Parliamentary questions

Penalty Point System

Noel Harrington

138. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the implementation of mutual recognition of penalty points on both sides of the Border; if this scheme will allow for the alternative of attendance at a recognised speed awareness course, as is the practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to receiving penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52542/12]

Taxi Regulations

Mary Lou McDonald

139. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to support the continuation of full time taxi licence holders in the industry who are facing much financial hardship due to an oversupply exacerbated by part time drivers and taxi plate rental companies. [52662/12]

Sport and Recreational Development

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

140. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the work being done in the prisons by the street leagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52693/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Mary Lou McDonald

141. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that he has received applications to the sports capital programme totalling €369 million and his budget is €30 million, if he plans to request additional funding to make up the shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52687/12]

Driving Tests

Peadar Tóibín

142. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he will take to keep the cost of taking driving tests down in view of the large increase in recent years. [52699/12]

Public Transport Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

143. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the extra subvention of €36 million being allocated to CIE; his plans to support and maintain public transport services in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52246/12]

State Airports

Patrick O'Donovan

144. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on proposals to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52519/12]

State Airports

Olivia Mitchell

145. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on proposals to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52584/12]

Air Services Provision

Dessie Ellis

146. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on progress made in improving safety regulations for pilots across the EU but especially in Ireland where some work conditions are not conducive to ensuring that pilots are at their best when flying in particular flight time limitations; if he is concerned that current proposals are not sufficiently in line with what research has found to be best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52660/12]

Road Network

Paul Connaughton

147. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the proposed N17/N18 Gort to Tuam road, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52656/12]

Taxi Regulations

Thomas P. Broughan

148. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the recommendations from the Taxi Commission Report that have been implemented to date; if he intends to take any further actions under the Taxi Commission Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52245/12]

Bus Éireann Services

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

149. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the decision to cut bus routes is taken by the National Transport Authority, Bus Éireann or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49429/12]

Road Safety Issues

Pat Deering

150. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the speed limits review that is being undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52503/12]

The Gathering Expenditure

Andrew Doyle

151. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Gathering 2013 project in terms of seeking voluntary effort for the various projects around each county; and if he intends to promote the voluntary input to the success of the Gathering [52697/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Sandra McLellan

152. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to ensure that the sports capital programme will run in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52685/12]

Tourism Employment

Peadar Tóibín

153. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he has taken to ensure that the tourism sector is delivering added employment from the 9% rate of VAT; if he will outline the effects of the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52694/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Seán Crowe

154. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether sporting bodies should be allowed to register as charities; his plans to introduce legislation to this effect; his views on whether persons who make such donations should be able to claim a tax break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52686/12]

Air Services Provision

Jerry Buttimer

155. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will develop and publish an aviation policy, setting out a clear vision for the development of this sector over the coming decade; if Cork Airport will be a central component to this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52659/12]

Road Network

Paul Connaughton

156. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam road, County Galway, as promised in the stimulus plan will be given a starting date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52657/12]

Taxi Regulations

Dessie Ellis

157. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the development of a Taxi Regulation Bill; when he hopes it will be before Dáil Eireann and if he has a time line planned for the following stages and enactment. [52661/12]

The Gathering Expenditure

Andrew Doyle

158. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information on the recently announced supports available to groups for Gatherings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52698/12]

Wild Atlantic Way Project

Pat Breen

159. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the development of the Wild Atlantic Way and the efforts being made to include County Clare and maximise the potential for the tourism industry in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52677/12]

Ports Development

Jerry Buttimer

160. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to publish the revised Ports Policy; if he will elaborate on the main themes which will feature in the document; if he will outline the role which the Port of Cork will have under the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52658/12]

Bus Éireann Services

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

161. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that Bus Éireann is no longer adhering to it's social charter and continues to cut bus routes in lower population areas, if he will consider selling it off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49428/12]

State Airports

Joe Carey

162. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress report regarding the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52678/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Anthony Lawlor

163. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52513/12]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Pat Deering

164. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52502/12]

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Richard Boyd Barrett

165. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of the number of semi State and State agency executives and employees on an agency by agency basis that have salaries of more than €100,000 per year; if he will provide this information in tabular form, detailing any additional allowances, bonuses and the annual cost to the Exchequer of any pension packages to such employees, in terms of tax reliefs or other costs; if he will provide this information for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52251/12]

Constitutional Convention Agenda

Terence Flanagan

166. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach his views on whether there should be a constant review of the Constitution and that each generation should have a say on the total document; if such a move will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52252/12]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Gerry Adams

167. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department, or in bodies which fall under the remit of his Department, whose annual remuneration including salary, pension and benefits at 31 December 2011 fell into bands of €400,000 and above, between €300,000 to €399,999, between €200,000 to €299,999 and between €150,000 to €199,000; and if he will provide a breakdown of the positions held by the staff in the relevant pay brackets. [52566/12]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Gerry Adams

168. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he has made any contacts requesting staff whose annual salary is in excess of €200,000 in his Department or in any body under the remit of his Department, to waive 15% of their salary or such amount in excess of €200,000 whichever is the lesser; if he has, the date on which he first made this contact; the number of staff whose annual salaries were in excess of €200,000 at that date; the number of staff who acquiesced to the request for the waiver; the number of staff who refused the request for the waiver and the number of staff who have not responded to the request for the waiver. [52567/12]

Departmental Agencies Issues

Billy Timmins

169. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the number of new State agencies, forums and task forces that have been established in 2012; the number of new employees there are as a result of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53703/12]

EU Presidency Expenditure

Thomas P. Broughan

170. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet all Eurogroup Foreign Ministers and EU Foreign Ministers in advance of the EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52253/12]

EU Funding

Pearse Doherty

171. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an overview of his negotiations on the State's contribution to the European Union budget in 2014 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52454/12]

EU Funding

Pearse Doherty

172. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to ongoing negotiations of the European Union budget between 2014 and 2020, if he has adopted a position similar to that of Britain and sought a real-terms freeze on the EU budget between 2014 and 2020. [52455/12]

Trade Agreements

Finian McGrath

173. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has policy regarding importation of sandblasted denim, and his plans to ban their importation. [52288/12]

Human Rights Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

174. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to his comment that Ireland cannot act unilaterally to ban illegal Israeli imports, his response to Ireland's obligations to uphold and promote international human rights and humanitarian law; his views on the legal opinion provided by EAPPI (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52378/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

175. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all countries whose Governments receive overseas aid from Ireland; the amount of aid each of these Governments received in 2011 and to date in 2012 from the Irish State; the specific purposes of aid funding provided to each of these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52476/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

176. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of the Irish overseas aid budget provided in direct aid to foreign Governments; the amount provided to non-governmental organisation; the factors that are considered when deciding which funding stream is more appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52477/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

177. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of Irish overseas aid that was provided in development aid in 2011 and to date in 2012; the amount that was provided in emergency aid in 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52478/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

178. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects the €4 million in overseas aid which was misappropriated in Uganda to be returned to the Irish taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52479/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

179. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether that the misappropriation of overseas aid from Ireland which occurred in Uganda could not happen again and has not happened in other countries to which Ireland provides overseas aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52480/12]

Human Rights Issues

Simon Harris

180. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether it is appropriate that Ireland continue to provide overseas aid directly to Governments such as the Ugandan Government which continue to propose laws that attach a person's human rights based on their sexuality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52481/12]

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Simon Harris

181. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all the non-governmental organisations that received overseas aid funding from Ireland in 2011 and to date in 2012; the amount each NGO received and the specific purposes for which this overseas aid was provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52482/12]

Exports Data

Patrick Nulty

182. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of Ireland's exports to Israel in tabular form; if he will provide a breakdown of which State bodies and semi-State companies are involved in trade with Israel; if he will provide details of the value of these exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52510/12]

Irish Red Cross Funding

Finian McGrath

183. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of engagement between his Department and the Irish Red Cross; if he is satisfied that problems related to the internal governance and financial management of the Irish Red Cross have been satisfactorily resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52529/12]

Irish Red Cross Funding

Finian McGrath

184. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding given by his Department to the Irish Red Cross for each of the past two years 2011 and 2012; the purpose of such funding; if he is satisfied that the Irish Red Cross has a fully professional overseas relief and development department within its headquarters; the number of staff employed in this Department; the current number of Irish Red Cross delegates serving overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52530/12]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Seán Crowe

185. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in their Department, or in bodies which fall under the remit of the Department, whose annual remuneration including salary, pension and benefits at 31 December 2011 fell into bands of €400,000 and above, between €300,000 to €399,999, between €200,000 to €299,999 and between €150,000 to €199,000; if he will provide a breakdown of the positions held by the staff in the relevant pay brackets. [52545/12]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Seán Crowe

186. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made any contacts requesting staff whose annual salary is in excess of €200,000 in their Department or in any body under the remit of their Department, to waive 15% of their salary or such amount in excess of €200,000 whichever is the lesser; if he has, the date on which he first made this contact; the number of staff whose annual salaries were in excess of €200,000 at that date; the number of staff who acquiesced to the request for the waiver; the number of staff who refused the request for the waiver and the number of staff who have not responded to the request for the waiver [52546/12]

Foreign Conflicts

Finian McGrath

187. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the FARC cease-fire in Colombia, and ensure that this peace initiative is not jeopardised over the next two months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52736/12]