78 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the companies that have been affected by Statutory Instrument 130 of 2006, European Communities, Trade with Iraq, Regulations 2006; if so, the names of those companies and the nature of their trade with Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18201/06]
129
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na cainteanna a bhí aige leis an Roinn Airgeadais faoi mharcanna breise a bhronnadh ar státseirbhísigh i gcomórtais ansin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[18146/06]
100
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a thosóidh Céim a Dó de thionscadal an fhoclóra Béarla-Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[18145/06]
41 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of rent supplement in respect of each of the past five years; the amount paid out in rent supplements; the number of landlords to whom rent supplement was paid; the average annual payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17371/06]
478 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the upgrading of the R340 from Carna to Screebe and from Carna to Recess in County Galway which has been repeatedly sought by local groups; his views on progress being made in this regard relating particularly to the issue of widening the road surface and the laying of pipes as part of the proposed water scheme.
[17334/06]
448 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of sites which have been examined by the Office of Public Works with respect to identifying a suitable site for the construction of a new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Galway; the progress which has been made with respect to the establishment of the new school following her most recent meeting with representatives and parents of children of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17341/06]
342 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will publish the independent evaluation report on a project (details supplied) which was part of the Youth Diversion Programme and which was closed in May 2005; the action he proposes to take on foot of the report; the results of the evaluation for an alternative programme; and the commencement date of such a programme.
[17354/06]
99 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the investigation into allegations of the theft of diesel by a Defence Forces’ member in Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17221/06]
76 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if there have been further meetings of the all-party group to plan commemorations of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising; if the group has reviewed the outcome of the recent 90th anniversary commemorations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17220/06]
57 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Galway whereby a new scheme of affordable houses were sold at €152,000 each due to the fact that applicants for the houses had been previously advised that the houses would cost €140,000 each; the steps he intends to take to ensure that this situation is not repeated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16472/06]
45 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to provide resources and direction for local authorities to carry out the numerous recommendations set out in the Environmental Protection Agency’s third National Implementation Report on the Phosphorus Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16465/06]
Bill entitled an Act to delimit the application of the Competition Act 2002 to trade unions and trade union members, and to provide for related matters
150 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself with the level of public awareness of all of the penalty points categories; the measures that have been taken to provide public information; the reason a new Rules of the Road booklet has to be published; and the progress of same.
[16228/06]
108 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on Transport 21 projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16232/06]
34 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in the Garda investigation into two robberies of security vans in Dublin during March 2005 in which more than €4 million was taken; if the Garda investigation has been completed; if a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions; if persons have been charged in connection with these offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15644/06]
23 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount taken in raids on security vans in each year from 2002 to 2005 and to date in 2006; the number of such cases in which charges have been laid; if he is satisfied that the Garda have sufficient resources to deal with this plague of robberies and to bring those responsible to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15645/06]
116 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the delays in receiving replies to written parliamentary questions since the establishment of the Health Service Executive; her further views on the fact that a written parliamentary question submitted on 29 November 2005 and answered on the 29 March 2006 is unacceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15464/06]
94 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on criticisms made by Health Service Executive internal auditors on the manner in which computer consultancy services were commissioned for the PPARS payroll system; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that it was maintained that official public procurement policy was not followed strictly enough; the steps which have been put in place to ensure these criticisms will be addressed; if appropriate guidelines will be published and adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15457/06]
631 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the implications of the findings of the Breaking Down Barriers report recently commissioned by Amnesty International specifically with regard to the view expressed in the aftermath of the report’s being published that Ireland was in the dark ages in respect of its treatment of racism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14386/06]
77 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has examined the recent Central Statistics Office statistics on the information society and telecommunications 2005, which indicates that just 16% of Internet-enabled households have broadband compared to the EU average of 48%; if his consultation process on increasing broadband demand has concluded; the measures he intends to introduce to increase broadband demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13630/06]
103 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Government’s position on the recent EU energy Green Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13629/06]
42 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed timeframe for implementing the recommendations of the McIver report which has been accepted in principle by the Government; if she will make provision to commence the implementation in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13501/06]
38 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on making the Stay Safe programme mandatory in schools in view of the strong support for this, including from the Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13500/06]
277 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has an arrangement with the Irish Cricket Union which entitles the Irish cricket team to play international fixtures in their own home ground displaying the flag of the visiting state but not the flag of the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12842/06]
273 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he and his Department intend holding at either a national or European level with the incoming Israeli Government with a view to contributing towards ongoing progress for the roadmap for peace.
