Parliamentary questions

Foreign Conflicts

Paul Murphy

488. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures the Government plans to take in defence of the rights of the Rohingya people in Myanmar in view of recent reports (details supplied) of 18,500 persons fleeing to Bangladesh and the widespread burning of Rohingya villages; his views on whether this amounts to ethnic cleansing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37910/17]

Extradition Arrangements

Paul Murphy

613. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Interpol red notice requests for arrests that have been received by the authorities here in the past three years, in tabular form; the number that have been carried out; the states they originate from; the alleged offences they have been issued for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37796/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has satisfied himself that all persons on the election roster are suitable for deployment on election observation missions; the reason one in five of those persons still have not been deployed since the establishment of the current roster in 2013 while other persons have had numerous deployments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35410/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

394. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been brought to concerns that a number of late applicants were admitted to the 2013 intake to the election roster despite the call notice specifying that late applications would not be considered; the reasons for this departure from the published policy; the level at which the departure was sanctioned; the number of late applications that were received; the number subsequently appointed to the roster or the reserve roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35411/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

395. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason members of the rapid response corps are required to produce tax clearance certificates while members of the election roster are not; if he has been in contact with the Revenue Commissioners to discuss if tax clearance should apply to election roster members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35412/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

396. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that have been taken to prepare for a fresh call for election roster members to replace the 2013 roster; if he has satisfied himself that his Department has the resources to undertake this; if he will need to engage expertise from other parts of the civil service such as the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government or the Public Appointments Service; if so, if such expertise has been sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35413/17]

Election Monitoring Missions

Paul Murphy

397. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if only non-remunerated election observers are eligible for the volunteer grant paid to Irish election observers; if there have been cases that subsequent to the payment of the grant the persons declined to go on a mission on a volunteer basis; if refunds were sought of the grants paid in which persons declined to go on a mission or were appointed to a remunerated consultancy post on the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35414/17]

Services for People with Disabilities

Paul Murphy

800. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children in need of a school-age team service broken down by region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35401/17]

Services for People with Disabilities

Paul Murphy

802. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the treatment of a person (details supplied); if the time appealing decisions will be taken into account for the school age team waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35408/17]

Departmental Inquiries

Paul Murphy

74. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on initiating an independent inquiry into the Garda investigations into the Jobstown protest case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32994/17]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Paul Murphy

4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on justice reform last met. [31193/17]

Youthreach Programme Staff

Paul Murphy

210. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of A and B posts of responsibility that are held by regional co-ordinators and co-ordinators and resource persons in Youthreach nationally; if regional co-ordinators in Youthreach for Dublin city and county and the education and training boards for counties Limerick and Clare hold A and B posts of responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32202/17]

Commemorative Events

Paul Murphy

544. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the introduction of the lumper schools project to schools to increase the knowledge and awareness of the Great Famine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27984/17]

Public Sector Pensions

Paul Murphy

662. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress his Department has made on the adjustment of the post-award value of public service pensions referred to in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 17 of 2 March 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19471/17]

Nursing Education

Paul Murphy

772. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on nursing students on work placements not being paid; if he will consider a review of this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19585/17]

Joyriding Offences

Paul Murphy

1326. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the phenomenon of older, uninsured and untaxed cars being bought by persons who then use the car to joyride; if he will consider reforms to the car ownership registration process to frustrate this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19598/17]

Child and Family Agency

Paul Murphy

1431. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 830 of 7 March 2017, if she will answer the question referred to in her reply in view of additional information (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19503/17]

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Paul Murphy

28. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on contacts he and his officials have had with the Egyptian authorities regarding the case of a person (details supplied); if he has raised the person's medical condition with the authorities and sought his release on these grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18698/17]

International Relations

Paul Murphy

420. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the general strike and mass demonstrations in French Guiana with the French authorities which have been organised against poor public services, the cost of living, mass unemployment and lack of investment in infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18318/17]

International Relations

Paul Murphy

421. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views of the attempts by the President of Paraguay to extend his term and the movement of opposition to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18319/17]

Public Sector Pensions

Paul Murphy

446. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on increasing pensions of retired public servants in line with the pay rises being implemented for serving public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18211/17]

Diaspora Issues

Paul Murphy

55. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans for the announced amendment to the Constitution regarding voting rights of Irish citizens living outside the State in presidential elections. [13922/17]

Bank Branch Closures

Paul Murphy

48. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the industrial relations situation in a bank (details supplied), with particular reference to the negotiations with porters and the plan to close branches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16448/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Paul Murphy

167. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the cost that the expenses associated with an IPO of a bank (details supplied) will amount to; the cost of financial, legal, communications and auditing advisers; the amount that has been spent to date on each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16213/17]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Paul Murphy

266. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the model being used for the allocation of learning support and resource teaching hours to take account of the needs of a school (details supplied) over multiple years; if he will review the decision to cut the hours allocated to the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16350/17]

Planning Issues

Paul Murphy

311. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider a revision of planning laws to shorten or restrict the time allowed for unfinished building sites that are not being actively worked on in view of the disruption and unsightliness this can bring to an area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16133/17]

Youthreach Programme Staff

Paul Murphy

175. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is acceptable that students who attend Youthreach are taught by staff who are not deemed to be teachers by his Department and the ETBs; his further views on whether it is acceptable for vulnerable and socially disadvantaged students to be taught by two different grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15115/17]

Youthreach Programme Staff

Paul Murphy

176. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the difference between the rate of pay and conditions between teachers, co-ordinators and resource persons who deliver the same work in the classroom regarding Youthreach; his views on whether the different conditions should be standardised upwards in the interests of equal pay for equal work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15116/17]

Youthreach Programme Staff

Paul Murphy

177. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the fact that students may not be able to achieve certification in view of the fact they are taught by non-teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15117/17]

Departmental Bodies Contracts

Paul Murphy

123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the contracts entered into by her Department and its agencies with a company (details supplied); the nature of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13145/17]

Departmental Bodies Contracts

Paul Murphy

124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the contracts entered into by An Garda Síochána with a company (details supplied); the nature of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13146/17]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Paul Murphy

351. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on contacts his Department has had with the board of management of a school (details supplied) that provides education facilities for children with special needs regarding the special needs assistants allocation of that school; if the school will be permitted to hire four more SNAs to cater for the needs of the children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13607/17]

Energy Efficiency

Paul Murphy

760. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a detailed breakdown and report of the areas of expenditure of the energy efficiency fund since 2014; the audit measures in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12007/17]

Human Rights

Paul Murphy

830. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, with regard to the case of a person (details supplied), the State is in a position to offer an apology on the basis of the subsequent chain of events; if she will provide further information regarding the circumstances of the person's transferral to Northern Ireland; if consent was sought from the person's parent for such a transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11805/17]

Languages Programme

Paul Murphy

62. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a recent EUROSTAT report (details supplied) showing that Ireland has the second lowest level of foreign-language learning in schools in the EU27 and a rate significantly below the average; his further views on the decline since 2009; the measures he will take to improve resources for foreign language learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10852/17]

State Banking Sector

Paul Murphy

46. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to privatise the State's shares in the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10025/17]

Departmental Legal Cases

Paul Murphy

56. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to publish the advice from a company (details supplied) that his Department commissioned regarding a case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10026/17]

Bank Debt Restructuring

Paul Murphy

63. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the sale of Project Cypress by a bank (details supplied); his views on the impact of the sale on tenants of the bank's buy-to-let properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10028/17]

Tax Treaties

Paul Murphy

68. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his reasoning for his reported opposition to country to country reporting proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10027/17]

NAMA Debtors

Paul Murphy

227. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of debt repaid by debtors who are leaving NAMA; the amount of debt they had owed when entering NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10071/17]

Motor Insurance

Paul Murphy

228. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his efforts to improve the provision of affordable motor insurance; his views on whether the levels of profit in the sector needs to be focused on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10072/17]

Hospital Charges

Paul Murphy

578. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the policy regarding the costs charged to persons for use of a hospital bed who are ready for discharge but who are awaiting a nursing home place in HSE hospitals and Tallaght Hospital; his views on whether these charges are fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9887/17]

Ministerial Meetings

Paul Murphy

24. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meeting with Secretary for State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8821/17]

Middle East Peace Process

Paul Murphy

29. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent policy change by President Trump regarding the two-state solution in Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8762/17]

Official Engagements

Paul Murphy

39. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the appropriateness of the planned visit by senior members of the Government to the President of the United States of America in view of the recent positions taken by the US President on immigration, human rights, foreign affairs and other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8764/17]

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Paul Murphy

44. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the most recent postponement of the trial in Egypt of a person (details supplied) and contacts his officials have had with the Egyptian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8766/17]

Northern Ireland

Paul Murphy

53. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on any contacts he has had with the leaders of parties in Northern Ireland and the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8765/17]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Paul Murphy

58. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the immigration policies of President Trump; his further views on policies that discriminate on the basis of religion and block access to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8763/17]

