Results 25,941-25,960 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: City of Culture Initiative (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I accept that there were difficulties initially with Limerick City of Culture. I visited it and have to say it was a tremendous success. It brought a new life to Limerick. It was fantastic to see all the public art projects. I went to see what children got involved in. It really was a great success. Regarding the Deputy's question on the events she mentioned, during a programme of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Wildlife Protection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. In general, control of invasive species is a matter for landowners, and my Department carries out considerable work on control of such species in national parks and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Beit Collection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Last June, the Alfred Beit Foundation took the decision to postpone the sale of the paintings referred to in the Deputy's question in light of a request I had made to it and the emergence of Irish donors who were considering the purchase of some artworks. While conscious and respectful of the independence of the foundation, I welcomed that decision to allow the necessary breathing space to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Beit Collection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: What is important here is that we have to focus on the long-term future and viability of Russborough House and not only around the sale of the paintings. Following a request from the trustees, I wrote to the Minister, Deputy Noonan, regarding the section 1003 tax relief and whether a rate of 100% could be reinstated. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, responded to me to say that it is not his...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Question: Beit Collection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I want to make it clear that Russborough House is an independent trust set up by Sir Alfred Beit. I absolutely respect that they have made decisions themselves and they have looked at this long-term plan. We have met them. We have offered all the support we can. Late last week a meeting was held between the trustees and the interdepartmental steering group that was established by me....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Conservation (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer. I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Control is normally a matter for the owner of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to today’s Priority Question No 3. As I stated, my Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. However, in general, control of invasive species is a matter for landowners,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. My Department provides significant support for the arts and film through its funding of the Arts Council and the Film Board while my Department provides capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure. Other financial and policy supports are also...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: UNESCO Biosphere Designation (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Dublin Bay Biosphere is led by Dublin City Council and managed by means of a partnership between the 3 local authorities in the bay area (Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Fingal County Council), my Department (through the National Parks and Wildlife Service) and the Dublin Port Company. This partnership model provides my Department with a welcome opportunity...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Data (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Since 1999, a number of applications for compensation from affected industrial and commercial operators have been made to and assessed by my Department. Compensation has been paid by my Department on the basis of proven actual losses incurred as a result of the cessation of industrial and commercial turf extraction on protected sites.The total amount of such compensation, including legal...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hare Coursing (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Hare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Under the terms of the Wildlife Acts, licences are required by the Irish Coursing Club, covering their affiliated coursing clubs, if they wish to capture or tag hares for use at...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Easter Rising Commemorations (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Ireland 2016Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31stMarch 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 will be an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Funding (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Issues in relation to state supports in terms of employment or social welfare schemes are a matter for the Minister of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation or Minister for Social Welfare as relevant. The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to society and to the international artistic reputation of this country. Ireland has a reputation for...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Relocation is a complex process, which involves investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity; assessing the infrastructure/drainage works required; establishing the number that can be accommodated on a site; assessing the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease; and meeting possible planning and environmental impact assessment requirements. Progress in relocating turf...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to today’s Priority Question No 3 As I stated, my Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. However, in general, control of invasive species is a matter for landowners,...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks and Wildlife Service Staff (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Regional staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department who attend coursing meetings perform a wide variety of functions which are set out in the reply to the Deputy in Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 18 June 2015. Regional staff will continue to attend coursing meetings during the 2015/16 season, as resources allow, to monitor compliance with the conditions of the licences.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department, through the relevant development control frameworks and in co-operation with the landowner, is pursuing an archaeological response in this case that is based on preservation in-situ of those parts of the trackway where it is a realistic option and preservation by record where it is no longer viable. Most recently in that context, my Department submitted a set of...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Beit Collection (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to today’s Priority Question No. 1.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Easter Rising Commemorations (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Ireland 2016Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31stMarch last, includes a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to the formal State occasions, which will run throughout 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The Programme will be an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Management (24 Sep 2015)

Heather Humphreys: 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 (SACs), within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive. This has included intense and ongoing engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and the European Commission. A long-term compensation...