Results 26,321-26,340 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: 3,076 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been received and acknowledged by my Department. Of these, 768 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. Relocation is a complex process in terms of - investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity; - the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Duncannon Fort is a monument of major historical importance, not alone for Duncannon itself and County Wexford but for the whole country. While part of the site is in my guardianship under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004, it is owned in its entirety by Wexford County Council. The Council operates the sites as a visitor attraction through a body called The Duncannon Trust, which...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The Bull Island is monitored regularly by officers from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. Despite these efforts and those of local landowners, the hare population there has remained at very low levels for the past 20 years. A 1995 estimate put the population at 15-20 animals. Since then there has been some declines, as well as introductions during the 1990s. One...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Biodiversity Plan (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Ireland’s 2nd National Biodiversity Plan, entitled Actions For Biodiversity 2011-2016, was approved by Government and published in 2011. Its broad objectives are to mainstream biodiversity into decision-making; to improve the biodiversity knowledge base; to increase awareness; to conserve and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services in protected areas, in the wider countryside and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Library (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The National Library of Ireland (NLI) is a statutorily independent body. While my Department provides funding to the national cultural institutions, the management and board of each institution are responsible for all operational matters and I do not have a statutory function in respect of such day-to-day matters. It is the responsibility of the management and the board of each institution...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Statutory protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities under Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Under the Act, each planning authority is required, for the purpose of protecting structures or parts of structures which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Since this Government has come into office, huge efforts have been made to resolve 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 much engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission. A long term compensation scheme was...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to today’s Question No 14. The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 makes it an offence to hunt deer with two or more dogs. It is understood that since the enactment of the legislation the hunt in question have operated a “drag hunt” in order to comply with the legislation. This form of hunting involves the release of a deer to set a scent over...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that under Planning and Development legislation, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, the type of fencing described is generally considered to be exempted development but that if an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment of the development is required, it would not be considered exempted....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: One of the core objectives of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31 March, is to encourage and facilitate participation by the citizens of Ireland to the greatest extent possible in the programme of events to commemorate this significant centenary. The Community Participation programme strand will be led by local authorities across the country and I have allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Flag (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Throughout 2016, there will be ceremonies, events and programmes marking the significance of the National Flag in our historical and cultural narrative in the 100 years since the Rising. One of the core objectives of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31st March, is to capture the imagination of our young people so that they may better understand the events of 1916....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turbary Rights (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The regional service of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department investigates all reports of illegal turf cutting and, where the evidence so dictates, further actions to secure compliance are taken. These actions may ultimately lead to court proceedings being initiated. It is not the policy of my Department to comment on individual instances of non-compliance or the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: As I outlined in my reply to today’s Priority Questions Nos 1 and 2, 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. The area surrounding the Moore...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Protection Areas Designation (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are designated in accordance with the provisions of the EU Birds Directive, which has been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Member States are obliged to provide protection for listed species in the Birds Directive through the designation and management of SPAs. I do not have any plans to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry Development (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: 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 with locations for the making of films. The Film Board has a good track record of using locations throughout Ireland, and Irish scenery is considered as a major asset in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels, including music and musical performance, is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council operates under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, which provides, inter alia, that the Council is independent in the performance of its functions in funding the arts. Full details are available on the Council's website at...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Inland Waterways Development (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions No. 654 of 10 February 2015 and No. 169 of 11 March 2015. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the proposed bye-laws that Waterways Ireland intends to make in order to enhance the management of the canals for all canal users. Waterways Ireland undertook a public consultation process in relation to the proposed...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (30 Apr 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, capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure, and through other financial and policy supports. I was particularly pleased that the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Monuments (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My principal role in relation to archaeological excavation is as licensing authority under section 26 of the National Monuments Act 1930. A person may not dig or excavate for the purposes of searching for archaeological objects, or any for any other archaeological purpose, other than in accordance with a licence from my Department. In 2014 I granted 462 archaeological excavation licences....

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (30 Apr 2015)

Heather Humphreys: In relation to sites or heritage buildings deemed to be endangered, a priority list of is not available. However, there are a number of ways in which my Department is made aware of possible risk to sites or heritage buildings, one of these being the receipt of applications for funding for their repair, conservation, preservation or safeguarding. In that regard, funding for the protection of...