Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Micheál Martin

1. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet sub Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs will next meet [41260/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Micheál Martin

2. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the role his Department has in the Economic Management Council. [41288/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Micheál Martin

3. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has met the Cabinet sub Committee on Health recently. [41262/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Micheál Martin

4. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the Cabinet Committee on Public Services has met recently. [41264/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joe Higgins

5. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of Cabinet sub Committee meetings that he has attended recently. [43030/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Micheál Martin

6. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the Cabinet Committee on Health has met recently. [44104/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

7. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when he last met with the Cabinet sub-Committee on Health. [44452/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

8. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach how often the Cabinet sub-Committee on Health meets. [44453/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

9. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if the Economic Management Council has any plans to meet with the banks. [44454/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Micheál Martin

10. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he or his officials from his Department have attended a Cabinet Committee on Climate Change. [44457/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

11. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of occasions on which the Cabinet sub-Committee on Mortgage Arrears has met since its establishment; the dates of those meetings; and when it is next scheduled to meet. [47312/12]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

12. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet sub Committee on Mortgage Arrears is next scheduled to meet. [47409/12]

Programme for Government Implementation

Gerry Adams

13. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the plans he has to review the progress made with the implementation of the Programme for Government. [41492/12]

Programme for Government Implementation

Joe Higgins

14. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the steps he will take to review the progress of the implementation of the Programme for Government. [44570/12]

Programme for Government Implementation

Gerry Adams

15. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach his plans to publish a progress report on the implementation of the Programme for Government. [47410/12]

Programme for Government Implementation

Micheál Martin

16. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of his staff that are allocated to the Programme for Government Office in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48016/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

87. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that were written to in relation to stocking density on their farms under the disadvantaged area scheme; the number of farmers that sought a derogation; the number of these applications that have been decided to date; the number in which a decision was made that a derogation has been granted and the number refused; the number of those refused who have appealed this decision; the number of those who have appealed who have had their appeal decided; the number of appeals that were successful and the number refused, with the figures broken down in each case between the less severely handicapped lowland and coastal areas, the more severely handicapped lowland and the mountain type grazing areas respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48449/12]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Michael Colreavy

88. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether a flat rate payment under the reformed common agricultural policy would benefit most Irish farmers. [48738/12]

Agriculture Schemes Expenditure

Tom Fleming

89. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the way that the various farm schemes will be funded in 2013 in view of the challenges (details supplied) facing many farmers. [48448/12]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Éamon Ó Cuív

90. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that all decisions on Pillar 1 and 2 of the common agricultural policy will be made at the same time; when the details of the proposed Pillar 2 proposals are due to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48450/12]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Michael Colreavy

91. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the likely outcome of the common agricultural policy reform on Pillar 2 payments to farmers in disadvantaged areas. [48739/12]

Agriculture Schemes Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

92. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount provided in the estimate for payment under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme in 2012; the amount paid out under the scheme to date and the expected outturn expenditure under this scheme in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/12]

Transport Costs

Sean Fleming

93. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in the context of Budget discussions, he has raised the issue of the cost of transport in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors with the Department of Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48262/12]

Sheepmeat Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep that were imported through the port of Larne in Northern Ireland in 2011 and to date in 2012 and transferred directly to meat plants here for slaughter on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48247/12]

Dairy Sector

Micheál Martin

95. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views regarding reports of farmers who are supplying the liquid milk trade losing money due to pressure from the multiples; the action he will take to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48275/12]

Coillte Teoranta Reports

Clare Daly

96. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine as the main shareholder of Coillte Ireland, if he will indicate a timeline for publication of the geographical survey carried out on Coillte lands in 1989. [47689/12]

Horse Racing Industry Funding

Martin Heydon

97. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the future funding of the horse racing industry, the need for a multi annual solution that would provide some stability for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48405/12]

Farm Partnerships

Martin Heydon

98. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if progress has been made on broadening farm partnerships beyond solely dairy partnerships; the options open to those who operate enterprises other than dairy who wish to form a recognised farm partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48379/12]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Application Numbers

Timmy Dooley

99. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of a new suckler cow welfare scheme for 2013 based on the same rates of payment that currently operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48252/12]

Harbours and Piers Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

100. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the spend to date in 2012 on marine works allocated funding by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48273/12]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Bernard Durkan

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the agri-food sector here and throughout the EU will receive the required ongoing support through the common agricultural policy with particular reference to the need to maximise food production potential here and throughout the EU; if he expects this country's position as a major food producer to be enhanced in the course of such negotiations with specific reference to maximising job opportunities and contributing to economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47687/12]

Fishing Industry Development

Michael McGrath

102. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends publishing a policy on the development of the inshore fishing industry for coastal and island communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48270/12]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Brendan Smith

103. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his policy in relation to the less severely handicapped areas under the proposed new common agricultural policy; if he will confirm that if these areas were to be reduced it would mean a loss of finance to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48248/12]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Application Numbers

Charlie McConalogue

104. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in the current suckler cow welfare scheme that have herds of 10 or less cows, of between 20 and 11 cows, of between 30 and 21 cows and between 40 and 31 cows and of between 60 and 41 cows and greater than 60 cows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48254/12]

Rural Development Programme Funding

Robert Troy

105. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total allocation to Ireland under the rural development programme 2007 to 2013 broken down measure by measure; the expenditure to date; his views on whether the full allocation will be spent under each measure; the implications for the programme and the common agricultural policy in Ireland if any measure fails to spend its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48260/12]

Plean Teanga

Michael P. Kitt

106. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a aontaíodh an plean teanga reatha atá ag a Roinn leis an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta; cén uair a bheidh plean nua le réiteach bunaithe ar fhorálacha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48269/12]

Severe Weather Events

Seamus Kirk

107. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effect the bad weather of 2012 has had on the potato and horticultural industry; the steps he proposes to take to assist the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48276/12]

Milk Quota Cessation

Kevin Humphreys

108. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views regarding the impact that the end of the milk quota system in 2014 may have on Ireland's climate policy should the dairy industry expand significantly and the follow on effect of an increase in emissions; the studies being undertaken in his Department to examine same; if he will be making an input into the forthcoming Climate Change Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47408/12]

Ash Dieback Threat

John Browne

109. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he is taking to prevent the disease Chalara Fraxinea fungus affecting ash trees here; if he will confirm the total amount of ash imported each year; the inspections his Department carry out at the port of entry as prevention measurements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47232/12]

Teagasc Rationalisation Programme

Thomas P. Broughan

110. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the proposed reorganisation of Teagasc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47633/12]

Seirbhísi trí Gaeilge

Michael P. Kitt

111. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cé na socruithe atá déanta aige chun a chinntiú go bhfuil seirbhís trí Ghaeilge ar fáil óna Roinn do lucht labhartha na Gaeilge agus go mór mór do phobal na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48268/12]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Niall Collins

112. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals that have been published by the EU Commission in relation to pillar 2 of the common agricultural policy; if proposals have not been published the dates on which he expects to publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48256/12]

Dairy Equipment Scheme Applications

Charlie McConalogue

113. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when processing will commence of all outstanding applications under the dairy equipment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48255/12]

Fisheries Offences

Mick Wallace

114. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to replace the system of criminal sanctions for minor fisheries' offences with a system of administrative sanction to bring Ireland into line with other European jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47699/12]

Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations

Willie O'Dea

115. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if as part of the renegotiation of the common fisheries policy he has raised the issue of the allocation of the fishing catch allocated to Ireland, approximately 4% in view if the fact that Ireland owns 18% of the fish resource of the EU; the response from the EU; if he intends pursuing this national interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48264/12]

Sugar Industry

Kevin Humphreys

116. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has commissioned a study on the impact that the end of the sugar beet quota system in 2015 may have on our climate policy should the industry be re-established here; the potential it has to provide a domestic biofuel crop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47407/12]

Timber Supply

John McGuinness

117. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his policy in relation to ensuring an adequate supply of timber to the timber processing sector here; his policy for retaining employment in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48267/12]

Coillte Teoranta Dividend

John McGuinness

118. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dividend paid by Coillte Teoranta to the State in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48266/12]

Agriculture Schemes Penalties

Niall Collins

119. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that were penalised under the single farm payment scheme and disadvantaged area scheme in 2011; the total financial amount of the penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48257/12]

Food Harvest 2020 Strategy

Bernard Durkan

120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the agri-food sector here to maximise the potential of Food Harvest 2020; if any initiatives are anticipated to ensure that adequate funding is made available to the sector in order to meet the challenges and the development costs therewith associated; if he favours a particular strategy in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47688/12]

Marine Plan

Catherine Murphy

121. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the future timetable of the Our Ocean Wealth policy initiative now that the public consultation period has ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48424/12]

Common Fisheries Policy Review

Catherine Murphy

122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he intends to take if the 31 December deadline for the completion of the review of the common fisheries policy will not be met under the Cypriot Presidency; his plans in relation to fisheries policy under the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48423/12]

Bovine Disease Controls

Denis Naughten

123. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the incidence of Bovine TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47556/12]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Timmy Dooley

124. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs of a new suckler cow welfare scheme for 2013 based on the same rates of payment that currently operate but limiting the number of cows that a farmer can get paid on to 40 and 30 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48253/12]

Island Communities

Michael McGrath

125. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department plays in ensuring the viability of island communities in particular in relation to the development of farming and fishing and the provision of piers on islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48271/12]

