Results 1,621-1,640 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (22 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1707 and 1710 together. I have asked my Department’s regional staff in Killarney National Park to examine the foliage at the location referred to and to assess whether any trimming back of foliage and/or trees is required in the interests of the safety of the public. With regard to the road from Muckross House to Dinis Cottage, my Department will assess...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (22 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Regulation 25 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 requires the owner or occupier of a European site to notify any person to whom he or she is disposing of the site or of an interest in the site (such as turbary or sporting rights) that the site is a European site and of any consequent restrictions applying to the site. Regulation 25 does not relate to a...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (22 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, there is existing signage on both approaches which indicates the presence of the facilities referred to. I have asked my Department’s staff in the region to liaise with Kerry County Council and the National Roads Authority, as appropriate, to review the efficacy of existing signage.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Road Network (22 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that the development and management of this project is a matter for Galway County Council.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Functions (22 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has an Internal Audit Unit and an Audit Committee, both of which operate under established charters approved by the Secretary General of my Department. The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is the external auditor for my Department and conducts an audit of its Appropriation Account each year. The Internal Audit Unit in my Department has a co-operative...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Contracts Data (22 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Expenditure from my Department's Administrative Budget in 2014 on externally-provided services such as IT services, staff training and development, office cleaning and security, in respect of my Department’s main offices in Dublin, Killarney and Na Forbacha was €1.9m.As I have previously indicated to the House, overall expenditure on professional and technical services by my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (23 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department provides significant funding towards numerous cultural events and bodies, which are of great economic and social benefit to the State. For example, my Department supports the annual Culture Night event, which has grown from a relatively small-scale cultural event, staged only in Dublin, in 2006 to the significant national cultural event it now is. Culture Night 2015 had over...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (23 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department, through the relevant development control frameworks and in co-operation with the landowner, is pursuing an archaeological response in this case that is based on preservation in-situ of those parts of the trackway where it is a realistic option and preservation by record where it is no longer viable. Most recently in that context, my Department submitted a set of archaeological...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (23 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Although the monument site referred to is listed in the 1995 Record of Monuments and Places established under the National Monuments Acts, it would be important to note that there were no surviving archaeological features above ground even at that time. The site was, until recently, in the ownership of the local authority. In line with its statutory obligations under Part 8 of the Planning...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hare Coursing (23 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Nos. 1696, 1697, 1711, 1712 and 1713 of 22 September 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (23 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I receive numerous invitations from groups and individuals for meetings, events and conferences in relation to various issues which are pertinent to my Department. It is not always possible for me to accept such invitations.With regard to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference (dealing with wildlife crime), a senior official of my Department opened that event on 13thSeptember last on my...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Beit Collection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Last June, the Alfred Beit Foundation took the decision to postpone the sale of the paintings referred to in the Deputy's question in light of a request I had made to it and the emergence of Irish donors who were considering the purchase of some artworks. While conscious and respectful of the independence of the foundation, I welcomed that decision to allow the necessary breathing space to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Beit Collection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: What is important here is that we have to focus on the long-term future and viability of Russborough House and not only around the sale of the paintings. Following a request from the trustees, I wrote to the Minister, Deputy Noonan, regarding the section 1003 tax relief and whether a rate of 100% could be reinstated. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, responded to me to say that it is not his...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Beit Collection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I want to make it clear that Russborough House is an independent trust set up by Sir Alfred Beit. I absolutely respect that they have made decisions themselves and they have looked at this long-term plan. We have met them. We have offered all the support we can. Late last week a meeting was held between the trustees and the interdepartmental steering group that was established by me....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: City of Culture Initiative (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In budget 2014, an allocation of €6 million was made to Limerick City of Culture 2014 to be paid through the Vote of my Department. In November 2014, sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, on foot of an application from Limerick City and County Council, for applying additional funding of up to €1.5 million to Limerick City of Culture from...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: City of Culture Initiative (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I do not agree that the whole thing was a debacle. In fact Limerick City of Culture was a huge success. The Government initially committed €6 million for Limerick City of Culture. Following an application from Limerick City and County Council, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform last November sanctioned additional funding of up to €1.5 million from savings in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: City of Culture Initiative (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I accept that there were difficulties initially with Limerick City of Culture. I visited it and have to say it was a tremendous success. It brought a new life to Limerick. It was fantastic to see all the public art projects. I went to see what children got involved in. It really was a great success. Regarding the Deputy's question on the events she mentioned, during a programme of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Wildlife Protection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. In general, control of invasive species is a matter for landowners, and my Department carries out considerable work on control of such species in national parks and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Wildlife Protection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am responsible for the enforcement of legislation, including the Wildlife Acts and the birds and natural habitats regulations of 2011, prohibiting the release or introduction of listed invasive species, or allowing them to spread. However, responsibility for the control of invasive species normally lies with the landowner. As Minister, I am not responsible for or resourced to control...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Wildlife Protection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In general, the landowner is responsible for control. As with the Noxious Weeds Act, the legislation in question is complex to enforce in practice. In this case, it requires a multi-agency response, and that is what is happening. We have to work together. The problem is serious and I accept that. Some work has been done on it. Following the initial identification of the Asian clam in...