164 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that following the recent conviction of a person (details supplied) on charges of conspiracy to import heroin and cocaine worth €7 million through Weston Airport, County Dublin, that sufficient measures are in place to prevent private airports from being used for drugs trafficking purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40162/09]
94 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has given consideration to the introduction of any additional social economy and job initiative schemes to help deal with the current unemployment situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[44610/09]
65 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a report from the Labour Court regarding a possible change in the national minimum wage; if not, when she expects to receive its report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[44606/09]
43 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he intends to combat fuel poverty in winter 2009; the number of persons who live in fuel poverty here; the number of homes that were part of the warmer homes scheme for 2008 and 2009; the delay in publishing the findings of the fuel poverty action research group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[43345/09]
341 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role played by the Garda Síochána in the seizure of more than 120 million cigarettes from a vessel in Greenore, County Louth; the value of the cigarettes seized; if charges have yet been pressed against any of those arrested at the time; if a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions; if he has satisfied himself that there was an appropriate level of cooperation between the Gardaí and the customs authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[43072/09]
182 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance the role played by Revenue customs service in the seizure of more than 120 million cigarettes from a vessel in Greenore, County Louth; the value of the cigarettes seized; if charges have been pressed against any of those arrested at the time; if a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions; if he is satisfied that there was an appropriate level of co-operation between the customs authorities and the Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[43071/09]
82 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received confirmation that the required 8% reduction in professional fees has been applied to adjudicators and mediators employed by the Private Residential Tenancies Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[42930/09]
115 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether an extension for three years would moderate the short-term impact of retirements at senior level in the Garda Síochána which are probably motivated by concerns about tax changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[42423/09]
50 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if the review of the Reserve Defence Force as part of the 2009 to 2011 phase of the Government’s value for money and policy review initiative has commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[42181/09]
39 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if he has received approval from the Department of Finance to use the insurance payment of €3.8 million arising from the loss of Asgard II to fund a new vessel similar to Asgard but with a steel hull; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[42182/09]
211 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if and when the last group of Garda trainees who completed and passed their training at Templemore College, County Tipperary, in September 2008 and who were due to be recruited in August 2009 will be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[42115/09]
81 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on comments made by a person (details supplied) that the conviction of alleged CIA and Italian intelligence operatives in an extraordinary rendition case in Italy is a clear message to all governments that, even in the fight against terrorism, they can not forsake the basic rights of democracies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41940/09]
386 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the undermining of the tyre recovery activity compliance scheme monitoring, re-use and recycling scheme will lead to rogue operators functioning with impunity in the Border area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41348/09]
385 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to approve a second tyre recovery activity compliance scheme to monitor the movement of tyres and promote legitimate re-use and recycling of waste tyres; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the approval of a second scheme would undermine TRACS; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41347/09]
384 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the operation of the tyre recovery activity compliance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41346/09]
307 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the timescale to introduce arrangements to end the requirement of members of the Garda Síochána to take a handwritten note of interviews which are being electronically recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41753/09]
306 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will bring forward legislation to introduce a power of arrest for offences under section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, to facilitate gardaí in dealing with such assaults; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41752/09]
103 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding provided by his Department to volunteering centres over the past three years; if the number of such centres has increased; if he has plans to develop these centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41638/09]
70 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to encourage and develop volunteering at this time in view of the fact that the need for community support and development was never more vital than at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[41639/09]
64 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace accidents and workplace deaths recorded in each year from 2002 to date in 2009; her proposals to ensure a reduction in the number of such accidents and deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[41073/09]
45 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of EU directives for which her Department has responsibility remaining to be implemented; the directives that are overdue; the number of reasoned opinions received from the EU Commission since 2002 to date in 2009 regarding delays or non-implementation of such directives; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[41074/09]
272 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the location of and the funding provided to each Garda Youth Diversion Project here in the years 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40031/09]
271 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects to receive the final report of the data protection review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40030/09]
270 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the existing powers available under the Data Protections Acts to penalise those found in breach of the existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40029/09]
269 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 266 of 24 February 2009, the reason for the delay in the commencement of test purchasing as provided for in section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40028/09]
268 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the legislative measures being introduced and or amended in the promised Sale of Alcohol Bill; if he will commit to engaging in consultation with relevant groups and stakeholders such as public health, youth and medical organisations who are concerned about alcohol misuse and alcohol related harm prior to publication of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40027/09]
