Results 26,541-26,560 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (17 Feb 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. The application, which was submitted in October 2014, did not include all of the requisite information to enable an assessment of the application to be undertaken. My Department has been in contact with...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (17 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The composition of the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan Consultative Committee is still under consideration. However, it is my intention that the Committee will include a farmer or farmers with lands designated as a Special Protection Area for the Hen Harrier.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (17 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Special Areas of Conservation are designated in accordance with the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive, which has been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. De-designation of a special area of conservation is provided for in Article 9 of the Habitats Directive. This article provides that this can only be done by the...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (17 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: At the time of the initial designation process for Ireland’s network of special areas of conservation, my Department sourced its land-ownership information from a number of sources, including the Property Registration Authority, the then Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (as successor to the Irish Land Commission), the Land Parcel Identification System used by that...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (17 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Wild mink are not a protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 and can be controlled by farmers, landowners and others. A study commissioned by my Department, and published in 2009, estimated the population of mink living in the wild in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals, and identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Easter Rising Commemorations (17 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together. The objective of the Ireland 2016 initiative, which I am leading and which was formally launched on 12November 2014, is to develop, coordinate and deliver a programme to honour and remember those who fought or died in the 1916 Easter Rising. I, together with my Government colleagues, am committed to ensuring that the commemorations to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (17 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Last year, I established a 2016 Project Office in my Department, which has responsibility for co-ordinating and leading on all activities relating to the development and implementation of the Ireland 2016initiative, focused on the commemoration of the centenary of the events of the 1916 Easter Rising. The Director of Market Development at Fáilte Ireland has been seconded to my...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (17 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The intention to designate the Lough Corrib special area of conservation was advertised in August 1999. In 2006, in order to meet Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats Directive, 25 river special areas of conservation, including the Lough Corrib site, had their boundaries amended to include important salmon spawning areas that had not been included in the proposed special areas...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Postcode System Expenditure (17 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I am informed that my Department does not envisage any major costs arising from adopting the Eircode system, apart from any incidental costs that may relate to showing the Eircode on departmental stationery, websites and other places where addresses are displayed.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Mental Health Awareness (12 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I have noted and very much welcome this worthwhile initiative, which is aimed at colleges, schools, clubs and other youth organisations. The objective is to encourage such organisations to put in place programmes to combat the scourge of suicide and promote positive mental health. The Amber Flag scheme is one in which the flag is earned following the introduction of mental health programs...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Gorse Burning (12 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together. Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits 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...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Easter Rising Commemorations (12 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Plans to commemorate the 1916 Rising are well underway. The aim of the commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising is to have a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to formal state occasions, which will run throughout 2016. In this regard, I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments (12 Feb 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. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2011), €1,500 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2012) and €1,518 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2013) have been made to this...

Other Questions: Wildlife Conservation (10 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: My Department, in conjunction with a number of other Departments and agencies, has been engaged in a significant programme of work to meet the requirements of this case since the judgment issued in 2007. The majority of issues in the judgment have now been addressed to the satisfaction of the European Commission and no fines have been applied against the State. However, the case is not yet...

Other Questions: Wildlife Conservation (10 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: Under the new rural development programme, GLAS, some assistance is available for farmers. The scheme, which is operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, continues to provide payments for farmers under the corncrake grant scheme, which is offered to farmers with calling corncrake on their land in a given year, and for a small number of five-year farm plans. With regard...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (10 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The report entitled Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, which is available to download from the Department’s website, provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bog natural heritage areas. The reviewhas concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (10 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: This document is definitely one of my priorities. It is a very important document and is the first of its kind. It will focus on the meaning of culture in the 21st century. Within the next few weeks the draft document will be published and made available for consultation. I agree with the Deputy that the timescales are short, but we intend to make it available in order that people can...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (10 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: I accept the arm's length principle by which the Arts Council works and also the cultural institutions. I refer to the legislation to put the National Concert Hall on a statutory footing. The institution will be accountable to the Minister for its corporate governance and how it spends its budget. Monetary controls will be in place. However, the artistic side of the cultural institutions...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategies (10 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: The strategy is the first step to meeting our obligations under the European Landscape Convention adopted in 2000 and ratified by Ireland in 2002. The definition of landscape drawn up by the European Landscape Convention reflects the concept that landscapes evolve through time as a result of being acted upon by natural and human forces. It also underlines the fact that the landscape is...

Other Questions: Cultural Policy (10 Feb 2015)

Heather Humphreys: No, we certainly will not. We will publish it in 2015. I am committed to the delivery of the country's first ever national cultural policy - culture 2025. In this regard, I plan to initiate a wide-scale consultation process to ensure that all stakeholders and members of the public can make their views known. With that in mind, I have initiated some general discussion on issues around the...