Results 25,881-25,900 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I direct the Deputy to section 16, which deals with the statement of strategy and which says that the National Concert Hall "shall prepare and present to the Minister, in such format as shall be approved by the Minister, a statement of strategy." Perhaps that particular phrase will alleviate the Deputy's concerns somewhat. The Minister of the day should have a good working relationship...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 5:In page 10, line 37, to delete “3 months” and substitute “6 months”. The purpose of amendments Nos. 5 and 6 is to deal with a potential timing issue that exists between the time limit for the submission of the annual report in section 17 and that for the preparation of the annual accounts in section 26. The amendments will amend section...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 6:In page 10, line 38 and in page 11, line 1, to delete all words from and including “or” in line 38 down to and including in page 11 “permits” in line 1.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have listened to the Deputy's concerns on this issue but I believe his amendment is unnecessary. This section is a standard one which reflects the approach across the public service. Following the ending of the public service moratorium on recruitment, staffing matters at the National Concert Hall can now be dealt with between it and the Department under a new delegated sanction...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Yes. As I have outlined, section 7 of the Bill provides that the "principal functions" of the National Concert Hall shall be "to provide and operate, having regard to international standards and good practice, the national venue for the performance, appreciation and enjoyment of musical, creative, artistic and cultural activities including the promotion of concerts and recitals of artistic,...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I apologise to the Deputy. His question can be answered by referring to section 5(2) of the Bill, which provides that the National Concert Hall "shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal". This section of the Bill also provides that the National Concert Hall has the "power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or an interest in land, and acquire, hold and...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: So if it wants to acquire more property, it can do so.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I apologise for the confusion.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 2a:In page 6, line 13, after " "NCH")," to insert "situated, for the time being, at Earlsfort Terrace in the city of Dublin,". I have spoken on this amendment, which clarifies the issue.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have listened to the Deputy's concerns on this issue. Amendment No. 3 purports to link section 8, which deals with the independence of the National Concert Hall, with the statement of strategy provision in section 16. I take the view that section 8 is a strong and clear statement of the independence of the National Concert Hall. This is an important statement of principle for any...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Order for Report Stage (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move amendment No. 1:In page 5, line 9, after “music;” to insert “to change the name of Bord Scannán na hÉireann;”.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: A reference to alternative venues is unnecessary. The NCH can promote the performance of music at locations other than the national venue. My officials have discussed this with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. Sections 7(b), 7(c) and 7(d) of the Bill include the possibility. We are not cutting off the opportunity for the NCH to perform outside the Earlsfort Terrace venue, and it...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Instruction to Committee (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I move:That, pursuant to Standing Order 177, Standing Order 131 is modified to permit an instruction to the Committee to which the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015 may be recommitted in respect of certain amendments, for which it has power to make provision in the Bill in relation to:(a) changing the name of the Irish Film Board to Screen Ireland or in the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Management (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As I have stated on a number of occasions, significant funding is provided through the Rural Development Programme (operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) to assist farmers in meeting the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. It is wise in my view that the Programme, co-funded with the EU, is used for such purposes. Farmers in Hen Harrier Special...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. A payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012), a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) have been made...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Road Projects Status (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established in June 2011. Since 2011, my Department has expended some €356,000 on works to roads within Killarney National Park. This included expenditure of some €26,700 in 2013 on repairs to a roadway in the Killarney Demesne area (from the Deenagh Lodge to the White...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (8 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Inter-Departmental Steering Group convened was convened in July 2014. The Group is examining all of the issues at hand, including forestry, wind farms and financial supports for farmers, with a view to determining the appropriate course of further action. Additionally, a Consultative Committee compromising of representatives from relevant sectors was set up. The Steering Group has met on...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hedge Cutting Season (7 Oct 2015)

Heather Humphreys: 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 that regard, a review of the current legislative provisions was initiated to ensure that they remain both effective and balanced. The submissions received, during a public consultation process on the matter, have been published on the website...