Results 25,361-25,380 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Road Network (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I understand the importance of this road for the area. It is good for the region, for tourism and for the people who live in the area. The Deputy will understand that I have obligations, under EU law, around nature conservation. I have to try to balance these in order to contribute to a positive outcome for the region. My officials have been working with the local authority to progress...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Road Network (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Absolutely, that can happen. I will come back to the Deputy on this through the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, and they can arrange that meeting.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Road Network (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I understand the Deputy's concerns but he will understand there is balance to be struck here. It is about trying to work towards a solution and striking the right balance. The European Commission has written to me on this project indicating a particular concern with respect to the pearl mussel and we cannot ignore that. This is all part of the habitats directive. My officials are prepared...

Other Questions: Departmental Functions (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: In response to Deputy Casey's question regarding rural and regional development, details of the reassignment of responsibilities among Departments, including my own, were outlined by the Taoiseach in his statement to Dáil Éireann of 6 May last. Officials of my Department have been engaging with their counterparts in other relevant Departments to establish the precise details of the...

Other Questions: Departmental Functions (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Yes.

Other Questions: Departmental Functions (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I will answer Deputy Toíbín's question first. Most of the functions will be transferred next week. The transfer of all the rural affairs functions from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will be done next week. The broadband provision and rural post offices functions will be done very shortly, and probably the following week, but the transfer of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Budgets (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I am committed to increasing funding for the arts as the economy improves. We will have additional resources only if we maintain a growing economy through prudent economic management. The Deputy knows the budgetary process and I will make the case to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Budgets (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: No, but I will do so and seek to hold on to as much as possible of the additional funding that was achieved for the 1916 Rising commemorations.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Budgets (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: At least two weeks ago, I stated very clearly how successful the investment in the arts had been during the commemorations. We are on the same hymn sheet.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I congratulate my constituency colleague, Deputy Niamh Smyth, on her appointment as Fianna Fáil spokesperson on the arts. I look forward to working with her on national and local issues. She has a great interest in the arts, particularly given her role in the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, ETB, arts in education initiative which was very successfully piloted through...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: We have the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and added to its brief are regional development and rural affairs. I am looking forward to taking up the new role. To assist me, I have the Ministers of State, Deputies Seán Kyne and Michael Ring. With a bigger Department comes more staff and resources which I can use for the benefit of the arts, given that they are part of a...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: As the senior Minister, I retain responsibility for the arts which are in no way diminished in the new portfolio. They are not being downgraded. I have met a number of arts organisations. Last week, for example, I met the National Campaign for the Arts. The arts have a vital role to play in rural Ireland. The Deputy will be familiar with the new, state-of-the-art Garage Theatre in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Arts Funding (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: It was one of the first arts institutions to be funded on a cross-Border basis. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council in Dublin both fund it.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Road Network (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has had extensive engagement, including significant pre-planning engagement, with Galway County Council on the projects referred to by the Deputy. My Department has continued its considerable engagement following An Bord Pleanála’s consent for the Oughterard to Maam Cross section of the road project. Some eight method statements have been received to date on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I have two decisions to make. I must look at the site on Moore Street in the context of the judgment and I must also look at its wider potential implications. I need to look at whether there are broader planning and development issues nationally. I am still assessing the potential impacts and consulting other Departments. I am also taking legal advice on the matter. I am, therefore, not...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I accept that the location is evocative. I want to see us preserving the buildings which include the final headquarters of the 1916 leaders. The intention always was to restore the buildings, 14 to 17 Moore Street, to their 1916 state in order that visitors would be able to take a step-back in time. I am consulting other Departments and whenever the decision is made on the ruling in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Budgets (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Funding across the public service, including that which could be provided for investment in culture and the arts, was severely impacted on by the economic crisis. However, since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the sector year on year. The allocation for the Arts Council in 2016 is €60.1 million,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Budgets (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: I have already stated I want to retain as much as possible of the additional funding for commemorations in the 2016 budget for the cultural sector. It is something on which I am keen because there was significant investment in the arts during the recent 2016 commemorative programme. The arts were very much at the centre of the commemorative programme which has done a tremendous job in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Standing Orders have been changed. I am sorry, but I thought-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Monuments (1 Jun 2016)

Heather Humphreys: Gabh mo leithscéal. Following the High Court's ruling, progress on the 1916 commemorative centre and conservation project on Moore Street has ceased and arrangements are being made to have limited works, as approved by the court, carried out as soon as possible to preserve and protect the buildings at 14 to 17 Moore Street for the time being. The objective of the works will be to...