267 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there has been an increase or decrease in the number of public order offences as a result of the enactment of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 which came into force on 30 July 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40026/09]
266 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the fact that one large retailer (details supplied) has not signed up to the new voluntary Code of Practice On The Display And Sale Of Alcohol Products In Mixed Trading Premises, and as a result compliance with the voluntary code cannot be monitored at the large number of outlets here; his views on that the voluntary code is compromised; if he will commence with Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 as he committed to if the voluntary code did not work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40025/09]
265 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received the first report on the implementation and compliance with the new voluntary Code of Practice On The Display And Sale Of Alcohol Products In Mixed Trading Premises from a group (details supplied) which was due for publication in September 2009; if he will provide and publish a copy of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40024/09]
264 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 613 of 16 September 2009, if the meeting with the Minister for Social Development in Northern Ireland on the possibility of a joint North-South initiative to tackle alcohol promotions has taken place; if so, the response and views of the Minister and the Northern Executive to such a proposal; if this meeting has not taken place, when will this meeting take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40023/09]
118 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on crime statistics from the Central Statistics Office for the third quarter of 2009 and particularly the growth in burglaries and related offences; the steps that are being taken to combat the rise in this type of crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40134/09]
92 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners on temporary release at the latest date in 2009 for which figures are available; the highest number of temporary release on any date during 2009; the average number of prisoners on temporary release during 2009; the steps he is taking to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40135/09]
74 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of recorded cases of so-called tiger robberies, in which staff or relatives of staff of financial institutions were taken hostage to date in 2009; the amount of money taken in such robberies; the discussions he has had with the financial institutions about these robberies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[40405/09]
35 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport his views on the Dublin Port National Development Plan Study conducted by Indecon Consultants for his Department; his views on his favoured scenario for the development of Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39548/09]
31 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recent reforms announced by the Commission on Taxi Regulation; his plans to incentivise the purchase of wheelchair accessible taxis in the industry in view of the current economic prospects in the taxi sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[39547/09]
132 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans that are in place for the proposed paediatric unit in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, in conjunction with the proposed new national paediatric hospital; if a review of proposals has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[39285/09]
88 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to keep acute hospital beds open in winter 2009; her views on a survey by an organisation (details supplied) which indicated that 705 beds were closed nationwide at the beginning of October 2009; the number of beds closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[39300/09]
775 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if Horse Racing Ireland has received almost €500 million in grant assistance since 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[38929/09]
153 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance his views on the down side risks facing Irish exporters, and the economy here more broadly, as a result of the strengthening euro; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37699/09]
11 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the recommendation contained in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes to abolish the Law Reform Commission; his views on the recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31145/09]
119 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the policies or initiatives he has undertaken to increase public perception of the importance of tourism to the economy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37382/09]
136 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the findings by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, which revealed that almost one in five secondary school pupils does not learn a foreign language; his views on whether this is a barrier to Ireland achieving its goal of becoming a knowledge based economy in view of the importance of international marketing and communication with other countries; the steps he proposes to take to improve this position with regard to the learning of modern foreign languages in the primary and secondary school system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37097/09]
125 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the proposals of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes that the Froebel College of Education in Blackrock, the Church of Ireland Training College in Rathmines and the Marino Institute, Dublin, should be abolished to provide a saving in nominal terms of €2.9 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[37098/09]
85 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will respond to reports that the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland were not adequately informed of the actions taken by his Department following the crisis surrounding dioxin in pig meat in December 2008.
[36224/09]
64 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the role on the Teagasc board vacated by a person (details supplied) will be filled.
[36225/09]
136 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding proposals to introduce new noise pollution regulations, that will provide for noise from alarms, on-the-spot fines for noise pollution and arbitration procedures for neighbours in dispute on noise issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35810/09]
110 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that have heritage officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35811/09]
42 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he will take to combat fuel poverty in winter 2009; the number of people who live in fuel poverty here; the number of homes which were part of the warmer homes scheme for 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35507/09]
162 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to allow self-employed persons pay additional social insurance in order that they are covered for jobseeker’s benefit in the event of unemployment.
[34424/09]
867 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the work carried out by family resource centres (details supplied) in Dublin 24 and the concerns that their modest budgets may be cut back; if she will provide an undertaking that there will be no reduction in the financial provision for these centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33305/09]