78 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to reduce the waiting time for an appointment with a solicitor at the legal aid centres given that the average waiting time is five months and that this can rise to 13 months at some centres; his views on whether such waiting times are acceptable; the additional funding which has been provided in the Estimates for 2004 to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6256/04]
117 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he expects to receive the report from the board of the Hunt Museum in Limerick following his request for the board to investigate claims by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre that the museum’s collection contained items obtained through business dealings with art dealers linked to the art agents for Adolf Hitler and Herman Goering; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6131/04]
390 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve the permanent appointment of radiologists, a geriatrician, ear, nose and throat consultants and a general surgeon at Mallow Hospital, a designated general hospital under the Health Act 1970.
[5898/04]
176 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the tendering process for the MSE to manage the MANs project and on the likely development of the management of the metropolitan area networks over the next three to five years and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5870/04]
141 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on reports of further price rises in electricity following an expected asset windfall for ESB resulting from the company’s expected share of the allocation of Ireland’s trading emission allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5871/04]
23 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made to date in the public consultation process on the future shape and direction of education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5259/04]
18 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps being taken to counter the drop out rate, either in terms of those who do not transfer from primary to second level, or those who leave the system before completing the junior or leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5260/04]
145 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent of efforts made to ensure that the cost of the disposal of waste meat and bone meal provides value for money for the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4939/04]
143 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the precise location of the nine Department of Agriculture and Food approved rendering plants for meat and bone meal and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4940/04]
107 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the Ansbacher accounts at the latest date for which figures are available; the number of cases in which settlements have been agreed and the total amount paid to date; the number of cases still outstanding; if additional action has been taken by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the report of the Ansbacher inspectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4767/04]
445 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he proposes to approve the application of Cork County Council and Fermoy Town Council to raise a loan in respect of the court house and civic offices in Fermoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3901/04]
271 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give consideration to the plans for Kilcreadan national school in Ladysbridge, County Cork, in view of the urgent need of extra accommodation, the alleviation of flooding and the upgrading of the sewerage system.
[3897/04]
270 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give consideration to the appointment of a resource teacher to Clonpriest national school in Youghal, County Cork, with regard to the revisions of the process-criteria so as to enable a pupil to receive learning support.
[3896/04]
269 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give consideration to the plans for Coláiste Mhuire in Buttevant, County Cork, in view of the urgent need of accommodation and that the school situation remains as it was in 2003.
[3895/04]
129 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the terms of the recent ban imposed by her on technical assistance or training relating to military equipment and the provision of finance for the sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related matters in respect of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3800/04]
127 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the criticism made by the former UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, of the work permit system, particularly in so far as it requires persons with permits to work for one employer only; her views on the comments made; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3801/04]
34 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the possible use of Defence Forces personnel in prisons in the event of industrial action by prison officers; the training which has been given to the personnel who will be used in this role; the consultation there has been with the representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3283/04]
10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the reason persons who are coeliacs are not regarded as suitable to be members of the Naval Service; if he will reconsider that policy, especially in view of the negative message that it sends out and the full role coeliacs play in other walks of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3284/04]
5 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if he has plans to review the position of widows of those who lost their lives serving with the United Nations in the Congo in view of the very small sums that they received in compensation and pensions at the time; if he will consider making an ex gratia payment to those involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3484/04]
2 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the basis on which he decided to end the Air Corps role in search and rescue operations from Sligo; the cost of hiring and maintaining the private helicopter service that will replace it; if his attention has been drawn to the description of the decision as very regressive by the Irish Fish Producers Organisation; the duties the personnel transferred out of Sligo will now perform; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3483/04]
177 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made to date in implementing the new national drugs strategy launched in May 2001.
[3102/04]
146 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the specific proposals he has for multi-dimensional policies to sustain the population of rural areas, in regard to his comments reported in a newspaper (details supplied) on 4 December 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3103/04]
203 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will reintroduce the radon remedial grant scheme for domestic dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2883/04]
181 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the scientific basis for his recently expressed view that incinerators were less harmful to the public than exhaust fumes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2882/04]
48 Mr. Sherlock 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, particularly in regard to the proposals for the establishment of a statutory press council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2506/04]
44 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the contents of a television programme (details supplied) broadcast on 7 December 2003 which claimed there could be a far more extensive trade here for child pornographers swopping images than those who pay to download the images; the action the gardaí are taking to deal with this situation; if he has satisfied himself that there are sufficient resources available to the gardaí to combat this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2507/04]
156 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the operation of the rural transport initiative; the areas where the scheme operates; the funding provided to each scheme for 2003 and 2004; and his plans for this scheme for the future.
