the Oireachtas) who are based in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Minister of State McHugh has three contract staff in his Constituency Office (equating to two whole time equivalent positions). They are based in Donegal and are paid by the Oireachtas.

The annual cost to my Department of staff working in Constituency Offices (9 staff members in total) is €433,129.

Taoiseach's Communications

Ceisteanna (70)

John Brady

Ceist:

70. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach if he has used any private, unsecured e-mail accounts for official business. [39591/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I have a private email account that I use for personal correspondence. I generally use my corporate email account for official purposes but I have on occasion used my private email account for official purposes for operational reasons.

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Ceisteanna (71, 72, 73)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

71. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach the aggregate amount of employer's PRSI paid in respect of Civil Service workers in gross income ranges (details supplied) in his Department for each of the years, 2007 to 2015, in tabular form. [39700/16]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

72. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach the aggregate amount of employee's PRSI paid in respect of Civil Service workers in gross income ranges (details supplied) in his Department for each of the years, 2007 to 2015, in tabular form. [39701/16]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

73. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach the aggregate net pay of Civil Service workers in gross income ranges (details supplied) in his Department for each of the years, 2007 to 2015, in tabular form. [39702/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The following table sets out the aggregate net pay (gross pay less deductions); employer PRSI and employee PRSI for employees in my Department for the years 2007 to 2015 in the income ranges requested.