[13170/06]
38 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the results of the parliamentary elections in Israel; the implications which this result holds for the roadmap for peace; the mandate he feels that the incoming Government has been granted with regard to the future of Israeli and Palestinian negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13169/06]
41 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether Iraq is experiencing, or is on course to experience, a civil war, in view of the ongoing attacks and reprisals between Shia and Sunni Islam groups; if this matter was discussed in talks over the St. Patrick’s Day period between his officials and officials representing the US Administration; if initiatives have emanated at European Union level directed towards an improvement in these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13232/06]
41 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the significant number of flights that arrive at both Cork and Shannon Airports at times when there are no customs officers on duty; if, in view of continuing concerns regarding the drugs problem and particularly the smuggling of cocaine, the Revenue Commissioners will be asked to ensure cover at all times that flights arrive at these airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12377/06]
9 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the additional measures he intends to take to deal with the problem of money laundering in view of the concerns expressed regarding the adequacy of existing safeguards expressed in the third mutual evaluation report on Ireland produced by the financial action task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12376/06]
469 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the investigation of sites for a school (details supplied) in County Galway which have taken place since her meeting with the delegation on behalf of the school on 1 February 2006; if she will confirm when the Office of Public Works commenced the implementation of the search for a site agreed at the meeting; the position in relation to same; and if capital provision will be made available for the school.
[11908/06]
385 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the long delay in replacing a project (details supplied) in the west side of Galway City; the present position; the conclusions which he has reached on the termination of the original project; and such plans as exist for the provision of an alternative.
[11895/06]
78 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the meeting of European Defence Ministers in Innsbruck on 7 March 2006; the issues that were discussed at this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11772/06]
63 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason Ireland has not fulfilled its reporting obligations under the European Social Charter since 2004, as charged in recent public statements by the charter’s supervisory committee, the European Committee on Social Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6975/06]
27 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the decision of the Competition Authority to interpret the Competition Act 2002 as prohibiting self-employed persons from having a trade union negotiate employment terms and conditions for them.
[11283/06]
170 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to reports that dual use components manufactured here and used in hellfire missiles, may have been used in an attempt to assassinate a prominent member of Al-Qaeda in northern Pakistan in January 2006 which resulted in the deaths of at least 13 civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11169/06]
165 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is one of the 37 Ministers for Foreign Affairs within the 46 strong membership of the Council of Europe who reported to have received a letter from the Secretary General of that organisation asking them to complete or clarify their replies on allegations of secret detention and air transport in Europe; if he is satisfied that Ireland’s actions in these matters is consistent with its responsibilities under the European Human Rights Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11171/06]
122 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the social welfare entitlements of returned development workers, including missionaries, and in particular, the definition of habitual residence in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6981/06]
124
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an aontaíonn sé go bhfuil an momentum caillte ag Fóram na Gaeilge, nach bhfuil aon dul chun cinn déanta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[10819/06]
62 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum seekers who have committed criminal offences here and have been granted refugee status; the category of offence; the country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9682/06]
51 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in processing the application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has applied for leave to remain on humanitarian grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9676/06]
97 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made to date on each of the 13 initiatives announced in November concerning the national biodiversity plan.
[9576/06]
17 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the actions which have been taken towards the establishment of a biological records centre, which has been identified as being essential for the effective management and protection of Ireland’s biodiversity.
[9577/06]
128 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport when he proposes to reduce the blood-alcohol threshold level for driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9192/06]
71 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he has received from Iarnród Éireann specific proposals in relation to the development of the first phase of the western rail corridor; and the action he intends taking on foot of these proposals.
[9186/06]
81 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the report on neurological services will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8542/06]
88 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on the location of the proposed single specialised children’s hospital and paediatric accident and emergency unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8541/06]
61 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the new €1 million innovation fund to support new developments and stimulate investment across the three new super-regions that have been created out of the existing rural tourism authorities; the precise schemes this money will be used to fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8185/06]
430 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances of a person (details supplied) who has been told that he will be deported; and if he will make a statement on the possibility of this person being permitted to stay here in view of the very real humanitarian concerns as well as the further issues outlined.
[8160/06]
429 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the threatened deportation of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; the position with regard to such a deportation; if submissions for this person to be allowed stay here have been received; and if such submission has been received, the position of this application to be allowed to stay here.
[8159/06]
401 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on such actions which have been taken by his Department or by the Garda Síochána in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Galway with particular reference to allegations of that person having been interviewed on two separate occasions, once at Howth Garda station and once at Balbriggan Garda station; the position relating to this person’s lodging of complaints at his treatment in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7801/06]