Results 1,761-1,780 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The PAS approach is the system.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Section 5's wording is a reflection of the balance between the National Concert Hall's occupation of Earlsfort Terrace and the latter's ownership by the Office of Public Works, OPW. The Minister will take account of general guidelines issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that standard procedures will be used across the public sector. Section 13(3) takes account...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I will revert to the Senator after checking on it.I will now turn to the issue of Senators on the board. This is a standard provision. If Senators were on the board of the National Concert Hall and also serving in the Seanad there is a potential conflict of interest with regard to funding and policy. Therefore, I believe it is prudent to retain this provision in the Bill.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My officials have taken note. I think that much of what has been raised has been covered. If there is something else to discuss I will come back to the House about it.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I ask Senators who intend to bring forward amendments to the Bill to give the Department officials sight of those amendments at an early stage in order that, where possible and appropriate, the amendments can be given due consideration in a decent timeframe. I commend the Bill to the House.

Topical Issue Debate: National Library (4 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The National Library is one of our foremost national cultural institutions. It not only enhances our understanding and appreciation of our nation's history, it helps us tell our story to an international audience. The National Library, which is housed beside us here on Kildare Street, is an increasingly popular attraction for Irish visitors and...

Topical Issue Debate: National Library (4 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The outgoing board wrote to me at the end of its term, at a time of change for the library, with its members' thoughts on the challenges facing the institution. There were, however, also some good things in the letter in which they expressed their appreciation of the interest I had shown in the library since I had taken up office. In turn, I appreciate their efforts in serving on the board...

Topical Issue Debate: National Library (4 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I will get to that issue in one minute. My Department has also been working closely with the newly appointed director of the library, Dr. Sandra Collins, to address its needs in terms of resources and investment. By working together we intend to begin to address the most pressing needs of the library in the coming years. The outgoing board stated the building on Kildare Street needed...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (4 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that a deer hunting licence has recently issued to the applicant referred to by the Deputy.In overall terms, my Department has received over 4,500 applications for deer hunting licences to date in 2015, of which some 4,400 applications have now been processed. I understand that any delays arising have been substantially reduced.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Data (4 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: 11% of the staff in my Department are capable of dealing with the public through Irish. My Department supports staff in improving their Irish language skills at all levels of proficiency and for example actively promotes the Certificate in Professional Irish, which is a part-time programme delivered by Gaelchultúr to help public sector employees provide a higher level of customer...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (4 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: All but two of the non-commercial semi-state bodies under the aegis of my Department - the National Concert Hall and the Chester Beatty Library - are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. As a company limited by guarantee, the National Concert Hall is required to produce Annual Accounts for audit in accordance with the Companies Acts. The Annual Reports and Accounts of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Afforestation Programme (5 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Afforestation licences and the terms, conditions and timing of the Locally-Led Agri Environment Scheme are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. An Inter-Departmental Steering Group was convened in July 2014 to assist in the development of a Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan. In this regard, the Group is examining all of the issues at hand,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Staff Relocation (5 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department does not maintain a formal transfer list. I can advise the Deputy, however, that two members of staff of my Department have applied for transfer to a different location. Both requests are being considered in light of the business needs of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (5 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together. The Government decided to acquire the national monument at Nos. 14–17 Moore Street because of its historic association with the events of Easter 1916. This decision demonstrates and acknowledges the historical importance of the site in a clear and substantive way and ensures that the long-term future of this historical...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (10 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Firstly, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions No. 1197 and 1209 of 3 November last. I take it that this question refers to species not currently listed in relevant schedules of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, Statutory Instrument Number 477 of 2011; and wish to advise that, while I have no plans at this time to extend the list of species covered by...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (10 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to confirm that a letter has now issued from my Department to Cork City Council notifying them of the allocations that are being made to this project from my Department's vote in the context of the Government's Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan for the period 2016 to 2021 Building on Recovery. My Department will work closely with Cork City Council, which is leading on the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Deer Cull (10 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. With regard to Killarney National Park, every year, as part of the ongoing management of deer populations within the Park, deer numbers may need to be reduced. It is intended to commence culling later this month, once the rut has finished. This work will be undertaken by qualified and competent National Parks and Wildlife Service...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Management (10 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation are designated in accordance with the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive and EU Birds Directive, which have been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Both designations occur within the Shannon Callows. A habitat enhancement scheme (known as the National...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Road Safety (10 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. It should be noted that while the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department does licence hunting of Deer, my Department does not own the deer population. They roam freely throughout the countryside and are present in many parts of the country. My Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine...