Results 1,521-1,540 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

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

Heather Humphreys: The National Library of Ireland is a statutorily independent body. While my Department provides funding to the national cultural institutions, the management and board of each institution are responsible for all operational matters, including storage, security and conservation, and I do not have a statutory function in respect of such day-to-day matters. It is the responsibility of the...

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

Heather Humphreys: At present, the State archaeological services are concentrating on delivering the highest standards of excavation and recording of the Armada wreck site of the Juliana at Streedagh, as well as arranging for the conservation of the cannons recently retrieved from the site. This work will take a considerable length of time to complete and the conservation of the cannons is the first priority...

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

Heather Humphreys: Responsibility for operation and management of the cable car is entirely a matter for Cork County Council and I have no statutory function in the matter.

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

Heather Humphreys: I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers here. The Deputy will appreciate that control is normally a matter for the owner of the property on which the deer occur. On lands managed by my Department, controls may be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences. In addition, my Department, together with...

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

Heather Humphreys: My Department has commenced an examination of the issues involved in the commencement of certain provisions in the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 in relation to the export licensing system. I propose to bring this examination to a conclusion shortly. My Department will also examine other alternatives for the longer term.

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

Heather Humphreys: Responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of archaeological monuments that are subject to the protections of the National Monuments Acts generally rests with the monument owners. National monuments in my ownership, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, are maintained by the Office of Public Works.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Order for Second Stage (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015. The National Concert Hall is one of the State's most important cultural institutions and it plays an essential part in the cultural life of the country through its high-standard musical programme. The purpose of the Bill is to convert the...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputies and the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, for their contributions to, and support for, the Bill. I acknowledge the work of the former Minister, the current Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, who commenced this Bill some time ago. I listened with interest to the input of Deputies on all sides and the various issues raised will be considered further in the...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Referral to Select Committee (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is aware of the matter referred to and will keep it under review within the context of the limited funding resources available for the management of National Parks and Nature Reserves across the country.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation, under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, has been received by my Department from each of the individuals referred to in the Deputy’s Question. The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:· The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Natura 2000 is the centrepiece of EU nature and biodiversity policy. It is an EU-wide network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive. The aim of the network is to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. It is comprised of special areas of conservation (also referred to as sites of community importance in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There is a facility, under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, for a person to obtain a permit, outside the Open Seasons, from my Department to take action in certain situations where serious damage is being caused by protected animals and wild birds. Such action might include the scaring, capture or killing of species. Applications for permits are considered by officials of the National Parks...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Gallery (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, together. I am advised that, since the establishment of my Department on 2 June 2011, my Department has not discussed the issues referred to in the Deputy’s Questions with the National Gallery at the quarterly liaison meetings. Ongoing matters relating to the contract and duties of the Director of the National Gallery are in the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications (25 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:· The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right; · The...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: City of Culture Initiative (30 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An allocation of €6m was made in Budget 2014 to Limerick City of Culture. By letter dated 25 November 2014, Limerick City and County Council applied for an additional amount of €1.5m. Following consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the identification of possible savings on Vote 33, my Department applied for and received sanction for virement of up...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Natural Heritage Areas Designation (30 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network waspublished in January 2014and concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf-cutting on certain natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017 and the partial or complete...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (30 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Each local authority has appointed a steering committee and a dedicated ‘Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme’ co-ordinator, to support engagement and facilitation within local communities to generate awareness of the national programme; and to develop and deliver a plan for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level in line with the national...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (30 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Brú na Bóinne Management Plan is currently under review and a public consultation forum was arranged by my Department in February 2015 to outline details of the new draft plan to local residents and other interested parties. The general public was also invited to provide observations on the draft plan through national and local media with a closing date of 10 April 2015. The...