Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

46. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of Ireland on the continuation of violence in Hong Kong in the name of democracy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53197/19]

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

52. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if progress has been made on the number of Basques in prison five years after ETA ceased the armed struggle; and if there can be a resolution at EU level. [53200/19]

Trade Relations

Maureen O'Sullivan

55. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland and the EU are progressing trade links with Cuba in view of the EU Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement. [53201/19]

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

58. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which he can ensure at a European level that Tamils in Sri Lanka will be supported in view of the ongoing violence against them by the regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53198/19]

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

62. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had correspondence or talks with companies and enterprises here that are complicit in human rights violations through trade with countries and industries that do not observe human rights and businesses such as an Irish company which coal from the Cerrejon coal mines in Colombia; and his views on whether such instances emphasise the need for mandatory guidelines on business and human rights domestically. [53199/19]

Foreign Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

65. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has understandings or agreements with foreign countries regarding aerial defence in situations in which aircraft intrusion is used as a way of compensating for lack of jet aircraft within the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53014/19]

Partnership for Peace

Maureen O'Sullivan

63. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the future relationship of Ireland with a restructured Partnership for Peace under the auspices of NATO; the way in which this could reconcile with our position of neutrality and a focus on Ireland's involvement in peacekeeping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53010/19]

Defence Forces Contracts

Maureen O'Sullivan

72. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 7 November 2019, if the question of arms being purchased and sold to countries that violate international law and deny human rights has been raised at EU level; his views on whether the EU should reconsider its policy on competitive tenders with an emphasis on human rights; and if he will consider a unilateral position on purchasing equipment whether it be defensive or offensive in nature. [53013/19]

Permanent Structured Co-operation

Maureen O'Sullivan

75. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether many aspects of PESCO are at odds with the centrality of peace and conflict resolution as set out in A Better World, which is the position of Ireland on international development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53012/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Maureen O'Sullivan

82. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on his efforts to improve pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this perceived unfairness is having an influence on the recruitment and retention of members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53011/19]

Hare Coursing

Maureen O'Sullivan

5. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the practice of licensing live hare coursing will be reviewed in view of recent opinion polls (details supplied) and the fact that RHD2 disease is present here, which is a threat to the survival of the Irish hare; and if the views of many persons that live hare coursing has no place in modern civil society will be accepted. [52177/19]

Hare Coursing Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

17. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the definition of regulated coursing matches requires clubs to comply with rules 11 and 13 of a club (details supplied) specifically in respect of the open seasons order for which she has sole responsibility. [51892/19]

Commemorative Events

Maureen O'Sullivan

35. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has considered the merits of having a more advanced announcement of the national Famine memorial day and location in order to allow many of the diaspora who are citizens of other states as a direct result of the impact of the Great Famine to travel to the commemoration and book in advance; if she will progress a specific famine museum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51893/19]

Architects Register

Maureen O'Sullivan

361. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 268 of 23 January 2019 and 873 of 5 February 2019, if transparent income and expenditure accounts have been received from an organisation (details supplied); and if so, when overdue registration accounts will be made available for independent scrutiny. [52372/19]

Housing Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

70. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the findings of a report published by an organisation (details supplied); the way in which he plans to address the concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51704/19]

Legislative Measures

Maureen O'Sullivan

80. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for progressing the housing and planning and development (amendment) Bill; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Bill adds many requirements and restrictions that will make it much harder for persons and environmental NGOs to take cases against developments; the way in which he can address the various concerns outlined by NGOs and private citizens regarding the fundamental changes to the current system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51705/19]

Insurance Costs

Maureen O'Sullivan

60. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has raised or plans to raise the issue of insurance for childcare facilities with an organisation (details supplied); her views on whether increased costs of insurance for registered facilities are having a detrimental impact on the industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51334/19]

Education and Training Boards Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

76. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost and envisaged costs of the mid-level governance arrangements with education and training boards, ETBs, put in place by her Department (details supplied); the percentage of the costs as a percentage of the overall allocation for targeted funded youth schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51332/19]

Children in Care

Maureen O'Sullivan

80. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 22 October 2019 and her acknowledgement to correspondence of 5 November 2019, the progress made regarding the points raised about the difficulties encountered by a voluntary service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51335/19]

Childcare Services Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

83. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which she will address the lack of childcare facilities for parents in the Dublin 7 area, which has worsened due to the closure of facilities run by a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51331/19]

Overseas Development Aid

Maureen O'Sullivan

107. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the commitments made at the recent Nairobi summit marking 25 years of the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo; the way in which they will be monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51209/19]

Third Level Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

178. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the level of university funding coming from the military-industrial complex has been investigated; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51291/19]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

289. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria for installation and the process to follow for community groups that are anxious regarding anti-social behaviour black spots in their locality to apply for community safety CCTV cameras in a certain area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51739/19]

Community Pharmacy Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

305. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for replacing phased dispensing fees and replacing them with a capitation fee; if his attention has been drawn to the effects on pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51366/19]

Community Pharmacy Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

382. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when FEMPI cuts to pharmacies will be reversed; if the HSE will enter into meaningful talks with a union (details supplied) regarding new contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51368/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

491. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a report (details supplied) on the greyhound industry will be available; and the reason for the delay in its publication. [51673/19]

Early Childhood Care and Education Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

568. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the €22,000 withheld from a preschool (details supplied) in respect of a November 2018 compliance audit has not issued in spite of the paperwork having been submitted; the position regarding its application for €20,000 from the sustainability programme; and if other preschools can avail of the school meals programme, the reason it has been refused. [51811/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

676. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has visited the North Lotts strategic development zone, SDZ, area to observe the impact that major large-scale developments are having on long-established residential properties in the area; the way in which he can address the lack of affordability of new builds in the SDZ, which is effectively pricing long-established communities out of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51706/19]

Hare Coursing Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

694. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the regulated coursing matches approved by the fixtures committee at a club (details supplied) for the 2019-2020 season; and the basis on which other coursing matches can take place. [51721/19]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Maureen O'Sullivan

187. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the healthcare entitlements for thalidomide survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50813/19]

Work Permits Applications

Maureen O'Sullivan

146. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with the ten-week processing time for standard applications regarding employment permits; and if she expects this time to be cut when the independent business process review being carried out within her Department is concluded. [50649/19]

Departmental Bodies

Maureen O'Sullivan

156. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the absence of a person (details supplied) who is an expert on endometriosis on the women’s health task force; and if there is another expert on the illness on the task force. [50492/19]

Services for People with Disabilities

Maureen O'Sullivan

321. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if funding will be secured to enable the work of the national platform of self-advocates to continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49695/19]

Broadcasting Sector

Maureen O'Sullivan

25. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether potential cost savings at RTÉ will have a negative effect on independent screen producers here in view of the fact that spending by the national broadcaster on independent productions has fallen dramatically; and the way in which he can address same in the context of changes to the television licence system to ensure the viability of independent screen production and jobs in that sector. [49175/19]

Television Licence Fee

Maureen O'Sullivan

53. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the need for the immediate introduction of the household charge in order to create the conditions required for the sustainability of public service media and the sustainability of the independent production sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49174/19]

Light Rail Projects

Maureen O'Sullivan

235. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the MetroLink project has plans to take over an area (details supplied) for maintenance shaft and car park on a permanent basis; if consultation has taken place with local residents regarding potential changes to the amenity of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49506/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

46. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether China and Pakistan are among the countries that do not meet welfare standards here; if he and the Irish Greyhound Board are opposed to direct or indirect exports to these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48989/19]

Horse Racing Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

48. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses injured and killed at racecourses and point-to-point events here to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48988/19]

Assisted Decision Making

Maureen O'Sullivan

238. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the urgent calls by families and interested parties to set up the decision support service to replace the ward of court system that many families feel to be inadequate; his plans to progress legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48748/19]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

371. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to end grants to the greyhound industry in view of an opinion poll (details supplied); if he will review the allocation to the industry in view of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49004/19]

Bord na gCon

Maureen O'Sullivan

372. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Greyhound Board is attempting to hide incidents involving dogs falling and suffering injuries by withholding race footage from its website (details supplied); if he will direct it to publish the footage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49005/19]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

373. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Irish greyhound that is believed to have suffered whippings has been rescued from Spain; if he will recommend an end to exports to Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49006/19]

Marine Safety

Maureen O'Sullivan

270. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there has been contact between him and the Marine Survey Office regarding the situation faced by a company (details supplied) in respect of regulations which will have a negative effect on tourism and the viability of offshore islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47889/19]

Traffic Regulations Implementation

Maureen O'Sullivan

271. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if progress will be made on resolving the licensing issues regarding horse-drawn carriages; and if he will take steps to resolve the issue for the benefit of tourist safety, public safety and respect for law abiding carriage operators. [47890/19]

Bus Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

272. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the public consultation process conducted by BusConnects was advertised; if he is satisfied that enough consultation was conducted with communities within the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47891/19]

Anti-Social Behaviour

Maureen O'Sullivan

273. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the statistics on incidents of anti-social behaviour on DART services, particularly in the evening times post rush hour; his views on whether more robust measures need to be taken in conjunction with the recent text message report system such as dedicated patrols and increased security; and the way in which he will ensure persons are able to travel on public transport free of intimidation and unease. [47892/19]

Traffic Management

Maureen O'Sullivan

274. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there has been consultation on addressing the chronic traffic issues on the M50 motorway; his views on whether the route is no longer fit for purpose as an original bypass for Dublin; his plans to consider an outer bypass such as the Leinster orbital route to tackle chronic congestion, remove cars from inner suburbs of Dublin adjacent to the M50 and improve the quality of life for both commuters and residents. [47893/19]

School Curriculum

Maureen O'Sullivan

57. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the matter of geography as a core subject for junior cycle will be reviewed in view of the wide scope of the subject, including the issues leading to and contributing to climate change. [47476/19]

Youth Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

97. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if progress has been made on the report, Organisation Review of the City of Dublin Youth Services Board; if he has had contact with CDETB on the findings of same. [47477/19]

Northern Ireland

Maureen O'Sullivan

112. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had contact with the UK authorities regarding a case (details supplied) which is the only trial without a jury based on remote evidence in the history of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47872/19]