Parliamentary questions

Milk Quota Cessation

Brendan Smith

104. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has put to the new EU Agricultural Commissioner to deal with the serious difficulties facing many dairy farmers due to impending super levy penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42660/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at his recent meeting with Senator Gary Hart in relation to the talks process in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42429/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

154. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at his recent meeting with the Northern Ireland Executive parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42430/14]

Emigrant Support Services

Brendan Smith

155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide on an annual basis the funding provided for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the expenditure incurred to date in 2014; the programmes supported and the funding allocated to each programme this year; the provision made in his Department's Estimates for 2015 for this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42431/14]

State Properties

Brendan Smith

371. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if provision is made in the vote of the Office of Public Works for 2015 to enable construction to commence on a project (details supplied) in County Cavan; the stage this particular project is at; when the project will proceed to the next stage; when construction is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41559/14]

Farm Inspections

Brendan Smith

462. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers subject to an on-farm and satellite inspection for land eligibility in 2014; the number of those cases that have been sent for digitisation; the number that have had their digitisation complete; the number of those inspection cases that have received their disadvantaged area payment; the number that have received their single farm payment advance payment; when he expects the outstanding payments in respect of these inspection cases to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42071/14]

Beef Data Programme

Brendan Smith

465. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that there will be no limit on the number of animals that individual farmers can apply on and get paid on under the 2015 beef data and genomics programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42091/14]

Food Labelling

Brendan Smith

466. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views regarding the new labelling initiative being pursued by the Minister for Agriculture in Northern Ireland and supported by the Northern Ireland meat industry and by Irish farmers which would allow for cattle born in the Republic of Ireland, fattened in Northern Ireland and slaughtered in Northern Ireland to be placed on the shelves of the major British retailers; the action he has taken to progress this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42092/14]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

467. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views regarding the Bord Bia data which show that the key R3 steer cattle price here is now over €1/kg below the same R3 steer cattle price in the main export market in Britain and that this amounts to a price differential of over €350 per animal; his plans to ensure farmers get a fair price for their cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42093/14]

Beef Technology Adoption Programme

Brendan Smith

468. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is no provision in his Department's Estimates for the beef technology adoption programme for 2015; if this means that farmers under the programme will receive no BTAP payment in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42094/14]

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Brendan Smith

473. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the severe hardship caused to many family farm households due to delays in issuing payments such as single farm payment and disadvantaged area scheme payments; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many applicants who had an on-farm or satellite inspection as far back as May/June 2014 are still awaiting finalisation of application and payments; if he will outline the measures being taken to ensure that there are no further delays in having payments issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42193/14]

Defence Forces Personnel

Brendan Smith

479. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if the 21 year rule for Permanent Defence Force personnel enlisted after 1994 will be reviewed; his views that many of those affected by this rule are very anxious to remain in the Defence Forces as they have the required fitness levels and have gained very valuable experience over the years which will continue to be of assistance in their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41515/14]

Overseas Development Aid

Brendan Smith

826. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the volunteer initiative as announced in October 2013; the allocation that was given to this initiative from his Department for 2013, 2014 and 2015; the number of Irish volunteers that were supported in those years and the agencies through which they were supported; his plans to expand the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41035/14]

Middle East Issues

Brendan Smith

836. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns with the Israeli ambassador in relation to the proposed further expansion of settlements by the Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42230/14]

Middle East Issues

Brendan Smith

837. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to raise at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council the totally unacceptable expansion of settlements by the Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42231/14]

Infectious Disease Epidemics

Brendan Smith

838. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of overseas development assistance funding provided to date to deal with the Ebola outbreak in West Africa; his plans to provide further funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42233/14]

Infectious Disease Epidemics

Brendan Smith

839. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the commitments made to fund programmes to deal with the Ebola outbreak following the decision of the EU Council to double funding; the level of funding to be provided by his Department, the overall funding by the EU and its member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42234/14]

Leader Programmes Funding

Brendan Smith

975. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements he has put in place to provide interim funding to Leader local action groups including Cavan-Monaghan Leader, whose Leader administration funding (details supplied) will be exhausted by 31 December 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40923/14]

Waste Management Regulations

Brendan Smith

1023. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the tyre industry in relation to a proposal by his Department to implement in full a producer responsibility initiative; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the industry is strongly of the view that the full implementation of the producer responsibility initiative would result in a very serious drop in its business with a considerable loss in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41498/14]

Fuel Laundering

Brendan Smith

76. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the additional measures that will be introduced to deal with illegal trading in diesel and petrol; if his attention has been drawn to recent media reports which highlighted again that paramilitary organisations and others are involved in this illicit trade; if the level of co-operation between agencies North and South will be intensified to deal effectively with these very serious issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40815/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent comments by the Ulster Unionist Party leader that he had assurances that the Irish Government would have no role in negotiations on internal Northern Ireland affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40813/14]

