Results 521-540 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Quesitons: National Monuments (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I acknowledge what the Deputy says and that 61,000 is a great number of veterans. They have made a wonderful contribution. I support the commemoration of all persons who have served their country at home and abroad, especially those who have given their lives. It is important we recognise them. There are already a number of monuments and memorial gardens throughout the country that pay...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Quesitons: National Monuments (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I accept what the Deputy says. I would be happy to meet the people involved. I attended the commemoration events on Saturday and the national day of commemoration on Sunday and realise how important it is to these people that the sacrifices they have made are recognised. I am happy to meet the people concerned.

Other Questions: Caiteachas Ranna (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Is oth liom nach bhfuil ar mo chumas an cheist seo a fhreagairt as Gaeilge, ach cuirfidh mé leagan dhátheangach den fhreagra ar fáil don Teachta. As the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on 2 June 2011, my response to the Deputy's question deals with the period since that date. My Department administers a wide range of programmes and measures....

Other Questions: Caiteachas Ranna (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Tá brón orm; níl a lán Gaeilge agam, but I will try to answer the question as best I can. On the issue of replies to questions in Irish, if the Deputy wishes to have his replies in Irish I will ensure they are so provided into the future. On the budgets, the Government wants to maintain services to the public and has done so in so far as possible. The Deputy will be...

Other Questions: Caiteachas Ranna (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: With regard to the budget figures, I will be happy to speak to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. TG4 comes under the remit of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I take on board the Deputy's point.

Other Questions: Arts Council Funding (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The Arts Council receives funding from my Department but it is independent. It recently published a strategic review of its work, entitled Inspiring Prospects, which was undertaken by a steering group, with Mr. Terence O’Rourke as the independent chairman. I look forward to reading this report in more detail and assimilating its implications. The review and the process underlying it...

Other Questions: Arts Council Funding (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: As I stated, the Arts Council receives its budget from my Department but it is independent. I accept its funds are public money and that we must be very accountable for public money. I understand the council is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and is subject to the same rules and regulations as other bodies. I am to meet the new chairman. The council has carried out a...

Other Questions: Arts Council Funding (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I agree that the arts should encompass all areas of society, including disadvantaged communities. It is important that communities be very much supported in respect of the arts. If the Deputy has any concerns, I can speak to him later about them. I will be happy to pass them on to the representatives of the council when I meet them. As I stated, the Arts Council is independent. It is...

Other Questions: Public Park Access (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the Office of Public Works, which is both owner and manager of the Phoenix Park, has no plans to introduce general admission charges to the park, now or in the future. The nomination process for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List is initiated by state authorities drawing up a tentative list of what they consider to be the most important heritage sites within their...

Other Questions: Public Park Access (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputy that the Phoenix Park is a jewel in the crown. It is a tremendous facility that we need to treasure and protect. A process is under way regarding the application for UNESCO status. This process has to be led by the local authority because my Department cannot impose it. However, we are happy to support the local authority in progressing the matter. Regarding the...

Other Questions: Public Park Access (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputy because it is a tremendous facility for people to go walking. They bring their cars to the park and then they go for a walk. It is great to have that facility.

Other Questions: Departmental Strategies (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is committed to implementing the priorities set out in the programme for Government and in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016, which was published by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on 11 July. These will form the underlying basis of the work of my Department for the next 12 months and for the remainder of this Government's term of office. The statement of...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategies (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: We are committed to the Irish language. As I noted in several interviews, like many others I learned school Irish but unfortunately if one does not use it, one loses it. My parliamentary assistant, who is in his early 20s, was awarded student of the year for his Irish. He told me this morning that he is one of many who does not use it and then loses it. There is a huge cohort of people...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategies (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: We are committed to the services to Inis Mór and they will be examined in the context of the budget.

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: Development of an inclusive and detailed programme of events for the commemoration of the 1916 Rising is continuing and I hope to have a refined draft of that programme in the autumn. That draft will be subject to consultation with stakeholders before finalisation. As is the nature of these programmes, it may continue to evolve as we move towards 2016 and ideas crystallise and resources...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: I would be happy to meet spokespersons to discuss the commemorations. I want to be as inclusive as possible and I welcome any suggestions. The Deputy asked about having different people visiting during the 2016 events. I am new in the job but it is important the commemorations be respectful, inclusive and sensitive. This is a major commemoration for the country because of its significance...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: This is about building relationships. I am only in this job a couple of days so, as I said earlier, I will consult widely. We want to achieve the best commemoration possible and consult all stakeholders.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: To date, there have been 12 events dedicated to the history of the Third Home Rule Bill and related events. In the centenary commemorative programme, this year marks the passing of legislation for Irish Home Rule. Building on the work of Charles Stewart Parnell and the Land League, John Redmond and his party finally delivered the Home Rule Act. This was passed on the eve of the Great War and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Plaques (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy will appreciate that the upcoming commemoration of the 1916 Rising will no doubt bring to attention many topics and situations which will be deemed by some to warrant specific action by the State. The collation of monuments etc throughout the country is an example of such action. These suggestions put forward in good faith will require serious consideration in the context of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Meetings (16 Jul 2014)

Heather Humphreys: My Department funds two of the six North South Implementation Bodies established under the 1999 British-Irish Agreement. These are Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga, which comprises two agencies, Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency. These Bodies operate under the policy direction of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and are supported by funding from their two sponsor...