337 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the spouse of an Irish citizen (details supplied) in County Tipperary and mother of three Irish citizens has been told that she must leave the country by the 21 March 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7545/05]
144 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department’s advice to Irish persons intending to travel to Tel Aviv for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel in view of the recent bombing in the city; if he is advising the public that it is safe to travel to Tel Aviv; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7699/05]
96 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the impact the recent bombing in Tel Aviv will have on the recent ceasefires declared in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7698/05]
53 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent suggestions that high-income earners who are paid more than €200,000 per year should pay a minimum 20% tax; if he intends to take steps to ensure a minimum tax contribution from high earners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7150/05]
28 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Finance the progress made by the Revenue Commissioners in their investigation into the reported use of single premium insurance policies as a tax avoidance mechanism; if the precise nature of the investigation has been decided; the information available to his Department or the Revenue on the extent of this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7151/05]
324 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure for applying for permission to return and reside here with their Irish born children for the former Kosovar programme refugee parents who gave birth to children during their stay here between 1999 and 2000; the documents required; the closing date for the applications; if the application forms are issued by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6886/05]
307 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the long promised closed circuit television will be installed in an area (details supplied); the number of gardaí who are employed full time in dealing with the problem of prostitution in the area; the number of women who have been arrested for soliciting in the area for each of the past five years; the average age of the women involved; the number of men who have been arrested for soliciting the services of prostitutes in the area for each of the past five years; the average age of the men involved; the number of pimps living off immoral earnings who have been arrested in each of the past five years; the number of prosecutions and the number of convictions in all these cases.
[6587/05]
217 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedure for the renewal of Irish passports issued to the former Kosovar programme refugee children who were born in the State during their parents’ stay here between 1999 and 2000 and whose passports have now expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6887/05]
186 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Finance the reason Broc House, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, was purchased in 2001 for nearly €10 million, as a reception centre for asylum seekers without the OPW having first examined the premises to ensure that it fulfilled current regulatory standards; the amount it will cost to achieve those standards; if the Department of Health and Children, to which he proposes to dispose of the property, will also have to meet equally stringent regulatory standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6586/05]
113 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on activities undertaken by the Defence Forces to date under the auspices of Partnership for Peace; the future activities that may be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6694/05]
154 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the prison building projects which have not been proceeded with over the past 35 years by his Department; the reason they did not proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6403/05]
92 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the mechanism for recruiting nursing staff to health board residential nursing centres when extra staff are required, a nursing member of staff becomes ill or is unavailable for any reason; if private agencies are employed; the rate charged; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[6402/05]
57 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress in regard to his consideration of proposals to introduce legislation to provide for a new offence of corporate killing as recommended by the Law Reform Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6150/05]
51 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the end of year returns published by Shannon Development; if his attention has been drawn to the comments made by the chief executive officer that the company will not have the wherewithal to continue driving the region if, as proposed, a major transfer of its assets is made to Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6149/05]
91 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has reviewed the habitual residence condition; if he has considered the hardship this condition has caused in many cases in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5901/05]
80 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he intends to address the gross inequality of treatment of asylum seekers in the context of direct provision; if he will increase the rate of direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5902/05]
310 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who visited Mountjoy Prison in 2004; the number of prisoners admitted to Mountjoy in 2004; the number of prisoners released from Mountjoy in 2004; the number of prisoners transferred from Mountjoy in 2004; the number of prisoners taken out of the prison for emergency services such as hospital care in 2004; the number of prisoners transported from Mountjoy to and from the courts in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5739/05]
309 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he proposes to release a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5738/05]
319 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government has accepted all the recommendations made in the first report of the Morris tribunal, including the need for a more proactive role for Garda headquarters in the management of Garda divisions; the need for improved recording and reporting of incidents; the restoration of the practice of members of inspector rank and above keeping daily official journals; the need for an urgent and independent review of policy on the handling of informants; the need for a specific obligation on members of the Garda Síochána to account truthfully for any actions taken in the course of duty; the progress made to date in implementing those recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5964/05]
304 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government has accepted all the recommendations (details supplied) made in the first report of the Morris tribunal; the progress made to date in implementing these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5682/05]
119 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has not been granted the medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[5743/05]
34 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will make a decision on the re-location of the Abbey Theatre; if he will report on the sites now being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5323/05]
19 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had any meetings with the new director designate of the Abbey Theatre to discuss the future of the national theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5322/05]
102 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding his consideration of the recommendations of the legal advisory group on the defamation law, in regard to the proposals for the establishment of a statutory press council; when he intends to bring proposals on this matter to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4921/05]
68 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the security arrangements the gardaí are planning for the Phibsboro area in view of concerns expressed by local residents arising from a decision that Shamrock Rovers will play its home matches at Dalymount from March 2005 when the new soccer season starts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4955/05]
57 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the basis on which a decision was made to locate the proposed new prison at Thornton, County Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns expressed by local residents at the proposal; the consultation there has been or the consultation he plans to have with local residents; the amount paid for the site of the proposed new prison at Thornton, County Dublin; if a contract has been signed for the purchase of the site; the total estimated cost of the project, including all building and development costs; the discussions he has had with the health authorities regarding the decision to relocate the Central Mental Hospital to the same campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4920/05]
519 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to review the electoral laws to guard against abuse of the electoral franchise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4622/05]
447 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the establishment of the Garda Síochána reward fund; the way in which it is administered; the way in which it is maintained; and why it is to be retained.
