113 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated increase in the cost of welfare claims in 2008 arising from the entitlement of EU migrant workers to the new childcare supplement and child benefit; the way this compares with the cost in 2005 and 2006 and the original estimate of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32209/07]
13 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the support he has given or proposes to give to other towns and cities here that wish to hold an event similar to the culture night held in Dublin in September 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31449/07]
293 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change’s fourth report on climate change, which claims that the Earth and humanity are in permanent danger due to global warming; the steps the Government will take on foot of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[30897/07]
114 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the initiatives Ireland has taken to achieve the implementation of conventions (details supplied).
[30896/07]
97 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cases before the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; the number of cases for which rulings have been given since its inception; the number of these cases that have been referred to the Courts for further action or appeal; the number of staff employed by the PIAB; the intended number of staff to be employed by the PIAB; the date by which he expects the PIAB to be fully staffed; the date on which a review will be undertaken on staffing levels in the PIAB; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31137/07]
91 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the response from Ireland to the damage to areas in southern Bangladesh from the recent cyclone, which it is claimed might result in over 1,000 casualties; and the efforts being made by Ireland and the European Union to alleviate the distress of those affected, injured and displaced by this tragedy.
[30864/07]
57 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the human rights implications of the cutting off of basic infrastructural facilities to the Gaza region by the Israeli authorities; if he will advocate the establishment of a permanent secretariat to the peace talks in the name of the Quartet; and if the European Union is engaged in such talks with the different parts of Israeli and Palestinian society as would initiate or assist in the achievement of a negotiated peace.
[30902/07]
52 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount a co-operative (details supplied) and its subsidiaries has received in direct funding from the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[30084/07]
10 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the planned initiatives to promote organic food production and farmers’ markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[30085/07]
67 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if, and the way it is intended to transfer resources including staff, from Mullingar and Portlaoise in the context of the transfer of cancer patients from those hospitals to the Mater and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29965/07]
55 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce amending legislation to allow HIQA to monitor and enforce standards in private health care institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29964/07]
51 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has proposals to cap the benefit that a person can derive from cumulative tax breaks on investments outside their principal occupation; and the number of persons with an income in excess of €500,000 and bands of €50,000 above that who pay tax at the standard 20% rate or less, including those paying 5% and below, for the most recent year for which figures are available.
[29597/07]
48 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for an interconnector to France; if this will have implications for the Government’s position on nuclear power; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28983/07]
22 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for a commitment to install smart electronic meters in every home as per the programme for Government, in view of the announcement on the pilot scheme for smart meter installation; the full cost for the pilot scheme and the estimated cost for the roll out to every home; the geographic locations of the pilot scheme; if this will facilitate the introduction of a micro generation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28975/07]
75 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the legislative restrictions in which the Private Residential Tenancies Board operates, he is considering putting in place a licensing system for landlords which will ensure a minimum standard for the renting of residential properties.
[28686/07]
62 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the income received by each local authority from the Private Residential Tenancies Board to date; if these finances are ring-fenced to inspect dwellings for suitability; and the number of inspections of dwellings undertaken by each individual council which has received these funds to date.
[28687/07]
258 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in view of the worsening working conditions for persons employed in the private sector who are without trade union representation, the full force of law is given here to the EU employment directive on information and consultation; and the further legislation planned in the lifetime of this Government in this regard.
[28595/07]
90 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 24 October 2006, if she will provide a list of the 670 primary schools and 203 second level schools that have been invited to participate in the new school support programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[28469/07]
80 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 16 November 2006, when she will introduce a separate programme of national monitoring which will enable trend data on pupil achievement in different categories of school to be compiled; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[28468/07]
122 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals for further civilianisation of the Gardaí in order to free trained members for front line duty; his views on the view expressed in the Final Report of the Advisory Group on Garda Management and Leadership Development that progress in regard to civilianisation has been risible; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27371/07]
77 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the Report of the Garda Inspectorate, Policing in Ireland — Looking Forward, published on 26 September 2007; his further views on the recommendations of the report particularly the call for an increase in the size of the transport fleet and the number of marked vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27372/07]
80 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the mushroom growers who have received investment aid under the scheme of investment aid for the development of commercial horticulture since the scheme started here.
[27079/07]
58 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her views on the decision by the European Union to award $114 million to help Argentina with its animal health and phytosanitary regime in order that it can develop its exports to Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[27080/07]
27
D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta ar cuireadh scrúdú cáilíochta d’aistritheoirí Gaeilge ar ceal i Mí Mheán Fómhair de bharr easpa airgid ar Fhoras na Gaeilge
[26530/07]
12
D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén plean atá aige chun go leor aistritheoirí Gaeilge cáilithe a chur ar fáil go práinneach chun freastal ar éileamh an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh
[26529/07]
573 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in the context of the river basin proposals the Frenchfort Wetlands in their entirety, that is, the current special areas of conservation to the east and the westland to the west, which are dissected by the dual carriageway, are both to be protected insofar as they are integrally related, forming the one water plain; and if the river basin study acknowledges the integral connection of the water plain and its significance as water flows through it before making its egress to the sea.