Department of the Taoiseach

Payroll Year	Band Range	Aggregate Net Pay	Aggregate Employers PRSI	Aggregate Employees PRSI
2007	01:  €0 to €30,000	€1,343,649.20	€146,234.14	€57,848.05
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€1,013,548.55	€107,682.16	€57,995.95
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€1,621,929.03	€138,541.30	€89,230.11
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€1,046,591.15	€73,351.02	€51,440.41
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€679,793.87	€45,726.34	€33,086.16
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€574,269.06	€42,334.36	€28,050.65
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€655,250.55	€22,859.55	€25,258.82
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€299,479.97	€9,272.57	€11,399.17
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€1,006,561.34	€59,792.87	€43,263.01
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€167,776.72	€17,147.93	€7,940.89
	11:  Over €150,000	€644,639.36	€51,107.71	€25,094.61
2007 Total		€9,053,488.80	€714,049.95	€430,607.83
2008	01:  €0 to €30,000	€1,424,178.68	€154,632.39	€62,228.31
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€1,071,262.76	€107,230.67	€58,313.93
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€1,234,001.63	€119,606.45	€72,303.22
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€1,480,040.34	€109,542.90	€76,221.49
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€918,556.42	€53,228.13	€42,289.83
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€465,076.55	€32,335.55	€23,045.70
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€437,060.45	€20,035.63	€17,951.39
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€424,269.45	€19,170.57	€17,341.48
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€1,084,544.51	€61,369.73	€46,384.78
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€354,114.18	€35,075.62	€16,560.53
	11:  Over €150,000	€796,069.00	€48,704.14	€26,622.68
2008 Total		€9,689,173.97	€760,931.78	€459,263.34
2009	01:  €0 to €30,000	€856,632.18	€88,863.08	€33,362.90
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€1,017,262.98	€103,168.61	€71,424.71
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€1,156,858.46	€119,033.97	€90,794.62
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€1,301,605.35	€103,211.97	€99,015.97
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€613,519.95	€37,086.77	€42,671.13
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€544,753.87	€45,061.37	€44,459.64
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€374,511.35	€24,338.36	€28,163.14
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€341,843.24	€33,028.09	€27,498.34
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€901,078.99	€57,321.06	€67,755.77
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€441,858.59	€37,435.23	€34,751.29
	11:  Over €150,000	€591,262.15	€32,590.04	€46,042.30
2009 Total		€8,141,187.11	€681,138.55	€585,939.81
2010	01:  €0 to €30,000	€1,017,971.42	€109,366.83	€50,020.50
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€1,103,028.81	€119,024.38	€88,712.87
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€995,663.92	€77,136.69	€82,375.02
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€964,761.65	€79,948.83	€85,887.35
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€462,534.70	€23,968.55	€36,985.22
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€472,255.12	€43,359.90	€46,243.55
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€234,159.98	€13,951.11	€20,116.01
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€331,074.95	€17,703.63	€26,994.61
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€453,470.31	€39,566.22	€43,135.85
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€559,414.66	€37,838.84	€51,305.52
	11:  Over €150,000	€325,679.44	€29,033.74	€30,774.93
2010 Total		€6,920,014.96	€590,898.72	€562,551.43
2011	01:  €0 to €30,000	€1,040,431.06	€106,407.85	€38,737.71
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€1,049,077.77	€117,197.31	€41,091.77
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€1,030,784.71	€102,671.66	€40,922.43
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€836,285.75	€79,861.28	€31,910.24
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€386,224.73	€17,918.86	€8,293.27
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€498,812.78	€35,308.46	€16,396.41
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€354,841.12	€12,966.45	€10,127.54
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€388,736.05	€14,970.05	€10,965.72
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€426,359.24	€32,121.27	€16,952.35
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€284,459.49	€18,006.44	€14,909.37
	11:  Over €150,000	€231,612.70	€10,028.45	€6,993.17
2011 Total		€6,527,625.40	€547,458.08	€237,299.98
2012	01:  €0 to €30,000	€880,074.93	€96,151.28	€29,892.28
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€966,376.15	€104,197.73	€36,354.54
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€946,491.00	€102,251.90	€36,642.94
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€805,636.57	€92,236.24	€35,794.49
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€468,459.49	€47,089.76	€18,105.61
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€534,654.71	€36,964.69	€16,196.88
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€607,645.52	€61,866.58	€27,469.43
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€314,806.93	€18,648.30	€11,706.37
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€318,461.64	€19,208.33	€15,878.34
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€194,017.05	€7,607.22	€9,628.58
	11:  Over €150,000	€334,212.62	€39,467.21	€23,261.30
2012 Total		€6,370,836.61	€625,689.24	€260,930.76
2013	01:  €0 to €30,000	€897,465.16	€108,076.57	€43,476.59
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€823,531.64	€94,266.94	€37,390.36
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€1,133,794.92	€122,876.84	€49,984.84
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€719,589.05	€81,829.61	€35,553.77
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€655,881.45	€64,544.44	€27,272.40
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€580,487.94	€51,340.66	€22,659.53
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€481,234.91	€57,375.06	€25,173.43
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€357,380.95	€19,404.38	€12,668.98
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€305,678.43	€19,106.40	€15,832.59
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€250,711.73	€9,831.00	€12,191.74
	11:  Over €150,000	€325,844.16	€38,372.52	€22,933.70
2013 Total		€6,531,600.34	€667,024.42	€305,137.93
2014	01:  €0 to €30,000	€731,549.60	€90,226.60	€34,461.29
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€893,502.74	€103,587.46	€41,390.33
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€1,030,719.35	€109,979.74	€45,650.71
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€823,496.80	€97,374.88	€42,371.79
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€702,534.21	€71,922.43	€30,423.03
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€653,464.45	€51,762.47	€22,996.94
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€256,338.78	€43,386.88	€17,936.60
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€454,415.53	€18,503.41	€16,892.02
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€218,119.54	€17,992.69	€12,923.25
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€200,469.68	€5,615.04	€6,220.92
	11:  Over €150,000	€243,822.35	€33,730.35	€17,437.66
2014 Total		€6,208,433.03	€644,081.95	€288,704.54
2015	01:  €0 to €30,000	€942,226.33	€124,896.44	€46,776.35
	02:  €30,000 to €40,000	€756,218.48	€90,030.50	€36,782.76
	03:  €40,000 to €50,000	€910,360.55	€98,068.21	€39,907.99
	04:  €50,000 to €60,000	€1,047,940.04	€112,256.63	€48,012.17
	05:  €60,000 to €70,000	€671,023.83	€80,831.90	€33,135.59
	06:  €70,000 to €80,000	€493,821.97	€46,415.66	€19,747.06
	07:  €80,000 to €90,000	€754,818.45	€82,150.63	€35,626.38
	08:  €90,000 to €100,000	€468,598.28	€31,067.08	€18,601.40
	09:  €100,000 to €125,000	€257,159.30	€17,353.91	€13,756.25
	10:  €125,000 to €150,000	€253,605.51	€9,909.80	€11,956.95
	11:  Over €150,000	€454,820.11	€39,597.45	€23,102.28
2015 Total		€7,010,592.85	€732,578.21	€327,405.18
Total		€66,452,953.07	€5,963,850.90	€3,457,840.80

Departmental Legal Cases

Ceisteanna (74)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

74. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if his Department has been involved in any court proceedings that involved non-disclosure agreements in the past five years; and if so, if the specific court ruling prevented knowledge of the court proceeding being known and knowledge of the participants to the court proceeding from being made known for each of these agreements. [39874/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department has not been involved in any court proceedings that involved non disclosure agreements in the past five years.

