40
D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh reachtaíocht foilsithe faoi Údarás na Gaeilge nó Údarás na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
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14
D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén cinneadh atá déanta aige i leith mhaoiniú an Phlean Forbartha Teanga do Ghaeltacht na nDéise; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
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69 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on amending the governing Act of the Irish Film Board to include support for the computer gaming industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7888/10]
92 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his reflections on the 65th anniversary of the closing of Auschwitz; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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71 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the media reports which suggest that a court in Switzerland has found that a family (details supplied) is entitled to millions of dollars held in bank accounts in that country, money which had been previously awarded to aid groups; his views on these reports; and if it is proposed that the EU would make its stance on this known and oppose the ruling.
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164 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of interdepartmental consultation on signing and ratifying the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; his position within that consultation; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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60 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who qualified for a doctor only medical card on 31 December 2008; the number of persons who qualified for such a card on 31 December 2009; the extra cost to the state of the increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
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57 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who qualified for a full medical card on 31 December 2008; the number of persons who qualified for such a card on 31 December 2009; the extra cost to the State of the increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
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275 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the role and progress made towards the outlawing of the illegal trade in tropical wood here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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130 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he has directed the National Roads Authority, under section 41 of the Roads Act 1993 or otherwise, to upgrade and maintain the N17 on the Galway-Mayo border in view of the recent deaths of four young persons on this stretch of the N17 and the numerous incidents of non-fatal collisions on this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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127 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he will conduct an audit of the road surfaces of all national primary and non-national roads in conjunction with the National Road Authority and local authorities in view of the damage that was inflicted on many roads during the recent extreme snow and flood weather conditions; if he has liaised with the European Commission or any other EU agency on the contribution of damaged road surfaces to road collisions and fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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376 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the establishment of a public centre detailing the history and culture of the communities of Northern Ireland may enhance understanding here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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375 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures that his Department is engaging in or will engage in regarding the difficulties of obtaining legitimate visas that allow internationals to work and volunteer in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory in view of the amount of EU aid that is provided to Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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314 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the Property Registration Authority’s move towards the e-conveyancing of land certificates, specifically pertaining to documents that have been saved and the location at which they are being kept; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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310 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the measures taken to prevent such tragedies as the 17 November 2009 incident, in which four young persons lost their lives on the N17 between Mayo and Galway, from happening in the future; if he will sign an on-line petition in support of the families; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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293 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport when the stretch of road between Ballindine and Miltown on the N17 will be improved in view of the fact that this was the scene of a tragic accident in November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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206 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the Irish commitment at a recent meeting of the G20 to contribute to a special fund addressed to the needs of indebted countries; if the fund is to be led by the International Monetary Fund; if so, the guiding principles that exists for the fund; and if they will include debt cancellation.
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52 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the 170 Garda promotions, for which Cabinet approval has been given, will be made to fill vacancies arising from the retirements now being experienced by the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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51 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications received during 2009 for early retirement from members of the Garda, broken down by rank; the way in which this compares with each year from 2002; his views on reports that a significant number of senior gardaí are planning to take early retirement; the implications of such retirements for policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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329 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the detail of all cross-Border programmes, initiatives, areas of co-operation and similar which his Department is currently engaged in or about to engage in with its counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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286 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the detail of all cross-Border programmes, initiatives, areas of co-operation and similar which his Department is currently engaged in or about to engage in with its counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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263 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the detail of all cross-Border programmes, initiatives, areas of co-operation and similar which his Department is currently engaged in or about to engage in with its counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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108 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether Anglo Irish Bank is an appropriate vehicle for expanding small medium enterprise lending; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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101 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he has been approached by interested parties with respect to taking shareholdings in the National Asset Management Agency special purpose vehicle; when these investments will be concluded; the terms of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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139 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the work of the Company Law Review Group; the timeframe for the publication of legislation following the reports of this group; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
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108 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding and timeframe for the transposition of the Services Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
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63 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Galway qualifies for a medical card; and if so, if one will be provided.
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178 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has a co-ordinating role with Department of Social and Family Affairs regarding farm assist.
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155 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the fodder aid scheme to losses associated with the recent very cold weather.
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486 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the composition of the housing forum; the reports, minutes or other documents that have been produced during its existence; the person who sets its meeting agendas, calls and chairs its meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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485 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the involvement a group (details supplied) and other representatives have had regarding the housing forum since its inception; the evaluation of the housing situation of the housing forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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484 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Towards 2016 policy document that the housing forum will play an important part in inputting policy development and evaluating outcomes over the ten year period of the framework agreement including housing issues in both the urban and rural environments reviewed following the first phase of the ten year framework agreement; and if the minutes of housing forum will be placed in the library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
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406 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing plight of a person (details supplied); if he has had contact with the Tunisian authorities regarding this case; if he is satisfied that the United Nations convention against torture ratified by Tunisia on 23 September 1988 is respected there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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405 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports suggesting that North Korean public funds are being concealed in bank accounts in Luxembourg; his views on these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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143 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his target for ocean energy technology; the mega wattage of ocean energy connected to the grid; the number of applications received; the amount of the €26 million announced for ocean energy that was spent in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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136 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with the Department Education and Science regarding the need for an energy related module available to third level humanities students here; if not, his views on whether this is required in order to progress awareness of energy related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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53 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the national strategy for adaptation to climate change will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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21 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the contribution Ireland proposes to make as a result of the Copenhagen conference; if there is a united European Union proposal regarding carbon offsetting over the coming decades; the details of the proposal and the financial contribution Ireland will be expected to make.
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108 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the proportion of GDP that was spent on the Defence Forces in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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92 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in improving the numbers of the planned military force to serve with MINURCAT in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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1029 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to an issue at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology where Fáilte Ireland removed funding to students of the total immersion chef programme; his views on the proposal made by Galway Mayo Institute of Technology student’s union that these students be allowed to apply for vocational education committee grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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499 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the number of civilian aircraft which requested permission to overfly or land here and in particular at Shannon Airport in 2007, 2008 and 2009 while carrying munitions; the person whom made the requests; the number that were granted permission; the location they landed; the nature of the cargo on these planes; and the locations where the planes came from and were destined for.
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493 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if all military and other aircraft operated by external State authorities file flight plans when overflying or landing here; and if there are conditions or limitations on the submission of those flight plans.
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172 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 3 of 17 September 2009, if the report mentioned was sent to the bodies concerned; if not, the reason for same; and if this will now be rectified.
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171 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 3 of 17 September 2009, if the report mentioned was sent to the bodies concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
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108 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason back to work education allowance scheme is available to persons who are pursing higher diploma courses but not Masters courses; her plans to address the limitations with this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
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279 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if, further to a previous parliamentary question in which he stated that upon the submission by the Irish Red Cross of a governance reform report to his office that an interdepartmental discussion between the Departments of Defence, the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs would take place, he will confirm that his Department will take part in these discussions with the Departments of Defence and the Taoiseach, as well as with the Irish Red Cross and International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross; the role the Department of Foreign Affairs will play in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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268 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence his views, in view of the fact that the Irish Red Cross is an auxiliary to the Government in the provision of humanitarian services as endorsed by the Government at the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross, Red Crescent and state parties to the Geneva Convention in Geneva in 2007, on whether this role is in any way compromised by the many years of governance difficulties at the Irish Red Cross and the recent resignations of its chairman and secretary general; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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267 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether the Irish Red Cross’s reputation and credibility within the International Red Cross movement has been damaged or compromised in view of the recent negative media articles on the Irish Red Cross (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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10 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the Exchequer contribution to the Horse and Greyhound Fund in 2008, 2009 and that projected for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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