Results 1,721-1,740 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I apologise to the Deputy. His question can be answered by referring to section 5(2) of the Bill, which provides that the National Concert Hall "shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal". This section of the Bill also provides that the National Concert Hall has the "power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or an interest in land, and acquire, hold and...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: So if it wants to acquire more property, it can do so.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I apologise for the confusion.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 2a:In page 6, line 13, after " "NCH")," to insert "situated, for the time being, at Earlsfort Terrace in the city of Dublin,". I have spoken on this amendment, which clarifies the issue.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have listened to the Deputy's concerns on this issue. Amendment No. 3 purports to link section 8, which deals with the independence of the National Concert Hall, with the statement of strategy provision in section 16. I take the view that section 8 is a strong and clear statement of the independence of the National Concert Hall. This is an important statement of principle for any...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I direct the Deputy to section 16, which deals with the statement of strategy and which says that the National Concert Hall "shall prepare and present to the Minister, in such format as shall be approved by the Minister, a statement of strategy." Perhaps that particular phrase will alleviate the Deputy's concerns somewhat. The Minister of the day should have a good working relationship...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 5:In page 10, line 37, to delete “3 months” and substitute “6 months”. The purpose of amendments Nos. 5 and 6 is to deal with a potential timing issue that exists between the time limit for the submission of the annual report in section 17 and that for the preparation of the annual accounts in section 26. The amendments will amend section...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 6:In page 10, line 38 and in page 11, line 1, to delete all words from and including “or” in line 38 down to and including in page 11 “permits” in line 1.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have listened to the Deputy's concerns on this issue but I believe his amendment is unnecessary. This section is a standard one which reflects the approach across the public service. Following the ending of the public service moratorium on recruitment, staffing matters at the National Concert Hall can now be dealt with between it and the Department under a new delegated sanction...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 8:In page 21, after line 15, to insert the following: "PART 7 MISCELLANEOUSChange of name of Bord Scannán na hÉireann to Fís Éireann 39. (1) The name of the body (established by section 3 of the Irish Film Board Act 1980) the present name of which is, in the Irish language, Bord Scannán na hÉireann and in the English language, the Irish Film...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Management (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As I have stated on a number of occasions, significant funding is provided through the Rural Development Programme (operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) to assist farmers in meeting the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. It is wise in my view that the Programme, co-funded with the EU, is used for such purposes. Farmers in Hen Harrier Special...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (8 Oct 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. A payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012), a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) have been made...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Road Projects Status (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established in June 2011. Since 2011, my Department has expended some €356,000 on works to roads within Killarney National Park. This included expenditure of some €26,700 in 2013 on repairs to a roadway in the Killarney Demesne area (from the Deenagh Lodge to the White...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Inter-Departmental Steering Group convened was convened in July 2014. The Group is examining all of the issues at hand, including forestry, wind farms and financial supports for farmers, with a view to determining the appropriate course of further action. Additionally, a Consultative Committee compromising of representatives from relevant sectors was set up. The Steering Group has met on...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Appeals (13 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: It is necessary that the designations appeals process be completed in the appropriate manner in order to meet the requirements of the relevant European Union legislation. Following the completion of a Departmental review of an objection to the proposed designation of a site as a special area of conservation or special protection area, landowners may opt to take their cases to the...

Financial Resolutions 2016 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As has been said in this House throughout the afternoon, this budget is about not only spreading the recovery but securing it. As Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am acutely aware of the impact of the economic crisis on the sectors under my remit. Budgets across my Department were hit very hard following the economic collapse, reflecting the burden shouldered by people...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Archaeological Sites (14 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is continuing its consideration of the various aspects of this proposed land acquisition, including the financial costs involved. The merits of the proposal must, of course, be considered within the context of value for money and the limited funds available to my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry Tax Reliefs (14 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Key statistics in relation to Certification of Projects under Section 481 of The Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, are regularly published on my Department's website at the following link . I understand that the Revenue Commissioners publish on their website the beneficiaries of tax relief under S481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997), as amended (Film Relief Scheme).

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Appointments to State Boards (14 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: On 30 September 2014, the Government introduced a new system for appointments to State Boards. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) now advertises all vacancies on its State Boards portal www.stateboards.ieand applications must be processed by way of a transparent assessment system designed and implemented by PAS. Officials of my Department are in discussions with PAS on the matter and I...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (20 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As outlined in my previous reply, owners or occupiers of land may seek further information with regard to site boundaries, activities that require consent or other relevant matters by contacting local staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. Contact details can be found on www.npws.ie. The Law Society of Ireland is not a statutory consultee in this matter.