Results 1,441-1,460 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There are significant plans in place to have the National Archives building converted with the right conditions to preserve these important records. While the work has not started, the capital investment has been approved for it. It is important that these archival materials and documents are kept safe. The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, PRONI, has been in place a lot longer...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Music Industry Promotion (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. My Department provides significant support to the industry through its funding of the Arts Council, through capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure and through other financial and policy supports. I was particularly pleased the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Music Industry Promotion (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I acknowledge there is an issue with the level of airplay. This matter has been raised previously. While the concerns the Deputy raises do not fall within the scope of my Department, I am anxious to support the music industry in whatever way I can and I would be pleased to work with the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Music Industry Promotion (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I fully concur with the Deputy that successful artists provide significant value to the country. I intend to publish a discussion document on Culture 2025 in the next week or two and the Deputy's suggestions should feed into this process. While the establishment of a music Ireland office would be a good idea, it would involve a number of Departments given the complexity of the music...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wildlife Protection (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: While some environmental damage to our uplands has occurred in recent years, much of it as a result of illegal burning, as evidenced by the recent spate of fires in various parts of the country, it is important to note that some improvements have occurred. The serious overgrazing that resulted in many western uplands being stripped of all vegetation has now ceased and the hills in question...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wildlife Protection (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: To clarify the Deputy's first point, when I spoke about this issue on a local radio station in Kerry, I was speaking specifically about County Kerry. I am aware that fires also occurred in other locations that fall within special areas of conservation and special protection areas, which come within the remit of my Department. Significant environmental damage is caused by illegal burning,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wildlife Protection (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: We work very closely with the Garda, which is investigating the issues around the fires in Killarney National Park. Where evidence is forthcoming, the Garda is tasked to pursue appropriate enforcement under the Wildlife Act or other legislation. My Department is one of a number of agencies represented on the inter-agency gorse fire group, which explores issues surrounding wildfires. An...

Other Questions: Film Industry (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this. Before I answer his question, I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Bill O'Herlihy. Bill was the chairman of the Irish Film Board and I had the pleasure of working with him since my appointment as Minister. He was a true gentleman and a superb advocate for the Irish film industry. He was utterly committed to the role and had...

Other Questions: Film Industry (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The figure for the Irish Film Board in 2015 is €14.6 million. There is great excitement about the potential of our film industry. We had a good meeting with Pinewood Studios. Ireland is seen as an attractive location for the industry. We have made it clear that we want to work with the indigenous and international industries. It is not just direct jobs that are provided, as there...

Other Questions: Film Industry (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The group has met a number of times. An interdepartmental group comprising officials from my Department and other relevant Departments and agencies, it is to examine and report on recommendations. It has not yet produced a report on how to maximise the opportunities that the film industry can provide in Ireland, but as soon as it does, I will be happy to publish that. The CEO of the...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Relocation is a complex process. It involves investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity, determining the infrastructure-drainage works required, establishing the number that can be accommodated on the site and the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease, and meeting possible planning and environmental impact assessment requirements. Notwithstanding this complexity,...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No.

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: This Government has put in place more resources and made greater efforts to resolve the issue of protecting Ireland's SAC raised bogs than any previous government. It is a complex issue in some areas. Progress has undoubtedly been made. Some 3,091 applications have been received under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for SAC raised bogs. Of these, 755 applications, or...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: If the Deputy could bring that matter to my attention privately I will certainly raise the issue of the specific bogs he is talking about, which we did not proceed to purchase. I would be interested to hear about those and I will follow that up. I have asked my officials to treat relocation as a priority. I have to acknowledge, however, that sometimes it is very slow work. I wish to...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Planning is well underway with all stakeholders, including members of the public and local authorities, for next year’s 2016 commemorations. A widespread public consultation process has been underway for a number of months in order to encourage and facilitate the involvement of both national and local, ground-up, initiatives in the wider Ireland 2016 commemorative programme. The...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I absolutely agree with the Deputy that it is so important to involve children in our commemorations. Children will be central to the 1916 commemorations and in this regard we have been working jointly with the Department of Education and Skills. I wish to acknowledge the latter Department's huge contribution to this project. That Department has a rich programme for the primary,...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The idea behind the local authority meetings was to get as many people involved in 2016 as possible. Local authorities are the best way to reach out to the whole country. Each local authority will put together a draft plan which will be presented next month to myself and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. They will continue to work on that...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Action Plan for Jobs 2015 was published in January this year and is the fourth in the multi-annual series which promotes a whole-of-government approach to economic recovery, export growth and job creation. The Action Plan sets out a number of actions in relation to the heritage and arts sectors. The nature of employment within these sectors encompasses a wide range of activities, from...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Flag (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the Limerick City Museum has been in direct contact with the Imperial War Museum in London regarding the possible loan of the flag referred to by the Deputy. In addition, there already has been very beneficial co-operation between the National Museum and the Imperial War Museum, including in relation to existing exhibitions in Collins Barracks. I also recently visited...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Council Funding (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The scope to provide additional funding for the protection, conservation and development of the State’s heritage is constrained by the current national economic difficulties and the significant reduction in the public finances. The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, has been allocated a sum of €4.743m in 2015 to fund its role of supporting heritage infrastructure...