[2144/04]
331 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if he has received offers of sites in the Mallow and Mitchelstown areas in respect of Fáilte Ireland and Bus Éireann in respect of the proposed decentralisation programme; if he will identify the areas in Mallow and Mitchelstown at which the proposed sites are; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1769/04]
261 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence his plans to build a new unit to replace the old FCA building at Fair Street, Mallow in County Cork.
[1770/04]
202 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made 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.
[1909/04]
203 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he intends to take to deal with the threat to health posed by rising level of obesity identified in the recent annual report of the National Nutritional Surveillance Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1908/04]
2 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if he has received a request from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or the Prison Service for the possible use of Defence Forces personnel in prisons in the event of industrial action by prison officers; the response he has given to such a request; the training that will be given to personnel, if they are to be used in this role; the consultation there has been with the representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29529/03]
4 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if the final composition of the Defence Forces contingent for the United Nations Mission in Liberia has now been confirmed; the details of the numbers and the role they will play; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29530/03]
48 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the number of cases in which the European Commission has initiated legal action, or announced that it intends to take legal action, arising from the failure by this country to implement EU directives for which his Department has responsibility; the steps he is taking to ensure that all these directives are implemented in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28456/03]
48 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the number of cases in which the European Commission has initiated legal action, or announced that it intends to take legal action, arising from the failure by this country to implement EU directives for which his Department has responsibility; the steps he is taking to ensure that all these directives are implemented in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28456/03]
120 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to end the conflict involving Air Corps winch crews and particularly to deal with allegations of bullying and harassment as a result of members raising concerns over safety issues; the number of such personnel who have been transferred, moved to other duties or otherwise disciplined; the plans there are to address the concerns raised and end the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25452/03]
120 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to end the conflict involving Air Corps winch crews and particularly to deal with allegations of bullying and harassment as a result of members raising concerns over safety issues; the number of such personnel who have been transferred, moved to other duties or otherwise disciplined; the plans there are to address the concerns raised and end the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25452/03]
12 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date with regard to the complaint submitted on 20 August 2003 to the labour inspectorate in respect of a company (details supplied), three of whose employees were awarded damages of ?50,000 in the High Court on 29 October 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24496/03]
27 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the response which has been received from the British authorities to his further representations regarding reports that there were serious concerns regarding the structural stability of the roof of a waste storage facility at the Sellafield nuclear plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23615/03]
12 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the position in regard to his request to the British authorities to allow Irish experts to inspect the Sellafield nuclear plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23614/03]
68 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence when it is intended to acquire medium lift helicopters, following the cancellation of the order in 2002 and in view of the clear need for appropriate aircraft to allow the Air Corps to carry out their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18763/03]
66 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns expressed by relatives of those who died in the 1999 Dauphin crash at Tramore regarding deleted sections of the report of a military court of inquiry into the accident; the reason these deletions were made; if he will now consider making the deleted matter available to the relatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18893/03]
63 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding proposals to replace the Government Gulfstream IV jet and the Beechcraft aircraft; the number of tenders received by the closing date of 30 May 2003; if a decision has yet been made on the awarding of the contracts; if new or second hand aircraft will be acquired; the total estimated cost; when it is expected that the aircraft will be in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18892/03]
68 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence when it is intended to acquire medium lift helicopters, following the cancellation of the order in 2002 and in view of the clear need for appropriate aircraft to allow the Air Corps to carry out their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18763/03]
66 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns expressed by relatives of those who died in the 1999 Dauphin crash at Tramore regarding deleted sections of the report of a military court of inquiry into the accident; the reason these deletions were made; if he will now consider making the deleted matter available to the relatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18893/03]
63 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding proposals to replace the Government Gulfstream IV jet and the Beechcraft aircraft; the number of tenders received by the closing date of 30 May 2003; if a decision has yet been made on the awarding of the contracts; if new or second hand aircraft will be acquired; the total estimated cost; when it is expected that the aircraft will be in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18892/03]
151 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the implications for Irish aviation, and particularly for Shannon Airport, of the decision of the EU Transport Council on 5 June 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16883/03]
151 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the implications for Irish aviation, and particularly for Shannon Airport, of the decision of the EU Transport Council on 5 June 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16883/03]
161 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport his views on the findings of the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament calling on the Government to provide compensation for families who lost out as a result of the manner of the deregulation of the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13693/03]
161 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport his views on the findings of the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament calling on the Government to provide compensation for families who lost out as a result of the manner of the deregulation of the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13693/03]