Results 1,501-1,520 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: That is very clear. That is the trust that was set up and signed, and that is a legal document. I want to deal with a few issues that were raised, and I thank the Senators for the matters they raised with me. In regard to the export licensing system, it should be noted that this function was delegated to the director of the National Gallery in 1985 and it has operated under this system...

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The first contact I had with Judith Woodworth was the previous Thursday. By the way, the cranes at the National Gallery are being paid for under a €30 million capital investment programme provided by this Government for the renovation of the Milltown and Dargan wings. I want to be clear on that too.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I met the foundation and the paintings belong to the trust. It has entered into a contract with Christie's and the trust has advised me that breaking that contract would cost £1.4 million. That would be the cost of it.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The cost of running the estate is a matter for the Beit foundation. As I said, it is all set out in the memorandum and articles of association. Also, the trustees made it clear that they genuinely believed and they still believe, and I have to respect this - we have to respect that this trust has been set up for 40 years now - that they are taking the right course of action to create an...

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Alfred Beit Foundation is an independent trust and I cannot instruct it on how to do its business. As I said, the memorandum and articles of association make it clear that the trust is perfectly entitled to sell the assets of the foundation. I am disappointed that the sale cannot be, at the very least, delayed or deferred but, unfortunately, I cannot stop the sale. I have spoke to them.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I cannot stop the sale.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I cannot stop it.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There is a legal action pending here and I cannot get into the details of that.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Regarding what Senator O'Donnell said, I have expressed my disappointment that I was only informed of the sale when contracts had been long signed.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: These contracts were signed a number of months ago. In fairness to the owners of all historic houses, whether operated by the State, private trust or private people, these houses are very costly to run. I pressed the foundation on this particular issue and they informed me that they had sought expert advice in regard to all aspects of their operations and that they have taken many steps to...

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No. I agree with Senator Norris that there are opportunities to increase the attractiveness of these houses. Russborough House is on a major tourism route along with Castletown House and Powerscourt, among others. I have offered in my meetings with the foundation to work across Government with the OPW and tourism interests to improve the position of the house and this offer still stands...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (23 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 657, 660 to 662, inclusive, and 666 together. As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 18 June last, the sale of these paintings is a matter for the committee of management of the Alfred Beit Foundation, which owns and operates Russborough House. My Department has no function in relation to the administration or sale of these artworks. ...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (23 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The sale of the paintings referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the owners of the artworks. My Department has no function in relation to the administration or sale of these artworks. When I met with the owners of the artworks last week, I asked them to delay the sale to allow other options to be explored. I am pleased, therefore, with the proposal to postpone the sale, in light of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hedge Cutting Season (23 Jun 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: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (23 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together. Under section 8 of the National Lottery Act 1986, the proceeds of the National Lottery are paid into the Central Fund of the Exchequer and therefore National Lottery funding is one of the constituents of Exchequer funding. The apportionment of National Lottery funding to various lines of voted expenditure is the responsibility of the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (23 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 662 of 3 February 2015, in which I indicated that my Department and Longford County Council had agreed to adopt a joint approach to the potential acquisition of this national monument for the State and that the Office of Public Works had been asked to enter negotiations with the landowner to establish if agreement could be reached on the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Bog Activity (24 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Department has not used unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor activity on bogs.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Records (24 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am informed that my Department has not deployed software to auto-delete email messages other than in circumstances where viruses or other malicious code is detected in such messages.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (24 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together. Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. There is provision in section 40(2) for some strict exemptions from the prohibition during the closed period. Vegetation such as...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Cultural Institutions (24 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the capital investment works in the National Archives, for which the Office of Public Works has lead responsibility, will commence later this year.