677 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland has not yet signed and ratified the 1990 UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families; if Ireland will follow the advice of the Irish Human Rights Commission and sign and ratify this convention; and if such a decision is not envisaged, the reason therefor.
[40274/05]
173 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when consultants 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.
[2118/06]
151 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position on the Corrib gas pipeline; the stage the consultation process is at with the local community; when he expects an agreed full resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2102/06]
57 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has completed the process of assessing which schools will qualify for support under the DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[39658/05]
43 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of extra teachers she expects to employ next year in the context of the DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[39659/05]
195 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of his undertaking to monitor progress in implementing commitments from the British and Irish Governments arising from the joint declaration relating to community relations as ultimately expressed in the shared future initiative, his views on whether the Government approach to issues such as “on-the-runs” contradict the spirit of building good community relations in Northern Ireland; the extent to which the shared future initiative governs official policy on Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39431/05]
194 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he was present at the meeting between the Taoiseach and the SDLP in Government Buildings on 5 December 2005; if he will report on this meeting; his views on the SDLP’s specific proposals in regard to “on-the-runs”; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39430/05]
193 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to recently planned guidelines for community restorative justice schemes in Northern Ireland; if he has met with Northern Ireland Minister, Mr. David Hanson, to discuss these schemes; if he has met with political parties from Northern Ireland on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39429/05]
39 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the basis used for his expression of concern to the US Embassy at the use of white phosphorus in Iraq; the adequacy of the response which he received on foot of this communication; the position on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39341/05]
36 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government’s view on whether the concept of extraordinary rendition is an acceptable and lawful tool of implementation for the international campaign against terrorism.
[39340/05]
115 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the Ansbacher accounts at the latest date for which details are available; the number of cases where settlements have been agreed and the amount paid to date in 2005; the number of cases outstanding; if additional action has been taken by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the report of the Ansbacher inspectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39017/05]
108 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of special savings investment scheme accounts opened at the latest date for which figures are available; the average amount of savings per investor per month; if, on the basis of such figures, his Department can give a definite figure for likely cost to the Exchequer of the specials savings investment scheme; when the first payments will become due; the amount expected to be paid out by the Exchequer in each of the first 12 months after the SSIAs mature; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39018/05]
53 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the further action she intends to take to ensure that appropriate conditions of animal welfare apply to all farm animals; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[38383/05]
59 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the efforts being made by his Department to bring to justice the prime suspect for the brutal murder of two Irish soldiers in Lebanon in April 1980; if he has held discussions with US authorities regarding the extradition of the main suspect, who is a naturalised US citizen; his views on whether Ireland may be able to pursue a prosecution under the Geneva Conventions; if the family and relatives of the two soldiers are being kept informed of the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[38163/05]
266 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 18 October 2005 if his Department expects to have the mechanism as recommended by the Labour Court in January 2001 implemented before the end of 2005.
[37995/05]
145 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the numbers of deaths and injuries reported arising from industrial accidents in each year from 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005; the further steps he intends to take to reduce the level of such accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37894/05]
92 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the costs incurred by the State, at the latest date for which figures are available, arising from the various inquiries instigated by or on behalf of his Department; the element of these costs that has been recovered from the other parties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37893/05]
84 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is intended to discontinue the current one parent family payment in its present form; his proposals to replace same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37206/05]
12 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount spent by his Department on the hiring or use of outside consultants in each year since 2000; if he has satisfied himself that this practice represents good value for money; his plans to review the manner in which contracts are awarded to consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37207/05]
84
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil an comhoibriú breise óna chomhghleacaí an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta lena raibh sé ag súil chun ceist an oideachais tríú leibhéil trí Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn tar éis tarlú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[36951/05]
32 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to issue guidelines on issues which may be discussed at a meeting of an audit committee at which a local government auditor is present, pursuant to S.122(6) of the Local Government Act 2001.
[36652/05]
13 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the threshold for an EIS on a transfer of waste for a recovery facility; when this threshold was established; and if he intends to review this threshold.
[36653/05]
216 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for a person (details supplied) for their parents to be granted residency here.
