Results 2,821-2,840 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Thatching Grants Expenditure (3 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My role, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with regard to the protection and management of our architectural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners as regards heritage assets. As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tax Code (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 is a scheme of tax relief for the donation of heritage items to the National Collections. Under the scheme, heritage items that are considered outstanding examples of their type and that are pre-eminent in their class, whose export from the State would constitute a diminution of the accumulated cultural heritage of Ireland, or whose import...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Lough Bane and Lough Glass (Site Code 002120) is a candidate special area of conservation and as such is a legally protected site. Ireland is required, under the EU Habitats Directive, to formally designate its special areas of conservation and a project is in place within my Department to oversee this process. This involves the adoption of a Statutory Instrument for each site. The making...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Policy (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Under the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government has placed a strong focus on supporting all communities in rural Ireland, including rural communities in north Co. Dublin. The LEADER programme is an important component of the funding provided by my Department to support rural development. Under the 2007-2013 LEADER programme, €4,399,216 was provided to Fingal LEADER...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 to 284, inclusive, together. The EU Birds Directive is implemented in Ireland under the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Under the terms of the Directive, all Member States of the EU are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats. Under Article 9(a), Member States may...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Strategy Statements (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has prepared a Draft Statement of Strategy as provided for under Section 5 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. I am currently considering this document with a view to finalising it before its submission to Government. My Department is not directly responsible for the provision of services specifically targeted at persons with disabilities. However, the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Maritime Salvage (8 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The recent recovery of a telegraph from the wreck of the RMS Lusitania was undertaken with my Department's approval by the holder of a dive license granted by the Department’s National Monuments Service under the National Monuments Acts. The telegraph is currently being conserved and its recovery and location has, I understand, been notified to the National Museum of Ireland by the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Museum (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the request from the Houses of the Oireachtas Service to the Government that the Ceramic Room in the National Museum, Kildare Street, be made available on a temporary basis for Seanad Éireann in order to allow essential fire protection and health and safety works to be carried out in Leinster House. Such a temporary relocation of the Seanad is,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: On 9thAugust this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with an allocation of €10 million in funding for this year. A sum of €380,000 was made available to each of the 26 counties for 2016 under this initial phase of the scheme. Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Arrangements for the 2017 National Famine Commemoration will be considered shortly by the National Famine Commemoration Committee, which I chair. Details of the venue and location will be announced early in the New Year.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: At present, there are three species of invasive plants identified within the boundaries of Connemara National Park. These are Lesser Knotweed (Persicaria campanulata), Giant Rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) and Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum). Each of these poses its own particular challenge and requires a specific plan of action to control, manage and, where possible and practicable,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Foras na Gaeilge (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: As I indicated in my reply to Questions Nos 285, 287 and 288 on 8 November 2016, the budget for Foras na Gaeilge is subject to approval by the North South Ministerial Council, given its status as an agency of An Foras Teanga, which is a North South Implementation Body co-funded by my Department and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. An indicative provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hare Coursing (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Staff of my Department were present at this coursing event to monitor it and I have asked for a report on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Records (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that while contingent assets are provided for in international accounting standards, they only apply to entities that use the accruals basis of accounting. The Vote for my Department is accounted for in the annual Appropriation Accounts on a cash basis in accordance with the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act. Notes to the annual accounts are provided on foot of policies...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Can I speak on amendments Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 6?

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I mean amendment No. 1 and subsections (1), (2) and (3) of amendment No. 6. First, I thank the Senators for their contributions. With regard to the first part of amendment No. 6, section 70 of the Roads Act provides that where a tree, hedge or shrub is considered a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road, a local authority may serve notice on the owner or occupier of the...

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I live in the countryside and I know what it is like to drive down narrow roads with overgrown hedges.It is a serious hazard and some Senators told me-----

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Some of them told me-----

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Some of them told me when they were out canvassing in the recent Seanad election they experienced some narrow roads with hedges growing out. I said "Hopefully now you will understand what I am trying to do." I know how dangerous it is. It is dangerous and I know about it.

Seanad: Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2016)

Heather Humphreys: The Senator is wrong. I do not believe the current system is effective enough.