EU Meetings

Brendan Smith

157. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40687/14]

EU Meetings

Brendan Smith

158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the need for the EU and the international community to intensify efforts to deal with the Ebola outbreak; if he will provide additional humanitarian assistance to the areas affected in West Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40688/14]

EU Conventions

Brendan Smith

319. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Istanbul Convention has not yet been signed or ratified by the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40027/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has had recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice in relation to the threat posed by some groups, commonly referred to as dissidents; if she will ensure that adequate resourcing is provided to deal with any threats emanating from such criminal groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40242/14]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Brendan Smith

340. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposal to provide a new Garda district headquarters in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; if provision is made in the estimates for her Department or An Garda Síochána to bring this project to construction in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40280/14]

Human Rights Issues

Brendan Smith

480. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he has taken to support efforts to eliminate gender based violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40028/14]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

481. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the recognition of the Palestinian State following a recent vote by the United Kingdom and Sweden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40100/14]

Overseas Development Aid Provision

Brendan Smith

482. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expected outturn in relation to official development assistance expenditure by the end of 2014; the total allocation available to his Department for ODA in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/14]

Peace and Reconciliation Programme

Brendan Smith

483. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council in relation to the inadequate resourcing of organisations progressing the work of reconciliation in different communities throughout Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40244/14]

Human Rights Issues

Brendan Smith

485. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views in relation to the rise in persecution of Christians worldwide as outlined in the recently published Church in Chains Global Guide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40381/14]

Human Rights Issues

Brendan Smith

486. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will seek a special discussion at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on the rise in persecution of Christians worldwide as documented in the recently published Church in Chains Global Guide as the European Parliament passed a resolution on this particular issue in October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40397/14]

Human Rights Issues

Brendan Smith

487. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he proposes to have the recent publication Church in Chains Global Guide discussed at the United Nations Human Rights Council in view of the fact that Church in Chains is an independent Irish charity and a member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade non-governmental organisation standing committee on human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40398/14]

Minor Works Scheme Restoration

Brendan Smith

537. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 15 October 2014, if provision will be made in her Department's 2015 capital allocation for a minor works grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40399/14]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

607. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if provision is made in the Estimates for his Department for 2015 to progress the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40279/14]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

617. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will allocate specific funding in 2015 to the National Roads Authority to enable Monaghan County Council to advance the proposed upgrading of the N2 with particular reference to the need to advance this project to preliminary design stage 1 and identify the specific route corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40479/14]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Certification

Brendan Smith

192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that persons who have a safe pass certificate will have same recognised in Britain with the same status as the construction skills certificate; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many Irish emigrants seeking employment in Britain who have their safe pass certificate have to undertake an additional course resulting in substantial costs even though both courses are of similar standard; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that Irish representative organisations in Britain are anxious that this matter should be dealt with at an early date as they are familiar with this additional financial burden being placed on many emigrants, particularly younger persons, seeking employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39569/14]

Milk Quota

Brendan Smith

46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the milk quota situation and super-levy difficulties; if it is likely that the EU will remain significantly under quota in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39413/14]

Pigmeat Sector

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support the pigmeat sector in view of current difficulties; if he has put any specific proposals to the European Commission to assist this particular sector through these difficulties, including the effects of the Russian ban on EU exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39487/14]

Youth Services Funding

Brendan Smith

65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to increase funding to Foróige for 2015 in view of the valuable and important work it carries out throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39509/14]

Foreign Policy

Brendan Smith

91. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will affirm that the long-standing policy of neutrality remains as a central element of Irish foreign policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39359/14]

Minor Works Scheme Restoration

Brendan Smith

96. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reinstate the minor works grant scheme for the 2014-15 school year in view of the importance of this scheme over the years to maintain basic accommodation requirements in many schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39321/14]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Brendan Smith

110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to concerns in respect of proposals to change the system of allocating teaching resources to schools to support children with special education needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39406/14]

Northern Ireland Marching Season

Brendan Smith

230. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding her decision to establish a panel relating to parade disputes; his views that such reviews will undermine the Parades Commission and its remit to make independent determinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39290/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

231. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with members of the Northern Ireland Executive the violence (details supplied) that erupted in Belfast on 6 and 7 October 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39291/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Brendan Smith

361. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to detail his plans to improve the broadband telecommunications infrastructure throughout parts of County Cavan, where such infrastructure is inadequate; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of households, schools and business in general in respect of the standard of service available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39217/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Brendan Smith

362. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to detail his plans to improve the broadband telecommunications infrastructure in areas (details supplied) in County Leitrim; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of households, schools and business in respect of the inadequate service provided at present in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39218/14]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

177. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the North-South Ministerial Council meeting held on 3 October 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38788/14]

Garda Deployment

Brendan Smith

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Cavan-Monaghan drugs unit with proper resourcing will be re-established as the scourge of drugs is a serious issue throughout both counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38312/14]

Dental Services Provision

Brendan Smith

107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if adequate dental services will be restored for primary school children in the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney areas of County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38311/14]

Departmental Expenditure

Brendan Smith

151. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expenditure profile for his Department at the end of September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38309/14]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent North South Ministerial Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38523/14]

Private Schools

Brendan Smith

205. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of the smaller fee charging schools, particularly small schools in rural areas under the patronage of minority churches, in respect of the reduction in financial support for them in the past three years such as through changes in pupil-teacher ratio; the proposals, she has to ensure that these schools are adequately supported to remain viable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38522/14]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Smith

236. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide specific funding to local authorities in 2015 to reinstate local improvement schemes which are essential for rural dwellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38308/14]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

74. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the latest initiative to reach agreement on the Haass proposals in Northern Ireland; the areas to be dealt with in these talks; if the devolution of further responsibilities to the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37870/14]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

77. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives he is taking to ensure the further implementation of provisions of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/14]

Trade Relations

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the effects on exports from Ireland as a result of the EU-Russian trade sanctions; the further trade opportunities that have been pursued by the Department to counter the negative impact of the sanctions on Irish exporters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37720/14]

Infectious Disease Epidemics

Brendan Smith

82. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions his Department has taken to address the ebola virus epidemic in west Africa; the specific projects funded by his Department in this area; the risk this epidemic poses to Europe and Ireland; the actions being taken to reduce this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37717/14]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

88. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of immigration reform legislation being passed in the United States Congress; the actions he has taken to progress the position of the undocumented Irish in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37719/14]

Overseas Development Aid

Brendan Smith

90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government strategy to meet its programme for Government commitment of increasing the overseas development aid budget to 0.7% of GNP by 2015; if he will outline any investigation into the misuse of ODA funds this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37718/14]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

104. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings in relation to the actions Europe needs to take to deal with ISIS in view of the huge loss of life and the persecution of minorities inflicted by extremist militants; the number of Iraqi families who have been resettled here who have had to flee Islamic State jihadists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37721/14]

Data Protection

Brendan Smith

114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he has considered the way the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection at his Department will exercise his very specific responsibility for data protection issues in view of the fact that the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection has not been assigned as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, which is the Department that primarily deals with data protection legislation; his plans for the Minister of State at his Department with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection to attend meetings of the justice and home affairs council dealing with data protection matters, including the forthcoming general data protection regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37390/14]

Data Protection

Brendan Smith

116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection at his Department will exercise responsibility for data protection in view of the fact that he has not been assigned as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, which is the Department responsible for data protection legislation; if he proposes to revisit this appointment in view of this confusion, particularly in view of the continuing discussions at the justice and home affairs council of the European Union on the proposed EU general data protection regulation, which is of major importance to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37664/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Brendan Smith

136. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to outline her views on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38113/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Brendan Smith

381. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for long-term nursing home care under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan in view of the fact that this applicant is on the national waiting list for nursing home support funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38156/14]

Trade Agreements

Brendan Smith

405. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the ongoing negotiations of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; if he had discussions on this issue during his recent visit to the US; his views that Irish interests in the agriculture sphere will be protected robustly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37748/14]

Certificate of Irish Heritage

Brendan Smith

406. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Certificates of Irish Heritage that have been issued per year by his Department; the costs of this scheme per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37749/14]

Foreign Policy

Brendan Smith

407. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the Catalonian independence referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37750/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

443. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and-or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive the proposals by the PSNI to end the Historical Enquiries Team and also substantial cuts to the police ombudsman's office; if he has made any specific proposals on the need to establish on a statutory basis a robust and comprehensive investigation process that will gain the confidence of the families of victims and their representative groups, as those families have been denied, in some instances, for many decades the basic truth about the death of loved ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38278/14]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Brendan Smith

499. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will give detailed consideration to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38112/14]

Mobile Telephony Services

Brendan Smith

579. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 446 of 15 July 2014, if his attention has been drawn to the further deterioration in the adequacy of mobile telephone coverage in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he or the Commission for Communications Regulation will convey to the relevant telecommunications companies the need to upgrade such coverage to provide an appropriate service to their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38285/14]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Brendan Smith

