6 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of EU directives for which her Department has responsibility which have yet to be implemented; the number in respect of which the deadline for implementation has passed; if she has satisfied herself with the rate of compliance by her Department; the number of cases where legal actions have been notified or commenced by the EU Commission arising from a failure to implement a directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8064/04]
2 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recent annual report of the Competition Authority; her views on whether the authority’s target of prosecuting one cartel a year is adequate in view of the widespread public concerns regarding the extent to which consumers are being exploited by anti-competitive behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8148/04]
138 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons that had a personal retirement savings account by the end of January; if she is satisfied with the level of interest in same; her plans to promote awareness of them; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7809/04]
103 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the implementation of an all-Ireland free travel scheme for pensioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7810/04]
385 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7761/04]
149 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding managed by Area Management Development Limited in the past year; the number and nature of local development projects managed by Area Management Development Limited in 2003; the amount of money allocated to each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7688/04]
191 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the report carried out by a consultancy firm (details supplied) for his Department into the operation of Area Development Management Limited; his plans for the future of Area Development Management Limited arising from the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7687/04]
26 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average cost of a new house in Dublin, a second hand house in Dublin, a new house outside Dublin and a second hand house outside Dublin in respect of 1997 and the latest year for which figures are available; the plans he has to ensure availability of affordable housing, in view of the recent surveys showing that house prices are continuing to rise; his estimate of the likely increase in house prices during 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7136/04]
11 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has completed his consideration of the implications of the judgment of the Supreme Court given on 29 November 2002 in regard to the possible implications for legislation governing presidential, European and local elections; if amendments to the legislation are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7134/04]
156 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date by the Commission on Assisted Human reproduction which was established in March 2000; when he expects to receive the report of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7065/04]
165 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps taken to date to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service; when it is expected that the HSE will be established; the terms of reference and the programme of work for the interim HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7017/04]
385 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an asylum application (details supplied), with regard to which a decision was notified to the person concerned that the Refugee Applications Commissioner is recommending that they be declared a refugee; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6848/04]
188 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his position on the European Commission decision on grant aid received by a company (details supplied) from the Government of Wallonia, Belgium, to fly to Charleroi Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6777/04]
145 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his view on the collapse of a Cork based airline (details supplied); if he has established the reasons for the collapse; the effect this may have for the Irish airline industry in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6778/04]
41 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to reduce access to and use by criminals of firearms, in view of the fact that the number of murders involving the use of such weapons has increased from four in 1998 to 21 in 2003; the steps he intends to take to ensure that those using such weapons are brought to justice in view of the fact that proceedings have been commenced in respect of only four of the murders in which firearms were used in 2003; the position in regard to his review of the firearms control policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6222/04]
19 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to provide additional funds or resources to the Garda Complaints Board to allow it to better discharge its functions, pending the establishment of the Ombudsman Commission for the Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6221/04]
419 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to reduce the number of motorcyclists driving on provisional licences; the number of full motorcycle licence holders in the State; the number of provisional motorcycle licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5765/04]
170 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself with the steps being taken to modernise and upgrade the domestic gas distribution network; when all cast iron pipes will be replaced; if he will consider alerting members of the public living in those areas where cast iron pipes are still in use of the need for extra vigilance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5822/04]
116 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to his Department’s consideration of the recovery plan from An Post which he ordered the company on 4 September 2003 to produce; when he expects agreement on the plan; if he has received an indication of the extent of the job cuts being sought by the company; when the ESOP which was promised following the transformation agreement of 2000 will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5823/04]
69 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the building project for Kilmuckridge vocational college, Gorey, County Wexford; the timeframe for the various stages of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5266/04]
61 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the building project for Curracloe national school, Curracloe, Enniscorthy, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5267/04]
152 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of testing and controls applied to poultry meat imported from non-EU countries; if he has satisfied himself that these tests are sufficient to ensure the quality of imported poultry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4920/04]
103 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that there are sufficient controls in place at ports of entry to ensure that Ireland does not become a victim of avian flu; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4921/04]
450 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford for permission to live and work here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4596/04]
119 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases detected by the Revenue Commissioners in regard to the Financial Resolution of Dáil Éireann on budget day 2003 to close off a VAT loophole being exploited by certain developers and builders; the total loss to the Exchequer in terms of tax foregone; when the matter first came to the attention of the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4751/04]
106 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the nature of the proposed investigation to be carried out by the Revenue Commissioners due to begin on 29 March 2004 into the operation of Irish banks with operations in well known tax havens; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4752/04]
32 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed and conclusions reached at his meeting in Brussels on 28 January 2004 with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4190/04]
