Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

European External Action Service

Andrew Doyle

66. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent publication of Review 2013 by the European External Action Service, EEAS, two years after the creation of the body, discussing a range of short, medium and longer term proposals and suggestions for the organisation and functioning of the European Union's diplomatic corps; his views on whether the direction of its being more than a foreign ministry, combining elements of a development and defence ministry is the correct approach for a twenty-first century Europe; if he will outline Ireland's current deployment to the EEAS and detail Ireland's contribution over the first two years of existence of the EEAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41060/13]

Public Transport Issues

Andrew Doyle

81. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he believes commuters and regional areas in the commuter belt and greater Dublin area will benefit as a result of the tendering out of particular routes and public service obligation, PSO, routes when the current contract expires; if the next tendering phase will result in a transparent decision making process; if he will outline the ramifications for particular routes in County Wicklow (details supplied) as a result of the competition in public transport in the bus market as proposed by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40790/13]

Air Services Provision

Andrew Doyle

142. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no current direct flight exists between Ireland and the Silicon Valley or San Francisco areas in California; if he believes such a direct air link would provide an employment boost to the Irish economy in terms of foreign direct investment given that Silicon Valley is a central hub for worldwide technology companies; the discussions he and his departmental officials have held with multinational employers or airlines on this matter in the past two years; if he believes such a route would be hugely beneficial for Ireland given the pre-clearance for US customs and immigration at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33283/13]

Private Schools

Andrew Doyle

226. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding his Department has allocated or committed to paying off the debts of a college (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, including outstanding loans, the move from a 21:1 to 23:1 teacher ratio and the college's switch from a private to public school; if he will outline any other expenditure incurred by his Department as result of this switch between 2012 and into the 2013-14 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40449/13]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Andrew Doyle

433. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will discuss the expert advice on offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production and their tax and fiscal terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40797/13]

Vehicle Registration Issues

Andrew Doyle

487. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a log book may be released to An Garda Síochána for a vehicle (details supplied) in County Wicklow for its inspection in order to pay road tax at the large public service vehicle rate, in view of the fact that the vehicle registration tax has been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41124/13]

Medical Card Reviews

Andrew Doyle

586. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card keeps being reviewed for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when the current medical card is due to expire; if his attention has been drawn to the significant administrative burden that is placed on a person every time a review takes place and a person has to submit documentation; if the medical card may be secured until the person's son turns 18 years and completes his secondary education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40591/13]

Employment Support Services

Andrew Doyle

131. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the establishment of an Intreo office in Bray, County Wicklow, due to be operational in late 2013; the services that will be available at the office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40178/13]

Social Insurance Issues

Andrew Doyle

133. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a detailed explanation regarding credits for past periods of employment for the benefit of receiving social welfare; the lapse periods that are currently in operation and the reason they exist; if a person is permitted to buy back their credits; if she will provide a detailed outline of all the rules in place; when each of the rules currently in place came into effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40216/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

Andrew Doyle

167. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the recent and future investments in the Dunlavin sewerage scheme as part of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40148/13]

Road Signage

Andrew Doyle

172. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1692 on 18 September 2013, if there is legislation regarding signs and signage based on lands adjacent to different categories of roads throughout Ireland, in view of his Department's responsibility for such under the Planning and Development Act 2013 as amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40193/13]

EU Meetings

Andrew Doyle

228. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the parameters of the discussions held with Ministerial colleagues at the Meeting of Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries, AGRI-FISH, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 23 September 2013; if he will detail any agreement reached; if he will provide an update in matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40329/13]

Garda Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

40. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if priority or recognition will be given to current and serving reserve members of An Garda Síochána during the upcoming recruitment process for full time members during the upcoming Public Appointments Service competition; if the upcoming recruitment for entry in mid-2014 will contain a good mix between current reserve members of the force and ordinary members of the public; his views on whether there will be significant benefits to giving priority to existing members of the voluntary Garda Reserve in view of the fact that there are over 1,200 currently serving of whom many would be in a position to become full-time members of the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39816/13]

Dáil Reform

Andrew Doyle

108. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on a possible referendum to provide constitutional status to the committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas, as committed to in the programme for Government; when he expects such a Bill to come before the Oireachtas before being put before the people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37407/13]

Statutory Instruments

Andrew Doyle

109. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach the measures taken to ensure all that statutory instruments are placed on the Irish Statute Book website in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37420/13]

