Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Gerry Adams

11. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the marriage equality referendum result and its implications for other states where homosexuality and marriage equality are banned with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31704/15]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Joe Higgins

12. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. [31776/15]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ruth Coppinger

13. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31779/15]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Micheál Martin

14. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he had bilateral meetings around the meeting between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States held on 10 June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24525/15]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Gerry Adams

15. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit that he attended in June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31692/15]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Gerry Adams

16. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his conversations with European Union leaders at the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit in June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31693/15]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Gerry Adams

17. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on bilateral meetings he held while attending the European Union, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit in June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31694/15]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Gerry Adams

18. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he spoke to the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, at the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit in June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31695/15]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Michael Moynihan

67. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for the delay in publishing the White Paper on energy; if there will be a policy shift toward maximising all renewables to meet our Europe 2020 renewable targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39035/15]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Michael Colreavy

68. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will suspend the research project by the Environmental Protection Agency into hydraulic fracturing due to concerns regarding the independence and integrity of the project. [39146/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Tom Fleming

69. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will prioritise County Kerry in the broadband intervention strategy, as the county has had significant underinvestment by the State and the market in its telecom infrastructure, which is manifestly obvious from the national broadband plan survey data map; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39198/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Moynihan

70. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the timeline to connecting premises in counties under the national broadband plan; the future-proofing of the minimum broadband download speeds to be provided that has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39036/15]

Post Office Network

Tom Fleming

71. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will expedite and implement the recommendations in the report of the post office business development group, chaired by Mr. Bobby Kerr; if he will support, in conjunction with this, the maintenance of social protection payments, the provision of new public services, basic banking and the roll-out of new commercial and financial products delivered through the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39241/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Charlie McConalogue

72. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if this Government is committed to providing fibre broadband to every household in County Donegal; if not, the reason why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38991/15]

Postal Codes

Thomas P. Broughan

73. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report to Dáil Éireann on his response to ongoing public concern regarding the escalating costs and the tendering process for Eircode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38989/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Colreavy

74. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for an update on the national broadband plan intervention strategy; and if a decision has been reached as to how it is to be rolled out and funded. [38964/15]

Renewable Energy Generation

Tom Fleming

75. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress his Department has made in the development of solar energy; the projected target for solar energy as a percentage of our energy needs by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39028/15]

Building Energy Rating Compliance

Tom Fleming

76. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of houses, business premises, community and public buildings evaluated to date for building energy ratings; the status of the various ratings for these buildings; if he will provide a significant increase in funding in 2016 to dramatically progress retrofit programmes to bring the building stock up to an acceptable level of energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39027/15]

Broadcasting Charge

Michael Moynihan

77. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the latest plans for the planned introduction of the proposed public broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38998/15]

Renewable Energy Generation

Tom Fleming

78. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made regarding research into the development of ocean wave energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39026/15]

Energy Policy

Helen McEntee

79. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for an update on his engagements with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of updating Ireland’s wind energy guidelines; his views on whether Ireland can reach its 2020 energy security targets without the construction of industrial wind farms in residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38941/15]

Television Licence Fee Yield

Michael Moynihan

80. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views that revenue from the current television licence fee is being proportionately distributed to all public broadcasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38997/15]

Offshore Exploration

Thomas P. Broughan

81. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has made any submission to the Department of Finance in relation to changes to the taxation regime for exploration in Ireland's territorial waters and maritime economic zone, in order to maximise the tax and fiscal yield for the Irish people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38990/15]

North-South Interconnector

Helen McEntee

82. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on his engagements with EirGrid in respect of the proposed North-South energy interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38942/15]

Postal Codes

Michael Colreavy

83. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will take action to resolve the issues identified in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report for 2014 relating to the implementation of Eircode. [38962/15]

Broadcasting Charge

Terence Flanagan

84. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38944/15]

Postal Codes

Michael Moynihan

85. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the investment in the Eircode postal system has provided value for money; if it is operational with all emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38995/15]

Energy Policy

Anthony Lawlor

86. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when his Department will complete the review of the proposals from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on wind energy guidelines, and its implications for our 2020 renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38956/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Charlie McConalogue

87. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for an update on the Government's commitment to provide fibre broadband to every house and business in County Donegal; the deadline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38979/15]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Colreavy

88. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the resources and funding he proposes to make available to local energy co-operatives to develop renewable energy projects in local areas. [38965/15]

Gas Exploration Licences

Mick Wallace

89. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the terms and remit of the study by the Environmental Protection Agency on the environmental impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction, particularly in view of issues raised by a number of environmentalist groups regarding the companies involved in the research consortium, and concerns regarding the fact that no independent external review is planned, as of yet, for the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38981/15]

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Seán Kyne

90. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the operation of the metropolitan area networks in towns such as Clifden in County Galway, if he is aware of the issue of cost for householders and small and medium enterprises in availing of this important service; if any form of assistance will be considered to increase usage of these important assets which are State owned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38949/15]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Bernard Durkan

91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the precise nature of Ireland's obligations under international agreements in respect of alternative or renewable energy production; the extent to which he expects the various potential components to contribute to the plan; the extent to which the targets remain achievable within the agreed timescale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38950/15]

Electricity Transmission Network

Mattie McGrath

92. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent decision by Eirgrid to re-route the Grid Link project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38954/15]

Diamond Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

93. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will advocate an ethical labelling policy given that, despite the spin from vested interests, the diamond market continues to be a major source of revenue for rogue regimes in Israel, Zimbabwe and Angola, which stand accused of grievous human rights violations, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, by the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38992/15]

Biofuel Obligation Scheme

Terence Flanagan

94. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to make biofuel more readily available through fuel pumps in retail garages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38945/15]

Hydraulic Fracturing

Clare Daly

95. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the potential conflict of interest by the inclusion of a company (details supplied), which has been involved in hydraulic fracturing projects in the United States of America, as a participant in the Environmental Protection Agency's two-year study into hydraulic fracturing; and the action he has taken to address this. [38947/15]

Broadcasting Service Provision

Patrick O'Donovan

96. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether the current statutory definition of public service broadcasting is fit for purpose in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38943/15]

Hydraulic Fracturing

Joan Collins

97. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that consultants (details supplied) who are currently working for the oil and gas industry are the main contributors to the Environmental Protection Agency's co-ordinated research study, which is advising the Government on hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37243/15]

Broadband Service Provision

David Stanton

98. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made in delivering the national broadband plan, particularly in regard to the delivery of high-speed broadband to homes and businesses in rural areas. [38983/15]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

99. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent decision by EirGrid to implement a new regionalisation plan for Grid South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38996/15]

Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Scheme Funding

Anthony Lawlor

100. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to increase the tariffs applicable to renewable energy resources other than wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38955/15]

Television Licence Fee Collection

Michael Colreavy

101. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has outlined plans for a change to how the television licence fee is to collected. [38963/15]

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

David Stanton

102. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of State investment in the metropolitan area networks to date; the number of towns where networks access is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38982/15]

Wind Energy Generation

Mattie McGrath

103. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how his Department is abiding by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters, commonly referred to as the Aarhus Convention, specifically in relation to the construction of wind turbines, and the formulation of Ireland's energy policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38953/15]

Renewable Energy Generation

Mick Wallace

104. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department is planning measures to facilitate community renewable energy generation initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38980/15]

Diamond Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

105. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will impress upon the European Commission, which represents Ireland and all other European Union member states in the Kimberley process certification scheme, the urgent need to reform the definition of a conflict diamond in order that all blood diamonds, including blood diamonds which generate revenue for Government forces guilty of gross human rights violations, are banned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38993/15]

National Broadband Plan Expenditure

Seán Kyne

106. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for an update on his Department's engagement with the European Union competition directorate concerning State investment in the broadband network, with specific reference to the national broadband plan. [38946/15]

Post Office Network

Bernard Durkan

107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the future role of An Post in the context of communications; the extent to which he expects the network of post offices and counter services to feature in the provision of a countrywide service, with added-on responsibilities of a compatible nature, thereby enhancing and improving the status of An Post, and availing of its strengths in the provision of a modern countrywide service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38951/15]

Departmental Staff

Ruth Coppinger

108. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach the percentage of staff in his Department capable of dealing with the public in the Irish language; if there are training programmes in place for staff to improve their level of working Irish; the provision for other minority languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38632/15]