Clare Daly
Ceist:67. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the number of reports commissioned from firms (details supplied) in 2018; the firm that completed each report; and the cost of each report. [7185/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsultancy Contracts Data
Ceisteanna (67, 68)
Clare Daly
Ceist:68. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the number of consultants from firms (details supplied) contracted to perform work in 2018; and the amount spent on consultants from each firm. [7202/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 68 together.
My Department has not commissioned any reports nor incurred any expenditure on consultancy, from the companies in question during 2018.
Consultancy Contracts Data
Ceisteanna (69)
Clare Daly
Ceist:69. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of reports commissioned from firms (details supplied) in 2018; the firm that completed each report; and the cost of each report. [7175/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department did not commission any reports in 2018 from the firms to which the Deputy refers.
Consultancy Contracts Data
Ceisteanna (70)
Clare Daly
Ceist:70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of consultants from firms (details supplied) contracted to perform work in 2018; and the amount spent on consultants from each firm. [7192/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
No consultants, from the firms to which the Deputy refers, were contracted by my Department to perform work in 2018.
Election Monitoring Missions
Ceisteanna (71)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:71. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish Aid checked observer profiles held by the EU and the OSCE in the context of the recent election observation competition; the way in which and the number of the applicants selected for the new roster have had observations validated by the EU or the OSCE; the number of observers with five or more missions on their profiles that were not selected for the new roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7157/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to the response to Parliamentary Question 109 of 19 December 2018, which provided detailed information on the mustering of the new election observation roster, including on the assessment of applications. All potential volunteers were assessed solely on the basis of the information they provided in the application process.
No other information was made available to assessment panels, including EU and OSCE observer profiles, which are held by those organisations and consulted only by the Department when an observer is nominated to a particular mission. In designing the selection process, my Department had contact with both the EU and OSCE to ensure that the process met best international practice for the mustering of potential observers.
The Department has now provided training for the majority of members of the new roster. Security vetting is ongoing. When this process is complete, the Department will consider the information which can be provided regarding the demographics of the new roster, subject to data protection and privacy requirements.
Consultancy Contracts Data
Ceisteanna (72, 73)
Clare Daly
Ceist:72. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of reports commissioned from firms (details supplied) in 2018; the firm that completed each report; and the cost of each report. [7179/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:73. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of consultants from firms (details supplied) contracted to perform work in 2018; and the amount spent on consultants from each firm. [7196/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
My Department has not engaged the named consultancy firms to perform work in 2018 and no fees have been incurred during this period.
Chemical Weapons
Ceisteanna (74)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:74. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to reports that the Indonesian armed forces have been accused of deploying chemical weapons suspected to be white phosphorus, banned under international law in West Papua (details supplied); if he will request that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigate the issue as a matter of priority; and if he will raise the issue with his Indonesian counterpart. [7294/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am concerned by recent reports of escalating violence and tensions in West Papua, Indonesia in late 2018. I am also aware of an unverified news report in December 2018 indicating that the Indonesian armed forces deployed weapons suspected to be white phosphorus in Nduga, West Papua in late 2018. The Government of Indonesia has denied these allegations.
Incendiary weapons, including white phosphorus, are not considered under international law to be chemical weapons. They are however prohibited for use against civilian populations under Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. Ireland is a party to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and to all of its Protocols, including Protocol III.
Ireland condemns any such use in the strongest possible terms and calls on all States who have not already done so to accede to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, and to all of its Protocols, as soon as possible.
Officials in my Department, including in our Embassy in Jakarta, will continue to closely monitor the situation in West Papua.
Ministerial Meetings
Ceisteanna (75)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his recent discussions with authorities and members of the Senate and House of Representatives in the United States of America regarding Brexit issues and immigration reform, with particular reference to the undocumented Irish and the possibility of progressing the E3 visa programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7387/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I travelled to New York and Washington DC last week, from 5 - 7 February, and had a range of meetings with the US Administration and with Congressional leaders.
Northern Ireland, and the importance of protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement in the current Brexit context, were to the fore in all of my discussions, including with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; Acting White House Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney; and with the Congressional Friends of Ireland. I believe that the Government's views on the priority of protecting and advancing peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland were well understood.
I also raised immigration issues in all of my meetings in Washington DC, and thanked many Congressional leaders for their support in recent months for the Irish E3 Bill, which while approved unanimously by the US House of Representatives, was not approved in the US Senate. During my visit, I launched the Government's new Strategy for the US and Canada, which records the Government's determination to both secure future legal immigration pathways for Irish citizens, and pathways to regularisation for the Irish who are undocumented in the US. This work will continue, including over the St. Patrick's Day period, when the Taoiseach will travel to Washington DC for a series of high-level engagements.
Insurance Costs
Ceisteanna (76)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:76. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to accelerate the insurance reform programme in view of the significant damage that spiralling insurance costs are causing for community groups, voluntary organisations, charities and small businesses; the reason such perceived exorbitant premiums are being sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7383/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware of the concerns raised by the Deputy in relation to the financial strain which the cost of insurance is placing on community groups, voluntary organisations, charities and small businesses.
