Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Pigmeat Sector

Brendan Smith

782. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council on the ongoing difficulties facing the pigmeat sector; the proposals there are to provide additional assistance at European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22848/16]

Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility

Brendan Smith

783. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has secured agreement from the European Commission to have an advance payment of 70% of the basic payment scheme by mid-October 2016 in view of the income difficulties facing farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22849/16]

Pigmeat Sector

Brendan Smith

784. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in the implementation of the report prepared by the pig industry stakeholder group; the timeline for the implementation of the measures proposed in that report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22850/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Brendan Smith

785. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of any discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development following the British decision to leave the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22861/16]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

786. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date for the next meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in sectoral format, as provided for in the North-South Ministerial Council; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22862/16]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Charlie McConalogue

787. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will be reimbursed moneys regarding an overclaim under the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22885/16]

GLAS Payments

Charlie McConalogue

788. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22892/16]

Basic Payment Scheme

Michael Healy-Rae

789. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a penalty on a basic payment scheme payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22893/16]

Industrial Development

Willie Penrose

790. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of capitalising on the significant potential of the whiskey market and in the interest of creating a level playing field for all whiskey brands to consider the establishment of a wholesale whiskey market to establish parity with the Scotch whisky market by way of allowing new entrants access to mature stock and to facilitate growth in mature whiskey brands; if a new unaged Irish whiskey category can be created to allow for Irish whiskey brands to commence retailing immediately, thus ensuring they can compete immediately on international markets with non-aged whiskey from the United States of America, Japan and India; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22895/16]

Departmental Funding

Willie Penrose

791. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm receipt of an application for funding from an organisation (details supplied) which has made significant progress in the past two years and which sum is now required in order to allow it to continue to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22896/16]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

David Cullinane

792. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of implementing a pay increase to all those employed under the remit of his Department after 1 January 2011 of 2%, 4% and 5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/16]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Michael Healy-Rae

793. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the cessation of Inland Fisheries Ireland fish farm operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22078/16]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Jackie Cahill

794. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will instruct Inland Fisheries Ireland to suspend the decision to cease fish farm operations until a proper analysis of the damage that decision will do to lakes and rivers, and the subsequent damage to a struggling rural tourism industry as independent reports state that the cost of production at IFI's Roscrea facility is comparable to commercial facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22296/16]

National Oil Reserves Agency Data

Michael McGrath

795. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount raised by the National Oil Reserves Agency levy in each year from 2010 to 2015; his views on whether the current two cent per litre level is still appropriate; if he has given consideration to reducing the amount of the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22433/16]

Energy Resources

Micheál Martin

796. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of discussions with the owners of the Whitegate refinery regarding potential buyers with a view to maintaining the operation of this vital energy supply asset for Ireland and the direct and indirect employment the facility provides to the surrounding region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22016/16]

Energy Resources

Micheál Martin

797. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he is taking to ensure the future operation of the Whitegate oil refinery, which plays a vital role in securing Ireland's energy supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22017/16]

Energy Resources

Timmy Dooley

798. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of discussions with the owners of the Whitegate refinery regarding potential buyers ahead of the expiry of its licence later this month, with a view to maintaining the operation of this key national energy supply asset and the employment it gives to the surrounding area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22143/16]

Energy Resources

Timmy Dooley

799. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the future operation of the Whitegate oil refinery, which plays a vital role in securing our energy supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22144/16]

Departmental Reports

Timmy Dooley

800. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form. [22172/16]

Electric Vehicle Grants

Timmy Dooley

801. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of extending the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland electric vehicle grant until 2017 and 2020, respectively, assuming the 2020 targets for electric vehicle usage are met, and not assuming they are not met. [22194/16]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Willie Penrose

802. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to ensure that the decision by Inland Fisheries Ireland to close a fish farm at Cullion, Mullingar, County Westmeath is reversed (details supplied); if he is aware of the impact such a decision will have upon angling clubs and anglers across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22210/16]

National Broadband Plan

Peadar Tóibín

803. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the national broadband plan will not be part of Government owned infrastructure. [22223/16]

National Broadband Plan Funding

Peadar Tóibín

804. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way in which the private ownership model would require an additional €500 million to €600 million in capital spending regarding the national broadband strategy; the way, in terms of overall spend on the project, it would impact on the current capital plan and the Government balance sheet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22229/16]

National Broadband Plan Funding

Peadar Tóibín

805. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the private ownership model cost an additional €500 million to €600 million in capital spending when it has been explicitly stated its cost is €270 million, €70 million of which will be EU funding, regarding the national broadband strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22230/16]

