2 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence when it is intended to acquire medium life heli copters, 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; if his attention has been drawn to the recent newspaper interview given by the GOC of the Air Corps in which he described the cancellation as a blow to morale; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13206/03]
60 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence his plans to review the use of 12 year contracts for members of the Defence Forces, having regard to the loss of highly trained, experienced personnel arising from the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9057/03]
57 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the Government's plans to acquire new aircraft for the ministerial air transport service; the number and specification of the aircraft being sought; if they will be purchased or leased; the estimated cost of the planned acquisition; the proportion this represents of the total budget for the acquisition of new aircraft for the Air Corps in 2003; when it is expected that the new aircraft will be in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9056/03]
60 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence his plans to review the use of 12 year contracts for members of the Defence Forces, having regard to the loss of highly trained, experienced personnel arising from the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9057/03]
57 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the Government's plans to acquire new aircraft for the ministerial air transport service; the number and specification of the aircraft being sought; if they will be purchased or leased; the estimated cost of the planned acquisition; the proportion this represents of the total budget for the acquisition of new aircraft for the Air Corps in 2003; when it is expected that the new aircraft will be in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9056/03]
97 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date with regard to the publication of the charities Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8330/03]
97 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date with regard to the publication of the charities Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8330/03]
90 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is intended to provide the funding required to permit the new Cork School of Music building project to advance from the planning stage to actual construction, especially having regard to the problems being faced by the school and the need for the new building to be available by 2005 when Cork will be the European City of Culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5837/03]
90 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is intended to provide the funding required to permit the new Cork School of Music building project to advance from the planning stage to actual construction, especially having regard to the problems being faced by the school and the need for the new building to be available by 2005 when Cork will be the European City of Culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5837/03]
99 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently allocated to security duties at Shannon Airport; the role of these troops; if training has been provided for these troops to allow them to fulfil this role; the powers of arrest or action the personnel enjoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4875/03]
99 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently allocated to security duties at Shannon Airport; the role of these troops; if training has been provided for these troops to allow them to fulfil this role; the powers of arrest or action the personnel enjoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4875/03]
9 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has finalised arrangements to have the report from the parole board on a person (details supplied), whom he previously represented in court, considered by another member of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2922/03]
2 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the claims made at the recent annual conference of RACO that medical services for the Defence Forces are close to collapse due to the shortage of doctors and dentists; the number of doctors and dentists available on a full-time basis to members of the Defence Forces; the steps being taken to ensure adequate medical services for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26150/02]
85 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason single asylum seekers on direct provision are being paid reduced social welfare allowance payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24714/02]
69 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of unemployment assistance applications pending as at 31 October 2002, that were pending more than one week ago, more than four weeks ago and more than eight weeks ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24713/02]
85 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason single asylum seekers on direct provision are being paid reduced social welfare allowance payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24714/02]
69 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of unemployment assistance applications pending as at 31 October 2002, that were pending more than one week ago, more than four weeks ago and more than eight weeks ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24713/02]
60 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress he is making on a national audit of local sports facilities around the country, as envisaged in An Agreed Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22494/02]
60 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress he is making on a national audit of local sports facilities around the country, as envisaged in An Agreed Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22494/02]
98 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff who have been transferred to date in regard to the Government's announcement more than two years ago of a major programme of decentralisation of up to 10,000 civil and public servants; the policy of the Government in regard to decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21300/02]
98 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff who have been transferred to date in regard to the Government's announcement more than two years ago of a major programme of decentralisation of up to 10,000 civil and public servants; the policy of the Government in regard to decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21300/02]
47 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the plans he has for the provision of medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps, having regard to his decision announced on 5 July 2002 to cancel the Sikorsky helicopter deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20665/02]
47 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the plans he has for the provision of medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps, having regard to his decision announced on 5 July 2002 to cancel the Sikorsky helicopter deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20665/02]
137 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the Government's response to the NESF report on equality of access to hospital care; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18066/02]
128 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children in regard to his announcement of 29 July 2002, the number of the promised 850 beds under the promised public private partnership now available; the number which will be available by the end of 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18067/02]
27 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine the investigations held to date into the deaths of two children on board the Swansea-Cork Ferry, Celtic Pride; the sanction, if any, which has been taken against the company concerned, particularly in view of reports that many passengers had previously made complaints about the sewerage system on the vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
9 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the likely implications for the tourist industry of the substantial increase in the value of the Irish pound against sterling, particularly if the current exchange rate is maintained into the tourist season for 1993; the plans, if any, she has for specific measures to assist the industry in view of these difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
14 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if he has considered the suggestions, made by RACO in the September issue of its newsletter, Signal, that an expanded role for Irish troops in UN peacekeeping operations could assist in alleviating the unemployment problem through increased recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
55 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education where decisions on the number admitted to teacher training colleges are made; the reason the number admitted in 1992 showed no increase despite the projected shortage of teachers; and whether he has satisfied himself that there are sufficient teachers to ensure that only qualified teachers work in classrooms in future years.