Sports Capital Programme

Paul Murphy

233. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding to a sports club (details supplied) to allow the upgrade of its pitch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8931/17]

Policing Issues

Paul Murphy

7. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Government has requested the extension of the Pitchford inquiry to include the activities of the British undercover police while here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7624/17]

Garda Reports

Paul Murphy

8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will publish the report into the activities of an undercover British police officer (details supplied) received by her Department from the Garda Commissioner in 2011; if she will publish the report currently being compiled on that issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7625/17]

US Travel Restrictions

Paul Murphy

107. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 338 of 2 February 2017, if she has received the report requested on a review of US pre-clearance in Ireland. [7027/17]

School Curriculum

Paul Murphy

209. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the continuation of history in the junior cycle; his further views on the fact that fewer students are studying history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7221/17]

Education Grants

Paul Murphy

161. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria that is used in means testing applicants for grants and assistance under the secondary education committee fund; the different level of grants potentially awarded to applicants and other relevant rules related to the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3764/17]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

179. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds and other dogs exported to EU and non-EU countries in 2016 and to date in 2017; and the action he will take to cease the export of Irish greyhounds to Pakistan for use in coursing. [3585/17]

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Paul Murphy

46. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on representations made by his Department following the recent postponement of the trial of a person (details supplied) in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3259/17]

Middle East Peace Process

Paul Murphy

56. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent attendance at the international Middle East peace conference; his views on the position being taken by President Trump in relation to the rights of the Palestinian people and in particular his intention to move the embassy of the United States to Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3055/17]

Human Rights

Paul Murphy

59. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on representations that he has made to international bodies regarding the persecution of the Rohingya population in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3056/17]

Ministerial Meetings

Paul Murphy

73. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has contacted the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump; his views on the policies of his administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3053/17]

Extradition Arrangements

Paul Murphy

78. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the potential extradition of a person (details supplied) to the United States of America, in view of comments made by President Trump regarding the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3054/17]

Third Level Staff

Paul Murphy

157. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has discussed with management of Trinity College Dublin proposals to freeze promotions for non-academic staff and to impose a moratorium on offering permanent contracts to non-academic staff; his views regarding increased precarity in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2540/17]

Tax Code

Paul Murphy

41. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on recent reports (details supplied) of so-called vulture funds being able to pay a small amount of tax; the measures he will take to close tax loopholes; if he will consider an increase in tax or new taxes on these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1747/17]

NAMA Loans Sale

Paul Murphy

47. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on meetings he and his officials have had with so-called vulture funds since 2011; his views on NAMA transferring loans to such funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1748/17]

NAMA Loans Sale

Paul Murphy

48. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on reports in the media (details supplied) regarding the mass sale of properties in County Limerick to a vulture fund by NAMA; his views on reports in that article that he met vulture funds to encourage them to come to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1749/17]

NAMA Portfolio

Paul Murphy

83. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the use of NAMA-controlled properties to assist in providing affordable housing to persons; if he will use his powers under the NAMA Act 2009 to this end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1751/17]

Motor Insurance

Paul Murphy

89. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the measures he will take to reduce the cost of car insurance; his views on the profit levels of companies providing car insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1750/17]

Underage Drinking

Paul Murphy

126. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce legislation to tackle the issue of underage drinking being facilitated by so-called dial-a-drink services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41392/16]

Alcohol Sales

Paul Murphy

127. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce legislation to require alcohol licences for businesses, such as barbers, which provide alcohol to their customers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41393/16]

Foreign Conflicts

Paul Murphy

696. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to human rights abuses carried out against the Rohingya in Burma; if he will raise this with the Burmese Government, the European Union and United Nations; the contacts made by him or his officials regarding the human rights situation for the Rohingya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41538/16]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Paul Murphy

884. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the inclusion of devices such as (details supplied) in the monitoring of patients with diabetes on the long-term illness scheme; if he will consider its inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41183/16]

Proposed Legislation

Paul Murphy

960. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015; his views on whether the separated sale of alcohol in mixed retail outlets should be maintained in the Bill, contrary to the lobbying of the retail and alcohol industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41394/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1375. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of circuses registered here under Article 4 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1739/2005 each year for each of the past five years, in tabular form; the names of those circuses; if registrations have been revoked or refused since 2007; if so, the number of same, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41510/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1376. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animal passports issued by the Irish authorities to circus animals as per Article 7 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1739/2005 each year for each of the past five years, in tabular form; if any prosecution has been undertaken for non-possession of a passport; if so, the number of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41511/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1377. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of the venues registered under Article 6 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1739/2005 in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41512/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1378. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of veterinary inspections carried out under Article 9 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1739/2005 in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41513/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1379. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appointments of authorised officers he has made under Article 5 of the European Communities (Circuses) Regulations 2007; the current number of authorised officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41514/16]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1380. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fixed penalty notices issued per year in each of the past five years under Article 10 of European Communities (Circuses) Regulations 2007, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41515/16]