163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he had discussions during his recent visit to the US with members of Congress and-or with members of the US Administration in relation to the Immigration Reform Bill; when this legislation is likely to be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37533/14]

United Nations

Brendan Smith

164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at his recent meeting with the UN Secretary General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37534/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the need to establish an independent review of the murder of 11 people in Ballymurphy in August 1971; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37535/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

166. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and-or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive, the need to establish the North-South consultative forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37536/14]

Cross-Border Projects

Brendan Smith

71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the forthcoming PEACE and INTERREG Programmes; if the proposals have been submitted to the European Commission; the expenditure to be allocated for each programme, both Exchequer and EU; when the programmes are likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37335/14]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Smith

89. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and dates of meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union attended by her and-or by officials in her Department since the start of 2014; the number and dates of DAPIX meetings attended by officials in her Department since the start of 2014 where there were discussions on the proposed EU general data protection regulation; the progress that has been made in finalising the regulation since the last Irish EU Presidency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37338/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Brendan Smith

103. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of fair deal applications awaiting approval in Counties Cavan-Monaghan; the number processed but awaiting final approval pending allocation of funding; if additional funding will be provided to the Health Service Executive for this scheme for Cavan-Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37249/14]

North-South Ministerial Council

Brendan Smith

136. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the agenda for the forthcoming North-South Ministerial Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37302/14]

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

Brendan Smith

140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide detailed consideration to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37348/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

141. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a bill of rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37349/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress being made in relation to the proposed Irish Language Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37350/14]

Northern Ireland Issues

Brendan Smith

143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the establishment of the North-South consultative forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37351/14]

North-South Implementation Bodies

Brendan Smith

144. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the review of the North-South bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37352/14]

UN Resolutions

Brendan Smith

146. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it will be necessary to enact new legislation to implement the UN Security Council resolution to combat migrant terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37408/14]

Road Projects

Brendan Smith

200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Narrow Water bridge proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37334/14]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the commitment to extend BreastCheck to women in the 65-69 age group will be honoured in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36539/14]

Emergency Planning

Brendan Smith

332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will develop a national response plan in respect of the Ebola outbreak which is a global health risk; if such a plan will incorporate civil society groups, health professionals and military personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37156/14]

Ebola Virus Outbreak

Brendan Smith

471. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if his Department, along with the Health Service Executive, are putting in place systems to enable health professionals to work on a short-term basis in west Africa to assist in the efforts to deal with the Ebola outbreak; if similar arrangements will be put in place to those established by the NHS in Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37158/14]

Humanitarian Aid

Brendan Smith

481. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the Italian Presidency of the European Union the need to have a rapid and co-ordinated approach by the European Union to assist in dealing with the crisis arising from the ebola outbreak in west Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37153/14]

Humanitarian Aid

Brendan Smith

482. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will put forward at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council the need for the establishment of a Europe-based rapid reaction force to help with the humanitarian crisis in west Africa following the ebola outbreak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37154/14]

Humanitarian Aid

Brendan Smith

483. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider urgently the proposals put forward by GOAL and Doctors Without Borders at the recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs on the need to provide an adequate and urgent response to assist in dealing with the ebola outbreak in west Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37155/14]

Humanitarian Aid

Brendan Smith

484. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals to provide additional humanitarian aid to assist in the response to the ebola outbreak in west Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37157/14]

Scottish Referendum

Brendan Smith

159. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the British Foreign Secretary or with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State the implications of the Scottish referendum; if he has put forward particular proposals in respect of the further devolution of responsibilities to the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36142/14]

EU Membership

Brendan Smith

160. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the British Foreign Secretary Britain's continued membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36143/14]

Departmental Offices

Brendan Smith

139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if there will be no change to the status of her Department's offices in Ballybay, County Monaghan; if there will be no reduction in the number of staff employed at that centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35810/14]

Rural Development Programme Projects

Brendan Smith

249. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give urgent and detailed consideration to the request of Monaghan County Council in relation to CAP reform (details supplied). [35704/14]

Milk Quota

Brendan Smith

250. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will indicate the proposals he recently put forward to the European Commission to deal with the problems that will arise due to milk supplies running well ahead of quota; if he is aware that farmers are not in a position to meet super levy bills that will arise if current arrangements are not changed. [35706/14]

Emigrant Support Services

Brendan Smith

421. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding allocated to date under this year's emigrant support programme; if funding is being provided to support emigrants in countries such as Australia to which large numbers of Irish people have emigrated in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35240/14]

Consular Services Provision

Brendan Smith

422. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his contacts with the Egyptian authorities regarding the detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35241/14]