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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Bill entitled an Act to set voting hours for Dáil Elections, Dáil Bye-Elections, Presidential Elections, European Parliament Elections, Local Government Elections and Referenda as being 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. and for that purpose to amend the Electoral Act 1992, Presidential Elections Act 1993, Referendum Act 1994, European Parliament Elections Act 1997, the Local Government Act 2001 and to provide for related matters
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
1692. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for legislation regarding signs and signage based on lands adjacent to different categories of roads throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38589/13]
1691. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has been involved in the installation of a pedestrian crossing at a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38583/13]
1681. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Irish Rail's contract with the National Transport Authority only specifies the number of trains it has to run, as opposed to a minimum capacity level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38355/13]
1679. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider requesting the National Transport Authority to extend the deadline for submissions on the consultation on the Draft Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 for the Greater Dublin Area, whose initial deadline was set for early September, in order that sufficient time might be given to local authorities and their members to go through the detailed document and make a comprehensive submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38299/13]
1678. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of submissions the National Transport Authority received for its consultation on the Draft Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 for the Greater Dublin Area; the number of these submissions that were received from local authorities; the bodies who sent submissions and the date upon which they were received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38298/13]
1677. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role of the Air Accident Investigation Unit's Inspector on Call; the response time for the position in attending scenes of air accidents for each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38270/13]
1674. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a safety audit was ever conducted by the National Transport Authority as part of the funding it provided to the local authority regarding new cycle lanes and a footpath (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if the attention of the NTA has been drawn to concerns with the project's current state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38118/13]
1673. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Road Safety Authority has fully notified other Governments of the recent changeover of Irish driving licences from a paper to a new plastic format; if the RSA has notified global publishers of books and other material of the changeover in Irish driving licences, in view of the fact that some 2013 publications of driving licences around the world do not have a record of the new plastic licences currently being issued here; if the RSA will make concerted efforts to notify such publishers for future reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38110/13]
1646. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a ship (details supplied) that ran aground off the Dublin and Wicklow coastline in August 2013 posed a threat to the coastline in terms of pollution; if the sandbanks near the Kisk Bank will pose a threat to other shipping movement in the area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37552/13]
1645. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether Busáras, the central bus and coach station in the capital, should be opened up to private sector operators to create more competition in the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37547/13]
1644. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request all providers of public transport, mainly Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, through his Department and the National Transport Authority, to have the correct spelling of Kilpedder, County Wicklow, used on all their signs, websites, timetables and Internet applications, as opposed to the incorrect spelling of Kilpeddar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37540/13]
1636. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the parameters of the discussions held with ministerial colleagues at the informal meeting of Ministers for Transport in Vilnius, Lithuania from 15 to 16 September 2013; if he will detail any agreements reached; if he will provide an update on matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37419/13]
1635. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of engagements that the Minister of State with special responsibility for Tourism and Sport had on his August 2013 visit to the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37404/13]
1634. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the introduction of the new public services card may be integrated into the existing Leap card technology on public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37391/13]
1633. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the provision of an additional runway at Dublin Airport; the amount that has been allocated by his Department for the runways to date over the past number of years; if he will provide a breakdown on the way this money was spent; if he has been provided with a timeline for the next phases of development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37386/13]
1632. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown on a year-by-year basis of the number of call-outs of each of the coast guard units that serve the County Wicklow coastline from 2005 to present; the average coast guard call out time for emergencies which occur along the Wicklow coast; the length of shoreline and nautical miles which are covered by each of the coast guard units covering County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37377/13]
1631. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the effects on the Irish aviation market if the merger of American Airlines and US Airways goes ahead in the United States; if he believes that current competition law and or an anti-trust case taken against the merger in the United States, creating the world's largest airline, would have been beneficial for Irish consumers or would have had a negative impact, given that both airlines currently operate routes from Irish airports; if his attention has been drawn to a European Commission decision regarding this proposed merger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37367/13]