[4995/05]
444 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to measure Garda performance in each division; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4984/05]
439 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform how much has been spent on refurbishment or building in the Mountjoy complex over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4909/05]
195 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the respite unit at Drumcar, County Louth has not been provided with the promised 64 staffing requirements and funds to enable it to remain open and provide an essential service to the families of children and young persons with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4623/05]
133 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the State subsidies of €6.4 million given to National Toll Roads during the period 2002-03; the purpose of these subsidies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4781/05]
94 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason she has not published the report commissioned from Deloitte and Touche on the GMS, in view of the fact that it is now two years since a draft was submitted to her; if the report has yet been brought to Government; if it is intended to implement the recommendations of the report; the findings of the report in regard to the issuing of medical cards to people over 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4254/05]
73 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in introducing legislation to provide for the issuing of the promised 200,000 doctor visit cards; if all arrangements for the introduction of the cards have been agreed with the doctors’ representative organisations; the steps taken to deal with the situation in those parts of the country; when she expects the legislation to be published; when she expects the first cards to be issued and all 200,000 cards to be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4253/05]
244 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for choosing a premises (details supplied) in Dublin 1 as a refugee holding centre; the number of persons that can be accommodated in same; the further reason Broc House is not being used for the purpose purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4108/05]
180 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have spent time sitting on chairs or lying on trolleys awaiting treatment in the accident and emergency department of the Mater Hospital for each month since she became the Minister for Health and Children and for each month for the five years previous to her becoming so; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4101/05]
179 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason persons (details supplied) in Dublin 10 are still waiting for orthodontic treatment; when they will receive treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4100/05]
162 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the basis on which it was claimed in a statement issued on 13 December 2004 that the 10,000 target under the Sustaining Progress and affordable housing initiative had been achieved; the breakdown on a county basis of the location of these houses; the number of these houses which have been occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3890/05]
107 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action that has been taken or that he plans to take following the report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution on the cost of building land; the measures that have been implemented arising from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3891/05]
435 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the location of each of the mobile phone masts in use by a company (details supplied) at Garda stations in Dublin; the number of masts that have planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3739/05]
428 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will allow all the former Kosovar programme refugee parents who gave birth to children during their stay here between 1999 and 2000 to return to reside here with their Irish-born children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3640/05]
122 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the main conclusions of the recent consultants report commissioned by his Department into the way in which RTE uses licence fee money; his views on whether RTE is using the licence fee revenue to suppress advertising rates in order to keep the competition under constant revenue pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3578/05]
89 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has to extend RTE broadcasts to enable Irish persons living in Britain to access RTE programmes on their televisions; his views on whether RTE broadcasts to Britain can be restored in view of the fact that they have been unavailable there for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3577/05]
152 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to the concerns expressed in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3236/05]
151 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the nature of the evidence he has of Sinn Féin or IRA involvement in criminality such as robberies or punishment beatings in the Republic; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3235/05]
66 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the recent research contained in Primary Voices published by the IPA which found high levels of racism and stereotyping in primary school playgrounds; if she has satisfied herself that multiculturalism is sufficiently promoted in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3000/05]
282 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will reconsider his decision to withdraw funding from a group (details supplied) through the national anti-poverty programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3185/05]
107 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the method and procedures by which positions in the United Nations service in the European Union and similar agencies are advertised to the public; if he has proposals for reforming such systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2759/05]
115 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that such sums as have been committed for the achievement of the world millennium development goals will not be affected by recent pledges in relation to the tsunami disaster in South East Asia; if he envisages the shortfall on the world millennium development goals requirement being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2760/05]
310 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide sufficient funding in the summer works scheme to enable a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 to mend the school roof; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2370/05]