51 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the damage which may be caused to relations between Ireland and Latin America if reported plans to close embassies in the region are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31913/09]
50 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the damage which may be caused to Irish-Mexican relations if reported plans to close the Irish embassy there are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31912/09]
49 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the damage which may be caused to Irish-Canadian relations if reported plans to close the Irish embassy there are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31911/09]
48 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposal, emanating from the Department of Finance, that Ireland reduce its number of embassies and network of consulates worldwide, reportedly from 76 to 55; and his further views on whether such a move would damage Ireland internationally and impair relationships with a number of countries, with attendant cultural, business and trading dangers.
[31910/09]
47 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the Farrell Grant Sparks report on the level of oversight regarding spending in his Department, in particular on Irish Aid.
[31909/09]
45 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the ongoing response to the recent discovery of a bomb in south Armagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31907/09]
44 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on recent meetings between members of the Government and their Northern Ireland counterparts.
[31906/09]
46 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals emanating from the Department of Finance indicating that Ireland is to resile from its aim of reaching 0.7% of gross domestic product being spent on overseas development aid by the year 2012.
[31908/09]
3 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the failure to comply with a Supreme Court order of 30 April 2009, which required that the report of the labour inspectorate of her Department into the activities of companies (details supplied) be sent to certain official and State bodies with prosecutorial responsibilities; if the reports have been furnished to any of these bodies; the action she proposes to take; and her views on the breach of legal EU guarantees involved and the hardship that ensued to the workers involved.
[31844/09]
622 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 cannot receive correspondence from her Department in an Irish language script; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29351/09]
504 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of study visa applications received in 2008 and 2007 in the visa office in Dublin and the hub visa offices worldwide which were found to be incomplete and therefore not considered for approval or refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29352/09]
43 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the roll-out of the preclearance facilities at Shannon and Dublin Airports; when preclearance facilities will be fully operational at Shannon and Dublin Airports; if Aer Lingus will be utilising the preclearance facilities at Shannon; the expected number of additional routes and services to be created at Shannon in the first year of full pre-clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28401/09]
82 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance when he will announce the identity of the next governor of the Irish Central Bank; if he has prepared a shortlist of potential candidates; if he has approached potential candidates regarding the position; if he will appoint a candidate with a blend of theoretical and practical, market knowledge of the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27988/09]
69 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recently published annual report of the Bank of International Settlements; his further views on whether there are lessons to be learned in the context of the imminent redesign of the financial regulatory architecture here; his proposals to enforce the comprehensive application of enhanced prudential standards that integrate a system wide perspective at Irish credit institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27987/09]
355 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will publish the final report of the steering committee on the implementation of the national action plan against racism, which concluded its work at the end of December 2008; the reason the report has not been published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27478/09]
75 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacancies expected to arise by end of 2009 which will remain unfilled as a result of the circular issued by the Department of Finance on 27 March 2009 in respect of her Department and each of the State agencies or boards for which she has responsibility.
[27430/09]
46 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made with regard to preparation of the promised legislation to ban cross directorships and to prevent chief executives from becoming chairman of their companies; when she expects that the legislation will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[27431/09]
123 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the work being carried out seeking to regularise the position of undocumented persons in the United States of America; if there is the prospect of an imminent breakthrough in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26911/09]
55 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that, despite assurances given, there is a lack of audiological provision here, in particular in Galway; if, in view of the fact that the post of senior audiological scientist has been sought for seven years for Galway and was sought prior to the moratorium announced for new appointments under the aegis of her Department, this moratorium will be lifted for this appointment and post; her further views on whether the filling of such a post is a priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26874/09]
14 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 491 of 23 June 2009, when the City and County Managers’ Association was asked for a response to the terms of the draft memorandum; the actions he has taken to accelerate the ratification of the memorandum, in view of the urgency of the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26684/09]
10 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 495 of 23 June 2009, if he will change the system of information storage in order that his Department can access, horizontally, information such as this, and other information regarding schools at primary level in order that his Department is properly equipped to efficiently manage the primary school building infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26685/09]
172 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has read the recently published Trafficking in Persons Report 2009; his views on the report and on the accounts of human rights violations therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26651/09]
73 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions under way with regard to a voluntary redundancy or redeployment scheme for administrative and management staff in the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26317/09]
71 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is proposed to provide a new funding stream for the extra work on specific conditions such as sickle cell disease which has been undertaken by Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Dublin; if the funding provided for the hospital will take account of the fact that the children who previously had their operations carried out abroad at extra expense to the State, are being treated in Crumlin; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26318/09]
520 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the situation at a school (details supplied) in County Galway in which, due to child shortages, there is to be one mainstream teacher fewer in the 2009-10 school year; his further views on whether this will have a severe and deleterious impact on the pupils at the school; if same will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26208/09]
251 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that her Minister of State for Children will travel to Vietnam to bring to an end the ongoing crisis in intercountry adoption, which is continuing to cause distress to many families here; the position as regards the impasse in this area; and the steps which have been taken to date by her to resolve same.
