59 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the authority of the Security Council of the United Nations regarding all judgments on compliance with the Charter of the United Nations and its resolutions will be vindicated in all matters relating to the current situation in Iraq; if the Government's position is one of support for the United Nations, opposition to unilateral military action or pre-emptive strikes, and that Irish facilities, including Shannon Airport, will cease to be used for preliminary military purposes in the current or a future situation.
[21671/02]
127 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the gross under-estimation by his Department of the cost of extending medical cards to everyone over 70; the total estimated cost at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18046/02]
96 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason he sanctioned the increase in VHI rates, having regard to the hardship that this will cause for many subscribers; when he now plans to use the powers available to him to introduce risk equalisation among all health insurers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18047/02]
4 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his preparatory meeting with Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the EU in relation to the Seville meeting of the European Council; and his views on the conclusions of the meeting and any measures he proposes to take arising therefrom.
[15042/02]
2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed the present position in the Middle East with his European Union colleagues; if they propose to take an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15041/02]
31 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the projected level of inflation for 2002 based on the latest information available to his Department; the way in which this compares with the projected EU average; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12408/02]
31 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the projected level of inflation for 2002 based on the latest information available to his Department; the way in which this compares with the projected EU average; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12408/02]
10 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the financial penalties which can be imposed if the company awarded the contract to run Luas does not operate the service satisfactorily; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[10517/02]
24 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives Ireland is prepared to take at Security Council level of the United Nations and within the EU to halt the drift to war in Iraq and the Middle East.
[10239/02]
24 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives Ireland is prepared to take at Security Council level of the United Nations and within the EU to halt the drift to war in Iraq and the Middle East.
[10239/02]
9 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in her consideration of the submissions received from SIPTU and ICTU regarding proposed increases in payments available under the Redundancy Payments Act, 1979; the progress made at her meeting with ICTU and SIPTU to discuss the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[9470/02]
9 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the recent Bord Fáilte survey which shows an increasing number of European tourists expressing concern about value for money in Irish tourism; the steps he intends to take to ensure that Irish tourism remains competitive in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8033/02]
4 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals for a deeper and continuous effort by the European Union towards ending the loss of life and destruction of infrastructure taking place in the Palestinian territories and Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3730/02]
2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or his officials have sought and received assurances that prisoners taken in Afghanistan will be treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention adoption and protocols; if he has satisfied himself that international law is being fully respected in the case of prisoners being held in Afghanistan and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3976/02]
20 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she expects to publish the consolidated national monuments Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[31817/01]
20 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she expects to publish the consolidated national monuments Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[31817/01]
43 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if officials from her Department were consulted on the decision by Iarnród Éireann to reduce its freight business by half; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29815/01]
43 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if officials from her Department were consulted on the decision by Iarnród Éireann to reduce its freight business by half; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29815/01]
118 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the latest estimates available to his Department of the likely impact on visitor numbers and tourism revenue of the terrorist attacks in the United States and the general economic downturn; the action he is taking to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27873/01]
108 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress which has been made regarding the objectives set in the national development plan of spreading visitor numbers more widely throughout the year and increasing business captured by the BMW region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27877/01]
118 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the latest estimates available to his Department of the likely impact on visitor numbers and tourism revenue of the terrorist attacks in the United States and the general economic downturn; the action he is taking to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27873/01]
108 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress which has been made regarding the objectives set in the national development plan of spreading visitor numbers more widely throughout the year and increasing business captured by the BMW region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27877/01]
13
D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán cén dul chun cinn atá déanta le Coimisiún na Gaeltachta; cathain a bheidh an tuairisc aici; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh.
