Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

1. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he shares the concern expressed in some quarters that the changes in the Defence Forces could threaten the security of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48825/12]

Defence Forces Reserve Strength

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

2. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence his views on the future role of the Reserve Defence Forces [48756/12]

Army Barracks Closures

Mattie McGrath

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in arranging an alternative use for the former Kickham Barracks site in Clonmel, County Tipperary; if he has examined the option of relocating the Clonmel Garda Station to the barracks location; when this matter will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48757/12]

Defence Forces Ombudsman

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

4. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Office of Defence Ombudsman has been downgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48826/12]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Michael Moynihan

6. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence his response to claims by the outgoing President of PDFORRA at its recent conference that, because of cutbacks, the Defence Forces are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48495/12]

Public Sector Allowances Payments

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if he will give an undertaking to maintain the border allowance for those Defence Forces personnel currently in receipt of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48501/12]

Irish Red Cross Governance

Robert Troy

8. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the situation with regard to the governance of the Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48504/12]

Defence Forces Veterans Associations

Thomas P. Broughan

9. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he envisages any support being provided from his Department for the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women in view of the assistance the organisation provides for former Defence Forces' personnel who are experiencing difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48457/12]

EU Battlegroups

Niall Collins

10. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on Ireland's participation in the Austro-German Battlegroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48476/12]

White Paper on Defence

Micheál Martin

11. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Defence his plans for a new White Paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48487/12]

Overseas Missions

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

12. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he expects the Defence Forces to undertake any new United Nations missions in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48470/12]

Defence Forces Ombudsman

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

13. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that his decision to change the role of the Defence Forces Ombudsman from full time to part time is adequate for the duties entailed in the role. [48464/12]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Jonathan O'Brien

14. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Defence the resources he has provided for the re-skilling of members of the Defence Forces and if he will demonstrate that they are adequate at this time. [48461/12]

Defence Forces Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

15. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the cost-cutting measures adopted by his Department in respect of each of the Defence Forces in each of the past three years to date; the net benefit in terms of actual savings in respect of each cost-cutting measure; the actual loss in terms of capability arising from such measures; the way this compares with previous cost-cutting in the Defence Forces; if he is satisfied that cost-cutting measures to date do not have a fundamental negative impact on the capability of the Army, Navy and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48506/12]

Defence Forces Strength

Bernard Durkan

16. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he continues to be satisfied regarding the adequacy in terms of equipment, personnel and training of the Defence Forces to adequately respond to any emergency or security issues that might arise in the future including natural disasters; if the capabilities of the Defences Forces are regularly or intermittently assessed regarding their ability to meet such requirements; if the chain of command in respect of either type of emergency is adequately structured to provide a rapid response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48505/12]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Mary Lou McDonald

17. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the strategic rationale for relocating Defence Forces personnel from McKee Barracks to Cathal Brugha Barracks. [48462/12]

European Council Meetings

Charlie McConalogue

18. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Defence when he will next attend an EU meeting with his counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48489/12]

Defence Forces Reserve Funding

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

19. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the financial supports that will be available to members of the Reserve Defence Forces into the future. [48458/12]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Jonathan O'Brien

20. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Defence in the context of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces, the criteria for relocating a member of the Defence Forces from one post to another. [48460/12]

Defence Forces Allowances

Clare Daly

21. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether most of the allowances paid to Defence Forces personnel form part of core pay, and will be protected in the event of any review of such allowances. [48562/12]

Overseas Missions

Robert Troy

22. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe he proposes to keep seven members of the Defence Forces in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48503/12]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

23. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the way the proposals for the reorganisation of the Defence Forces as applied to Dublin have improved their capacity to discharge their responsibilities to our capital city and the strategic hub of the State. [48463/12]

Drugs Smuggling

Derek Keating

24. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Defence are the Defence Forces aid to civil powers activity in relation to the monitoring of and the arresting of those who are importing illicit drugs to the State; if he is satisfied that the Defence Forces, by way of the Irish Navy, the Air Corps and Defence Force patrols, are adequately equipped to assist the Gardaí in dealing with this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48455/12]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Denis Naughten

25. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence if he will postpone his plans for the restructuring of the Defence Forces until the White Paper on Defence is published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48453/12]

Drugs Smuggling

Derek Keating

26. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Defence are the Defence Forces aid to civil powers activity in relation to the monitoring of and the arresting of those who are importing illicit drugs to the State; if he is satisfied that the Defence Forces, by way of the Irish Navy, the Air Corps and Defence Force Patrols, are adequately equipped to assist the Gardaí in dealing with this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48454/12]

Military Archives

Clare Daly

27. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if there is a timescale for the release of the military pension records. [48561/12]

