50 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the progress made in regard to the implementation of the Marine Institute Act; when it is expected that the institute will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine whether the inquiry into the collision involving the mv Kilkenny and the mv Hasselwerder has yet been completed; if so, if he will outline the conclusions of the inquiry and the recommendations which have been made; and if he will publish the report of the inquiry.
37 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine whether the inquiry into the collision involving the mv Kilkenny and the mv Hasselwerder has yet been completed; if so, if he will outline the conclusions of the inquiry and the recommendations which have been made; and if he will publish the report of the inquiry.
50 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the progress made in regard to the implementation of the Marine Institute Act; when it is expected that the institute will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
87 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to establish a conciliation and arbitration scheme for ranks other than commissioned officers in the Defence Forces; when it will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
13 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the numbers of NCOs who have been commissioned as officers in each of the past five years; the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of officers coming through the ranks, especially in view of the recommendations of the Gleeson report in this regard, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
87 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to establish a conciliation and arbitration scheme for ranks other than commissioned officers in the Defence Forces; when it will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
54 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the nature of his recent agreement with the ESB regarding their method of billing for electrical goods; if he will confirm that the ESB is now free to continue selling all electrical goods to its customers on its billing system at the most competitive rates possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
13 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Energy if his attention has been drawn to the recent reported failure of computer controlled safety equipment at the Sellafield Nuclear Reprocessing Plant; if he has raised the matter with the UK authorities; if so, if he will outline the response, if any, he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
54 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the nature of his recent agreement with the ESB regarding their method of billing for electrical goods; if he will confirm that the ESB is now free to continue selling all electrical goods to its customers on its billing system at the most competitive rates possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
21 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total amount due to this country from the United Nations for Irish participation in UN peace-keeping operations; the steps being taken to have the debt cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
11 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if the Government have yet considered the memorandum prepared by her predecessor regarding the status of Shannon Airport, and especially the compulsory stop over requirement of transatlantic flights; if she intends to publish the memorandum or outline its main provisions; if her attention has been drawn to the recent warning issued by the Irish Airline Pilot's Association that Aer Lingus could be forced to shut down their transatlantic operations unless there is a change in the compulsory stop-over policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if he will list the aircraft acquired by the Air Corps for the Ministerial Air Transport Service; if it is planned to acquire any additional aircraft for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the progress made during the first 12 months on the implementation of the ten year Environment Action Programme announced in January 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
11 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Labour if he has considered the possible introduction of (1) longer maternity leave and (2) some form of paternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline (1) the purpose of his recent visit to South Africa; (2) the organisations he met there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
15 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he is considering the privatisation of all or part of either Dublin Bus or Bus Éireann or of any of the routes which they now operate; if his attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed by trade unions representing workers in these companies about his reported plans; if he has met or intends to meet the unions to discuss his plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if she has any plans to provide incentives for general practitioners to form group practices which would be in a position to offer services for longer hours than doctors in practice on their own, particularly with a view to relieving pressure on accident and emergency services in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
3 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the latest position regarding the threat by general practitioners to withdraw from the general medical services scheme; if, in view of the serious implications of any such move she will outline the steps she intends to take to deal with this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice if, in the light of the award of £196,500 made by the High Court on 18 November 1991 to a Garda attached to the Carriage Office, who was subjected to a campaign of intimidation and threats after refusing to take part in the issuing of bogus taxi licences, he will outline the steps which were taken to identify those responsible for this campaign; the disciplinary or other steps which were taken against those involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
16 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has received the final report of the National Pension Board; when the report will be published; if the same retirement age for men and women will be recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
4 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare when it is intended to initiate the review of social welfare rates with the aim of providing greater equity between recipients, and families in particular, who are in similar circumstances, which was promised in the Review of the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
15 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the progress which has been made with regard to the introduction of EC proposals for improved safety standards on building sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
15 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has yet concluded his consideration of the study of the export credit insurance scheme undertaken by a firm of consultants and received by his Department on 17 May 1991; if any decision has been taken on the basis of the study; if any decision has yet been taken on the possible publication of all or part of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
77 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress that has been made in the current year in the campaign to eradicate bovine TB; if any new initiatives are planned in this area; if he has any plans to strengthen ERAD; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
68 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps that have been taken to trace the source of the beef liver exported from this country which was found by the British authorities to have been contaminated with angel dust; if he will identify the plant from which the meat was exported; if it is intended to withdraw its export licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
77 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress that has been made in the current year in the campaign to eradicate bovine TB; if any new initiatives are planned in this area; if he has any plans to strengthen ERAD; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
68 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps that have been taken to trace the source of the beef liver exported from this country which was found by the British authorities to have been contaminated with angel dust; if he will identify the plant from which the meat was exported; if it is intended to withdraw its export licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
47 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the opinion recently expressed by the President of the International Air Transport, that the survival of Aer Lingus on the North Atlantic route would be in doubt while the Shannon compulsory stop remained, and the similar views expressed at the same conference by the President of the American Society of Travel Agents; if he will outline his views on these statements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
47 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the opinion recently expressed by the President of the International Air Transport, that the survival of Aer Lingus on the North Atlantic route would be in doubt while the Shannon compulsory stop remained, and the similar views expressed at the same conference by the President of the American Society of Travel Agents; if he will outline his views on these statements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
4 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the reason he approved the recent application for an increase for bus and rail fares; if any assessment was undertaken of the likely negative impact on passenger numbers arising from the increase especially in regard to Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
8 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that existing levels of pay for Army apprentices are adequate; if he has any plans to review the levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
59 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment if, in the light of the decision of Dublin Corporation to revise and up-date their by-laws relating to parks and open spaces in an attempt to bring vandalism, drug-taking, cider parties and unlawful entry and activity at night under control, he will update the fine to £800 as at the moment there is only a derisory £5 fine applicable under the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878.
