26 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the study, if any, her Department has carried out on the effect on jobs if the new EU directive relating to the regulation on hushkits on airplanes is implemented and the exact quantum of noise improvement this will provide at EU airports; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12543/99]
26 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the study, if any, her Department has carried out on the effect on jobs if the new EU directive relating to the regulation on hushkits on airplanes is implemented and the exact quantum of noise improvement this will provide at EU airports; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12543/99]
15 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has to reverse or defer the implementation of legislation on the new EU directive relating to the regulation of hushkits on airplanes; the contingency plans, if any, she has to limit any consequences to the economy from its implementation or arising out of a trade war with the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12544/99]
12 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her response to the report (details supplied) commissioned by Aer Rianta into its strategic future; if it is Government policy to retain the three airports of Dublin, Cork and Shannon as one unit now and in the future; if she has satisfied herself that the investment programme of £350 million put forward by Aer Rianta is justified and necessary; and if she will ensure that there is proper consultation with air carriers and clients of Aer Rianta's airports to see that this level of investment is justified economically.
[12546/99]
11 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will ensure every person who registers to purchase Telecom Éireann shares under the initial public offering will be guaranteed up to £3,000 worth of shares and, through this, a decision to ensure the retail market will be able to receive priority treatment in the allocation of shares.
[12545/99]
21 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the financial arrangements for providing the finances necessary for the implementation of the rail safety investment programme; the plans, if any, she has to introduce a new ceiling on the borrowing level for CIE; and, if so, the level at which it will be.
[8641/99]
61 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, he will take to improve the accommodation for the entire helicopter wing of the Air Corps which is occupying a two storey pre-fabricated building which is disintegrating after 17 years in existence, having been constructed to last for four years and to accommodate one squadron, not four.
[4909/99]
61 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, he will take to improve the accommodation for the entire helicopter wing of the Air Corps which is occupying a two storey pre-fabricated building which is disintegrating after 17 years in existence, having been constructed to last for four years and to accommodate one squadron, not four.
[4909/99]
4 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will arrange for an immediate external study into the adequacy of electricity generating capacity relative to demand; and if the analysis on this issue is totally dependent upon data from ESB.
[3927/99]
1 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has for the implementation phase of rail safety work; when this will be published; the level and time period of the proposed programme; and the specific rail lines to be upgraded.
[3925/99]
4 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the public transport initiatives, if any, which have been put in place by the Government to deal with the special traffic relieving measures in the context of the pre-Christmas period; the proposals, if any, to grant temporary licences to private bus operators during any part of the day or night in this regard; if she has received proposals from the Federation of Transport Operators; and, if so, the response she has given to them.
[26896/98]
3 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the discussions, if any, she has had, or will have, with representatives of Ryanair or other carriers using Dublin Airport in the context of the proposed removal of the discount and rebates scheme on landing and departure charges with effect from 1999; and if her attention has been drawn to the recent announcement by Ryanair to switch the development of five new routes into Europe from Dublin to London in 1999.
[26895/98]
1 Deputy Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the discussions between Aer Lingus and Lufthansa in the context of Aer Lingus joining the STAR alliance; if she, as an acting shareholder, has been involved in any such discussions; the conclusions or decisions, if any, reached on the matter; and if there is a proposed timetable for her to report to the Government or Dáil Éireann on a future strategic alliance for Aer Lingus.
[26894/98]
31 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will intervene in the dispute between Aer Rianta and air carriers in relation to the abolition of the landing and departure charges discount and rebate schemes which are being abolished in early 1999; and the discussions, if any, she has had with either party on the matter to date.
[22381/98]
29 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when the report by IRMS into rail safety will be published; and if she will clarify her recent comments on the Government's commitment to provide the necessary £600 million to invest in railway track, signalling and equipment to ensure that safety is not compromised for railway passengers.
[22380/98]
31 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will intervene in the dispute between Aer Rianta and air carriers in relation to the abolition of the landing and departure charges discount and rebate schemes which are being abolished in early 1999; and the discussions, if any, she has had with either party on the matter to date.
[22381/98]
29 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when the report by IRMS into rail safety will be published; and if she will clarify her recent comments on the Government's commitment to provide the necessary £600 million to invest in railway track, signalling and equipment to ensure that safety is not compromised for railway passengers.
[22380/98]
69 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress, if any, made in the proposed implementation here of the EU directive on cabotage as it affects bus passenger transport; the decisions, if any, the Government has made on the reform of the Road Transport Act, 1932; and if the Government will consider introducing a licensing commission to develop public passenger services along the lines of the Independent Radio and Television Commission legislation of 1988.
[17746/98]
67 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the report by the Director of Telecommunication Regulation published in July 1998 relating to the issuing of temporary licences for television deflector operations pending the availability of digital transmission system; her views on this report and whether the Government will give consent to the relevant regulations and licensing terms to ensure this is done; the discussions if any she has had since this publication with the regulator on the matter in order to expedite the availability of multichannel television services to many rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17744/98]
42 Mr. Yates asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received the report into Ryanair being carried out by persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15735/98]
42 Mr. Yates asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received the report into Ryanair being carried out by persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15735/98]
115 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to extend the free fuel scheme to the month of April in view of the fact that heating costs for many eligible people can be as high in that month as in other winter months; the proposals, if any, he has to increase the rate of payment for the 1999 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14647/98]
115 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to extend the free fuel scheme to the month of April in view of the fact that heating costs for many eligible people can be as high in that month as in other winter months; the proposals, if any, he has to increase the rate of payment for the 1999 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14647/98]
19 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the amount of public moneys already committed to the design of the Luas project as approved by the previous Government and whether any refund will be required to be repaid to the European Commission in view of the Government's decision not to proceed with the proposal as previously planned; the likely cost and timeframe for the construction of the proposed city centre tunnel; the initial assessment, if any, she has as to the gradients of this tunnel based on geological assessment to date of the rock structure in the area in question; and the proposed number of city centre stop points with portal holes on the tunnel.
