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Vol. 896 Wednesday, No. 1 11 November 2015 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 11/11/2015A00100Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 11/11/2015A00200Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 11/11/2015A00250Tourism Promotion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 11/11/2015B00350National Car Test � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4 11/11/2015C00300Harbour Authorities � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 7 11/11/2015D00150Road Traffic Offences � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 9 11/11/2015E00550Public Transport � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11 11/11/2015E01400Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 11/11/2015E01425Greenways Funding � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 11/11/2015F01200Military Aircraft Landings � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 15 11/11/2015G00550City of Culture Initiative � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 17 11/11/2015H00200Public Transport Initiatives� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18 11/11/2015H01100Tourism Policy� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 19 11/11/2015J00200Message from Select Committee� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21 11/11/2015J00400Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed)� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21 100Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 35 11/11/2015Q00300Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 35 11/11/2015T00400Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 46 11/11/2015W10300Vulnerable Persons Bill 2015: First Stage� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 59 11/11/2015X00800Economic Partnership Agreements: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 60 11/11/2015X01100Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 61 11/11/2015X01400Message from Select Committee� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 61 11/11/2015X01600Children First Bill 2015: From the Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 61 11/11/2015BB00100Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 69 11/11/2015BB00200Planning Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 69 11/11/2015CC00300Pension Provisions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 71 11/11/2015EE00150Nursing Home Inspections � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 75 11/11/2015FF00350Fishing Industry � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 78 11/11/2015HH00200Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed)� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 82 11/11/2015XX00300Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 114 11/11/2015XX00600Message from Select Sub-Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 114 11/11/2015XX00800Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Order for Report Stage� � � � � 114 11/11/2015XX01100Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � 115 11/11/2015FFF00300Hospital Emergency Departments: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 130 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 11 Samhain 2015 Wednesday, 11 November 2015 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 9.30 a.m. Paidir. Prayer. 11/11/2015A00100Ceisteanna - Questions 11/11/2015A00200Priority Questions 11/11/2015A00250Tourism Promotion 11/11/2015A003001� Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give a commitment to engaging with the Web Summit with a view to retaining the event here for 2016 and for future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39534/15] 11/11/2015A00400Deputy Timmy Dooley: In light of the decision of the promoters of the Web Summit to move the event from Ireland to Portugal, can the Minister indicate what efforts he and the Gov- ernment have made since that announcement became public to try to retain that event in Dublin next year? What other contacts has either the Minister had or might other Ministers have had with the promoters of that event? 11/11/2015A00500Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): It is disappoint- ing that the Web Summit has decided to move to Lisbon for the next three years, particularly as it has been such a great success in Dublin and grew so impressively over that time. I am open to engaging with the organisers of the Web Summit with a view to the summit staying in Dublin in the future and they have indicated this is something they wish to consider. However, the or- ganisers were clear about their intention to leave and that it was a commercial matter for the or- ganisers to consider and upon which to decide. I wish them the best of luck in the future and of course would be delighted were this event to return to Ireland in the future. In considering how that might happen, my Department will play any role it can to facilitate such a return. It should be noted, however, that Fáilte Ireland continues to work with the international conferencing sector to win events and many other events continue to choose Dublin and Ireland as their host destination. Fáilte Ireland has been directly involved in winning 188 international events 2 11 November 2015 to take place here over the next four years. This represents €151 million of confirmed business with more than 110,000 international business tourists. Additionally, Fáilte Ireland currently is competing for more than €150 million of other conferencing business for Dublin alone within the same period. International sporting events also are targeted by Fáilte Ireland to bring larger numbers of visitors to Ireland. During 2015, some €10 million of sporting business was confirmed and the current pipeline is strong with an estimated value of up to €70 million against confirmed and potential events for Ireland to 2020. This includes the College Football Classic, Boston College versus Georgia Tech, in September, which will bring with it an estimated 15,000 US visitors. We can also look forward to hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017, as well as stag- ing part of the UEFA Euro 2020 soccer championships. 11/11/2015A00600Deputy Timmy Dooley: I thank the Minister and while I do not mean for my comments to be taken personally, I am deeply disappointed by the approach taken by various Ministers in response to what can only be described as a tremendous loss to the State. This represents a €100 million loss to the economy next year with the loss of 40,000 people visiting the city, staying in hotels, eating in restaurants and spending their money. The only response from the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance along the way has been that another conference will be found to fill the slot. This fails to understand and recognise the importance of this event and what it does to the technology sector, to small and medium-sized enterprises trying to get a start and to attracting foreign investment to support such companies. Moreover, to state on behalf of the Government it now is “open to engaging” is somewhat akin to telling somebody one is open to the idea of closing the door after the horse has bolted. The first thing the Government must do is to engage proactively with the promoters