22. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department or An Garda Síochána has examined the feasibility of modernising the current physical firearms certificate system through the introduction of a secure digital licensing system accessible only to authorised members of An Garda Síochána; whether any assessment has been undertaken regarding data protection, securi…
63. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of complaints received by his Department or An Garda Síochána relating to alleged immigration-related fraud, false enrolment documentation or non-refund of fees involving English language education providers or associated recruitment agents in each of the past five years, in tabular form; the number of investigations or en…
105. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date on the proposed native Irish honey bee Bill 2021; the current status of engagement with beekeeping organisations, environmental groups and scientific experts on the legislation; the timeline envisaged for publication and enactment of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35735/26]
144. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the ecological and biodiversity benefits associated with protecting the native Irish honey bee population; the measures currently in place to prevent genetic dilution from imported honey bees; the supports available for conservation breeding and native bee monitoring programmes; a…
13. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness will next meet. [31985/26]
32. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [31986/26]
175. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of registered apprentices by apprenticeship programme in north Dublin; the measures being taken by his Department, SOLAS and the education and training boards to expand apprenticeship opportunities and employer participation in north Dublin; the number of apprenticeship places expected t…
260. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when submissions received as part of the Department’s September to October 2024 consultation on the optional provisions under Directive (EU) 2024/1711, including those relating to plug in mini solar systems, are expected to be published; whether it is intended that such submissions will be published in full; and if he will make a st…
261. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the potential impact of plug in mini solar systems on electricity bills, emissions reductions and grid demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34279/26]
262. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has examined the rollout of balcony or plug in solar systems in other EU member states, including Germany; any findings or conclusions arising from such examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34280/26]
272. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he expects to publish the responses received as part of the Department’s September to October 2024 consultation on plug in mini solar systems; whether his Department intends to publish a roadmap or framework for the potential introduction of plug in mini solar systems in Ireland; the engagement that has taken place with ESB Net…
273. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the potential benefits of plug-in mini solar systems for households that may not be able to access traditional rooftop solar installations, including apartment residents, renters and persons living in social and affordable housing; whether consideration is being given to any pi…
274. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has examined the regulatory approaches taken in Germany and the United Kingdom in relation to plug-in mini solar systems; whether consideration is being given to the development of an Irish safety and certification framework, including approved equipment standards, installation guidance, consumer protection me…
338. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current status and expected timeline for the rollout of contactless tap and go payment across public transport services, including Dublin Bus, Go Ahead, Luas and Irish Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34281/26]
339. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the key factors affecting the implementation of integrated contactless payment across the public transport system; the total expenditure to date on upgrades to the Leap card and ticketing infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34282/26]
340. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department or the National Transport Authority has undertaken any comparative assessment of contactless public transport payment systems in operation in other cities, including London and other European cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34283/26]
364. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether he will examine the use of private wires, modular substations and depot based DC microgrids to accelerate the delivery of charging infrastructure for electric bus fleets; whether such systems could support depots in securing dedicated renewable electricity supply while wider grid reinforcement is being progressed; and if he will make a statement on t…
365. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration is being given to permitting bus depots, Luas depots and other public transport facilities to utilise private wire connections to nearby renewable generation and storage infrastructure in order to provide dedicated charging capacity, reduce pressure on constrained local grids and improve energy resilience for public transport infrastruc…
366. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has engaged with the National Transport Authority, ESB Networks and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities on the potential use of modular substations, battery storage and depot based DC microgrids to prevent delays to the rollout of electric bus infrastructure and reduce the risk of publicly funded electric buses remaining out of …
373. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether he is aware of the frequency and duration of recent DART service curtailments for maintenance works, particularly on the northside of Dublin; the rationale for scheduling such works during peak periods including bank holiday weekends and major events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34623/26]
374. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has engaged with the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann regarding the planning of alternative transport arrangements during DART service disruptions; the requirements that are in place to ensure adequate replacement bus capacity and frequency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34624/26]
375. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the advance planning and coordination mechanisms that exist between the National Transport Authority, transport operators and relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact of planned rail maintenance works on commuters; whether the adequacy of alternative transport provision is assessed in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34625/26]
376. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether any assessment has been carried out on the wider economic and social impact of repeated DART service disruptions, including the effect on commuter behaviour, city centre footfall and local businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34626/26]
445. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the VAT treatment applicable to coach and bus operators based in the State compared with operators based in Northern Ireland providing similar cross-Border and tourism services; whether his Department has assessed the impact of any differences in VAT treatment on operators based in the State; if he will outline any legislative or policy measures u…
457. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to outline the VAT treatment applicable to coach and bus operators based in the State, including those providing cross-border and tourism services; whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the impact of current VAT arrangements on the competitiveness of such operators; any engagement he has had with relevant stakeholders on this mat…