302 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to the social welfare entitlements of returned development workers, including missionaries, and in particular, in relation to the definition of habitual residence in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7785/06]
293 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.
[7784/06]
99 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on the 23% rise in complaints against the insurance sector and credit institutions to the Financial Services Ombudsman in 2005.
[7892/06]
114 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on reports (details supplied) that Ireland is set to become the most indebted country in the eurozone, with private sector debt anticipated to amount to 200% of GNP before the end of 2006, and credit rising by 29% per year.
[7893/06]
25 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements that have been made to allow for the participation of Irish troops in EU battle groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7170/06]
235 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to respond to an inquiry from Amnesty International as to the status of a recent report prepared by diplomatic missions of the EU in Ramallah and Jerusalem in regard to the present position in Israel and the occupied terrorities, including proposals for breaking the impasse in regard to peace; if the report will be published; if it has been considered by the General Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7222/06]
58 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the findings of a draft report complied by five independent experts further to an 18-month investigation by the UN Commission on Human Rights into detention conditions at Guantanamo Bay, in particular the finding that aspects of the treatment of prisoners there, including violent force feeding, must be assessed as amounting to torture; his further views on the finding that serious questions exist regarding the legal basis upon which persons there are being held; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7223/06]
539 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on such actions as have been taken by his Department or by the Garda Síochána in regard to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
[6500/06]
119 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when consultants Deloitte & Touche and solicitors (details supplied) will report on an implementation plan for the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory body; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6720/06]
156 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department offers grant support to non-profit making groups and organisations that provide extra curricular educational opportunities in a school context, at no cost, in areas such as music, science and so on; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some very good work is being done by such organisations, at the invitation of schools but that they have great difficulty in sourcing funding for their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[5730/06]
129 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science when the report on student behaviour will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[5731/06]
147 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made to date in 2006 to recruit, train and register the estimated 2,000 energy rating assessors required to carry out inspections as set down in the EU energy performance building directive; and when the register of energy rating assessors is due to be operational.
[5298/06]
59 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views of the recent report from the OECD that suggests that the current statutory retirement age should be scrapped and that people, in certain circumstances, should be permitted to work until 85; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4708/06]
16 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department’s investigation into the circumstances in which a number of civil servants are reported to have accessed the personal welfare records of a person (details supplied) has been completed; if any action has been taken on foot of the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4709/06]
163
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh na 330,000 téarma nua Gaeilge atá le cur ar fáil ag Coiste Téarmaíochta Fhoras na Gaeilge ullamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[4410/06]
133
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta leis an bhfoclóir Béarla-Gaeilge ag Foras na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[4413/06]
468 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the application of a person (details supplied) for a visitor’s visa to Ireland; and the reason for the refusal of same.
[4320/06]
467 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification for a person (details supplied); the apparent delay in this application; the average length of time it takes for such applications to be processed; and when this person’s case will be finalised and processed.
[4319/06]
466 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification for a person (details supplied); the apparent delay in this application and the fact that they have received no further correspondence from his Department since June 2005; and when this person’s case will be finalised and processed.
[4318/06]
469 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); the reason for the decision to deport this person; and if he will make a statement on this case and on the possibility of an appeal against his Department’s decision.
[4321/06]
432 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that the Garda Síochána Complaints Board has sufficient resources at its disposal to carry out a thorough and speedy investigation into complaints.
[4008/06]
435 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a complaint that members of An Garda Síochána were allegedly involved in an unprovoked attack on persons (details supplied); if the Commissioner has been directed to hold an internal Garda inquiry in addition to any other inquiry which may be under way; and if the results of such an inquiry will be published.
[4012/06]
434 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if any members of An Garda Síochána have been suspended arising from a complaint that members of An Garda Síochána were allegedly involved in an unprovoked attack on persons (details supplied).
[4011/06]
433 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Department of Health and Children has been asked to direct all staff of a hospital (details supplied) to give full co-operation with all inquiries into the alleged attack by members of An Garda Síochána on persons at the gates of the hospital on 3 October 2005.
[4010/06]
409 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has been informed of allegations that members of An Garda Síochána were allegedly involved in an unprovoked attack on persons (details supplied).
[4009/06]
307 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether, with reference to the section of the quality customer service plan of his Department, entitled “improvements in visa services”, which outlines the objective of reducing response time, this objective is being met; and if this average response time with regard to visa applications has been reduced; the average response time to visa applications and inquiries; and the average response times of these applications in each of the past five years.