Departmental Functions

Andrew Doyle

128. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if he will discuss the re-configuration of the EU affairs and co-ordination division of his Department, in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in view of the conclusion of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39119/13]

Departmental Websites

Andrew Doyle

131. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if he will outline in tabular form, each Internet domain that his Department or body under the aegis of his Department has registered online, from 2010 onwards in either .ie or other format since his Department first established an online presence; the date on which each domain was initially registered and for what intended purpose; the amount each domain and associated hosting has cost on a yearly basis from when each domain was first registered; the date on which each domain is expiring; if he intends to renew each domain when it comes up for renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39127/13]

International Economic Co-operation

Andrew Doyle

139. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if he will provide the main findings in the recent report on wider Irish and UK plans for closer economic co-operation in the fields of energy, agri-business, finance and research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36960/13]

Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment

Andrew Doyle

144. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach the steps he intends to take to ensure semi-State bodies and other organisations and bodies under the remit of his Department advertise vacant positions through the Public Appointments Service and publicjobs.ie that is in a clear and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39288/13]

EU Meetings

Andrew Doyle

368. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the parameters of the discussions held with EU ministerial colleagues at the Informal Energy Council in Vilnius, Lithuania on 19 and 20 September 2013; the agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39292/13]

National Transport Authority

Andrew Doyle

571. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Bus Éireann will provide an update on the provision of a new bus shelter at a location (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39436/13]

Haddington Road Agreement

Andrew Doyle

48. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the outstanding issues at the Central Bank of Ireland regarding working hours and compliance with the Haddington Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38853/13]

VAT Rates Reductions

Andrew Doyle

55. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the cost and loss to the Exchequer to date as a result of lowering the rate to 9% on tourism related industries; the economic growth has been seen in this sector as a result of the VAT rate being reduced in 2011; if the lowered VAT rate has had the positive impact that his Department had expected; his views on whether there is merit to continuing on the 9% rate for this sector beyond its initial cut-off point in December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38921/13]

VAT Rates Reductions

Andrew Doyle

56. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the reduction of VAT to 9% on tourism related industries could be extended to other sectors of the economy on a trial basis; his views on whether this would have a positive impact of Ireland's road to economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38922/13]

Schools Building Projects Administration

Andrew Doyle

68. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that his Department follow up with the architects of a school being built (details supplied) in County Wicklow and ensure that a pedestrian crossing is installed for the safety of pupils at the school, as is required by the approved planning by the local authority; if he will clarify the ownership of the section of the road where the crossing is to be built; the persons who are financing the construction of the crossing and the cost of same; if he will detail the persons who will be undertaking the construction; when the construction will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38893/13]

Quality and Qualifications Ireland Accreditation

Andrew Doyle

70. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Ireland recognises PhDs from universities in each of the other 27 EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38919/13]

Telephone Directories

Andrew Doyle

118. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to remove a households automatic right to a physical copy of a phonebook under the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services)(Universal Service and Users' Rights) Regulations 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38872/13]

Dairy Sector

Andrew Doyle

156. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the Dairy Council of Northern Ireland's case against the National Dairy Council, NDC, with the European Commission Directorate-General for Competition for its campaign on locally produced milk; his views on whether the NDC campaign breaches single market rules under EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38870/13]

Child and Family Agency Establishment

Andrew Doyle

164. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the decision to rename the Child and Family Support Agency to the Child and Family Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38917/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Andrew Doyle

181. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow will continue to retain their medical card once the current card expires in October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38864/13]

Hospital Appointment Status

Andrew Doyle

183. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow receives a hospital appointment as soon as possible; if he will expedite this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38883/13]

Harbours and Piers Maintenance

Andrew Doyle

199. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the funding for the harbour dredging in Arklow, County Wicklow is ring-fenced and secure while the Office of the Chief State Solicitor drafts the necessary legal documentation, following approval in principle for this proposal in August 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38912/13]

Military Aircraft Landings

Andrew Doyle

67. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 562 of 9 July 2013 and 164 of 16 July 2013, the number of notifications given to his Department when military or State aircraft applied for authorisation traffic rights when carrying Heads of State or Heads of Government from other nations in the past five years; the number that have been approved and rejected; if he will outline in tabular form the nations involved and the date of each landing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36991/13]

