Written Answers Nos 84-90
84. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which an Irish citizen can apply to the Irish Embassy in the United States of America for a guided tour of the White House, Washington DC, in September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20251/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish citizens who are visiting Washington, D.C., and who would like to visit the White House should contact the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C., at least 21 days before the date of their arrival, supplying their full names (as they appear on their passports) and country of citizenship for each person requesting a tour. The maximum number of visitors that can be accommodated in a visit application is 5.
Please note that White House tours are increasingly difficult to secure. Tours are not automatically possible and there is no guarantee that the White House will facilitate a request from the Embassy. Availability changes daily and tours can be suspended for long periods of time, especially during holiday periods. Tours are not available from Saturday to Monday.
Tours of the White House that are available to Irish citizens are accompanied tours, i.e. the visitor must be accompanied by the Ambassador or the Deputy Head of Mission. Unfortunately, due to the extremely busy schedules of both, they cannot make themselves available for all applications for accompanied tours.
Irish visitors who would like to get other perspectives on political life in Washington, D.C., may also wish to arrange a tour of Capitol Hill or other attractions.
The White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, offers visitors a window into the US President's iconic home. The visitor center is open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily (except January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25). Admission is free. Visitors can explore an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House, view over 90 artefacts from the White House collection, shop at the White House Historical Association retail store, and view the 14 minute film, "White House: Reflections From Within".
The US Capitol building is open to the public for guided tours but advance reservation is required. More information is available on the Capitol Visitor Center website.
Advance reservation is also required for tours of the Pentagon. More information is available on the Pentagon website.
All of this information can be found on the Irish Embassy’s website: www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/usa/our-services/assistance-and-advice/visiting-washington-dc/
85. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has sought a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference under the Good Friday Agreement. [19725/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has consistently affirmed our unwavering commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and determination, as co-guarantor of the Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions. To this end, over the course of many months, we have been working tirelessly in partnership with the British Government to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a Northern Ireland Executive.
The devolved power-sharing institutions are central to the Good Friday Agreement and are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern Ireland.
Unfortunately to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite intensive engagement. In light of this, the Government has been working with the British Government to consider means by which we can support the political process, in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement, in the period ahead.
The Taoiseach has spoken with Prime Minister May and emphasised the Government’s full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and our continuing determination to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.
I am in very regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as we seek a way beyond the current impasse. Most recently, I have met Secretary of State Bradley on 10 April, 16 April, and 3 May, 2018. We also spoke by phone on 27 April 2018.
As part of these discussions, I have indicated to Secretary of State Bradley that it would be appropriate to convene the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in order for both Governments to formally engage through the structures of the Good Friday Agreement on next steps.
The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement which brings together the British and Irish Governments under Strand Three of the Agreement on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. It does not involve any derogation from the sovereignty of either Government.
86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the capital allocation across his Department in each of the years from 2018 to 2022. [20451/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's capital allocation for projects under way and projects tendered or committed to spending contractually. [20468/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2018 to 2022 disaggregated according to capital allocated to projects under way, projects contractually committed to and projects yet to be initiated. [20485/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 86 to 88, inclusive, together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a capital allocation in the 2018 Revised Estimates of €13 million across its two Votes (Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade).
Under the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027, the Department will have capital allocations, across its two Votes, as follows:
2019 - €17 million
2020 - €13 million
2021 - €13 million
2022 - €14 million
The Department’s priorities for 2018 include the ongoing implementation of the passport reform programme, as its online services are further expanded beyond the online adult passport renewal service launched last year; continued investment in the State’s global property network including the commencement of the development of a new Embassy/Ireland House facility in Tokyo; other Embassy projects, ongoing maintenance, security improvements, health and safety improvements, etc.; and the maintenance and enhancement of the Department’s ICT global communications network and new ICT system enhancements.
At this stage, the Department is not yet in a position to provide information by particular project for each of the years 2019-2022, but, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, the Department’s Strategic Capital Investment Priorities for the period 2018-2022 will be as follows:
Further announcements as part of the Doubling Our Global Footprint Initiative;
The Passport Reform Programme;
Investment in ICT infrastructure, and
Investment in the State’s Global Property Portfolio, including the development of Ireland Houses with the State Agencies and the relevant Embassy in strategic locations.
Decisions on future allocations by project will be consistent with value for money principles, will provide clear benefits for the State and will depend on a range of factors, including staff, office and accommodation needs.
89. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 1 May 2018, the number of cases referred to the Central Bank by the FSO-FSPO by year and area, that is, investment products, insurance or banking; the overall nature of the original complaint in each case; the grounds on which the FSO-FSPO deemed it necessary to refer each case to the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20256/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I previously stated in Parliamentary Question No. 82 on 1 May 2018 the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman is independent in the performance of his statutory functions. I have no role in the day to day workings of the office.
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) was established on 01 January 2018 under the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017. Section 18 of the Act sets out how the Ombudsman shall co-operate with the regulatory authorities with a view to ensuring that this Act operates in a way that contributes to promoting the best interests of consumers and actual or potential beneficiaries of financial or pension services and to the efficient and effective handling of complaints.