However, the Deputy should note that as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation and that neither I nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as these matters are of a commercial nature, and are determined by insurance companies based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. Consequently, I am not in a position to direct insurance companies as to the pricing level or terms or conditions that they should apply in respect of particular categories of policyholders.
The above said, however, it was recognised with the establishment of the Cost of Insurance Working Group (CIWG) that the environment within which insurers conduct their business can be better shaped, in order to make the Irish insurance market a more competitive one and also make it more attractive for new entrants. In this regard, the initial focus of the Working Group was the issue of rising motor insurance premiums and the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance was published in January 2017.
The second phase of the CIWG, under the Chairmanship of the Minister of State for Financial Services and Insurance, Mr. Michael D’Arcy TD, culminated in the issuing of the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance in January 2018. This report acknowledges that many of the difficulties being faced by business are also impacting upon by community, voluntary and charitable organisations. It makes 15 recommendations with 29 associated actions, detailed in an Action Plan with agreed timelines for implementation.
The most recent Progress Update was published last November and shows that 18 of the 19 actions points arising up to end of Q3 2018 have been completed.
It is envisaged that the next quarterly Progress Update will issue by the end of this month and I understand that the vast majority of the total of 26 action points which were due for completion during 2018 overall have been done. I am confident that any outstanding action points will be completed in the coming months, along with the three remaining action points with deadlines set for various quarters throughout 2019.
The actions implemented to date cut across a number of different areas and include:
- The publication of by An Garda Síochána of the “Guidelines for the Reporting of Suspected Fraudulent Insurance Claims by Insurance Entities to An Garda Síochána”
- The Law Reform Commission confirming that the subject of caps on damages for personal injuries litigation is included in its draft Fifth Programme of Law Reform
- Sections 8 & 14 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 have been amended to ensure defendants are appropriately notified of a claim having been submitted against their policy and to make it easier for businesses and insurers to challenge cases where fraud or exaggeration is suspected, respectively
- An Garda Síochána commencing the collection of statistics under the new “insurance fraud” category which has been added to the PULSE system
- The Courts Service confirming that they will publish a more detailed breakdown of awards in personal injury cases in its Annual Reports
Finally, I would like to assure the Deputy that the CIWG will continue to focus on implementing the recommendations of the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance in parallel with implementing those from the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance. I am hopeful that the cumulative effects of the completion of the two Reports’ recommendations will include increased stability in the pricing of insurance for businesses and voluntary and other organisations alike, and a more competitive insurance market.
Revenue Commissioners Enforcement Activity
Ceisteanna (77)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:77. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if hangars at Dublin Airport leased by private persons and-or companies are inspected by authorised officers and-or the Revenue Commissioners enforcement staff; if the content on board the aircraft in these hangars are eligible for self-clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7234/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As daa has statutory responsibility for the management and operation of Dublin Airport, I have forwarded your question to the Company for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.
Consultancy Contracts Data
Ceisteanna (78)
Clare Daly
Ceist:78. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the number of reports commissioned from firms (details supplied) in 2018; the firm that completed each report; and the cost of each report. [7178/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The amount spent on consultancy from the firms in question contracted to perform work in 2018 are provided in the table below:
|
Supplier |
Number of reports commissioned |
Expenditure |
|
KPMG |
1 |
€49,200 |
|
Ernst & Young (EY) |
Nil |
|
|
Deloitte & Touche |
Nil |
|
|
Arthur Andersen |
Nil |
|
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
Nil |
Consultancy Contracts Data
Ceisteanna (79)
Clare Daly
Ceist:79. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the number of consultants from firms (details supplied) contracted to perform work in 2018; and the amount spent on consultants from each firm. [7195/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The amount spent on consultancy from the firms in question contracted to perform work in 2018 are provided in the table below:
|
Supplier |
Expenditure |
|
KPMG |
€49,200 |
|
Ernst & Young (EY) |
Nil |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
Nil |
|
Arthur Andersen |
Nil |
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
Nil |
The Deputy might note that details of my Department's spending on legal and consultancy fees are regularly published on my Department's website. Currently, all legal and consultancy spend from Q1 2008 to Q3 2018 is available to view, with Q4 2018 to be published in the coming weeks.
Following an open procurement procedure (pursuant to relevant EU legislation) which was conducted in 2018, the Department of Finance appointed financial advisers to a Framework to advise it on financial matters such as the future disposal of the State’s banking sector investments and other ad hoc assignments that may arise from time to time.
The appointment of financial advisors to this Framework can be regarded as prudent planning to ensure that the State is in a position to receive necessary advice in a timely and cost efficient manner.
Firms are appointed to the Framework for an initial period of three years (up to October 2021) with an option to extend by one additional year (up to October 2022).
With respect to the specific question on the number of consultants hired, my Department ran competitive mini-tenders with the members of the financial advisory panel in place and KPMG won that tender as a firm, although it would be the norm for them to include their proposed team’s CVs in the tender responses, we would be hiring the firm at an agreed price for a specific project and not individual consultants from within the firm. Framework Lot 2 – General Financial Advice includes KPMG, PWC and Ernst & Young as three of its ten members.