59 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment if, in the light of the decision of Dublin Corporation to revise and up-date their by-laws relating to parks and open spaces in an attempt to bring vandalism, drug-taking, cider parties and unlawful entry and activity at night under control, he will update the fine to £800 as at the moment there is only a derisory £5 fine applicable under the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878.
4 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress which has been made since 10 July 1991 in regard to seeking a settlement with the Irish Dental Association regarding the provision of dental treatment to the spouses of insured workers; the number of dentists currently providing such services and the number who are refusing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
6 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Labour when the proposed FIE-ICTU joint declaration on employee involvement in the private sector, which was promised under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, will be published; if he has had or plans to have any discussions with either the FIE-ICTU regarding the contents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
16 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the Government's position on the current Middle East peace initiative; if the Government will urge that any peace conference should be under the auspices of the United Nations and that the role of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation as the representative body for the Palestinian people should be fully recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
28 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of (a) the efforts which have been made by the Irish Government in support of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees' attempts to reach agreement with the South African Government for a general amnesty for all exiles and for financial assistance to facilitate the return of such refugees to South Africa and (b) the initiatives which the Government have taken at EC, UN and other international fora to secure the speedy release of political prisoners in South Africa and to seek the repeal of legislation designed to circumscribe political activity such as the Internal Security Act; whether he supports the establishment of a constituent assembly in South Africa in the light of the Namibian experience as part of the transitional process in South Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline, in respect of each of the past five years, the number of fishermen from (a) Irish vessels and (b) foreign vessels in Irish waters who were drowned at sea; if he has satisfied himself that safety procedures on fishing vessels are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to reports that an underwater video shows that the Kowloon Bridge may have had serious structural damage before it entered Irish waters in November 1986; if he intends to take any steps as a result of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if he will introduce an allowance for FCA administrative staff and NCOs involved in training, who are required to work nights or at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
13 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications when the blueprint for a light rail system for Dublin, which he told a newspaper (details supplied) of 3 June 1991 would be going before the Cabinet, will be ready; if he will outline its main points; the way in which the system will be financed; if any timetable has been set for its commencement or completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
71 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the total cost of commissioning the report by a company (details supplied) on the school transport system; the reason the study was not published; if she will confirm that the study found that her Department was getting good value for its money from Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
71 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the total cost of commissioning the report by a company (details supplied) on the school transport system; the reason the study was not published; if she will confirm that the study found that her Department was getting good value for its money from Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
34 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the manner in which it is intended to examine the possibility of reforming the system for dealing with personal injuries claims, including the question of having such claims dealt with by a specialist tribunal, which was promised in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
34 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the manner in which it is intended to examine the possibility of reforming the system for dealing with personal injuries claims, including the question of having such claims dealt with by a specialist tribunal, which was promised in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the steps which have been taken to implement the commitment given in the Programme for Government to seek the best feasible link-ups with the existing Communitywide energy grids as soon as possible.
22 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the comments made by the former Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs, in the report of the Office for 1989, published on 3 December, that the office was so short of staff that they could not carry out all their functions and that consumers in some areas had no protection; if he will outline his response to these comments; if he intends to provide any additional staff or resources for the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the number of occasions on which the Black Economy Monitoring Group, established in April 1990, under the Programme for National Recovery, have met so far; the progress which has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the number of tax inspectors engaged in self-assessed returns from the self-employed or companies and the numbers actually engaged in the auditing of returns; his views on whether these are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.