Results 1,221-1,240 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications (26 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from one of the individuals referred to in the Deputy's Question. I am advised that payments of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012), €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) have been made to this...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (26 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department received a representation from the Deputy in relation to this matter last week. The proposal is under consideration within my Department and a reply will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Contracts Data (26 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that, since its establishment on 2 June 2011, no contract was awarded by my Department to the company referred to by the Deputy, either singularly or as part of a joint bid or consortium. With regard to agencies/bodies under the aegis of my Department, the Deputy will appreciate that the matters raised are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Animal Welfare (31 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 makes it an offence to hunt deer with two or more dogs. It is understood that since the enactment of the legislation the Ward Union Hunt have operated a “drag hunt” in order to comply with the legislation. This form of hunting involves the release of a deer to set a scent over a course. Following the recapture of the deer, the hounds and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (31 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful. One of the core objectives of the Ireland 2016initiative is to encourage and facilitate participation by, and the inclusion of, the citizens of Ireland to the greatest extent possible in the programme to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (31 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am aware of the issue and my Department will discuss it with the National Museum in the first instance.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Management (31 Mar 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 731 and 732 together. A census of corncrakes was carried out in 2014 in all of the key areas for this species, including in the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh special protection area . Two calling male corncrakes were recorded, indicating that there were two or more nesting pairs in the area. The Court of Justice of the European Union made a judgement...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (1 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. The final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is currently ongoing. A contract for the interpretation phase has recently been awarded and this is now advancing. Work is also continuing apace with the landscaping to the grounds and ornamental gardens. I expect that the various elements of works will be...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (1 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 makes it an offence to hunt deer with two or more dogs. It is understood that since the enactment of the legislation the Ward Union Hunt have operated a “drag hunt” in order to comply with the legislation. This form of hunting involves the release of a deer to set a scent over a course. Following the recapture of the deer, the hounds and horses...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Remuneration (2 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that the information referred to by the Deputy was available to my Department when the independent internal review was carried out. Accordingly, it is not considered that there are grounds for carrying out a fresh review in this case.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: All wild birds, including seagulls, are protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 and the European Union's Birds Directive. However, there is a facility under the legislation for a person to obtain a permit, under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, to take certain actions, including the scaring, capturing or killing of birds where they are causing serious damage to buildings and other...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 893 and 894 together. The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is found throughout the country. It is classified as a “protected species” under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012, as well as being listed in Annex V of the EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). Under Article 17 of the Directive, Member States are obliged to report to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Criteria (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The criteria for selecting sites eligible for identification as Sites of Community Importance and designation as Special Areas of Conservation are set out in Annex III of the EU Habitats Directive. The Lough Corrib area was surveyed on a number of occasions for habitats and species listed in that annex. The intention to designate the Lough Corrib special area of conservation was...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Properties (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 896 and 921 together. The property referred to by the Deputy is a fine example of a Palladian villa of the 18th century and is considered of significant architectural importance. My Department, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, may acquire heritage properties of national significance and in exceptional circumstances. However, given the many...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Properties (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Staffing requirements for Killarney House remain the subject of consideration in light of my Department's overall business needs and the approved pay framework for 2015. The final phase of restoration, refurbishment and new works at Killarney House is currently ongoing and, accordingly, the nature and extent of posts required, including their budgetary implications, have yet to be finally...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: World Heritage Sites (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: UNESCO sets out a formal process for State signatories to the World Heritage Convention to nominate properties for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The nomination process is initiated by the State authorities drawing up a Tentative List of what they consider to be the most important heritage sites within their national boundaries. A particular criterion is that a site must be...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Under my Department's Irish Language Scheme 2012-2015, a range of measures are in place with regard to the provision of services through Irish. These measures include the promotion of Irish within the Department. My Department is currently undertaking a public consultation process in relation to its next language scheme and interested parties are encouraged to forward submissions by 6 May. ...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: State Land Ownership (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Some 163 hectares of bog are registered with the Property Registration Authority of Ireland (PRAI) as being in the ownership of the State in the area referred to in the Deputy's Question. Ownership of a further 8.18 hectares of bog on this site is in the process of being registered with the PRAI on my behalf as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (15 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 908 and 911 to 915, inclusive, together. Compensation has been paid under a number of schemes administered by my Department in respect of raised bog habitat nominated for designation as special areas of conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. In 1999, a voluntary bog purchase scheme was introduced under which domestic turf cutters could sell their...