The Act provides that the Ombudsman may make recommendations to the Central Bank in relation to measures that the Bank might take in order to effectively deal with persistent patterns of complaints. A similar provision existed in the legislation which underpinned the FSPO’s precursor body, the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO), and the FSO and the Central Bank agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which sets out the terms under which both parties give effect to these provisions. The MoU has not yet been updated to reflect the establishment of the FSPO on 1 January 2018, however, the original MoU continues to operate and is available on the FSPO website.
The Ombudsman has informed me that while the MoU provides for regular and routine information sharing, it also provides for specific information sharing whereby the FSPO will provide the Central Bank with detailed and specific information relating to a complaint (or complaints) for its general consideration in particular instances.
The following table outlines the details as requested by the Deputy of all matters referred by the Financial Services Ombudsman to the Central Bank of Ireland for each of the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017:
|
Year: |
2017 (5 Cases) |
|
Sector: |
Insurance |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint. The Ombudsman dealt with the complaint but referred a broader issue raised by the Complainant which alleged that insurance providers are refusing to quote young drivers with minor accidents. |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised a concern regarding a general consent on a loan application to allow a lender to visit or telephone any member of a customer's family, if the lender cannot contact customer. |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised a concern regarding the operation of bank accounts due to sanctions in other jurisdictions. |
|
Sector: |
Insurance |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised a concern regarding charges imposed by the Provider on a life policy in circumstances where there was a lack of evidence of a contractual basis upon which the Provider has calculated and applied charges to the Complainant’s policy. |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman referred a matter to the Central Bank for its consideration arising out of concerns regarding information given by financial service providers to consumers about variable rates on personal credit agreements, in particular the failure of providers to sufficiently alert customers of the possibility that the period of the credit agreement may increase, the number of instalments may increase or the total amount repayable may increase. |
|
Year: |
2016 (4 Cases) |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised a concern regarding the failure by a Financial Service Provider to comply with the European Communities (Payment Services) Regulations 2009 in particular the failure to adhere to the notification period to introduce of fees on accounts. |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised a concern regarding general procedures of a financial services provider whereby access to online facilities is denied to certain customers. |
|
Sector: |
Insurance |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised a concern regarding the offering of services in promotional material and policy documentation which the financial services provider cannot provide. |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised a concern regarding general procedures in relation to failure to provide the full loan amount, in circumstances where the new loan funds were withheld by the FSP in order to repay an older loan. |
|
Year: |
2015 (7 Cases) |
|
Sector: |
Investment |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman referred a matter to the Central Bank for its consideration arising out of concerns regarding the actions of a financial service provider, and its failure to engage with specified consumers. |
|
Sector: |
Unregulated |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman referred a matter to the Central Bank for its consideration arising out of concerns regarding the carrying out of regulated activities related to debt management without the authorisation necessary from the Central Bank to do so. |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised a concern regarding the roll-over of loans and the adherence to Section 99 of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995 and where the loans where lawfully refinanced. |
|
Sector: |
Investment |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised concerns regarding alleged double charging of fees in an investment policy. The financial service provider reported it to the Central Bank in accordance with the Provider’s regulatory responsibilities. |
|
Sector: |
Insurance |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised concerns regarding general procedures and clarity in relation to No Claim Discount on a home insurance policy. |
|
Sector: |
Unregulated |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised concerns regarding the carrying out of regulated activities related to debt management without the authorisation necessary from the Central Bank to do so, and where an enforcement order had previously been imposed in relation to same. |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised concerns regarding the financial service provider’s failure to comply with European Communities (Payment Service) Regulation 2009 in particular the placing of a “hold” on funds in advance of effecting a direct debit. |
|
Year: |
2014 (4 Cases) |
|
Sector: |
Insurance |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of a letter from a financial service provider to a consumer regarding the sale of card protection policies. The Ombudsman noted that no such complaints had been received by the office in relation to this matter at that time. |
|
Sector: |
Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised concerns regarding general procedures in loan applications, in particular the lack of verification practices to the identity of the applicant. |
|
Sector: |
Investment |
|
Reason for Referral: |
The Ombudsman provided the Central Bank with a copy of its finding in relation to a particular complaint, and raised concerns regarding the failure of the financial service provider to issue annual statements on an investment. The Provider had informed the Financial Services Ombudsman that this issue was a wider issue where a series of known defects resulted in statements not being issued on an annual basis. |
|
Sector: |
Insurance and Banking |
|
Reason for Referral: |
A meeting was held to discuss: the sale of Card Protection Policies; portability of mortgages; and a recent High Court appeal regarding the application of standard variable rates. |
90. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance the contracts awarded by his Department or an agency under his remit to a company (details supplied) since March 2011, by year in tabular form; the cost per contract; the basis for each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20316/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that there were no contracts awarded by my Department to the firm 'Capita' since March 2011.
In relation to the seventeen Bodies under the aegis of my Department, I am informed that since March 2011, thirteen have not awarded contracts to a company named 'Capita' since March 2011. It was not possible for four of the bodies to provide the requested information in the time available and therefore I will make arrangements to provide a response to the Deputy in line with Standing Orders.