[36164/05]
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if planes (details supplied) entered Irish air space in the period since January 2003; the landings, departure and destination of each of the planes in each case; the information available to him as to the purpose of each of the landings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35807/05]
98 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to resurrect his ill-fated café bar proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35709/05]
56 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Ireland has contracted, or is planning to enter into, bilateral agreements with African states which would permit the return of third country nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33502/05]
193 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures she will take following the revelations by the OECD that Ireland is among the worst rates for hospital overcrowding in Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[35465/05]
103 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures she will take following the revelations by the OECD that Ireland is sixth from the bottom in the ratio of acute care beds to 1,000 population as it states that Ireland has only three beds per 1,000 population compared with 12.3 in Germany; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[35466/05]
184 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposed digital multiplex system and network service that is currently being put out to tender; if he has reviewed the recent report by the British regulator (details supplied) on the cost and power consumption implications of digital switchover; his plans to undertake a similar study of the implications of digital switchover here; if he has reached a decision on the proposed timeframe for digital roll out and the corresponding analogue switch-off date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34339/05]
114 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the changes he is planning to make to the licensing and regulatory regime for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34340/05]
169 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in regard to her reply to Question No. 124 of 4 October 2005 in which she said that on-farm slaughter of animals in any number is an exception rather than the rule and occurs in only the most exceptional circumstances, the number of occasions in the past ten years, other than during the foot and mouth disease outbreak, where such slaughtering was allowed; the number and type of animals slaughtered in each case; the reason for the slaughter in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34170/05]
130 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action which has been taken or is intended to be taken arising from the recommendations of the report of the task force on obesity in so far as they relate to her Department’s areas of responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34172/05]
27 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government’s views on the recent issue of indictments by the International Criminal Court in the case of participants in the conflict in Northern Uganda; the response of the Lord’s Resistance Army; the action the European Union and the United Nations proposes to take and the circumstances which have forced the humanitarian aid agency GOAL to suspend its operations after 22 years in Northern Uganda due to the deteriorating security situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33507/05]
5 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the shortfall on international contributions to the United Nations appeal for Pakistan; the reason for such a shortfall; and the measures he intends to take by way of international pressure to ameliorate this situation as far as the European Union and the international community are concerned.
[33558/05]
2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government accepts that its obligations under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment requires it to establish by way of verification, and beyond simple assurance, that persons are not being conveyed through Irish airports with the likelihood or risk that they are being conveyed for the purpose of such interrogation techniques as are in breach of such European conventions.
[33557/05]
169 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the steps he intends to take to deal with the continuing situation whereby millionaires and other very high income earners are able to reduce or eliminate liability for tax on their earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33050/05]
130 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected to date by the Revenue Commissioners through special investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33049/05]
555 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to Ireland’s acceptance and implementation of the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; when he will be in a position to advise the Government to do so; the reason for Ireland’s failure to sign and ratify despite having voted for the convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[32986/05]
352 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the total and yearly number of persons who, since 1997, have worked in units to deal with public private partnerships; the cost of the unit in each year since 1997; the number of public presentations which have been given in each year since 1997; and the associated cost.
[32988/05]
157 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the support available to schools to implement information technology programmes and to use broadband; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32761/05]
178 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if €500,000 will be provided to Educate Together in order that it can fulfil the role in the absence of the State doing so, of providing inter-denominational education at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32762/05]
21 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the requirement that soldiers in their 30s who wish to renew Army contracts must first prove their level of fitness before being offered a renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31997/05]
296 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Information Commissioner, in her annual report 2004 published on 9 June 2005, called for a review of the fees introduced by the Government regarding the Freedom of Information Act 1997; if he has instituted such a review; when this review will be completed; and if he has not instituted such a review, his reasons for refusing same.
[31386/05]
165 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date with regard to the establishment of the new National Consumer Agency; if the membership of the board of the agency has been finalised; the number of meetings held by the board to date in 2005; the number of full-time staff the agency will have and the numbers appointed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31601/05]
142 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in 2005 with regard to consideration of the discussion document covering the operation of the labour inspectorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31602/05]
76 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether the rules and rates governing secondary benefits can, at times, result in severe poverty traps; his plans to reassess the household income threshold of €317.43 for retention of secondary benefits such as rent supplement; his views on raising the income threshold to €400, in view of the fact that this is the amount it would be had it been indexed originally; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[30939/05]
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the basis on which he is considering the introduction of mandatory pensions for workers in the private sector; the nature of the review being undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[30947/05]
109
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta conas atá ag éirí leis an bhfeachtas feasachta teanga Ár dTeanga Nádúrtha Féin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[30726/05]
102
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh cainteanna aige leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta ar thuarascáil na Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna ar chaighdeán na Gaeilge sna scoileanna Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[30725/05]
539 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied that the decision by the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland to issue a notice to persons applying to the Residential Institutions Redress Board referencing the society’s complaints procedure, is an adequate response to the matter of allegations of wrongdoing in connection with solicitors’ fees for work before the redress board, in terms of ensuring compensation of victims and deterrence of such future practises.
[30278/05]