Marine Plan

Thomas P. Broughan

126. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the recent report Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth - An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland; if he will explain the way the report's recommendations will impact on the development of marine facilities and tourism including at national fisheries' harbours such as Howth, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47632/12]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Denis Naughten

127. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to secure support for the common agricultural policy budget and his single farm payment reform proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47555/12]

Fisheries Protection

Willie O'Dea

128. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of boats disqualified from fishing for herring this year due to the changes in the rules introduced by him this year; the home ports of the vessels in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48265/12]

Commonage Division

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

129. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the details of proposals in relation to the stocking of commonages; the level of consultation he has had in relation to this issue with farmers in the regions affected; if he intends to organise public meetings that he will attend, similar to those he organised recently in relation to the reform of the common agricultural policy, to discuss this issue directly with farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48258/12]

Fisheries Offences

Mick Wallace

130. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that Ireland is the only country in Europe in which one is criminalised for a fishing offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47698/12]

Harbours and Piers Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

131. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation made in each of the past five years to local authorities for marine harbours and piers and coastal protection works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48272/12]

Agriculture Schemes Expenditure

Éamon Ó Cuív

132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money paid out to date and the number of recipients in each case under the single payment scheme and the disadvantaged area scheme broken down by county; the number in each county under each scheme that have not had their payments processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48246/12]

Stocking Densities

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

133. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in cases in which farmers have had their stocking level limited in a REP scheme plan, a national parks and wildlife plan or an agri environment option scheme plan the level of tolerance under the maximum stocking permitted which was allowed by him in assessing applications for a derogation under the disadvantage area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48259/12]

Farm Inspections

Seamus Kirk

134. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farm inspections that have taken place this year on a monthly basis under the single farm payment regime; the number that took place each month in 2011; the number of farmers that have been penalised under the scheme each month in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48277/12]

Animal Welfare Expenditure

Derek Keating

135. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that grant aid in respect of animal welfare which amounts to €1.1 million per year is value for money and that the various organisations are providing a service that is in keeping with funding from public moneys; if he is satisfied that they publish accounts and have audited accounts of public money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47231/12]

Tax Code

Robert Troy

136. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in the context of Budget discussions, he has raised the issue with the Department of Finance in relation to the importance of maintaining the farm taxation measures introduced in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48261/12]

Agriculture Schemes Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

137. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of 2012 payments his Department expect to have paid by the 31 December 2012 under each of the following schemes, agri environment option scheme 1 and 2, REP scheme, disadvantaged area scheme and the single payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48250/12]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the input he had, in the decision to grant an exploratory licence to a company (details supplied) to drill and conduct seismic surveys in the major fishing area of Dublin Bay and the Kish Bank. [48408/12]

Coillte Teoranta Staff

Clare Daly

139. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the present remuneration package for the CEO of Coillte Ireland; and his plans to reduce this package. [47690/12]

Sugar Industry

Sean Fleming

140. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that a sugar industry will once again be established here; his views on the importance of this for food security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48263/12]

Exploration Licences Approvals

John Halligan

141. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the input he had, in the decision to grant an exploratory licence to a company (details supplied) to drill and conduct seismic surveys in the major fishing area of Dublin Bay and the Kish Bank. [48409/12]

Forestry Grants

Micheál Martin

142. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total cost in 2012 of forest premium being paid by his Department; the number of recipients and the number of these receiving more than €20,000 per annum, more than €50,000 per annum and more than a €100,000 per annum respectively, in praemia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48274/12]

Agriculture Schemes Payments

Brendan Smith

143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when REP scheme 4 payments and agri environment option scheme 1 and 2 payments will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48249/12]

Job Statistics

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

144. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach the number of companies operating here that have 100 employees or more. [47787/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Mary Lou McDonald

145. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the full cost to the Exchequer in the previous 12 months for his Department staff attending conferences including registration fees and travel. [47233/12]

Departmental Staff Promotions

Mary Lou McDonald

146. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of staff members of his Department that have been awarded internal promotions and or additional acting up or temporary allowances to perform more senior roles since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades involved; the pre-promotion temporary acting and post promotion temporary acting pay scales; the total increase in salary payments to each staff member involved; the duration of assignments; the area to which each person was assigned; the business reasons supporting any such decision; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47234/12]

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Mary Lou McDonald

147. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of staff members from his Department that have been temporarily and or permanently redeployed to other Government Departments or agencies since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades and pay scales involved; the total amount of savings achieved in salary payments in respect of the persons concerned; the duration of assignments; the business reasons supporting the redeployment of staff; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47235/12]

