Results 25,841-25,860 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

Heather Humphreys: I am pleased to introduce the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill to the Seanad. The National Concert Hall has a special place in the cultural life of this country. The range of musical experiences it offers has attracted many thousands of visitors since its establishment in 1981. In 2014 alone it presented almost 900 events to almost 330,000 people. This was the...

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

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Senators for their contributions, which I listened to with great interest. Some interesting issues were raised. Regarding Senator O'Donnell's comments, this is a question of putting a proper governance structure in place. That is important, as taxpayers' money is being invested in the National Concert Hall and it must be accountable to the taxpayer through the Minister and the...

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

Heather Humphreys: As I indicated in the Dáil, I consider this Bill the most effective way of changing the board's name. It was the express wish of the board's former chair, the late Bill O'Herlihy, that its name should be changed. I promised Bill two weeks before his untimely death that I would do this because it was the right thing to do. I was pleased to have the opportunity to do so as part of this...

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.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1192 and 1193 together. The 2015 Famine Commemoration was held in Newry in September. This was the first time the event had been held in Northern Ireland and has been recognised as having been a great success with significant cross-community representation. While neither the date nor the venue for the 2016 National Famine Commemoration have yet been decided,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My role, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with regard to the protection and management of our built and natural heritage, is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation. Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the protection of the architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Census of Population Data (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Current legislative provisions, as contained in the Statistics Act 1993, require that census data must be withheld for 100 years. Accordingly, it is not possible at this time to release 1926 Census returns before the statutory period has elapsed in 2026. If the records were to be released before the expiry of 100 years, a major change in legislation and policy would be required to allow for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (3 Nov 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibites the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 march to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity. In...