[26471/07]
149 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the writing off of odious and illegitimate debt by the World Bank, the IMF and other international lending agencies; and if he will propose such or make other proposals to the forthcoming meeting of these institutions.
[25998/07]
137 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action he will take on foot of the issues highlighted in the Pension’s Ombudsman’s 2006 annual report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26291/07]
125 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his priority areas for additional expenditure in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the pre-Budget 2008 outlook in so far as it affects his Department.
[26292/07]
24 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the provisions he has made to encourage people of different nationalities to participate in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25663/07]
Bill entitled an Act to delimit the application of the Competition Act 2002 to trade unions and trade union members and to certain agreements negotiated with public bodies, and to provide for related matters
116 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his proposals for a consultation process regarding the prohibition of credit card and other relevant methods of payment surcharges to consumers; when he expects the process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25384/07]
102 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of prosecutions taken in each of the past five years under the Consumer Information Act 1978; the nature of the prosecution in each case; the number of convictions which were secured; the penalty imposed in each case; if he is satisfied that the law in regard to consumer protection is being applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25385/07]
138 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Irish Government’s position in relation to the recent decision by the Israeli Government to appropriate the land of four Palestinian villages for the purpose of building new settlements and a new highway which will cut east Jerusalem off from the West Bank, in view of the fact that such actions are in flagrant breach of the agreement that the 1967 borders will not be changed except by agreement and is also in breach of the prohibition on building new settlements on Palestinian lands.
[24999/07]
87 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to give information on the whereabouts of the 4,000 monks, among others, arrested in Rangoon, detained outside of their monasteries and removed to an unspecified destination; if he has sought information; and if the European Union has raised the matter with the Burmese Government.
[24974/07]
83 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the fact that so many countries are on course to fail reaching the UN millennium goals and that a recent report, the Global Hunger Index 2007, shows that in countries following the neoliberal model, even where there are high growth rates, the number of those in hunger is increasing, with India, for example, in 94th place of 118 countries in the index; his views on whether the fruits of growth are accruing to a minority and excluding many; and if in terms of Ireland’s development policy he will make a statement on the matter.
[24973/07]
78 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Navan rail line project; when the Navan rail line will be reopened; if the scoping study has been completed; if so, if he will publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24249/07]
136 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the effect of the Health Service Executive recruitment embargo on the discharge of patients in hospitals where social workers who arrange the discharge have not been replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24008/07]
129 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his Department’s forecast for the expected increase in the consumer price index for the full year of 2007; the way this compares with the forecast he gave in his budget 2007 speech; his views on whether the level of inflation continues to run at 5%; the measures he will take to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23675/07]
128 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his Department’s forecast for the expected level of economic growth for the full year of 2007; the way this compares with the forecast he gave in his budget 2007 speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23676/07]
42 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the tendering process for the State’s emergency call service; when it will be implemented; the amount it will cost; if there will be a period when some people may be left without this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23084/07]
29 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on reports that his Department is examining the way private-sector investment in broadband can be encouraged; the implications of same for Government intervention in the broadband market; his views on whether this is an admittance of the Government’s failure to implement broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23094/07]
284 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will intervene to ensure the safe delivery of a person (details supplied); and the situation with the Dutch authorities.
[22906/07]
154 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date with regard to implementation of the recommendations made in the Farrell Grant report on the fire service; if it is intended to establish the National Authority for Fire and Civil Protection/Emergency Services as recommended in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22812/07]
125 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the costs to date of the development, roll-out, and promotion of the electronic voting and counting system; the costs to date of storage and maintenance of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22811/07]
509 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will have the maps prepared by the western river basin district amended to include habitats listed as special areas of conservation such as Cregganna Marsh special protection area and those portions of the special areas of conservation which lie to the north on either side of the N6 in view of their importance; and if he will provide an assurance that these three SAC areas will be listed in the fens database.
[22415/07]
508 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the river basin districts which have been identified and the river basin studies which have been undertaken in the context of implementing the Water Framework Directive includes fens and if in addition to such, all of the areas that are priority habitats for conservation and which depend on ground water, and such marsh areas, reed beds and scrub, through which the water body in the fens egresses to the sea.
[22414/07]
374 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the fact that children of foreign nationals on a student visa are being told that they do not have the right to enrol their children, even when the children have been given a place in a national school; and her views on whether this prohibition is in contravention of the internationally accepted rights of the child in international law.
[22332/07]
301 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 490 of 26 September 2007 which acknowledges the obligations of CIE in relation to their social role, the procedures by which CIE has calculated such assets as it considers surplus to public transport requirements in general; and the procedures in particular that were used to establish the regional integrated public transport needs that might be served at Ceannt Station in Galway City in view of the public interest in the policy issues that arise.
[22416/07]
80 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the arrears due to a person (details supplied) in County Galway since January 2006 will be awarded; the amount of the current supplementary welfare payment towards their rent; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship accorded to the person who is seeking to access further education; and if he will expedite a resolution of these matters.
[22149/07]