57 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government has taken on foot of the invitation by the International Court of Justice to make submissions on the legality of the wall being constructed in the occupied Palestinian territory; if the Government will avail of the opportunity to make a written and oral submission to the court; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4189/04]
125 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the comments by the chairperson of Threshold that the Government decision to cap rent supplements has led to hidden poverty and that many tenants have been forced to top up officially declared rents that leaves them short of heat, clothing and food; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3872/04]
124 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the annual report of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for 2002; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the society spent €630,000 every week in 2002 battling poverty and that it received a massive increase in calls for help during that year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3871/04]
241 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the new housing developments that have considerably increased the population of Gorey, County Wexford; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this is likely to continue as many more housing developments are under way in the area; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the Loreto primary school, Gorey, County Wexford, does not have the capacity to accommodate additional pupils and will have to refuse enrolment to many newly arrived families with schoolchildren; the steps his Department is taking to ensure that all children residing in Gorey town can avail of primary education in their immediate locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3622/04]
153 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies notified to her Department during 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003; the steps being taken to deal with the sharp increase in redundancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3774/04]
150 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the recent survey published by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority showing a huge variation in the cost of motor insurance and that premiums can vary as much as 500% depending on the location at which a person lives and the insurance company in question; the action she intends to take arising from this survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3773/04]
111 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made in her consideration of the recommendation made in the recent discussion paper from the Law Reform Commission that there should be a new offence created of corporate killing; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3822/04]
109 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of her action plan for the insurance industry; the elements of the plan yet to be implemented; the timetable for the implementation of the different elements of the plan; if she intends to take steps to deal, in the meantime, with the escalating cost of insurance; the number of persons recruited to date to the staff of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; when she expects that the board will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3821/04]
37 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to address the long periods that Naval Service personnel must spend at sea; the plans he has for a return to the two years on-two years off rotation for personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3296/04]
21 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the total establishment level for the Naval Service as set out in the White Paper on Defence; the current number of personnel; the steps being taken to ensure that personnel numbers are brought up to the recommended level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3295/04]
181 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total amount disbursed prior to the end of 2003 in regard to the Disbursement Plan 2003-2005 published by the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board; the likely amount for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3087/04]
147 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the meeting of European Union drug co-ordinators in June 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3086/04]
483 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date in arranging the transfer of his Department to Wexford; the actions that have been taken since the budget day announcement; when he envisages the first staff will move to Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2904/04]
388 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children when the refurbishment to New Haughton Hospital, New Ross, will commence, as promised by the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, during his visit to the hospital in 2003; if a specific allowance has been made by his Department for this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2911/04]
208 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to introduce the promised guidelines under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to deal with the issue of one off housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2862/04]
209 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether house owners should be liable for the development levies on extensions to their homes, especially when, in many such cases, extensions are required to care for an elderly relative or a person with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2863/04]
54 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made to date in the review of the witness protection programme; if he is considering additional measures to support witnesses who may be giving evidence in court cases involving serious charges, but who may not wish to enter the protection programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2434/04]
6 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made by the Courts Service with regard to guidelines for gardaí acting as jury keepers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2435/04]
186 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce the promised tougher criteria for qualification for a taxi drivers licence in view of concerns that an increasing number of people with serious criminal convictions have received licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2118/04]
162 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding plans to end the Shannon stopover; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2119/04]
695 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current ratio is one consultant neurologist per 280,000 of population in the health service; that the recommendation of the Irish Consultant Neurologists Association is one consultant neurologist per 100,000 of population; that catering for a population of 450,000 people in the South Eastern Health Board area, Waterford Regional Hospital would require the services of 4.5 consultant neurologists according to the ICNA recommendation; that Waterford Regional Hospital has no consultant neurologist on staff even though it has had a state of the art MRI scanner for the past two years; his plans to address the serious deficit in services for people residing in the SEHB area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1470/04]
654 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the child and adolescent psychiatry service provided by the South Eastern Health Board in Wexford is resourced to treat emergency cases only; that there is currently a waiting list of 212 patients who under current arrangements have no prospect of accessing this service in the foreseeable future; if he considers that the service currently provided in Wexford is adequate; if he will indicate how this service compares with that provided by other health boards; if he will provide additional resources to enable the South Eastern Health Board to extend the child and adolescent psychiatry service in Wexford to non-emergency patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1250/04]
580 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the capital expenditure on primary schools in County Wexford for 2003; the estimated capital expenditure for primary schools in County Wexford in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2250/04]