Results 26,121-26,140 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No. I agree with Senator Norris that there are opportunities to increase the attractiveness of these houses. Russborough House is on a major tourism route along with Castletown House and Powerscourt, among others. I have offered in my meetings with the foundation to work across Government with the OPW and tourism interests to improve the position of the house and this offer still stands...

Other Questions: Film Industry (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The group has met a number of times. An interdepartmental group comprising officials from my Department and other relevant Departments and agencies, it is to examine and report on recommendations. It has not yet produced a report on how to maximise the opportunities that the film industry can provide in Ireland, but as soon as it does, I will be happy to publish that. The CEO of the...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Relocation is a complex process. It involves investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity, determining the infrastructure-drainage works required, establishing the number that can be accommodated on the site and the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease, and meeting possible planning and environmental impact assessment requirements. Notwithstanding this complexity,...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No.

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: This Government has put in place more resources and made greater efforts to resolve the issue of protecting Ireland's SAC raised bogs than any previous government. It is a complex issue in some areas. Progress has undoubtedly been made. Some 3,091 applications have been received under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for SAC raised bogs. Of these, 755 applications, or...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wildlife Protection (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: We work very closely with the Garda, which is investigating the issues around the fires in Killarney National Park. Where evidence is forthcoming, the Garda is tasked to pursue appropriate enforcement under the Wildlife Act or other legislation. My Department is one of a number of agencies represented on the inter-agency gorse fire group, which explores issues surrounding wildfires. An...

Other Questions: Film Industry (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this. Before I answer his question, I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Bill O'Herlihy. Bill was the chairman of the Irish Film Board and I had the pleasure of working with him since my appointment as Minister. He was a true gentleman and a superb advocate for the Irish film industry. He was utterly committed to the role and had...

Other Questions: Film Industry (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The figure for the Irish Film Board in 2015 is €14.6 million. There is great excitement about the potential of our film industry. We had a good meeting with Pinewood Studios. Ireland is seen as an attractive location for the industry. We have made it clear that we want to work with the indigenous and international industries. It is not just direct jobs that are provided, as there...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Music Industry Promotion (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I acknowledge there is an issue with the level of airplay. This matter has been raised previously. While the concerns the Deputy raises do not fall within the scope of my Department, I am anxious to support the music industry in whatever way I can and I would be pleased to work with the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Music Industry Promotion (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I fully concur with the Deputy that successful artists provide significant value to the country. I intend to publish a discussion document on Culture 2025 in the next week or two and the Deputy's suggestions should feed into this process. While the establishment of a music Ireland office would be a good idea, it would involve a number of Departments given the complexity of the music...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wildlife Protection (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: While some environmental damage to our uplands has occurred in recent years, much of it as a result of illegal burning, as evidenced by the recent spate of fires in various parts of the country, it is important to note that some improvements have occurred. The serious overgrazing that resulted in many western uplands being stripped of all vegetation has now ceased and the hills in question...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Wildlife Protection (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: To clarify the Deputy's first point, when I spoke about this issue on a local radio station in Kerry, I was speaking specifically about County Kerry. I am aware that fires also occurred in other locations that fall within special areas of conservation and special protection areas, which come within the remit of my Department. Significant environmental damage is caused by illegal burning,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Both the National Library and the National Museum are statutory independent bodies. While my Department provides funding to these national cultural institutions, the management and board of each institution are responsible for all operational matters, including storage, security and conservation. Accordingly, I do not have a statutory function in respect of such day-to-day matters. It is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I appreciate the Deputy’s concerns about the fire hazards in the National Library. An audit of safety and security of the library's collections was carried out sometime ago and outside personnel were brought in to examine it. I accept there is a need for further investment in this regard. As the economy continues to improve, I hope we will be able to increase investment in our...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: There are significant plans in place to have the National Archives building converted with the right conditions to preserve these important records. While the work has not started, the capital investment has been approved for it. It is important that these archival materials and documents are kept safe. The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, PRONI, has been in place a lot longer...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Music Industry Promotion (18 Jun 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 to the industry through its funding of the Arts Council, through capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure and through other financial and policy supports. I was particularly pleased the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alfred Beit Foundation (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: They are safe. They are in the National Gallery.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alfred Beit Foundation (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: They are safe. He donated those to the State. That is what we must be clear about. We own those. The Alfred Beit Foundation itself is responsible. Its memorandum and articles of association, which I have gone through in great detail and which Sir Alfred Beit himself, and his good wife, Lady Beit, signed, clearly states that it may "sell, lease or otherwise deal with or dispose of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My primary function in this case arises from the preservation order that was placed on Nos. 14-17 Moore Street under the National Monuments Acts in 2007 in order to protect No. 16 as the site of the final council of war and final headquarters of the leaders of the 1916 Rising. After extensive deliberations, ministerial consent was given to the owners of the national monument in April 2014...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Monuments (18 Jun 2015)

Heather Humphreys: First, my priority is to acquire the monument, secure the buildings, restore them and develop the monument as a public commemorative facility in time for the centenary celebrations in 2016. I understand that there have been meetings with Dublin City Council and that it has plans to look at the wider issues around that area. That is a matter for Dublin City Council because under the Planning...