[26342/09]
161 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the ongoing crisis in the area of intercountry adoption which is affecting many families nationwide, particularly between Ireland and Vietnam, as well as between Ireland and other countries; if there has been recent communication between Ireland and Vietnam on the matter; the advice she will offer those people who have been on the applicant list often for a period of many years for adoption; when she expects that the situation will be rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[25650/09]
101 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase the payment rate under the suckler cow welfare scheme in view of the emerging participation rate of 750,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26053/09]
89 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the initiatives that have been taken by his Department to encourage consumers to buy produce in season; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26054/09]
33 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans in relation to improving in-work welfare benefits to reduce the incentive to rely totally on welfare for income support.
[23288/09]
26 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she will take to address the long waiting times for social welfare appeals.
[23289/09]
170 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has revoked the adoption mediation licence of Helping Hands; and if so, the reason for such a decision.
[24419/09]
104 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made with regard to proposed changes in the work permits system; if she is in receipt of correspondence from persons seeking a postponement of such at least until such time as a proper review of its impacts be carried out and alternative approaches be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24645/09]
89 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to proceed with plans for the replacement of the Asgard II with a new steel hulled vessel; if estimates are available as to the potential cost; when tenders will be sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24695/09]
72 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the number of cash in transit escorts provided by the Defence Forces during 2008; the amount of personnel hours involved in these operations; the amount paid by banks or financial institutions in respect of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24694/09]
94 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 9 June 2009, the frequency of the regular monitoring reports from the Health Service Executive to her Department on the implementation of the service plan for child and family service provision referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 9 June 2009; if these reports are or will be made publicly available; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24288/09]
93 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the Law Reform Commission’s report, Aspects of Inter-country Adoption Law, published in February 2008 regarding the strain placed on the resources of social workers and the lack of official statistics documenting the number of domestic adoption and inter-country adoption breakdowns or disruptions; if she has considered the section which indicates a need for a well resourced post-adoption service staffed by professionals including counsellors with full and up-to-date knowledge of all the pertinent issues in inter-country adoption to ensure the welfare of children and adoptive families who voluntarily come forward to access the service are protected and supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24287/09]
92 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to progress negotiations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on bilateral inter-country adoption during the summer 2009 recess; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[24286/09]
53 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding his Department’s target as part of the programme for Government’s target of a 3% cut in carbon emissions per annum; the action he will take to meet that target; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24076/09]
50 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for the completion of the remediation of Gortmore mines, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24075/09]
169 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if this school will be allocated sufficient support to make a special class for the school year 2009-10 possible.
[23949/09]
69
D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an mó scéim teanga faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 atá aontaithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[23839/09]
67
D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nach bhfuil Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 á chur i bhfeidhm go cothrom; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh.
[23840/09]
137 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm reports that persons charged with assessing couples or individuals who have applied to adopt children on average make 12 such assessments annually despite recommendations that 20 such assessments be conducted per social worker; if there is scope to improve same; her views on whether such a move would shorten the average time it takes for an adoption to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[23780/09]
136 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will suggest improvements to the system of adoption here in which, as is currently the case, persons seeking to make a complaint against the adoption process in which they are involved have to do so with those who have the final say over the eventual success or failure of the person’s application for adoption having full knowledge of the complaint leading to a situation whereby the person who has a complaint remaining silent; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[23779/09]
135 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures she proposes, notwithstanding the importance of properly vetting all potential adoptive parents, and her plans to speed this process up; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[23778/09]
134 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures she suggests in order to update and improve the process of adoption here.
[23777/09]
53 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide a commitment that funding to the Arts Council will not be further reduced in view of the cuts suffered by that organisation during the past nine months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23602/09]
138 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the lapse of the inter-country adoption agreement with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the suspension of inter-country adoptions from the Russian Federation are no fault of prospective adoptive parents; if she will urge the Adoption Board to grant extensions including second extensions to the declaration of eligibility and suitability of prospective parents where the board has discretion; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22060/09]
137 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent of the backlog in post-adoption placement assessment reports from before 2008; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this backlog has caused the Russian Federation to suspend inter-country adoptions with Ireland; if the Health Service Executive has informed her of the way it will direct resources to clear this backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22059/09]