81 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the specific staff posts and grades in respect of which his approval was sought by the Garda Ombudsman Commission, in order to allow the Commission to begin recruitment of staff; the number of posts and grades in respect of which his approval was granted; the number in respect of which permission had been refused; the number in respect of which permission is under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21290/06]
80 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the recent comments made by the president of the Human Rights Commission, Dr. Maurice Manning, in which he expressed concern that bodies voted in existence by the Houses of the Oireachtas faced endless frustration in getting resources to do the jobs they were given; if, in particular, he noted Dr. Manning’s comments that the Commission’s dealings with his Department had been more difficult and frustrating than they needed to be; his views on the comments made by Dr. Manning; if he intends to act on the call made by the president for his Department to look at its modus operandi; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21289/06]
46 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the development of the National Conference Centre; when he expects to be able to bring the matter to Government; if he still expects construction of the new centre to commence in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21019/06]
488 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Section 4 of the Courts and Courts Officers Act 1995, vesting the powers, jurisdiction and functions of the Court of Criminal Appeal in the Supreme Court, has not been commenced; if the prior consultation with the Chief Justice and President of the High Court envisaged by Section 1 of that Act has taken place; if so, if it took place with the current or former holders of those offices; the outcome of such consultations; if he proposes to enter into further consultation; if it is his position that this section of the Act will not be brought into operation for so long as it is opposed by the judiciary; if so, if it is proposed that the judges’ position on this matter should become a matter of public record; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20416/06]
123 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the recent comments by Mr. David Hanson MP, Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office regarding the future position of the ESB in the all-island market will affect the development of plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20634/06]
80 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has undertaken a feasibility study on the possibility of converting the recently closed sugar plants in Carlow and Mallow for biofuel production; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20635/06]
91 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the funding limits on school building devolved grants in view of the experience of many schools that the amount does not cover the actual cost of the works required and local fund-raising has to make up the balance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19891/06]
11 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to amend section 29 of the Education Act 1998 in relation to school expulsions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19892/06]
276 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans which are being put in place for young adults with autism currently in a school (details supplied) in County Wexford who are now over 18 years of age to continue with their education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19976/06]
196 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the plans being put in place for young adults with autism in a school (details supplied) in County Wexford, who are now over 18 years of age, to continue with their education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[20048/06]
164 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the most recent report of the Independent Monitoring Commission; his further views on the fact that while IRA paramilitary activity has decreased in recent months, loyalist paramilitaries are still engaged in serious crime and murder; the latest efforts the Government has made to address loyalist paramilitarism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19726/06]
94 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent killing of 15 year old Michael McIlveen in Ballymena; his further views on the need to make tackling sectarianism the number one priority for all parties in Northern Ireland and for the two Governments; his further views on the Shared Future initiative in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19725/06]
456 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if, regarding High Court proceedings being taken by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, all documents within the control of her Department which are relevant to this person have been provided as requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19079/06]
442 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Qualification Directive 2004/83/EC will be transposed into Irish Law; if the deadline for transposition of 10 October 2006 will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19510/06]
401 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is an applicant for citizenship and has permission to remain in the State until 23 August 2006, his attention has been drawn to the fact that the person has been in receipt of disability allowance from the Department of Social and Family Affairs for approximately five years; if in these circumstances the condition requiring that they take up gainful employment and should not be a burden on the State will be removed from their permission to remain here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19112/06]
391 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in regard to the application by a person (details supplied) in Wexford to remain here as the parent of an Irish born child, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that two original birth certificates submitted to his Department with this application have not yet been returned to the applicant; if he will ensure that these documents are returned to the person concerned without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19058/06]
390 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in regard to the application by persons (details supplied) in County Wexford to remain here as the parents of an Irish born child, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that passports and certificates submitted with this application have not been returned; if he will ensure that these documents are returned to the applicants without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19057/06]
152 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the work of the investigations and prosecutions division of the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19279/06]
72 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the widespread use of avoidance mechanisms in respect of development land and stamp duty; if his Department or the Revenue Commissioners have carried out an examination of the actual and potential loss of stamp duty revenue to the Government and the impact of stamp duty avoidance mechanisms on house purchasers and others acquiring property; the estimated cost of avoidance mechanisms; the number of deals in which avoidance mechanisms are involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19265/06]
133 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cases currently before the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; the number of cases for which rulings have been given since its inception; the number of these cases that have been referred to the Courts for further action or appeal; the number of staff currently employed by the PIAB; the intended number of staff to be employed by the PIAB; the date by which he expects the PIAB to be fully staffed; the date on which a review will be undertaken on staffing levels in the PIAB; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18199/06]
124 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour inspectors currently employed by or on behalf of his Department; the number of cases investigated by these inspectors in each year from 2002 to present; the average time from a case file being opened to a satisfactory resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18200/06]
516 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science when a request under the Freedom of Information Act (details supplied) was first received in her Department; when a decision will be made on this request; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[18369/06]
444 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the refusal of a visa for a child (details supplied) to join their parents and brother here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the child’s mother is employed and a taxpayer here; his views on whether it is acceptable to prohibit access for a six year old to their family here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18428/06]