Revenue Commissioners Data
Ceisteanna (80)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:80. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of cash seized from persons exiting and entering the State by Revenue Commissioners enforcement officers at Dublin Airport in the past ten years; the amount of cash returned to persons on appeal to the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7287/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that since 2009 they have seized €9,577,544 in cash from passengers entering or leaving the State via Dublin Airport. Cash is seized by Revenue if it is believed to represent the proceeds of crime.
Of that amount, €1,091,358 has been returned as a result of a successful appeal to Revenue. In addition, €5,703,500 of the cash seized in Dublin Airport is the subject of on-going appeals.
Cash Seizures in Dublin Airport (2009-2018)
|
Year |
Amount Seized € |
Amount returned on appeal € |
|
2009 |
718,043 |
24,600 |
|
2010 |
941,366 |
382,925 |
|
2011 |
547,385 |
22,000 |
|
2012 |
811,044 |
185,660 |
|
2013 |
1,233,058 |
107,111 |
|
2014 |
777,405 |
90,850 |
|
2015 |
1,751,934 |
121,461 |
|
2016 |
913,815 |
81,519 |
|
2017 |
910,457 |
25,712 |
|
2018 |
973,037 |
49,520 |
|
Total |
9,577,544 |
1,091,358 |
Brexit Preparations
Ceisteanna (81)
Niall Collins
Ceist:81. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if information requested in correspondence (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7379/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government has always been clear that Brexit, in whatever form it takes, will have a negative economic impact on Ireland. Indeed, the Department of Finance has been to the forefront in assessing the impact of Brexit on our economy- commissioning joint research with the ESRI on the issue, including before the actual referendum. What is clear from this research and other studies is that the harder the Brexit the more negative the impact on Ireland. This analysis has focused on assessing the impact on the overall economy along with and identifying the sectors which are most exposed. These studies do not provide a detailed analysis by region. However, they do show that the most negative effects are likely to be felt in the agri-food and indigenous manufacturing sectors.
While my Department’s central economic and fiscal planning scenario remains an orderly exit involving the UK leaving with a transition arrangement in place, the risk of a disorderly exit has increased in recent weeks. As part of the Government’s ongoing contingency planning for a no deal Brexit, the Department of Finance’s initial assessment of the economic and fiscal impact of ‘no deal’ Brexit was released on the 29th January 2019. In a disorderly exit, while in aggregate terms, the economy is likely to continue expanding, the pace of growth would be lower than is currently expected.
The initial assessment by my Department suggests that the level of economic activity will be around 4¼ percentage points lower than our existing trajectory over the medium-term and will be around 6 percentage points lower compared to a ‘no Brexit’ scenario. This aggregate assessment incorporates an even larger impact on economic activity in labour-intensive sectors such as agri-food and indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises.
This assessment is based an initial application of the latest UK estimates from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, the UK equivalent of our ESRI. The Department and ESRI are preparing a more comprehensive update of their original work and the results will be published later this quarter. This output will be incorporated in the Stability Programme Update due to be published in April.
It is important to recognise that such estimates may not capture the full impact, and the figures may be conservative. Indeed, the impact in certain exposed sectors and regions will be worse than the average.
Of course, it is important to point out that Ireland is facing the challenge of Brexit in a robust economic position, with the highest GDP growth in Europe and record employment levels. In addition, exports, job creation, inflation and public debt indicators are all strong. This will provide a stable platform for the external challenges that lie ahead.
Since the referendum result in 2016, we have been taking steps to build up the resilience of the economy so that we have the capacity to deal with adverse economic shocks. This includes building up our Fiscal Buffers – by balancing our books and reducing our debt burden - and establishing the Rainy Day Fund. The Government will continue to work to strengthen the resilience of the economy, to maximise opportunities and to prepare our economy for the challenges of Brexit, including through the Ireland Connected Trade and Investment Strategy and the 10-year National Development Plan.
In addition, recent budgets have introduced specific initiatives, such as loan supports for agri-businesses and SMEs, aimed at supporting those businesses most affected by Brexit. The Government will continue to work to improve the business environment – to make it more competitive, to assist exporters to diversify markets, and to provide better infrastructure. That is the key to addressing the type of economic uncertainties which arise from Brexit. Longer-term, we need to mitigate against the potential of regulatory divergence between the UK and EU standards given its potential impact on trade and investment and the competitiveness of our businesses. We will therefore be working to minimise this impact and to ensure a level playing field.
Departmental Budgets
Ceisteanna (82)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:82. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has sent communication from his Department in recent months requesting the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to make budgetary savings in order to provide extra funding for the overspend in the national children’s hospital; and if so, if the correspondence will be published. [7301/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been engaging with the Department of Health and with other Departments, including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, in relation to how the increased costs of the National Children's Hospital project in 2019 will be managed within the overall agreed capital allocation for 2019, in light of the multi-year management of the broad range of capital projects, amounting to upwards of €7 billion this year.
I am bringing proposals to Government in this regard and decisions will be announced in due course. The overall intention is to proceed with our very ambitious agenda of strategic infrastructure investment throughout the course of 2019 and subsequent years, with the minimum of disruption to the rollout and delivery of key projects.