10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in regard to his comments in a recent media report (details supplied) to the effect that people on social welfare were afraid to take a short term job in case they lose out, he will outline the steps, if any, he intends to take to address this situation; if he will consider allowing people on social welfare limited working without losing their entitlement; 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.
56 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline his response to the recommendations of the report of the Joint Committee on State-sponsored Bodies dealing with Bord na Móna, especially the recommendation that it should be structured into divisional or subsidiary companies; if, in view of the greatly improved trading performance of Bord na Móna, the Government will now consider an injection of capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the latest position on any proposals that the Government may be considering in regard to the future development of Whitegate Oil Refinery and the Whiddy storage depot; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
56 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline his response to the recommendations of the report of the Joint Committee on State-sponsored Bodies dealing with Bord na Móna, especially the recommendation that it should be structured into divisional or subsidiary companies; if, in view of the greatly improved trading performance of Bord na Móna, the Government will now consider an injection of capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the recent survey published by the Belgian Consumer group Test, Achat, and the EC consumer group BEUC that Irish drivers pay the highest insurance rates in the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
9 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will outline the investigations which have been held into the circumstances of the collision between two training aircraft in County Cork on 26 February 1992 in which two people died; if the flying school involved was fully licensed by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
26 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made with regard to the updating and consolidation of Defence Forces regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Welfare the additional staff and resources which have been allocated by his Department to service the new social welfare structure announced on 1 August 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
6 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons who have been disallowed unemployment payments during the past 12 months on the basis that they are unavailable for work; if he will outline the number of these in relation to which a recent move to a rural area had been taken into account as one of the factors determining availability for work; if he will further outline the general criteria his Department uses to determine availability for work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
9 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline his response to the report of the independent expert committee on the uses of Bord na Móna cutaway bogs; if he accepts the recommendations of the committee; if it is intended to implement the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider the establishment of a national agricultural development authority to, (1) draw up a national development plan for Irish agriculture, (2) develop markets for value-added Irish agricultural products, especially green products and (3) ensure the development of processing facilities, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the proposals he has for direct income supports for small farmers, especially in the context of the proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
6 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if having regard to the speech the Taoiseach made to the World Summit for Children last year, he will outline the progress which has been made towards ensuring that Ireland is in a position to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; if any deadline has been set for ratification of the Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
20 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if her attention has been drawn to the recent concern expressed by French tour operators regarding the shortage of hire cars; if, in view of this and the recent collapse of one major car hire firm, she has any plans to discuss the matter with the car hire industry, or if she plans any other initiatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
19 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment the reason the findings of the assessment of housing needs, which was carried out more than six months ago, have not yet been published; when it is intended to publish the findings; if he will list the local authorities which have returned the assessments; if he will outline the main findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
8 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the training programmes which have been established for social welfare staff who are likely to be requested to provide information for intending emigrants; and if any money has been provided in community or local level for non-governmental organisations to provide such training.