Driver Test Data

Paul Murphy

1592. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the pass rates on the driving test for each county or other similar local area for 2016; his views on any difference on the pass rates in different areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1259/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with senior management of a company (details supplied) on his recent visit to the United States of America; and if he discussed Ireland's tax policy and the recent European Commission ruling on the company's tax liability. [39840/16]

Homelessness Strategy

Paul Murphy

45. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on her Department's actions in respect of the record levels of child homelessness; her views on the long-term impact on those children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40122/16]

Child Protection Services Provision

Paul Murphy

60. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures being taken by her Department regarding socially and economically disadvantaged young adults; her views on the levels of poverty and homelessness among young adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40121/16]

European Defence Capabilities

Paul Murphy

48. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the European Commission's proposals for a common EU military research and development fund and common military procurement fund; his further views on the use of EU institutions for military purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39831/16]

European Security Strategy

Paul Murphy

58. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the establishment of a joint EU military headquarters; his further views on the increased militarisation of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39832/16]

Tax Treaties

Paul Murphy

172. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on Ireland's tax treaties with developing countries; his further views on a Eurodad report (details supplied) which shows that Ireland's tax treaties have, on average of EU states, introduced the highest amount of reductions of developing country tax rates; his views on the impact this has on tax takes in developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39892/16]

Tax Avoidance

Paul Murphy

173. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on reported dramatic increases of so-called sweetheart deals between states and corporations to minimise tax in the EU and, in particular, in Luxembourg and Belgium (details supplied); his further views on whether such facilitation of aggressive tax planning and avoidance is negative; if he will support measures at an EU level to prevent these practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39893/16]

Tax Code

Paul Murphy

183. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if the unemployment benefits paid to former staff of the EU institutions under article 29(a) staff regulations of officials of the European Communities are subjected to PRSI and USC in view of the fact they are on unemployment benefit which is normally exempted when paid by the State; if those persons in receipt of this EU unemployment benefit can avail of the PAYE tax credit on a par with those in receipt of Irish unemployment benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40052/16]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Paul Murphy

517. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to provide a consultant to deal with chronic fatigue syndrome; if plans are in place to open a HSE clinic or unit specialising in the illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40044/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Paul Murphy

202. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided for Cheeverstown House each year for the past five years; if the funding model has changed in this period; if additional funds have been provided to fund renovations to respite care wards since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39361/16]

Climate Change Negotiations

Paul Murphy

41. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he received an invitation to the United Nations climate change conference in Marrakesh in the second week of November 2016. [36040/16]

Library Services Staff

Paul Murphy

204. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the roll out of unstaffed libraries; his further views on the important role of library staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38738/16]

Rare Diseases Strategy

Paul Murphy

32. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of genetic counsellors as outlined in the national rare disease plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37770/16]

Commemorative Events

Paul Murphy

480. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 965 of 16 September 2016, if she will confirm that the 2016 event was the ninth annual famine commemoration, in view of the fact that the initial launch in 2008 included both local input and a formal State ceremony; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37609/16]

Disability Support Services

Paul Murphy

604. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department will investigate the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37593/16]

Public Sector Pay

Paul Murphy

4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contacts his Department has had with trade unions regarding pay restoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36542/16]

Public Sector Pay

Paul Murphy

19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the demands by trade unions for increased pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36541/16]

Programme for Government Implementation

Paul Murphy

1. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government. [34862/16]

Human Rights Cases

Paul Murphy

40. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent sixteenth postponement of the trial of a person (details supplied) in Egypt; the contacts his Department has had with the person and the Egyptian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36308/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Paul Murphy

56. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has assessed the impact on youth poverty of the lower rates of unemployment allowance; if so, the findings of such an assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36028/16]

Child Maintenance Payments

Paul Murphy

64. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the way child maintenance is considered in means tested payments in view of the fact that often families can be worse off if in receipt of the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36027/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Paul Murphy

77. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans on cutting unemployment payments following reported comments (details supplied) made at a recent Pobal conference in Dublin City University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36026/16]