Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sceilg Mhichíl is a national monument in the ownership of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the National Monuments Acts. As such, it enjoys the full range of protections afforded by those Acts, including a requirement that any work at or in proximity to it are subject to my prior written consent. The Skellig Islands themselves form part of the Skelligs special protection area, SPA, which is designated for the protection of various species of seabird and is subject to the provisions of the EU birds and habitats directives.

While recent filming, including the high-profile "Star Wars" filming, led to concerns being raised in some quarters about the potential impact on the SPA, I am satisfied that there have been no adverse impacts. All filming proposals were reviewed by experts in my Department and subject to screening for appropriate assessment in accordance with the birds and natural habitats regulations. Filming was only permitted where the screening concluded that this was in order and that avoidance and mitigation measures were robust. In addition, stringent conditions and monitoring were put in place by my Department.

In the case of the first filming of "Star Wars", for example, following discussion with my officials, the film company submitted a revised application with a significant reduction in activity and a redesign of several elements of the original proposal, including a 90% reduction in proposed helicopter activity for the project. The revised proposal was then screened for ecological and species impact and subject to detailed review by the archaeological experts of the National Monuments Service. The screening concluded that, provided the avoidance and mitigation measures proposed by the film company were implemented in full, and subject to 15 special conditions attached to the consent for the project, the proposal would not have a significant effect on the Skelligs SPA.

Filming was limited to a number of days and only on specified parts of the island. The activities of the film crew were supervised at all times by personnel from the Office of Public Works and my Department's National Monuments Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

On the second occasion of filming in September 2015 after the bird season, conditions were also restrictive, the filming footprint was heavily circumscribed, and duration was limited. As well as implementing strict controls over filming on the island, much of the filming of "Star Wars VIII" took place at Ceann Sibéal on mainland County Kerry rather than on Sceilg Mhichíl itself. The entire catalogue of application, screening, approval, conditions and ex-postreports are available online.

Sceilg Mhichíl was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Information about filming projects, and particularly on ecological issues and assessments undertaken prior to approval for filming, was made available to UNESCO. The post hocecological and monument assessments were also made available to UNESCO.

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