[27161/01]
74 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has for a comprehensive national study of existing and closed landfill waste sites, having regard to the findings of a study conducted by Imperial College, London, which found that there were small but measurable increases in birth defects among children born within a two kilometre radius of such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26670/01]
74 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has for a comprehensive national study of existing and closed landfill waste sites, having regard to the findings of a study conducted by Imperial College, London, which found that there were small but measurable increases in birth defects among children born within a two kilometre radius of such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26670/01]
75 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on the issue of the Tobin tax; if the tax has been raised formally or informally at the Council meeting of the Belgian Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23737/01]
73 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) who is serving a jail sentence for conspiracy to defraud the Revenue Commissioners is an employee of the Commissioners; the total amount paid in salary to this person since the conviction; the steps being taken to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25348/01]
75 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on the issue of the Tobin tax; if the tax has been raised formally or informally at the Council meeting of the Belgian Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23737/01]
73 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) who is serving a jail sentence for conspiracy to defraud the Revenue Commissioners is an employee of the Commissioners; the total amount paid in salary to this person since the conviction; the steps being taken to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25348/01]
99 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers In Luxembourg on 8 October 2001 and its consideration of air and missile strikes by the United States and Britain against Afghanistan; and if he will clarify comments later attributed to him stating that the Government would support similar attacks on other countries.
[24049/01]
99 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers In Luxembourg on 8 October 2001 and its consideration of air and missile strikes by the United States and Britain against Afghanistan; and if he will clarify comments later attributed to him stating that the Government would support similar attacks on other countries.
[24049/01]
8 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress being made in her consideration of the recent report from the Heritage Council which said that one-third of the State's 27,000 stone structures and monuments were significantly damaged or suffering neglect; if her Department has met with representatives of the council to discuss the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[20307/01]
16 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of criminal cases taken for tax offences; the number of cases in which convictions were imposed; the number of cases in which sentences of periods of imprisonment were imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19041/01]
10 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he has received figures from the banks or financial institutions an indication of the numbers of applications received for the special savings investment scheme; if so, if, on the basis of such figures, his Department has an assessment of the likely cost to the Exchequer of the special savings investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19042/01]
65 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will account for the delay in ratifying Protocol 7 to the European Convention on Human Rights, having regard to assurances previously given by the Minister; the specific steps already taken and remaining to be taken in connection with ratification; the precise reason such remaining steps have yet to be taken; when it is now proposed to deposit the instrument of ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17903/01]
63 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on such attitude and action as the Government proposes to take on the Security Council on foot of the report of the panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
[17902/01]
65 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will account for the delay in ratifying Protocol 7 to the European Convention on Human Rights, having regard to assurances previously given by the Minister; the specific steps already taken and remaining to be taken in connection with ratification; the precise reason such remaining steps have yet to be taken; when it is now proposed to deposit the instrument of ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17903/01]
63 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on such attitude and action as the Government proposes to take on the Security Council on foot of the report of the panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
[17902/01]
12 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps being taken to ensure Coillte Teoranta plants a greater proportion of broadleaf trees, having regard to the concerns expressed by environmental organisations regarding the impact of the level of conifer planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17395/01]
46 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps she is taking to ensure the reports required under the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) are provided to the EU Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15732/01]
46 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps she is taking to ensure the reports required under the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) are provided to the EU Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15732/01]
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline such initiatives as Ireland proposes to take during its membership of the Security Council to curb the enormous global expenditure on armaments, such as regulations to limit their distribution and sanctions for their dissemination without conditions to various areas of conflicts; the priorities Ireland has chosen for its one month presidency of the Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13064/01]
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline such initiatives as Ireland proposes to take during its membership of the Security Council to curb the enormous global expenditure on armaments, such as regulations to limit their distribution and sanctions for their dissemination without conditions to various areas of conflicts; the priorities Ireland has chosen for its one month presidency of the Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13064/01]
6 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, in view of the foot and mouth crisis and the BSE crisis, he has any proposals for the establishment of an epidemiological research centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9290/01]
28 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress to date in implementing the White Paper on Defence.
[9013/01]
28 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress to date in implementing the White Paper on Defence.
[9013/01]
8 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total amount of funds held in the New York Iraq oil for food account on foot of resolution 986; the portion of this which is allocatable for relief for Iraq.
[8389/01]
2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to emulate such other Ministers for Development Aid as have asked the international pharmaceutical companies to suspend their action against the South African Government in relation to the production of low cost drugs needed for the treatment of HIV-AIDS; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8432/01]
10 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the declaration of commerciality by the Corrib Gas Field Partners; when gas is likely to be brought ashore; and the information which is available with regard to the extent of the reserves.
[3350/01]
84 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland favours an international agreement banning the use of depleted uranium, or any other such substances as have any deleterious effect on the health of civilians or participants in conflict; if Ireland will use its position on the Security Council of the UN to sponsor such an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2223/01]