38 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the exceptionally high cost of motor insurance premia for young drivers, his attention has been drawn to the recent suggestion that a limited form of insurance should be introduced for such drivers, which would cover them only for certain limited hours during the day; if he will consider this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
38 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the exceptionally high cost of motor insurance premia for young drivers, his attention has been drawn to the recent suggestion that a limited form of insurance should be introduced for such drivers, which would cover them only for certain limited hours during the day; if he will consider this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the progress which has been made by his Department with regard to the recovery of costs incurred by the State in the clean-up and rescue operation involving the Kowloon Bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
19 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the chairman of CIE, following the publication of the company's recent report, that our railway system was in urgent need of fresh capital from the Government; if he intends to respond to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
59 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the reason two fishery patrol helicopters, acquired in July, 1986 at a cost of £7.4 million, were used for fishery protection operations for ten flying hours over the four years ending 31 December 1990; if he will outline his response to the criticism of this matter raised in the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
59 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the reason two fishery patrol helicopters, acquired in July, 1986 at a cost of £7.4 million, were used for fishery protection operations for ten flying hours over the four years ending 31 December 1990; if he will outline his response to the criticism of this matter raised in the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the progress which has been made with regard to implementing the recommendations of the Primary Curriculum Review Body on the inclusion of health education on the primary curriculum, and particularly that it include issues relating to sex education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the number of deaths of prisoners in custody since the beginning of the year; if he will further outline the plans he has for the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Advisory Committee on Prison Deaths; if any timetable has been set for the implementation of the recommendations; if any additional finance has been allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the number of deaths of prisoners in custody since the beginning of the year; if he will further outline the plans he has for the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Advisory Committee on Prison Deaths; if any timetable has been set for the implementation of the recommendations; if any additional finance has been allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the latest position regarding the GATT negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
5 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline (1) the total quantity and estimated value of clenbuterol or other illegal growth promoters seized since the beginning of this year, (2) the number of cattle or carcasses in which traces of clenbuterol or other illegal growth promoters were detected, and (3) the number of prosecutions initiated arising from such finds; if he intends to increase the penalties for offences in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
26 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if he has yet received a report from his representative who attended the extraordinary general meeting of Greencore plc; if he intends to take any action as a result of that report; if he intends to seek the removal of the Chairman of the Board of Greencore in view of his handling of this controversy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
26 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if he has yet received a report from his representative who attended the extraordinary general meeting of Greencore plc; if he intends to take any action as a result of that report; if he intends to seek the removal of the Chairman of the Board of Greencore in view of his handling of this controversy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
41 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the Government's response to the report of the Ballycotton inquiry; if he will list the recommendations made in the report which have been implemented so far; if any timetable has been set for the remaining recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
41 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the Government's response to the report of the Ballycotton inquiry; if he will list the recommendations made in the report which have been implemented so far; if any timetable has been set for the remaining recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
15 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if he has received any representations from the crew of the Department of Defence ferry William J, which is used for ferrying personnel to and from Haulbowline, regarding working conditions on the boat; if he plans to take steps to have the working conditions improved and the health and safety standards brought up to an acceptable level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
7 Mr. Sherlock asked the Taoiseach if, in regard to the interview he gave to RTE radio on 22 September, 1991 he will outline the reason he did not request the chairman of Greencore plc to step aside, when he made such a request in respect of the then Chairman of Telecom Éireann, and the Chairman of the Custom House Docks Development Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
9 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the extensive legislation now covering the social welfare area which has been enacted since the last consolidation Social Welfare Act in 1981, he will consider the introduction of another consolidation Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
20 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when it is likely that agreement will be reached on the EC farm price proposals; if he will outline the likely main proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reasons the United Farmers Association are not represented on the board established to hear appeals against exclusion from the disadvantaged areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
20 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when it is likely that agreement will be reached on the EC farm price proposals; if he will outline the likely main proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
8 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if the Government have yet concluded their consideration of the review of the Office of Public Works by consultants (details supplied); if he will outline the Government's plans for the future of the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
5 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline his specific proposals for the development of the five major designated fishery harbours over the next five years; and if he will make a statement of the matter.
22 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if he will review the procedures for, and occasions on which, guards of honour are deployed and utilised with a view to reducing demands on soldiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the progress which has been made in regard to the provision of a new and separate unit for Naval Service cadets at Haulbowline; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
11 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the concern about the state of physical education in national schools; the number of physical education teachers in national schools; the number of such schools which do not have a general purpose room for PE; if she will outline in respect of new schools built since 1986 the number and proportion built without a general purposes room; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
7 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the extra resources which are being provided to fund the extension of the free books scheme to infant classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
63 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the latest position regarding his proposals to introduce a new contract for consultants, as recommended by the Gleeson Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
4 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of haemophiliacs who have died from AIDS in this country since the condition was first identified; and the number of haemophiliacs who are now believed to be suffering from the condition.
23 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment if he has considered the recommendations made by the Supreme Court on 7 March 1991 that the Road Traffic Act, 1961, should be amended to prevent persons suspected of drunk driving escaping to their own premises to avoid arrest; if he intends to take steps to ensure that the powers of arrest available to the gardaí are adequate to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals he has to meet the commitment given in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to modernise and improve accommodation and facilities for social welfare clients around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.