Ministerial Meetings

Andrew Doyle

70. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his recent engagements with the Governor of the US State of California, Jerry Brown, on his recent visit here in July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37030/13]

EU Meetings

Andrew Doyle

71. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcomes of the Foreign Affairs Council that took place in Brussels on 22 July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37073/13]

Rapid Response Initiative

Andrew Doyle

73. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline current operations of Ireland’s humanitarian standby roster, the Rapid Response Corps; the number of applications received during the 2013 recruitment drive; the number of persons called for interview; if he will provide details on the number of persons successful in the interview stage before moving onto the second stage of the recruitment process, a two-part training course; the number of persons he intends to bring onto the 2013 roster as a result of this initiative; the way this recruitment drive was communicated and if his Department went to lengths to seek the most suitably qualified persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37111/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

74. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will discuss the re-configuration of the EU affairs and co-ordination division in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach, in view of the conclusion of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; if he will outline the diplomatic postings, that will be made at assistant principal, first secretary, third secretary, administrative officer and higher executive officer levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37154/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

75. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the different ranks and grades in his Department and Irelands diplomatic corps; the comparisons that can be made in the ranks between different Government Departments and the Cvil Service; the number of persons in each rank-grade within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37155/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

76. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update and history on diplomatic relations and engagement between Ireland and Morocco; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37157/13]

Passport Services

Andrew Doyle

77. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the transfer of the passport service to the Department of Justice and Equality which is currently introducing a number of service enhancements as part of the Government’s integrated reform delivery plan; his views that the transferring of the service to an independent executive agency of the Department of Justice and Equality is the correct way forward for the issuing and security of Irish passports; if he has considered ensuring the issuing of passport remains an important function of either his Department or the Department of Justice and Equality without the need to outsource it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37163/13]

Trade Missions

Andrew Doyle

78. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his political and trade mission to China that took place in July and August 2013; if he will provide a list of engagements he had on the visit, in view of the importance of a trade and investment focus, attracting investment and growing exports; if he will provide an update on the strategic partnership agreement of Irish-Chinese relations; if he had the opportunity to raise the issue of the need for a direct commercial air route between Ireland and Asia as part of Ireland's national aviation policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37204/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

79. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects the United States of America to fill the vacancy of ambassador to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37236/13]

Election Monitoring Missions

Andrew Doyle

80. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland was requested, through the EU, OSCE or otherwise to take part in or assist in any form the international election observer monitoring in Zimbabwe as part of its presidential election in July 2013 and August 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37239/13]

Trade Missions

Andrew Doyle

81. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will discuss the recent deal to provide full market liberalisation of Irish salmon exports to China, following lengthy negotiations between his Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and Ireland's diplomatic missions with Chinese authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37271/13]

Overseas Development Aid

Andrew Doyle

82. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the details of Irish Aid's recent joint review of its work on nutrition in Malawi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37327/13]

Foreign Conflicts

Andrew Doyle

84. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his concerns, if any, at the rising tension between the United Kingdom and Spain regarding the issue of Gibraltar; if he shares many EU Foreign Ministers' concerns of any proposed border fee that would exist and the effect it would have for Irish passport holders living, working and holidaying in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37338/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

85. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has considered altering its diplomatic accreditation to Egypt as a result of recent civil unrest and events taking place in the country; if he believes an embassy of Ireland can still operate effectively in the current climate in the country; if his attention has been drawn to the other nations who have recalled their diplomatic missions in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37374/13]

UN Issues

Andrew Doyle

86. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline Ireland's priorities for the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37382/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

87. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the diplomatic missions of Ireland through embassies, consulates, honorary consuls and otherwise which are actively engaging in social media, namely in terms of Facebook and Twitter accounts; the reason not all embassies have taken to Twitter yet; areas in which his Department is particularly proactive in this regard; when he expects remaining missions to become active online; if he intends to get every diplomatic mission onto various social media platforms as part of digital diplomacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37387/13]

Diplomatic Representation

Andrew Doyle

88. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he expects any officials in his Department, either based in Ireland or elsewhere, to be considered for appointment as an EU ambassador at one of the various European External Action Service diplomatic missions around the world in the near future; if he believes Ireland lost out when the EEAS was established a number of years ago when no Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials were awarded any senior positions within the organisation; the way he and his Department intend to change this in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37395/13]