428 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is intended to refurbish the Garda station in Kilcormac, County Offaly; the Garda numbers assigned to this station; if there are plans for the grounds surrounding this station; if plans exist to assign additional Gardaí to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18269/06]
417 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is proposed to increase the Garda traffic corps numbers in County Offaly; the location of members currently assigned to the traffic corps in County Offaly; his plans to create new Garda corps locations in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18257/06]
287 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the waiting time for hearings before the Employment Appeals Tribunal in Wexford; his plans to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18444/06]
96 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the recent changes announced to the rural social scheme; the reason for the changes in the categories of people eligible to participate in the scheme; the type of work carried out by those participating in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18120/06]
70 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the new round of funding allocated for 43 youth and drugs projects here; the type of facilities and service this money will be used to fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18119/06]
433 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of school buses over the age of 10 years, 15 years and 20 years; if she has satisfied herself with the condition and road worthiness of these buses; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17062/06]
126 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence if the rule which precludes double compensation applied to both injury and disease claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17196/06]
67 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the number of cases which have been subject to review under the compensation rule since 2000 in respect of injury and disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17197/06]
198 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to grant leave to remain here on humanitarian grounds to approximately 200 aged out non-nationals who have been here for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16824/06]
156 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport when his Department first received a request from Bus Éireann for authorisation to operate an hourly service on the Rosslare, Gorey, Dublin Road; when a decision will be made in relation to this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16759/06]
102 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports indicating that expectations for new job creation in the construction sector have fallen sharply since the beginning of 2006 in contrast with other sectors; his views on whether this indicates a downturn in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11284/06]
95 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to review the Environmental Protection Agency advisory committee in order to avail of the capacity and knowledge that exists within the Irish environmental NGO sector which would appear to be under-represented on the present committee.
[16460/06]
477 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 15 February 2006, when a copy of her Department’s map was forwarded to the transport liaison officer in Wexford; if her Department is satisfied that the map has been received by and currently is in use by the transport liaison officer in Wexford; if she will arrange to have a copy of her Department’s map provided to this Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15991/06]
415 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason no decision has been made in relation to visa applications submitted to his Department in September 2005 in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be made in these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15936/06]
86 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to increase bus licensing fees in view of the fact that the administrative costs to his Department amount to approximately €850,000 each year but his Department receives approximately €5,000 in fees and in view of the fact that many fees have not been increased for 51 years; and his views on whether under the 1932 Act he may make regulations increasing the fees before the passing of further primary legislation.
[16311/06]
14 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there is an embargo on the recruitment of civilians to fill clerical roles currently carried out by members of the Garda Síochána; if it is intended to lift this embargo; the timeframe envisaged to have all gardaí doing work appropriate to their training; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15637/06]
11 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will publish the proposed new Intoxicating Liquor Bill; his views on the call by the AGSI to ban glass containers in night clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15636/06]
5 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with regard to the establishment of the Garda reserve; when he expects the first recruits to the reserve to begin training; if a final decision has been made on the numbers to be recruited; his views on the decision of the main representative organisations not to co-operate with the reserve; if he plans further discussions with the representative bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15880/06]
2 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the 7% increase in the yearly headline crime figures published on 13 April 2006 and the 8% increase in the quarterly figures; his views in particular on the substantial increase in the number of murders; the action he intends to take arising from the increase in the number of serious crimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15879/06]
204 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to the request for a compensation scheme for fishermen who were employed on decommissioned vessels from the Kilmore Quay fleet; the efforts made towards establishing such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15734/06]
78 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of the PPARS computerised payroll and personnel system following the calls from senior managers in the Health Service Executive to recommence it on a phased basis; the costings and timeframe of each proposed element of the roll-out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15458/06]
59 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that a memo from the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children discouraged the Health Service Executive chief executive officer, Professor Drumm, from engaging in written communication; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this is further evidence of a growing lack of accountability within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15459/06]
838 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason no special school units comparable to those at primary level are available at second level for children on the autism spectrum; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that autism-specific educational supports are essential if such children are to fully benefit from second level education; the steps which are being taken to address this deficit; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[14729/06]
682 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, on foot of advice from the visa section of his Department, a person (details supplied) in County Wexford applied in writing to the immigration and citizenship division for a change of visa from category C to category D; if he has received a letter stating that a person on a C visit visa cannot have her permission to remain here extended but must leave and re-apply from outside should she wish to return; if the requirement to leave the country can be waived in view of the fact that this person is married to a person who has been here for four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14841/06]
675 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received representations from a person (details supplied) in respect of an allegation of child sexual abuse that was allegedly reported but not investigated by the Garda; if his Department has taken action on foot of these representations; the position on these representations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14741/06]
672 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in respect of the application for residency of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, the copy of his military service record submitted to his Department by the person is sufficient to satisfy the requirement that the person provide evidence of identity in the form of a passport or national identity card; the status of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14732/06]
71 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the efforts that are being made to promote the Punchestown festival as an Irish Cheltenham; the amount of money that the festival generates for the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15151/06]