42 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on recent reports of serious deficiencies in school buildings; and the number of schools which have had new buildings and substantial repairs undertaken in each of the last three years.
55 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education where decisions on the number admitted to teacher training colleges are made; the reason the number admitted in 1992 showed no increase despite the projected shortage of teachers; and whether he has satisfied himself that there are sufficient teachers to ensure that only qualified teachers work in classrooms in future years.
70 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he is taking to settle the dispute involving general practitioners operating the General Medical Services Scheme in view of the very serious consequences for medical card holders of the threatened resignations by doctors from the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
70 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he is taking to settle the dispute involving general practitioners operating the General Medical Services Scheme in view of the very serious consequences for medical card holders of the threatened resignations by doctors from the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
16 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the steps, if any, he is taking to settle the dispute involving legal aid solicitors in the Cork area and to ensure that legal aid is available to defendants and that they are brought to trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
59 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy the Government's proposals for the future development of the Irish National Petroleum Corporation; if any further progress has been made with regard to finding a possible partner for the development of the Whitegate Refinery and the Whiddy Island storage capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
59 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy the Government's proposals for the future development of the Irish National Petroleum Corporation; if any further progress has been made with regard to finding a possible partner for the development of the Whitegate Refinery and the Whiddy Island storage capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
32 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Labour the number of redundancies notified to his Department for the first nine months of this year, and the figures for the same periods in 1991 and 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
32 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Labour the number of redundancies notified to his Department for the first nine months of this year, and the figures for the same periods in 1991 and 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
15 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Labour the number of places it was projected would be available for the Job Training Scheme when it was first announced; the number of places taken up so far; the amount of EC money available for the scheme and the amount taken up so far; his views on the future of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
301 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government have taken to promote rapid progress towards the adoption of a new non-racial constitution in South Africa, based on one-person, one-vote; whether the Government support the principle of the establishment of an interim government for the period of transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
27 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether Ireland has protested to the South African authorities regarding the recent massacre of almost 50 people at Boipatong by a group reported to have been acting with the collusion of members of the South African security forces; if, in the light of the deteriorating situation in South Africa, he will outline his views on the prospects for progress towards a new non-racial constitution, based on one person-one-vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
7 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine the total value and tonnage of fish dumped during 1990 and 1991; if he has considered any less wasteful way of disposing of this fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
16 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if it is intended to establish a Rail Commission; if so, if she will outline the terms of reference of the Commission, its functions and proposed membership; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
50 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Farm Ministers talks on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will outline the likely impact on consumers.
50 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Farm Ministers talks on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will outline the likely impact on consumers.
44 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the progress made to date in regard to the implementation of the non-pay recommendations of the Gleeson report, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
57 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when it is planned to publish the patients charter which was promised in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress; if he will outline the rights, if any, which will be established by the charter, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
81 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the statement by the Taoiseach that it was unlikely that legislation would be published to allow for the implementation of new local government structures this year, any new deadline has been set for the implementation of these structures; whether elections will now be held under the old structures this year for urban district councils and town commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
81 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the statement by the Taoiseach that it was unlikely that legislation would be published to allow for the implementation of new local government structures this year, any new deadline has been set for the implementation of these structures; whether elections will now be held under the old structures this year for urban district councils and town commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
29 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Welfare the latest position regarding the dispute with the Irish Dental Association regarding the provision of dental treatment for the spouses of insured workers; if he has met the association to discuss the dispute; if so, if he will outline the outcome of any such discussions, and if he will make a statement on the matter.