Syrian Conflict

Ceisteanna (75)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

75. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he mentioned Aleppo when he spoke to President-elect Trump. [39879/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I reported comprehensively to the House on my 10-minute conversation with Mr. Trump in my answers to Parliamentary Questions on Tuesday 22 November 2016. The Dáil transcripts of my response to those questions and my responses to the supplementary questions that followed, may be of interest to the Deputy. Aleppo was not discussed.

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (76)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

76. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach the name and number of Bills in preparation in his Department and published by his Department since May 2016; the stage each Bill is at in the Houses of the Oireachtas; and the number of Bills from his Department signed into law [40142/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

No Bills from my Department have been published or enacted since May 2016.

The only Bill for my Department at present is the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) Bill. When drafted, the Bill will provide for the dissolution of the NESDO (National Economic and Social Development Office) and the placing of the NESC on a statutory footing.

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Ceisteanna (77)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

77. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Taoiseach if he will provide all examples of entire units that have been re-centralised back to Dublin from within his Department; his Department's rationale for such moves; and if Cabinet approval was sought and given in each case. [40481/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department is based in Dublin and has always been based in Dublin. No Sections of my Department were moved outside of Dublin under the decentralisation programme (2003-2011).

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Ceisteanna (78)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

78. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding repossessions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39454/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The position is that the Programme for Government contains a series of commitments in relation to housing, including a commitment to keeping families in their homes and avoiding repossessions as far as possible; establishment of a new national service to standardise supports available to borrowers in mortgage arrears; establishment of a dedicated new court to handle mortgage arrears and other personal insolvency cases; a review of the thresholds and processes for Personal Insolvency Arrangements; and a review the Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears. I will be working closely with my Government colleagues in the coming months towards achievement of these aims.

A number of measures have already been put in place with the aim of providing assistance to those finding themselves in mortgage arrears. These include:

- development of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) as the Government’s ‘one-stop shop’ point of information and guidance for homeowners in mortgage arrears, working closely with the Insolvency Service;

- establishment and staffing of Dedicated Mortgage Arrears centres in key locations with nationwide coverage, which offer specialised expertise on mortgage debt;

- the presence of MABS and the Insolvency Service at courthouses to provide information and ‘signposting’ support for householders issued with repossession proceedings involving their homes (operating nationwide since 1 October last, following a successful pilot scheme in July 2015). This initiative is facilitated by the Courts Service, and is currently provided for all Circuit Court repossession hearings.

I should also mention the new, innovative mortgage arrears resolution service - Abhaile - which the Minister for Social Protection and I officially launched recently. The new nationwide service marks a departure in State assistance by providing free, independent expert advice and support on financial and legal issues. The objective of the Scheme is to ensure that a person who is at risk of losing their home due to their mortgage arrears can access independent expert financial and legal advice, which will help them to identify their best options for returning to solvency - with priority to their remaining in the home, where that is a sustainable option. It aims, in particular, to reach those in arrears greater than 2 years. The scheme started in late July and is already proving very effective.

Under the scheme, eligible clients are given vouchers to obtain expert advice from financial and legal advisers in order to resolve their debt issues. In addition, they can get assistance in court where needed, have access to solicitors, and get help obtaining legal aid. Since the establishment of the scheme in July, over 2,100 home owners have received assistance. A major Government information campaign will be launched in the coming weeks to raise awareness of the scheme. I believe that the introduction of the scheme will help people get out of debt and, wherever possible, to stay in their own homes and would strongly encourage anyone worried about mortgage arrears on their home to contact MABS, the Government gateway for accessing free expert help and advice.

This new service builds on the protections set out in the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2013 which assists homeowners in mortgage arrears by granting the Circuit Court specific powers to adjourn repossession proceedings in order to allow such a borrower to consult with a personal insolvency practitioner (PIP) with a view to making a Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) under the Insolvency Acts and to instruct the PIP to make such a proposal. In addition, the Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2015 has been enacted in order to further assist homeowners in mortgage arrears. The Act has introduced a new "court review" process applicable in cases where creditors such as a lending institution refuse a proposal for a PIA drawn up to resolve the homeowner's debts, including the mortgage on their home.

Regarding the Courts Bill 2016, currently before the Oireachtas, the position is that the Bill does not have any implications for applications for repossession of principal private residences by the banks and financial institutions. The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2013 already gives the Circuit Court jurisdiction to deal with repossession proceedings involving principal private residences, irrespective of when the mortgage was created or the value of the property. The Courts Bill 2016 does not seek to change that position in any way.