Parliamentary questions

Industrial Development

Bernard Durkan

55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which his Department continues to ensure the competitiveness of this country’s trade and industry sectors in an increasingly competitive world market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23229/24]

Passport Services

Bernard Durkan

34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case a child (details supplied) who is travelling in two weeks; if all is now in order with this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23152/24]

Middle East

Bernard Durkan

40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [20564/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the degree to which he continues to explore opportunities under the shared island heading. [20565/24]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which positive conclusions can be drawn from this country's economic performance when considered alongside other eurozone countries and all other European countries; if the methodology for the measurement of the economy here continues to be robust and accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22705/24]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains confident that budgetary measures taken here are adequately focused in order to discourage inflation, self-generated or imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/24]

Airport Policy

Bernard Durkan

184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport how often and who provides disability awareness and access training to staff of the Irish Aviation Authority, the Dublin Airport Authority and the other major Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22477/24]

Airport Policy

Bernard Durkan

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport how Irish airports are referring in European or international benchmarks when it comes to supporting people with disabilities or reduced mobility travelling through Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22478/24]

Departmental Bodies

Bernard Durkan

186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport what the terms of reference are for the Irish Aviation Authority's passenger advisory group; to give the membership and a listing of how often this group has met over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22479/24]

Airport Policy

Bernard Durkan

187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport what efforts have been made in each of the Irish airports to improve wayfinding and mobility for people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22480/24]

Tax Data

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance to indicate the breakdown of phased payment arrangements entered into by the Revenue Commissioners as part of its debt warehousing scheme, by number of years for each industry, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22807/24]

Economic Growth

Bernard Durkan

231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that economic progress continues in line with expectations and best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22981/24]

Tax Code

Bernard Durkan

232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he continues to be reassured that taxation changes in respect of corporation profits tax are not structured in a way to undermine this economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22982/24]

Foreign Direct Investment

Bernard Durkan

233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains convinced that Ireland continues to be an attractive foreign direct investment location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22983/24]

Tax Code

Bernard Durkan

234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which he remains satisfied that EU competition rules are not set to invade the competency of national governments to retain control of tax policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22984/24]

Tax Reliefs

Bernard Durkan

235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent of the different types of tax reliefs available to both PAYE employees and self-employed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22985/24]

Financial Services

Bernard Durkan

236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if investment funds operating or intending to operate here will be brought under the aegis of the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22986/24]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that this economy continues to perform well when considered in the overall European context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22987/24]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains confident that budgetary measures taken here are adequately focused in order to discourage inflation, self-generated or imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22988/24]

Tax Code

Bernard Durkan

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he remains satisfied that the taxation system in Ireland is sufficiently broadly based to avoid dependency on any one sector to such an extent that it might become a threat to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22989/24]

Enterprise Policy

Bernard Durkan

240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which working capital continues to be made available to the farming and business sectors, with particular reference to smaller enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22990/24]

School Admissions

Bernard Durkan

327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all efforts can be made to ensure a local school place can be facilitated in the case of the children of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22968/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

369. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for exceptional needs payment can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22343/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

432. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for a visa in the case of the daughter of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22552/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

444. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22669/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

445. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if visa applications in respect of the family of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22670/24]

Family Reunification

Bernard Durkan

460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in processing an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22888/24]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

469. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when an e-vetting request will be sent to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22964/24]

Health and Safety

Bernard Durkan

614. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide more resources towards inspections of vaping products entering the country and add to the 40 inspection checks for vaping products set out in the HSE's National Service Plan 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22794/24]

Health and Safety

Bernard Durkan

615. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans to increase the number of test purchase inspections for vapes, as set out in the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023, from the planned number of 340 set by the HSE (to cover both vapes and cigarettes); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22795/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

8. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continues to be enhanced, with particular reference to their ability to respond to emergencies, if and when they arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22092/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues within the Defence Forces have been resolved as per recommendations in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22091/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which plans are afoot for the implementation of the extension of the DART to Leixlip, Celbridge, Maynooth, Kilcock, Sallins, Naas and further afield; the extent to which such works are in hand; whether requests from the commuters in north Kildare to extend the turntable points to an area beyond Maynooth and Kilcock, given the wider catchment area and demand for transport services, are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22090/24]

Passport Services

Bernard Durkan

97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied), who applied ten weeks ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22210/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which he continues in his efforts to ensure the full implementation of all aspects of the report of Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22325/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues relating to pay and conditions within the Defence Forces have been resolved or are under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22326/24]

Departmental Budgets

Bernard Durkan

105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the budget available to his Department remains sufficient to meet requirements in the course of the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22327/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the Army is being upgraded and updated in line with the requirements of a modern army within the European Union, in the event of a threat arising from any quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22328/24]

National Security

Bernard Durkan

107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the EU might be encouraged to contribute to defence and coastal security measures on the Irish coast on the basis that such measures would have beneficial impact on Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22329/24]

National Security

Bernard Durkan

108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which coastal, air and sea surveillance continues at pace, given the various threats in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22330/24]

Air Corps

Bernard Durkan

109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the Air Corps continues to be upgraded in line with the needs of an island country and the need to ensure regular coastal surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22331/24]

Departmental Properties

Bernard Durkan

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of vacant, disused or decommissioned properties owned by his Department that potentially could be used for accommodation purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22332/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of all branches of the Defence Forces; if further recruitment is required to bring each branch of the forces up to optimum strength; if issues regarding salary, pay and conditions are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22333/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues of pay and morale within the Defence Forces are being addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22334/24]

Transport Costs

Bernard Durkan

137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to monitor transport costs and the contributory factors thereto, with a view to ensuring any negative impact on the economy might be alleviated insofar as is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/24]

Transport Policy

Bernard Durkan

138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which steps are ongoing to ensure the viability of the transport sector, notwithstanding any challenges from whatever source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22314/24]

Rail Network

Bernard Durkan

139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date in the electrification of the Dublin-Maynooth rail line, with particular reference to the towns likely to expect an enhanced service; the extent of the parking arrangements currently proposed; if such arrangements can be improved in line with local requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22315/24]

Road Tolls

Bernard Durkan

140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the total amount paid in tolls in the past eight years to date in regard to all tolled locations throughout the country, without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22316/24]

Traffic Management

Bernard Durkan

141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent, if any, to which heavy vehicles use the main arterial routes to and from the city at peak travel times; the action being taken on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22317/24]

National Transport Authority

Bernard Durkan

142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the degree to which alternative energy can be or is being used by the National Transport Authority, with particular reference to both rail and bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22319/24]