Results 25,801-25,820 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There are no current plans to mark the role played by Carrisbrook House, 122 Northumberland Road, Dublin in the Easter Rising 1916.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Fisheries Protection (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is concerned about the possible impact of Asian Clam in Lough Ree, but also aware of the great practical difficulty in eradication and/or prevention of its spread once it has arrived in any river system, as is the case in this instance. I understand that the Asian Clam has been found in surveys by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in Lough Ree. It is currently unclear to what...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Consultations (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: At its meeting on 20thJune 2014, the Government approved the drafting of a National Cultural Policy, Culture 2025, which will set out the high level aims and policies of the Government in this area in the period up until 2025. The broad aim of Culture 2025will be to reinforce the crucial role of culture in society by supporting the cultural sector and providing the conditions which will...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Easter Rising Commemorations (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I and the Ireland 2016 Project Team in my Department have been engaged in an extensive consultation process across the Government, State agency, community and voluntary sectors in order to progress the development of detailed plans for 2016. I am continuing to engage with the All Party Oireachtas Group on Commemorations, of which I am Chair and the Cabinet Committee on the 1916...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Funding for the protection of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which will be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and agencies such as the Heritage Council. I recently announced a new €2 million investment scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures. This fund will operate, via the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Easter Rising Commemorations (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The work of the local authorities is central to the 1916 Centenary Programme, with community participation one of the seven key strands of the programme. I allocated €30,000 to each of the 31 local authorities in 2015. The purpose of this funding allocation is to: -Support engagement and facilitation within local communities to generate awareness of the Ireland 2016initiative and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry Promotion (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Government recognises the value of audio-visual industry in its contribution to the economy and to employment and will continue to take measures to support the industry. Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions, is the responsibility of the Irish Film Board. This includes assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In welcoming Budget 2016 in October I stated that the economic recovery has allowed for a 12% increase in my Department’s Budget for 2016. This will provide additional funding across a range of areas including the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, a new investment programme for regional arts and cultural centres and a boost in my Department’s heritage budget. Key highlights of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 228 together. Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by my Department and is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, and specifically in its funding decisions.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Ireland 2016 Centenary programme is an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities – all designed to facilitate reflection, commemoration, celebration, debate and analysis and an active imagining of our future. The five themes, which underpin the programme...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31st March 2015, will include a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to formal State occasions, running throughout 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The programme is an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 227 together. I am advised by Waterways Ireland that its inspectorate continues to advise, make aware and educate its recreational boating customers across all Waterways Ireland navigations with respect to their obligations under the various navigation bye-laws. Where bye-law contraventions are noted, owners are informed by various means...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (12 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together. Since this Government has come into office, huge efforts have been made to solve the issue of the protection of Ireland's raised bog special areas of conservation, within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive. This has included intense and ongoing engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and...

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.