72 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he intends to take arising from the recent Supreme Court decision that the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, under which the Criminal Assets Bureau operates, does not apply to the proceeds of crime committed outside of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16282/04]
188 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals he has or is planning to address breaches of equality provisions and equality proofing in such legislation as the Social Welfare Act, and particularly such anomalies as arise from the differential treatment of those in similar circumstances, such as deserted wives.
[16033/04]
76 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he is still considering the privatisation of Aer Lingus in view of the company’s record €83 million profit recorded in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15892/04]
22 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he is planning to bring forward to Cabinet proposals for the sale of Aer Lingus by September 2004; the likely timescale for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15893/04]
97 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the recent study carried out by the National Centre for Pharmaeconomics in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, which found that the out of pocket payments of up to €78 per month that non-medical card holders must pay are among the highest in Europe; his views on the recommendations made in the study, including the greater use of generic drugs and a move towards average European pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15582/04]
40 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by medical and nursing staff at the decision to transfer after hours consultant surgical cover from the Louth County Hospital at Dundalk to our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; if his approval was sought for the move; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15581/04]
38 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions he has had with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the proposed nitrates directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14733/04]
99 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has, on behalf of the Presidency of the European Union, and on Ireland’s behalf, condemned the abuses of prisoners in Iraq by occupying forces as documented by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
[14537/04]
37 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the recently documented abuses in flagrant violation of the basic tenets of international law and the Geneva Convention in particular by the armed forces of countries with whom Ireland enjoys friendly relations, such as the United Kingdom and the United States; the parties with which he has raised these issues; and the outcome of such discussions.
[14536/04]
2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views and those of the other European Union Foreign Ministers on the establishment of a high level independent international tribunal to examine compliance with the Geneva Conventions on all sides since the invasion of Iraq.
[14777/04]
89 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to review the compulsory Irish language requirement for teachers from outside the State; his views on whether the minor changes to the examination system he introduced last year have succeeded in bringing more teachers from outside the State into the education system; the numbers sitting the examination for the latest date available; the numbers passing and failing the examination for the latest date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14344/04]
56 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to recent INTO concerns at the falling number of males entering the teaching profession; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that radical changes are required in the selection process of trainee teachers to reverse this trend; if the requirement of a C grade in leaving certificate Irish is an impediment to males entering teaching in view of the fact that they generally fare worse than females in this subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14345/04]
184 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the need for further construction of the area immediately surrounding a recently built pier in Cashel, County Galway and the fact that the pier is not large enough to cope with the number of boats using the facility; and the grants or other financial aid his Department can provide to improve the pier in view of the relatively small outlay required.
[13986/04]
35 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will expand on her comments made at the recent informal meeting of EU Ministers in Dromoland Castle that the European Union means lighter regulation of business and industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13820/04]
34 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the meeting of EU industry and competitiveness Ministers in Dromoland Castle.
[13819/04]
209 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is aware of the need for the construction of an area immediately surrounding a recently built pier in Cashel, County Galway, and that it is not large enough to cope with the number of boats using it; and if a small grant can be provided to improve the pier.
[13877/04]
62 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to recent reports that An Post is set to apply to ComReg for a 14.5% increase in the price of a stamp in an attempt to cut crippling losses at the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13697/04]
52 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position with regard to restructuring An Post in view of the company’s recent announcement that it recorded operating losses of €43 million in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13698/04]
420 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the anomaly which sees persons in similar positions with regard to receipt of the deserted wife’s benefit payment treated differently depending on the year they first applied for this payment; if this social welfare legislation frustrates equality legislation; and her views regarding an amelioration of this situation.
[13424/04]
246 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will reply to a submission made to him on residential care for the elderly in April 2004 raising such issues as the ratio of carers to patients, qualifications and training for non-professional staff, facilities for the occupational recreation of persons, freedom of choice, respect for rights and privacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13153/04]
64 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date in the investigation into the circumstances in which a number of civilians came into contact with an unexploded tear gas canister near firing ranges at the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13406/04]
82 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to introduce new procedures to ensure that Irish citizens claiming residency abroad for tax purposes comply with the requirement to be out of Ireland for a minimum of 183 days; if the large cases division of the Revenue Commissioners is putting together recommendations as to the way in which to best monitor the situation in regard to those who claim residency abroad for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12976/04]
61 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the first report of the group (details supplied) to oversee the decentralisation programme.
