Results 6,381-6,400 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 14 and 22 together. The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published by my Department, provides details on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 raised bog natural heritage areas, NHAs. The review has concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: I am sure the Deputy will accept that major progress has been made on this issue in the past three years. Ireland signed up to the habitats directive in 1992 and it was transposed into Irish law in 1997. A total of 53 SAC bogs were accepted by the Government and they were designated by 2004. After this, there was a type of moratorium in protecting these bogs and on my appointment as...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Deputy is aware that three scientific reports have been issued for consultation. We have received a very encouraging response, with over 1,000 people responding. There are the reviews of NHAs and SACs. Having gathered the responses and with the co-operation of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, TCCA, - I am glad that there was a recent meeting between the TCCA and my...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: I confirm for the Deputy that people will receive notices shortly. I agree with him that they must know well before the next turf cutting season the 25 bogs that will be designated. There will be a public notice and there is a procedure to be gone through. There is also an appeals system. The notices will be issued. On that occasion I believe I confirmed that it would be towards the end...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: My officials have been working with the people on Ballynafagh and Mouds bogs and progress is being made. As regards referring back to Brussels, it would be futile unless there was agreement between the TCCA and everybody concerned. I am glad that a meeting took place recently between the TCCA and my officials. This matter can be resolved. It is difficult, as everybody knows, but we have...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: It will depend on the level of co-operation, for which I do not wish to set a deadline. If people co-operate, are sincere about it and do not change their minds, it will be done.

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: I agree with Deputy Naughten that if there had been political will in 2002 to 2004, the matter would be resolved by now. As with so many other European issues, the matter was landed on the current Government's table. In this case, I was given the responsibility for resolving it. As the Deputy knows, I have worked very openly with people on this and made a great deal of progress. There is...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 17 and 23 together. Deputies on all sides of the House will agree that the centenary anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be an important occasion in the public life of our nation and present a unique opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by past generations. The Government's priority concern has been to plan a number of significant capital...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: I agree with Deputy McLellan that local groups must get assistance for next year. There are a lot of plans. I hope to put a small fund in place to assist them. I have asked local authorities to assist local groups also. As I know from my own experience running small festivals, local groups can provide considerable value for money with a very small allocation. I agree with Deputy Maureen...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Deputy will recall that I answered a related Question No 7 from him on 17 April 2014, when I informed him of my belief that transparency is a vital element of good governance in all organisations which receive public funds. At that time, I undertook to raise with the Arts Council the issue of transparency in the organisations which it funds and I am advised that this is being implemented...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: My Department carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of the invasive species Rhododendron ponticumin Killarney National Park. The extent of the problem varies from area to area within the Park and, having regard to the very dynamic nature of this invasive species, the targeted management programme is routinely monitored and adjusted with a view to ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. As the Deputy will be aware, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the principal statutory agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Council is independent in its day-to-day operations and I am precluded from involvement in its funding decisions. Accordingly,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 26 together. Ireland is obliged under the EU Birds Directive to designate Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for Annex I species such as the Hen Harrier. Annex I species are those that are deemed in greatest need of conservation due to population and range declines. An incentivising scheme - the National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme -...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: As the Deputy will be aware, a priority of the Government in the context of the commemorative programme for the Decade of Centenaries has been to advance a number of significant capital projects that would provide a lasting legacy of the centenary of the Rising. I was very pleased, therefore, to be present on 13 May last when the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced an...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council Funding (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: As the Deputy is aware, it was announced as part of Budget 2014 that comprehensive reviews of both current and capital expenditure would be undertaken by all Government Departments during 2014. These reviews are conducted on a periodic basis to re-set Ministerial expenditure ceilings in line with emerging Government priorities and will form the basis of the Government's future multi-annual...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: Grant funding for the protection of built heritage is provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which are either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and agencies. I recently gave approval in principle for the allocation of €15,000 to St. Columba’s Church in Swords under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme. My Department made available a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Staff (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: My Department directly employs 565 staff who are allocated to a broad range of functional areas across the Arts, Culture, Film, Music, Built and Natural Heritage, Irish Language, Gaeltacht, Islands and North/South Co-operation sectors. These staff are allocated to the various functional areas on the basis of need, having regard to overall resource availability. Of the total Departmental...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Remit (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: My Department works extensively with a range of public authorities and NGOs to protect and enhance Ireland's biodiversity. For example, my Department substantially funds the Irish Environment Network to support events throughout Biodiversity Week, which is an annual event held across Ireland. In 2011, the Government approved Ireland’s 2nd National Biodiversity Plan, entitled...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Cultural Institutions (11 Jun 2014)

Jimmy Deenihan: In response to the Government’s Public Service Reform Plan published in November 2011, my Department conducted a critical examination of the structure and operation of a range of cultural institutions and bodies, including the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Crawford Art Gallery Cork, the National Library, the National Museum, the National Archives, the...