Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Organised Crime

Seamus Kirk

55. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he has studied the presentation by the former Assistant Garda Commissioner Tony Hickey at the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 15 November 2012 relating to the scale of the problem from the smuggling of tobacco and the laundering of fuel and the stated involvement of criminal gangs in this area and the incredible sums of money that these criminal gangs are defrauding the State of on a weekly basis; his views on whether enough is being done in this area to tackle the problem and to ensure the Exchequer is protected from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51699/12]

Organised Crime

Seamus Kirk

56. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the contents of the Retail Ireland report, Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime, which sets out proposals to protect legitimate retailers from the activity of criminal gangs involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, fuel and counterfeit goods, which according to the report costs the taxpayer €861 million per annum; if the Minister shares the concerns relating to the need to introduce measures to allow for greater enforcement to tackle those involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, the laundering of fuel and the sale of counterfeit goods; if he has prioritised this area for immediate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51702/12]

Crime Prevention

Seamus Kirk

172. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has studied the presentation by the former Assistant Garda Commissioner Tony Hickey at the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 15 November 2012 relating to the scale of the problem from the smuggling of tobacco and the laundering of fuel and the stated involvement of criminal gangs in this area and the incredible sums of money that these criminal gangs are defrauding the State of on a weekly basis; his views on whether enough is being done in this area to tackle the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51697/12]

Crime Prevention

Seamus Kirk

173. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the contents of the Retail Ireland report Tacking the Black Market and Retail Crime, which sets out proposals to protect legitimate retailers from the activity of criminal gangs involved in the smuggling of cigarettes, fuel and counterfeit goods, which according to the report costs the taxpayer €861 million per annum; if he shares the concerns relating to the need to increase penalties for those involved in the smuggling of cigarettes and the laundering of fuel; if he has prioritised this area for immediate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51701/12]

Rail Services

Seamus Kirk

220. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding train fares and the disproportionate fare charged by Iarnród Éireann for commuters in and out of Laytown train station, County Meath, compared to Balbriggan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51727/12]

Teacher Training Provision

Seamus Kirk

120. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish a detailed implementation plan for the training of teachers from now until the beginning of the first phase of the new junior certificate cycle in 2014; if he will outline the details of the cost and savings associated with the new junior certificate cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51318/12]

Bullying in Schools

Seamus Kirk

124. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects to publish the report of the working group on tackling bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51302/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Seamus Kirk

172. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending tax breaks for philanthropists who will make capital investment to particular health projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51134/12]

Planning Issues

Seamus Kirk

434. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether planning legislation is adequate to deal with persistent and vexatious planning objections and complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50868/12]

Pension Provisions

Seamus Kirk

19. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering introducing legislative provisions along the lines of a public service pension deduction in the case of pensions being paid to senior executives in State supported banks whose pension funds have also received substantial transfers since State support commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50494/12]

EU Presidency Expenditure

Seamus Kirk

32. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget for the Irish Presidency of the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50177/12]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Seamus Kirk

261. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed podiatry post at Our Ladys Hospital, having regard to the fact that similar positions have been filled in Dublin, Galway and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50338/12]

Crisis Pregnancy Services

Seamus Kirk

609. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if his Department is investigating recent media reports (details supplied) in relation to advice given at the Dundalk office of Irish Planning Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49622/12]

Care of the Elderly

Seamus Kirk

11. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the total number of patients that have been staying in acute hospitals for more than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48928/12]

Hospital Consultants Remuneration

Seamus Kirk

62. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the latest developments regarding hospital consultants' working practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48943/12]

Social and Affordable Housing Maintenance

Seamus Kirk

245. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the repairs in lieu of rehousing scheme is still in operation and if allocations are being given to the various local authorities around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49341/12]

Severe Weather Events

Seamus Kirk

107. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effect the bad weather of 2012 has had on the potato and horticultural industry; the steps he proposes to take to assist the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48276/12]

Farm Inspections

Seamus Kirk

134. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farm inspections that have taken place this year on a monthly basis under the single farm payment regime; the number that took place each month in 2011; the number of farmers that have been penalised under the scheme each month in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48277/12]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

317. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider making it mandatory for boards of management to factor in water harvesting facilities for all new school builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47760/12]

Skills Shortages

Seamus Kirk

419. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to introduce a technology visa; if so the timeframe in which this may occur; and if he will outline the benefits the technology visa will be to the IT sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47445/12]