Defence Forces Deployment

Mick Wallace

28. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details in tabular form of all occasions on which Defence Forces personnel were deployed for civilian events from March 2011 to date in 2012; the cost of each deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48468/12]

Defence Forces Deployment

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

29. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the measures he will undertake to ensure that rural Reserve Defence Forces outposts are maintained and fully supported by permanent members of the Defence Forces. [48459/12]

EU Battlegroups

Richard Boyd Barrett

30. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the cost of the Irish Army participation in the EU Battle Groups; the cost allocated for training and participation if they are actually dispatched to take part in a war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44912/12]

Defence Forces Ombudsman

Thomas P. Broughan

31. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the recent decision to downgrade the post of Defence Forces Ombudsman from a full-time to a part-time post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48456/12]

Overseas Missions

Seán Crowe

32. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the number of countries across the world in which members of the Defence Forces are serving; and the requests he may be considering in other countries and new missions. [48466/12]

Overseas Missions

Mick Wallace

33. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish Defence Forces personnel currently serving in Syria; the role of Irish Defence Forces personnel in this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48467/12]

Defence Forces Veterans Associations

Brian Stanley

34. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence the supports the State will provide to the needs of ex- Defence Forces members in difficulties and to organisations such as the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48465/12]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Denis Naughten

35. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the restructuring of the Defence Forces organisation, including plans to abolish the 4th Western Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48452/12]

International Relations

Finian McGrath

36. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the developing peace process in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48862/12]

International Relations

Finian McGrath

37. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason that he is not actively supporting a peace process in Syria in view of the fact that it appears that Ireland is siding with one side of the conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48863/12]

International Relations

Finian McGrath

38. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the Argentina Republic on the issue of sovereignty of the Malvinas and to challenge the United Kingdom refusal to resume negotiations on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48864/12]

Pension Provisions

Joe Carey

39. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence regarding early access to pension funds (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48859/12]

VAT Rates Application

Joe McHugh

40. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the impact on the tourism industry in 2012 of the temporary reduction to the VAT rate that applies to tourism products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48909/12]

Insurance Costs

James Bannon

41. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance the progress he is making with insurance companies to ensure that reasonably priced flood insurance is provided for families and businesses in high flood-risk areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49023/12]

Departmental Meetings

Gerry Adams

42. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the number of occasions on which he or his officials have met with the Irish Bankers Federation; and the dates of the meetings. [48761/12]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Pearse Doherty

43. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form, with respect to the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the number of the staff whose annual salary at 31 December 2011 fell in the following bands, €400,000 and above, €300,000 to €399,999, €200,000 to €299,999 and €150,000 to €199,999. [48795/12]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Pearse Doherty

44. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the salary paid to the Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Mr MikeAynsley and to provide a listing and quantification of any additional benefits paid; and in respect of any expenses allowance; if he will confirm if such allowances are paid only in respect of vouched and receipted expenditure. [48796/12]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Pearse Doherty

45. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm if the Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Mr Mike Aynsley is employed on a temporary contract; the date on which this contract was entered into; the termination date of this contract and if he will quantify any termination payments provided for under the contract. [48797/12]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Pearse Doherty

46. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Mr Mike Aynsley is employed on a continuing or permanent contract and if he will quantify any termination payments provided for under the contract. [48798/12]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Pearse Doherty

47. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has contacted the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation requesting staff whose annual salary is in excess of €200,000 to waive 15% of their salary or such amount in excess of €200,000 whichever is the lesser; and if he has, the date on which he first made this contact; the number of staff whose annual salaries were in excess of €200,000 at that date; the number of staff who acquiesced to the request for the waiver; the number of staff who refused the request for the waiver and the number of staff who have not responded to the request for the waiver. [48799/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Eoghan Murphy

48. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of all investment schemes currently operated by the State which involve some form of tax relief or similar, whereby persons investing money in small and medium sized enterprises may receive a portion of that investment back through the tax system; the maximum amount under each scheme which can be invested and the maximum rate of relief. [48847/12]

Universal Social Charge Application

Dominic Hannigan

49. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance the analysis he has has undertaken to assess the number of persons who would voluntarily leave the country if the universal social charge was raised to 10% on earnings over €100,000; if he has any evidence that persons would leave if this was to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48851/12]

NAMA Qualifying Investor Fund

Pearse Doherty

50. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the steps to be taken by the National Asset Management Agency to get its first Qualifying Investor Fund operational. [48912/12]

NAMA Qualifying Investor Fund

Pearse Doherty

51. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will quantify the number of persons who will comprise the board of the first qualified investor fund to be operated by the National Asset Management Agency and the way these persons will be selected for board membership and the remuneration that will attach to such positions.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48914/12]