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]
29 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of appeals made to the chief appeals officer in the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2000 on the basis of being found not to fulfil the genuinely seeking work criteria; the number of appeals made in each of the years 1998 and 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29702/00]
29 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of appeals made to the chief appeals officer in the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2000 on the basis of being found not to fulfil the genuinely seeking work criteria; the number of appeals made in each of the years 1998 and 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29702/00]
62 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed at the recent RACO conference that Air Corps pilots were flying dangerous rescue missions off the north-west coast without proper crash facilities; the steps that are being taken to address the concerns expressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28687/00]
62 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed at the recent RACO conference that Air Corps pilots were flying dangerous rescue missions off the north-west coast without proper crash facilities; the steps that are being taken to address the concerns expressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28687/00]
52 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on a report in a publication (details supplied) that overall control of the Rapid Reaction Force of the European Union to which Ireland has an undertaking to contribute, will be in the hands of NATO's Deputy Supreme Commander; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27819/00]
52 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on a report in a publication (details supplied) that overall control of the Rapid Reaction Force of the European Union to which Ireland has an undertaking to contribute, will be in the hands of NATO's Deputy Supreme Commander; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27819/00]
22 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the latest position regarding the development of a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25958/00]
22 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the latest position regarding the development of a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25958/00]
238 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the present position in relation to the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into Irish law.
[22359/00]
238 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the present position in relation to the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into Irish law.
[22359/00]
2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recent discussion he has had on continuing UN sanctions against Iraq, which has caused the loss of 1.5 million lives, more than half of them children; and the action he proposes to take on the Security Council in this regard.
[22334/00]
7 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the progress being made in regard to regularising the position of Irish registered non-resident companies.
[21561/00]
10 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nurses registered and employed in the health services in each of the years 1997, 1998 and 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18537/00]
4 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's attitude to the damage being done to the efforts to bring humanitarian relief to the children of Iraq by the continuing economic sanctions against that country; if he raised this matter with the British and US authorities in particular; if he will give account of such discussions; if he has received a report from the three MEPs who recently visited Iraq on a fact finding mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17039/00]
2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of occasions he has raised the United States blockade of Cuba with the United States authorities; the outcome of such discussions; if his attention has been drawn, in particular, to the hardship being caused by the difficulties in acquiring certain medical equip- ment from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17038/00]
20 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she expects to confirm the terms of reference of the examination being carried out by consultants into the role of the Irish Film Board; when she expects to receive the report of the consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15312/00]
19 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received a letter from the EU Commission warning that certain EU funding could be delayed or put at risk as a result of the failure of this country to comply with certain EU directives; the steps she will take as a result of this letter; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15311/00]
20 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she expects to confirm the terms of reference of the examination being carried out by consultants into the role of the Irish Film Board; when she expects to receive the report of the consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15312/00]
19 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received a letter from the EU Commission warning that certain EU funding could be delayed or put at risk as a result of the failure of this country to comply with certain EU directives; the steps she will take as a result of this letter; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[15311/00]
12 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the specific steps he proposes to take to meet the commitments in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness in regard to social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14678/00]
22 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of a number of recent serious cases, he will introduce a no fault compensation scheme where children are brain damaged during birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14525/00]
47 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the position with regard to the sale of each of the six Army barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13679/00]
47 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the position with regard to the sale of each of the six Army barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13679/00]
80 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to recognise older people as social partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13486/00]
80 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to recognise older people as social partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13486/00]
2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government is taking to ensure the lifting of non-military sanctions against Iraq in view of the severe hardship being caused, especially to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13054/00]
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she expects the £100,000 allocated under the Structural Funds, 1994-99, for works on waterways in Galway, including the Parkavera Lock, to be expended in 2000; the reasons for the delay in the expenditure of moneys allocated; and if she will give details of the work programme.
[10912/00]
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she expects the £100,000 allocated under the Structural Funds, 1994-99, for works on waterways in Galway, including the Parkavera Lock, to be expended in 2000; the reasons for the delay in the expenditure of moneys allocated; and if she will give details of the work programme.
[10912/00]
14 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the support, if any, his Department will provide for the national spring clean campaign, sponsored by An Taisce, which is due to run for the month of April; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10025/00]
13 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of buildings surveyed and the number in which asbestos was identified following the survey of public buildings by the Office of Public Works to establish the level of asbestos; the steps, if any, being taken to have asbestos removed from all these buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9361/00]
147 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the proposals, if any, there are for the establishment of a rapid reaction unit in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8800/00]
147 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the proposals, if any, there are for the establishment of a rapid reaction unit in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8800/00]
17 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by environmental groups that the new forestry grants system, agreed with the EU Commission, may promote the planting of conifer trees over broadleaf trees; the steps, if any, he is taking to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8191/00]
32 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the projected number of recipients of the £3,000 tax allowance in respect of stay-at-home spouses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5248/00]
32 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the projected number of recipients of the £3,000 tax allowance in respect of stay-at-home spouses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5248/00]
6 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's views on and response to the UN Security Council's report of spring 1999 in relation to humanitarian relief in Iraq and on the suffering of the civilian population there as a result of sanctions; if the Government has satisfied itself as to the manner in which sanctions are being implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4333/00]
6 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the investigation, if any, which has been held into the collision between two vessels off the Aran Islands on 2 January 2000 which resulted in an oil pollution scare; if the skippers of the two vessels concerned have been interviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3634/00]
56 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been, or will be, taken by Government to implement the proposals contained in the PIANO report (details supplied) on music education; if the Government decision to establish the Academy for the Performing Arts has implications for the recommendations contained in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3247/00]
56 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been, or will be, taken by Government to implement the proposals contained in the PIANO report (details supplied) on music education; if the Government decision to establish the Academy for the Performing Arts has implications for the recommendations contained in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3247/00]
101 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of applicants awaiting a driving test at the latest date for which figures are available; the length of the waiting time for a test at each centre; the reason for the long delays; the steps, if any, being taken to reduce the waiting time for tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1580/00]
101 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of applicants awaiting a driving test at the latest date for which figures are available; the length of the waiting time for a test at each centre; the reason for the long delays; the steps, if any, being taken to reduce the waiting time for tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1580/00]
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the appointment of Mr. Javier Solana as head of the Western European Union, having regard to his existing role as EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy and the need to maintain a clear distinction between the EU and the Western European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25505/99]
44 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the appointment of Mr. Javier Solana as head of the Western European Union, having regard to his existing role as EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy and the need to maintain a clear distinction between the EU and the Western European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25505/99]
27 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister of Education and Science if he will make a statement on the closure of more than 100 national schools recently arising from industrial action taken by school principals as a result of the failure of his Department to provide secretarial and caretaker support; the plans, if any, he has in relation to rural support; and the funding, if any, he has sought from the Department of Finance for this.
[25341/99]
25 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the report of the working group on the role of the primary school principal; and when he intends to implement it.
[25340/99]
27 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister of Education and Science if he will make a statement on the closure of more than 100 national schools recently arising from industrial action taken by school principals as a result of the failure of his Department to provide secretarial and caretaker support; the plans, if any, he has in relation to rural support; and the funding, if any, he has sought from the Department of Finance for this.
[25341/99]
25 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the report of the working group on the role of the primary school principal; and when he intends to implement it.
[25340/99]
8 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 22 June 1999, she has met the Irish Stock Exchange to discuss progress on the issue of the detailed disclosure of the remuneration of directors of public companies; the plans, if any, she has to introduce legislation to deal with the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[21994/99]
13 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the fact that class sizes at second level are larger than in 1971; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20100/99]