[13063/98]
17 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding the proposed sale of TEAM Aer Lingus to FLS Aviation; the proposals, if any, she has received from the board; when it is anticipated that the process within Aer Lingus will be completed and a Government decision required; the vote outcome she would regard as a mandate to proceed with the proposed deal in view of her stated position of worker acceptance being a precondition of this; and the variations, if any, there are of the deal being considered, including a joint venture as opposed to a total sale.
[13062/98]
19 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the amount of public moneys already committed to the design of the Luas project as approved by the previous Government and whether any refund will be required to be repaid to the European Commission in view of the Government's decision not to proceed with the proposal as previously planned; the likely cost and timeframe for the construction of the proposed city centre tunnel; the initial assessment, if any, she has as to the gradients of this tunnel based on geological assessment to date of the rock structure in the area in question; and the proposed number of city centre stop points with portal holes on the tunnel.
[13063/98]
17 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding the proposed sale of TEAM Aer Lingus to FLS Aviation; the proposals, if any, she has received from the board; when it is anticipated that the process within Aer Lingus will be completed and a Government decision required; the vote outcome she would regard as a mandate to proceed with the proposed deal in view of her stated position of worker acceptance being a precondition of this; and the variations, if any, there are of the deal being considered, including a joint venture as opposed to a total sale.
[13062/98]
1 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to three recent reports from Forfás, IBEC and the Competitiveness Council in relation to the excessive cost of telecommunications and Internet charges in Ireland relative to other countries; the proposals, if any, she has to ensure a reduction in these charges; if she will consider an earlier date for the introduction of competition for voice telephony services and the provision of additional Structural Funds to Telecom Éireann to provide adequate broadband capability; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8488/98]
67 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the report he requested from the Attorney General on the operation of the poor box system in the District Court will be available; the names of the charities and the amounts received by each charity from the court's poor box in 1996 and 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6612/98]
67 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the report he requested from the Attorney General on the operation of the poor box system in the District Court will be available; the names of the charities and the amounts received by each charity from the court's poor box in 1996 and 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6612/98]
26 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance the discussions, if any, he has had with the Central Bank or the social partners in relation to the potential for increases in the rate of inflation; the impact, if any, of an increase on the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5810/98]
25 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the terms of reference of the working party established to address changes in the taxation regime applying to credit unions and related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5809/98]
22 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he proposes, in future years, to honour his commitment to ensure that 80 per cent of taxpayers pay tax at the standard rate in view of the increase in the number of persons paying tax in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5807/98]
26 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance the discussions, if any, he has had with the Central Bank or the social partners in relation to the potential for increases in the rate of inflation; the impact, if any, of an increase on the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5810/98]
25 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the terms of reference of the working party established to address changes in the taxation regime applying to credit unions and related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5809/98]
22 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he proposes, in future years, to honour his commitment to ensure that 80 per cent of taxpayers pay tax at the standard rate in view of the increase in the number of persons paying tax in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5807/98]
46 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Defence the number of Air Corps pilots who were offered contracts to remain in service for three, four or five years; the number who accepted these contracts; the aircraft types on which they hold a current rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4866/98]
46 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Defence the number of Air Corps pilots who were offered contracts to remain in service for three, four or five years; the number who accepted these contracts; the aircraft types on which they hold a current rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4866/98]
26 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received the report of the board of inquiry concerning the rail accident on 8 November 1997 at Knockcroghery, County Roscommon; and if she has satisfied herself that there are adequate mobile and patrol supervisions of this Mayo line both in relation to this accident and on an ongoing basis; if she will outline the level of heavy maintenance carried out on this line over the past ten years, specifically relating to the tamping machine process; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4598/98]
24 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position on the proposed sale of TEAM Aer Lingus; if the Government as shareholder intends to pursue this proposed sale; if she will set out a proposed timescale for the completion of the consultative process which she has embarked upon in this regard; if the proposed purchaser has had direct dialogue with the group of trade unions in relation to their specific issues of concern; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4596/98]
26 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received the report of the board of inquiry concerning the rail accident on 8 November 1997 at Knockcroghery, County Roscommon; and if she has satisfied herself that there are adequate mobile and patrol supervisions of this Mayo line both in relation to this accident and on an ongoing basis; if she will outline the level of heavy maintenance carried out on this line over the past ten years, specifically relating to the tamping machine process; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4598/98]
24 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position on the proposed sale of TEAM Aer Lingus; if the Government as shareholder intends to pursue this proposed sale; if she will set out a proposed timescale for the completion of the consultative process which she has embarked upon in this regard; if the proposed purchaser has had direct dialogue with the group of trade unions in relation to their specific issues of concern; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4596/98]
38 Mr. Yates asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reasons for ending the export credit insurance scheme; and the number of Irish companies that will be affected by this decision.
[4216/98]
38 Mr. Yates asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reasons for ending the export credit insurance scheme; and the number of Irish companies that will be affected by this decision.
[4216/98]
9 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give details of the current situation regarding her intervention earlier in 1997, particularly in relation to Bus Éireann, in the industrial relations negotiations regarding the CIE viability plan; and if the deadline she imposed for conclusion of the current talks will be met.
[22619/97]
8 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give details of the current negotiations on the sale of TEAM Aer Lingus; and if the Government, as shareholder, is agreeable in principle to the complete sale of the company.
[22617/97]
6 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give details of her recent meeting with Commissioner Monika Wulf-Mathies regarding the European funding to be made available for Luas.
[22766/97]
51 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region.
[21298/97]