Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Adult Education

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

152. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a conflict of interest exists between his former employment and current shareholding in a major integrated construction materials manufacturer and his role as the relevant Minister for Competition considering his refusal to ask the Competition Authority under Section 30 (2) of the Competition Act 2002 to carry out a market study or analysis of the cement, concrete and aggregates industry especially in view of recent revelations where the company of his former employment and current shareholding is accused of conducting a market eviction strategy at the cost of taxpayers and independent producers which has led to a loss of jobs to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter which does not include the citing of sections 29 (3) and 30 (1) (b) of the Competition Act 2002. [45371/12]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Application Numbers

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

182. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a breakdown, on a bog by bog basis, of those who applied for compensation for cessation of turf cutting; if he will provide figures for those who accepted compensation as an interim measure while awaiting a relocation bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45052/12]

Local Authority Funding

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

209. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to a loan sought by Roscommon County Council for the development of a new civic headquarters, the persons from whom the county council are getting the loan; the interest rate they are paying on the loan; the number of years the loan is for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45271/12]

Water Fluoridation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

274. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health with regard to the application of fluoride to drinking water here, if he will confirm that the contract to supply fluoride is due for renewal soon; if he will confirm that a company (details supplied) is the supplier; if he will provide the contract date and the duration of the new contract; the cost to the State of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45000/12]

Water Fluoridation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

275. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the date on which the Health Service Executive commenced using silicofluoride chemicals for water fluoridation instead of sodium fluoride; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45005/12]

Water Fluoridation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

276. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the exact dates on which the Health Service Executive started using hydrofluorosilicic/hexafluorisilicic acid that was sourced from industrial scrubbers from a supplier in the Netherlands; if he will confirm the date on which this contract was terminated and replaced with a supplier in Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45008/12]

Water Fluoridation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

277. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the financial costs associated with capital infrastructure for the installation of over 250 fluoridation systems in water treatment facilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45010/12]

Water Fluoridation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

279. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of pollution incidences that have occurred from fluoride facilities that have resulted in the uncontrolled discharge of fluoride chemicals into the environment since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45029/12]

Water Fluoridation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

281. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if either he or management within the Health Service Executive have read the history of fluoridation provided by BBC Journalist Christopher Byson's in his book The Fluoride Deception; in view of the fact that the Fluoride Deception was published in 2005, his views on whether the continued practice of water fluoridation here constitutes negligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45046/12]

Teacher Redeployment

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

239. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when voluntary applications for relocation of teachers from one educational institution to another will be introduced; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this was agreed under the Croke Park Agreement; if he is committed to it's introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44211/12]

European Council Meetings

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

132. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will personally attend the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 15 October; if he will be pushing strongly for a common EU policy on excluding Israeli settlement products from the EU market; if he will demonstrate leadership by implementing an individual member state ban on settlement produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42902/12]

Public Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

703. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the criteria on which the bus route between County Dublin and County Sligo has been altered; the reason Rooskey and Dromod have been dropped from the route; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this change to the route will leave those without private transport in the area incapable of getting to work or college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42847/12]

Departmental Appointments

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

74. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42666/12]

Bus Éireann Services

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

264. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the reason Bus Éireann has dropped Expressway Route 22; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this decision leaves the town of Elphin, County Roscommon without any bus service (details supplied) while the other towns along Expressway Route 22 have other Expressway services which will continue, Elphin is now left with no service to connect it to regional towns; if he is concerned that should such cutbacks to services continue, he will further marginalise towns such as Elphin; the decision making process which brought about this action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42392/12]

Turbary Rights

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

5. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason that he did not propose or seek a phased transition period for the implementation with the EU Commission of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association report in view of (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42240/12]

Turbary Rights

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

132. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the recently announced figures for compensation for the cessation of turf cutting on special areas of conservation bogs includes the compensation issued by him in the past, that is, compensation awarded before the current Government came into power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42140/12]

Bus Éireann Services

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

214. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the criteria on which the bus route between Dublin and Sligo has been altered; the reason Rooskey and Dromod have been dropped from the route; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the change this route will leave those without private transport in the area incapable of getting to work or college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42139/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

102. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42672/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

108. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42667/12]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

165. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 12 June 2012 the reason someone in Bus Éireann decided that persons (details supplied) in County Roscommon were not fit to travel together as they presented safety concerns, yet these persons share the same room at Ivy House where they are resident; the reason no-one consulted with the staff who look after them, their teachers, or their parents; if he will name the person who made the decision; if he will provide documents relating to the decision, both in the first instance and upon review; if his attention has been drawn to the waste of resources involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41538/12]

Public Sector Staff Issues

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

204. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42664/12]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

224. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42670/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

256. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42669/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

323. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by her Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42671/12]

National Raised Bog Management Plan

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

331. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the publication of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, Proposed Approach if he will make available the EU's reasoned opinion and his reply to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41874/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

339. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42660/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

355. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42662/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

404. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42665/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

447. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42663/12]

Departmental Appointments

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

487. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42659/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

505. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by her Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42661/12]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

515. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has refused to fund art assist pumps which have been proven to decrease the rate of amputation and thus in the longer run save the State Exchequer; if he will enquire into the case of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; if he will direct the HSE to examine the provision of an art assist pump in this case as this person is not in a position to fund such a device from their own resources [41339/12]

Vaccination Programme

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

574. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the differences which exists between counties with regard to the administration of the BCG vaccine; the reason a baby born in County Roscommon cannot get vaccinated until they are in fifth or sixth class in school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the vaccination is not available privately and that the vaccine service that is available in other counties is only available to children born in those counties; the reason there are such discrepancies from one county to the next; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41938/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

588. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42668/12]

Departmental Agencies Issues

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

597. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the name, county of residence and date of appointment of each currently serving member of the National Transport Authority; the number of persons employed by the National Transport Authority; the total cost of staff remuneration and administration during 2012; the amount of fee paid annually to each serving member of the authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41337/12]

Ministerial Appointments

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

616. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42673/12]

Health Services Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

186. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason funding was allocated for three years in a row, to provide for an occupational therapist for Roscommon Child and Adult Mental Services and yet there is no OT in Roscommon; the reason, as a result a child (details supplied) has to go to County Galway for OT assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40820/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

190. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason the position of disability appeals office has not been filled since the resignation of a person (details supplied) in December 2011; his views on whether there is a conflict in having the disability appeals officer subsumed into his Department, a department who's decisions could and would come to the disability appeals officer for assessment; his views on whether there is a erosion of independence in the appeals system with the current arrangements; the longer term plans for restoring the office of disability appeals officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40841/12]

Air Accident Investigations

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

146. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in view of new evidence, he will ensure that the current partial reopening of the investigation into the downing of the Air France Caravelle F-BOHB aeroplane on 11 September 1968, while en route from Corsica to Nice with Irishman Arthur O'Connor on board, is fully re-opened and any tribunal investigating the affair is independent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37039/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

231. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Central Bank of Ireland refuses to take action against a company (details supplied) that has claimed in a sworn affidavit in the High Court that the company acts as a 'mortgage lender' in the market within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1995, but yet this company is not an authorised 'mortgage lender' as defined by the Central Bank and furthermore the company is not regulated by the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37634/12]

Broadband Services Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

950. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the 3 national broadband service in an area (details supplied) and the surrounding area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the EU provided the last Government with €40 million towards a total allocation of €223 million to roll out a broadband service across Ireland and to date there is no worthwhile service; if this money has been spent properly, if he will ensure that Eircom will upgrade the local phone exchange and have proper phone line broadband available in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36983/12]

Waste Management Regulations

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

1015. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government in view of the ongoing waste dumping in our forests, bogs, and all over our country, if he will consider amending the Waste Management Act 1996 to include rewards to citizens who assist in bringing convictions either by supplying evidence or by taking cases themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37018/12]

Waste Management Regulations

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

1016. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will consider amending the Waste Management Act 1996 to include on the spot fines for dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37019/12]

Garda Communications

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

1148. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine the way Garda districts communicate between each other; his views on whether there is a great degree of inflexibility within the way Garda stations communicate and deploy their resources; for example, someone living near Williamstown in north Galway had to wait for two hours for gardaí who are based at Tuam 23 miles distant, but could be on a call out as far east as Headford, to come to their assistance, while just four miles away two Garda squad cars sat outside the barracks in Castlerea; if he will consider introducing a similar system to that used by taxi firms to maximise the use of their resources. [36997/12]

Disabled Drivers Grants

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

1493. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon who was refused a motorised transport grant. [37189/12]

Disabled Drivers Grants

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

1495. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who suffered a very bad fracture and will have permanent nerve damage was refused a motorised transport grant even though they fulfil all the criteria needed for this grant, including living in a remote area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37636/12]

Ambulance Service Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

1514. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the reason the new air ambulance is to be located at Baldonnel Aerodrome, Dublin, rather than at Athlone which is geographically closer to the centre of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37053/12]

Media Mergers

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

3 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on large parts of the media being controlled by a single owner; if he will introduce legislation to limit the percentage ownership of our media by any one person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36894/12]

Care of the Elderly

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

805 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he considers ten weeks notice sufficient duration for the closure of a nursing home for elderly citizens; if he is aware that some of the residents of Ashbrook House in Mohill, County Leitrim have lived at that place for over 20 years and that many of them are very elderly and some suffer from dementia and so on; if he will instruct the Health Service Executive to extend the notice to December at the very least and that both residents and staff alike deserve longer notice and a clearer idea of where they will be relocated to; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35139/12]

Tax Code

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

60 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain the basis under which vehicle registration tax is not an import tax since all vehicles sold in Ireland are imported; if he will agree that this tax is effectively an import duty in all but name; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34198/12]