Results 1,781-1,800 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

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

Heather Humphreys: The National Library is one of our foremost National Cultural Institutions, charged with collecting, preserving, promoting and making accessible the documentary and intellectual record of the life of Ireland. I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the National Library, and indeed other cultural institutions, following the significant reduction of resources available to the Exchequer as...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: EU Culture Programme (10 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The selection process for the European Capital of Culture is undertaken by an Expert panel consisting of 10 members. The European institutes and bodies appoint the members and comprise 3 members from each of the following: the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission and one member representing the Committee of the Regions together with a chair from the Commission....

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

Heather Humphreys: To qualify for inclusion in the statutory Record of Monuments and Places as issued under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, a monument must date from before 1700 AD. I understand that this cemetery, which was attached to Mount St Joseph Seminary or Monastery, catered for burials from 1825 to 1965. On that basis it does not quality for entry into the Record of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (10 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was received on 21 October 2015 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: Architectural Heritage (10 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015 was launched in October 2009 and provides the appropriate framework for architectural policy up to 2015 and beyond and is led centrally by the Built Heritage and Architectural Policy Unit in my Department. The policy places an emphasis on sustainable development of the environment and urban design, incorporates architectural heritage in a...

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

Heather Humphreys: The National Archives is one of our foremost National Cultural Institutions, with a statutory remit to collect, manage, and preserve the public record of Ireland and ensure its availability both as a resource and to safeguard citizens' rights. I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the National Archives, and indeed other cultural institutions, following the significant reduction of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Public Investment Projects (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Details of the annual funding allocation to my Department at subhead level are published in the annual Revised Estimates Volume. Through these subheads, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website at . Expenditure under these programme areas is recorded and accounted for on a national basis and it is not...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Labour Activation Measures (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised that my Department has not availed of the JobsBridge scheme to date.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Senator for his remarks.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Senators will be aware that section 10(3) provides that the Minister shall designate one member of the board to be chairperson. The effect of Sinn Féin's amendment would be to provide that the chairperson would be elected by the board members. The chairperson of any State board holds an important position of trust and competence as head of the board which has responsibility for...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to be very clear that the PAS system is now in place, it is working very well, it is very transparent and it is operated across every appointment within my Department. Senator O'Keeffe is correct when she observes that the members of the new board which comes together, all whom will have come through the PAS system and hold the right skill sets and qualifications, do not necessarily...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Subsections (8) and (9) are useful provisions as they underline the director's accountability to the Oireachtas in the particular forum of the Committee of Public Accounts. In tandem with this accountability, there is an obligation on the director not to question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government, or on the merits of the...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There are very limited categories of items in subsection 8 on which the CEO cannot comment on Government policy. So it is limited there. The CEO appears before the Committee of Public Accounts in his capacity as Accounting Officer only. As we know the Committee of Public Accounts relates to financial accountability mainly. We have tried to provide in the legislation for artistic freedom...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: It is Stetsons not stilettos so.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I did.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The effect of Senator David Norris’s stance would be to delete the section in its entirety, although this is a standard provision used in many pieces of legislation. It is considered that being a Member of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann and a member of a board of a State authority could give rise to potential conflicts of interest, for example, when it comes to funding...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Because county councillors do not vote on budgets here.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Senator misunderstands the provision.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Section 11(3) sets out a series of issues which disqualify board members, including bankruptcy and making an arrangement with creditors. This is a reasonable requirement for board members, particularly given that the NCH operates in a quasi-commercial arena. It would be prudent to continue with that provision. It only applies if someone is a member of the board and becomes bankrupt. Going...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: It does not matter which bench one sits on, the point is there could be conflict of interest. For that reason it is prudent and advisable to retain this section.