[4309/06]
300 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons who were processed by the visa office in December 2005; the number of different countries which were represented amongst persons applying for visas; the number of translators of different languages which were available in the office during those working hours.
[3846/06]
299 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will sign and ratify the 1990 UN International Convention of the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of the Their Families.
[3806/06]
124 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature and extent of Ireland’s representation and participation in the group of national experts on the implementation of the posting of workers directive set up by the group of directors-general for industrial relations of the member states established by the European Commission; the general or specific mandate given to the Irish member by him; the position communicated by the Irish representative at the meetings of the expert group; the reports from the representative to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4088/06]
205 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Question No. 268 of 23 March 2004, at which time her predecessor stated that a further reply would issue, the reason no reply has been received by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; the position regarding this matter; if this course will be referred to the advisory committee; and her views on the issue at stake.
[3688/06]
72 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of non-nationals who applied to join the Garda Síochána in the recent recruitment drive; the number whose applications were successful and the countries of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3501/06]
48 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in the internal Garda inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); when the report will be finalised; when the contents will be communicated to the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3563/06]
188 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the action he is taking in conjunction with the MBRS, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána to improve the detection of drug-driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3126/06]
165 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in reintroducing height restrictions for large vehicles; and when the change will be introduced.
[3127/06]
548 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the desirability of, and need for, autonomous local authority architects in general and, with specific reference to a letter received in his office in June 2005 and responded to on 28 June 2005 regarding Galway city; his plans for the provision of a city architect in Galway.
[3144/06]
485 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of additional and impressive material which goes a very considerable way to authenticate in every detail the basis for the application for a person (details supplied) to stay here, he will consider this new information based on an expert interview and allow the person involved to stay here on humanitarian grounds.
[3157/06]
484 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of additional and impressive material which goes a very considerable way to authenticate in every detail the basis for the application for a person (details supplied) to stay here, he will consider this new information based on an expert interview and allow the person involved to stay here on humanitarian grounds.
[3156/06]
483 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures the Government proposes to take, such as the provision of a special visa, to the non-Irish spouses of deceased Irish citizens who may be living in countries where their safety may be in jeopardy, and who as a result of same would be in need of an Irish passport or similar accreditation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3155/06]
482 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to his reply to Question No. 489 of 2 November 2005, the reason given to the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime for the refusal of funding by the helpline in question; if there has been any further contact with representatives of this helpline since; and his views towards the provision of such a service in the future.
[3154/06]
433 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the representations which he has received from residents in Erris, County Mayo, with regard to the potential conversion of the old Údarás site in the Barr na Trá area into a local community centre; the possibility of such a conversion; and the prospects of the site being donated by Údarás to the community group in question.
[3146/06]
423 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if a DC 9 airliner landed on Irish soil at any time in any of the years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 or to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3145/06]
377 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the agreement between the Government of the USA and the Government of Ireland concerning security measures for the protection of classified military information and the acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, with annexes, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; the delay of same; and if same will be approached as a matter of priority.
[3160/06]
376 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the international treaties and agreements which Ireland has signed or are currently to be put before the Houses of the Oireachtas; if there are treaties and agreements which have not yet been put before the Houses of the Oireachtas, when same will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3159/06]
249 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that Ireland has one of the lowest ratios of acute beds to population in Europe where the EU average is 4.4 beds per 1,000 of population; the action she intends to take to correct this situation; the breakdown of the numbers, types and definitions of beds provided since 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3027/06]
152 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take on implementing the human tissues legislation which has been long promised in view of the recent publication of the Madden report on organ retention; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3028/06]
9 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether the Transport 21 plan will only serve to increase the imbalance between tourism figures in the east contrasted with those in the west in view of a greater focus by the Transport 21 plan on eastern tourist regions and especially Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2498/06]
1429 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the instructions of the Chief State Solicitor’s office on behalf of the Commissioners of Public Works here to hire a debt collection agency (details supplied), was a decision of the Cabinet; if he will revisit this decision by the Government or its agents in view of the fact that the State lost all but one of the legal cases taken by a group (details supplied), and that the public good was served by way of clarification and subsequent legislation through the actions taken by the group.
[40240/05]
1428 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will convey his view to the Chief State Solicitor’s office that the Government does not wish the instruction to a debt collection agency to be proceeded with on its behalf against a group (details supplied) regarding the State’s legal cost.
[40238/05]
680 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland will be in a position to sign and ratify the 1990 UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40273/05]