[12974/04]
29 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in regard to his recent announcement of the transfer of the headquarters of the Irish Prison Service from Dublin to Longford, a survey has been undertaken to establish the number of staff willing to transfer; the breakdown by grade of the number who have so indicated their willingness to transfer; the plans there are for staff who are not willing to relocate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12664/04]
10 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an investigation has been held into the recent discovery of a number of rounds of ammunition in Limerick Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12663/04]
129 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the position with regard to his proposals for the break-up of Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12494/04]
14 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the total number of persons on local authority housing lists at the latest date for which figures are available; the way in which this figure compares with the corresponding figure for the equivalent dates in each of the previous five years; the total number of local authority dwellings completed or acquired in 2002 and 2003, and the anticipated number for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12196/04]
19 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average cost of a new house in Dublin, a second-hand house in Dublin; a new house outside of Dublin and a second-hand house outside of Dublin in 1997, the latest year for which figures are available; the plans he has to ensure availability of affordable housing, in view of the recent surveys showing that house prices are continuing to rise; his estimate of the likely increase in house prices during 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12195/04]
141 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the recent call from the Civil and Public Services Union for changes to PRSI legislation to support family friendly initiatives for workers, particularly for a change in current PRSI regulations which require workers to be present on the same day each week in order to be able to record a PRSI payment for that week; her views on the call made; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12045/04]
137 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the recent ESRI report, “Reforming Pensions in Europe: Evolution of Pension Financing and Sources of Retirement Income”; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12044/04]
527 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of such measures as he is taking to address problems associated with the recruitment of suitably qualified and specialist staff in the orthodontic services of the health boards in general and the Western Health Board in particular; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the situation is urgent; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that confining staff to a strict interpretation of the 1985 guidelines is unduly restrictive; if he proposes to change these; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11344/04]
298 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will be represented at the Euro-Arab parliamentary dialogue meeting in Tunisia in April 2004; and the form and composition of the representation.
[11257/04]
182 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position held by the Government with regard to the need for members of the Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors’ Association of Ireland to repeat their examinations every five years; if the Government agrees with proposals to instead introduce a refresher course every two years; and if Ireland proposes to sign up to the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, ADR, in view of the fact that until such time, Ireland has no say or input into the ADR.
[11870/04]
111
D’fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil cóip den aighneacht aige a chuir feidhmeannas Fhoras na Gaeilge chuig Angela Smith, fo-rúnaí polaitiúil in Oifig Thuaisceart Éireann, ag diúltú bogadh go Gaoth Dobhair; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[11889/04]
105
D’fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta i leith stádas na Gaeilge mar theanga oibre den Aontas Eorpach; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith.
[11883/04]
63 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the recent report of the independent review group on the Galway hospice.
[10804/04]
26 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the results of recent research commissioned on behalf of the Irish Patients Association which shows that almost half of family doctors and two thirds of pharmacists are not informing patients of the potential side-effects of medicines; the steps he intends to take to ensure that patients are provided with full information about medicines they may be taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10806/04]
164 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the recent resignation of the director of the Arts Council; his further views on whether this decision was based on the council’s decision to set aside the arts plan 2002-2006; the future for the Arts Plan 2002-2006 in view of this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10654/04]
24 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position with regard to the implementation of his policy direction on single billing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10212/04]
14 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps that he intends to take to ensure that Ireland’s telecommunications and broadband structures are brought up to date, particularly having regard to reports of serious problems and under-investment in the Eircom network; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10213/04]
109 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the evidence given in sworn inquiry by a senior official in the US Administration that the invasion of Iraq has significantly weakened the multi-lateral support for the war on terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10104/04]
15 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the necessity of differentiating between the war in Iraq and multilateral support within the European Union and the United Nations community for a concerted approach towards dealing with terrorism on the world scale.
[10105/04]
3 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the implementation of Resolution 1373 of the UN Security Council which called for international co-operation against global terrorism has been damaged by the pre-emptive strike, invasion and occupation of Iraq.
[10190/04]
6 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if details have been confirmed for the planned EU-US summit to be attended by President Bush at the end of June 2004; if a location has been agreed; the likely agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10191/04]
455 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the visa application by a person (details supplied).
[10108/04]
170 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the precise reasoning behind the recently established financial review of Ireland’s seven universities being conducted by the Higher Education Authority; if he will state the remit and timeframe for this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9778/04]
160 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he intends to take to stop universities and third-level institutions withholding exam results from apprentices who have yet to pay registration fees in view of their protests against such charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9777/04]
30 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the number of official trips undertaken to date by the new Bombardier Learjet 45; the destinations in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9276/04]
39 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to publish the report of the joint military-civil board established to review the overall rotary wing requirements for the Air Corps which was submitted to his Department towards the end of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9277/04]
19 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the research projects his Department funds to promote organic farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9168/04]