Better Energy Communities Programme

Seán Sherlock

806. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of engagement with local authorities under the better energy communities scheme; the status of each local authority application and the amount he intends to allocate on a geographical basis. [22355/16]

Legislative Measures

Anne Rabbitte

807. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline the legislative framework regarding the ESB regulation of the River Shannon; his plans to amend that framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22375/16]

Building Energy Rating Administration

Darragh O'Brien

808. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action SEAI is taking to support professions that contribute to the eco-economy and jobs with less aggressive control of BER assessors. [22662/16]

Waste Management Regulations

Peadar Tóibín

809. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the body with responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of persons in an area (details supplied). [22672/16]

Ministerial Advisers Data

Seán Sherlock

810. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of politically appointed staff working in his Department, including the names, roles and salaries of each staff member; in the case of special advisers, their qualifications and experience relevant to their roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22728/16]

Exploration Licences

Mick Wallace

811. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 5 July 2016, if his Department, in preparing for issuing the licences in the Atlantic Margin oil and gas exploration licensing round, carried out an environmental impact assessment of the potential effect that further oil and gas exploration could have on climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22840/16]

Gas Exploration Licences

Mick Wallace

812. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 5 July 2016, his plans as to the way the energy mix is to be organised per annum up to the year 2035; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/16]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Mick Wallace

813. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of energy his Department estimates will be generated by renewable energy by 2020 given current policy and current trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22842/16]

Energy Policy

Mick Wallace

814. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether keeping Moneypoint coal-fired power station open is compatible with meeting commitments to climate change mitigation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22843/16]

Energy Policy

Mick Wallace

815. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to phase out coal-fired power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22844/16]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

David Cullinane

816. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff who entered the public service post 1 January 2011 in his Department, by year of entry to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23494/16]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

David Cullinane

817. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of implementing a pay increase to all those employed under the remit of his Department post 1 January 2011 of 2%, 4% and 5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23506/16]

Dormant Accounts Fund

Brendan Griffin

818. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is an application process for the unannounced remaining €3 million sports capital dormant accounts funding for 2016 for sports measures, including capital allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22617/16]

Road Network

Thomas Byrne

819. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow holders of limousine licences to use bus lanes when carrying paying passengers in view of the significant role such services play to those considering foreign direct investment here and in light of the fact that taxis can under certain circumstances use bus lanes. [22056/16]

Airport Security

Noel Grealish

820. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a copy of the two reports conducted by Helios and approved by the Government within the past year, which deal with the issue of safety at Dublin Airport. [22087/16]

Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements

Pearse Doherty

821. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to further extend the number of recognised states with which an agreement exists for the purpose of driving licence exchange; if he is aware of the problem faced by Irish citizens returning here from states with which no formal agreement is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22096/16]

Maritime Safety

David Cullinane

822. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Marine Survey Office, MSO, to hold 400 certificates in abeyance for training courses here (details supplied). [22105/16]

Road Traffic Offences

Maureen O'Sullivan

823. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether a standard fixed penalty for breaking speed limits should be in proportion with the speed at which the limit was broken and that persons who are caught breaking the speed limit in excess of 20 km/h should receive harsher fines and penalties than someone who breaks the speed limit by less than 5 km/h. [22122/16]

National Roads Authority Projects

Maureen O'Sullivan

824. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied there are adequate rest areas and services on the motorway and dual carriageway network given the dangers of driver fatigue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22123/16]

Maritime Safety

Seán Sherlock

825. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the engagement with the National Maritime College of Ireland on accreditation of mariners refresher courses which are vital to continue work at the NMCI; when the courses will be approved by his Department; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22130/16]

Road Safety

Seán Sherlock

826. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the safety measures being undertaken by his Department for the regulation of self-driving cars here; and the engagement which has taken place with companies in relation to self-driving cars. [22131/16]

Traffic Data

Eugene Murphy

827. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to investigate the cause of serious accidents occurring on an ongoing basis on the national primary route N5 at Scramogue Cross junction, Strokestown, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22140/16]

Proposed Legislation

Imelda Munster

828. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered banning the use of rickshaws as a method of transport and as a method of carrying passengers until regulations have been introduced by legislation or other means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22187/16]

Proposed Legislation

Imelda Munster

829. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has consulted the Attorney General on the legal advice obtained by both Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority on their respective powers to regulate rickshaws; and if not, when he intends to do so. [22188/16]

Bus Services

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

830. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of buses across the entire fleet that have been fitted with wheelchair accessible lifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/16]

Bus Services

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

831. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus drivers that have been trained to operate wheelchair lifts on buses; the number still waiting to be trained; the cost of training all bus drivers to operate the aforementioned lifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22191/16]