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Mary Lou McDonald

148. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of staff members that have been temporarily and or permanently redeployed to his Department from other Government Departments or agencies since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades and pay scales involved; the total increase in salary payments for his Department in respect of the persons concerned; the duration of assignments; the area to which each person was assigned; the business reasons supporting the redeployment of staff, details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47236/12]

Northern Ireland Issues

Gerry Adams

149. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if there is a North South Co-operation unit in his Department; the number of staff working in the North South Co-operation unit; the number of staff that have worked in the North South Co-operation unit in each year since 2007. [47237/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Mary Lou McDonald

150. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in a tabular form, a list of all professional fees including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT related, advisory, advertising, and accountancy, the company name and the amount invoiced since March 2011 to the end of June 2012. [47254/12]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

151. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by the his Department since March 2011. [47240/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Billy Kelleher

152. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the names of each staff member within his Department that has been rehired since March 2011 and the cost involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47301/12]

Public Sector Allowances Payments

Dara Calleary

153. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all the Gaeltacht allowance payable to civil and public servants; the level of each allowance payable to each category and the monetary level of each allowance together with the total amount payable in 2009, 2010 and 2011. [47479/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Mary Lou McDonald

154. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the full cost to the Exchequer in the previous 12 months for his Department staff attending conferences including registration fees and travel. [48392/12]

Unemployment Statistics

Niall Collins

155. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if he will confirm the latest unemployment figures in respect of those signing on at the Tallaght Social Protection Office, Dublin 24; if he will also provide the comparison with the similar month for the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48510/12]

Northern Ireland Issues

Gerry Adams

156. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement his Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South Activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. [48552/12]

Departmental Staff Numbers

Eoghan Murphy

157. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Taoiseach the sectors of the public sector that are currently employed on a roster basis and if there are any plans to remove employees from the rostering system. [49078/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

James Bannon

158. Deputy James Bannon asked the Taoiseach the exact number of public servants who are back in employment in the public service, who are on pensions and have accepted lump sums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49090/12]

Dual Citizenship Numbers

Thomas P. Broughan

159. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish passport holders that are dual nationals; if it is part of the application process for an Irish passport to indicate if the applicant intends to be a dual passport holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47855/12]

International Agreements

Catherine Murphy

160. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his stated position on the State’s sovereignty claim over Rockall and the surrounding continental shelf; if he will provide an update on Ireland’s engagement with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf regarding the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48435/12]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Billy Kelleher

161. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the names of each staff member within his Department that has been rehired since March 2011 and the cost involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47295/12]

Middle East Peace Process

Robert Dowds

162. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the recent interception by Israeli forces of the flotilla sailing to Gaza with basic equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47826/12]

Illegal Israeli Imports

Robert Dowds

163. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the purchase of goods by EU countries from Israeli-occupied areas of the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47827/12]

Shannon Airport Facilities

Patrick Nulty

164. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the report findings by Shannonwatch, which show a total of 250,000 troops passing through Shannon in 2011; if this figure is consistent with the Programme for Government commitment to enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airspace, airport sand related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law ; if he will commit to ending the Shannon stopover for US troops passing through Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48039/12]

Shannon Airport Facilities

Patrick Nulty

165. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding reports of the use of Shannon Airport by US forces as a stopover point for extraordinary rendition; his views on whether the Chicago convention does not preclude States from unilaterally making transit or overflight dependent on the provision and verification of information which might relate to the practice of extraordinary rendition; if he will introduce a system of checks and investigations aimed at ensuring that there can be no aircraft passing through Shannon involved in the practice of extraordinary rendition, in line with the Chicago convention, which makes it clear that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above it territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48040/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Arthur Spring

166. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the situation in Uganda, the measures and safeguards that are in place to ensure Irish aid funds are not misappropriated by other Governments and authorities that benefit from such funding. [48166/12]

Irish Communities Abroad

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

167. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 26 June 2012, if he will provide the 2011 figures; and if those figures can be broken down into criminal and immigration related offences. [48173/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Patrick O'Donovan

168. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 28 February 2012, in view of recent revelations regarding direct funding to the Ugandan Government, if he will commission a full audit to be carried out of all spending on behalf of the State by Irish Aid in programme countries; if he is satisfied that direct funds from Ireland to individual Governments are not being used for the purchase of arms or other military materials or services; his views on whether it is appropriate to be providing direct funding to Governments for projects while these same Governments are purchasing arms and military capability; if he intends to review the process of direct aid to Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48287/12]

Diplomatic Representation Expenditure

Michael Healy-Rae

169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Vatican Embassy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48288/12]

EU Funding

Stephen Donnelly

170. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the outcome of the negotiations on the EU’s Multi-Annual Financial Framework will reflect Ireland’s core values; if there is support from Ireland and other EU member states for the Commission’s proposal to increase the budget for the EU’s foreign policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48373/12]