Results 2,761-2,780 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Turbary Rights (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Although the number has not been verified, I understand there are approximately 1,500 active turf cutters in the designated bogs. More than 500 people, nearly 33%, have applied for compensation. Deputy Durkan asked whether it was down to inadequate compensation or the principle of not being allowed to cut turf on their own bogs that people had grievances. For some, including Deputy Charles...

Built Heritage (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Owing to the economic crises, and the significant reductions in the capital allocations provided to my Department, the resources available to me for the provision of grants for the protection of the built heritage are limited. None the less my Department supports a number of schemes. In 2011, I provided €650,000 through a structures at risk fund to assist with works to safeguard...

Built Heritage (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The elements that came into the new Department had already been severely cut between 2008 and 2011. Heritage was hit with an 83% reduction. The reduction this year means there will be less funding for the protection of the built heritage. We are doing our best to ensure that with the limited resources we have, we achieve as much as possible with those resources. We had a huge allocation...

Special Areas of Conservation (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Any decision to declassify a special area of conservation is one for the European Commission in accordance with Article 9 of the habitats directive. Furthermore, the article provides that the Commission may only consider the declassification of a special area of conservation where it is warranted by natural developments. As this does not arise in regard to the bog referred to in the...

Special Areas of Conservation (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I can perfectly understand where the Deputy is coming from. When the bogs were first designated, the designation was based on science, not economics or social implications. I am sure that if the designator of the bog had realised the turf cutters would not be able to cut turf on it and would have to travel for miles if the adjacent bog was also designated, he or she would have considered...

Written Answers — An Teanga Gaeilge: An Teanga Gaeilge (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 11, 23, 26 agus 36 le chéile. I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom a mheabhrú do na Teachtaí gurb í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas atá freagrach as cinntí straitéiseacha a thógáil maidir le Foras na Gaeilge, atá mar áisíneacht den Fhoras Teanga. Ag an gcruinniú den Chomhairle ar 12 Deireadh Fómhair 2011, nótáil na hAirí an dul chun cinn atá...

Written Answers — Cultural Activities: Cultural Activities (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The arts, culture and creative sectors are important for the social, cultural and educative benefits that they bring to communities, large and small, around the country. They are an essential part of the narrative about the character of a new, different, changed and better Ireland. Indeed, I believe that dynamism in the arts and culture in turn leads to dynamism in a nation. Part of my brief...

Written Answers — Cultural Tourism: Cultural Tourism (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The legislation covering employment in local authorities is set out in the Local Government Act 2001, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Under section 159 of that Act, each County and City Manager is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary to carry out the functions of the local...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently announced a radical streamlining of State bodies, including in respect of a number of bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group. This includes decisions to:

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit and I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts...

Written Answers — Genealogy Tourism: Genealogy Tourism (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 44 together. As Deputies will be aware, I take a keen interest in genealogy issues. My own Department is responsible for the website www.irishgenealogy.ie, which contains nearly 3 million Church records of Baptism, Marriage and Burial from pre-1911, covering Dublin City, together with Counties Carlow, Cork and Kerry. There is no charge for accessing...

Written Answers — Stag Hunting: Stag Hunting (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 made it an offence to hunt a deer with two or more dogs. This legislation had the purpose of banning stag hunting by riders and hounds. I have a broad remit to protect Ireland's wildlife and natural heritage. One of my biggest challenges will be to work towards greater common understanding of the issues we face in protecting our natural heritage. My...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Under the Public Service Reform programme announced by Government on 17th November last, the Heritage Council is listed as a 'Body for Critical Review' by end-June 2012. The focus of the review is to examine the potential merger of the functions of the Council into my Department. The Heritage Council has made a significant contribution since its inception in 1996 to vastly improving our...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: It is not clear whether the Deputy is referring to capital or current funding in his Question. In 2011, the organisation referred to was paid a capital grant of €21,726 by my Department. Funding for arts and cultural capital projects is primarily from the Cultural Development subhead of my Department, which has an allocation of €7.8 million in 2011. This funding is fully committed and...

Written Answers — Inland Waterways: Inland Waterways (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: As the Deputy will be aware, the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Plenary Meeting in July 2007 agreed to proceed with the restoration of the section of the Ulster Canal between Clones and Upper Lough Erne. The then Government agreed to cover the full capital costs of the project, which were estimated at that time to be of the order of €35 million. However, Government Accounting...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 32 and 31 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer to a number of previous Parliamentary Questions on this matter. I have met the chair and chief executive of NAMA in relation to the potential use of NAMA buildings for cultural purposes. NAMA was set up to acquire loans from certain financial institutions and it does not own property as such. In most...

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: In January 2007, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street under the National Monuments Acts. The order was made on the grounds that No. 16 is a monument, the preservation of which is of national importance by reason of its historical significance as the site of the final council of war and final headquarters of...

Written Answers — Museum Projects: Museum Projects (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has recently published Government proposals for Public Service Reform. Under this plan the Government proposes:- · to combine the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Crawford Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland, while retaining separate identities; · to merge the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission into the National...

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I am pleased to inform the House that in the months since taking office I have engaged extensively with the arts community at local and national levels. Following dialogue with local arts officers, a pilot interactive strategy has been put in place which, I believe, will lead to more co-ordination in arts and culture activities at community and at local level. I believe that the next 5...

Written Answers — Heritage Sites: Heritage Sites (24 Nov 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I refer the Deputy to my previous replies on this matter on 24 May, 2 June, 14 September and 18 October 2011. I have met the Chair and Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland and had a constructive engagement on the issues. That engagement will continue.