Results 3,261-3,280 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (17 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Ireland has a significant proportion of its raised and blanket bogs designated for protection within Special Areas of Conservation or Natural Heritage Areas. I have no plans to add to the overall area of bog designated for protection.

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (17 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I have no plans to review the criteria used for designating Natural Heritage Areas, which are set out in the Wildlife Acts, or for designating Special Areas of Conservation, which are provided for in the EU Habitats Directive, as transposed into Irish Law through the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The details requested by the Deputy in respect of the period from 2007 to date in 2011 are set out in the following table: Agency 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 (to date) Irish Film Board €5,429 €5,636 €5,556 €5,656 €5,636 Arts Council €1,653 €1,872 €1,872 €1,713 €1,872 National Gallery of Ireland €5,509 €5,730 €5,272 €5,310 €5,042 Irish Museum of Modern Art...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (17 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The Deputy will be aware that Waterways Ireland falls within the ambit of my Department. I have been advised by that body that it is not involved in the Rivers and Waterways Tourism Initiative referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy may wish to pursue the matter with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, who has overall responsibility for tourism affairs.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: My Department has four credit cards issued to officials for use in the course of their business. These cards are issued to the Private Secretary to the Minister, the Assistant Secretary in my Department's Arts Division, my Department's Accountant and the Chief Executive Officer of Culture Ireland. Cards are issued in individual cases following an examination of the business need arising....

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (12 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I am arranging for officials of my Department to forward the available details in this case directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Inland Waterways: Inland Waterways (12 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I am informed by Waterways Ireland that this wall forms the boundary between its back-drain and the Carlow-Milford road. Approximately 20m of the wall collapsed due to construction traffic involved in the building of the new M9/M10 motorway works. It is understood that the cost of replacing the wall would be of the order of €60,000. I understand that in discussions between...

Written Answers — Inland Waterways: Inland Waterways (12 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I am informed by Waterways Ireland that it has no plans at present to build a marina at this location. Such a project was not included in the programme of capital works for the waterways submitted in the context of the National Development Plan and accordingly no funding has been allocated for it.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Priority Question No 29. As we approach the Centenary of the Easter Rising and of many other events of profound historical significance, I believe there is a need for an extensive and balanced programme of commemorative activities and events reflecting the cultural, economic, social and political events of the period. As already stated, the...

Written Answers — North-South Co-operation: North-South Co-operation (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: My Department is committed to supporting North/South co-operation, particularly in the context of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrew's Agreement. As the Deputy is aware, there are two North/South Implementation Bodies under my Department's remit - Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga (the Language Body). The latter body consists of two agencies – Foras na Gaeilge and the...

Written Answers — Public Safety Regulations: Public Safety Regulations (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: At the outset, may I express my regrets at the fatalities referred to by the Deputy and offer my sympathies to all those affected. I have raised this issue with Waterways Ireland and have been informed by its Chief Executive that, following discussions with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Waterways Ireland has no plans to install railings around the quayside in the Grand Canal...

NAMA Portfolio (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: When I was on the benches opposite, where Deputy Troy is now, I mentioned a few signature buildings in this city that might be suitable for this purpose so I hope to pursue what I spoke about now that I am in my present position. If the taxpayer were to see buildings that had been in NAMA being used for cultural purposes, by young people in particular, that would be a very welcome development.

NAMA Portfolio (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: Basically, we hope to have discussions with NAMA as soon as possible and we have written to it requesting it. I contacted NAMA directly in two cases in which buildings related to the arts were involved which are housing arts projects at present. NAMA seemed to be sympathetic. It was appointed by the House to get a return for the taxpayer. However, one must consider social capital as well....

NAMA Portfolio (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: One must balance the financial return with the cultural and social capital that could materialise as a country if we acquired these buildings. This balance must be struck. I agree with the Deputy that we should keep an open mind on acquiring some of these buildings. However, we should acquire them for the right reason because any benefit to the country may be in the future rather than the...

NAMA Portfolio (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: It is appropriate for the Deputy to ask the question because I have been asking the same question myself recently. This is the next mechanism NAMA should put in place. It has acquired property and has gone through all the legal and logistical challenges up to now. Next, the conditions and procedures to encourage the type of project that could attract community involvement should be put in...

Heritage Sites (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: The ring fort of Grianán of Aileach is a national monument in State ownership. The site is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Office of Public Works. My Department provides funding under the built heritage capital programme to the OPW to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic properties and national monuments in State care. It should be noted that there has been a...

Heritage Sites (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I assure the Deputy when I go to Donegal I will visit the site. As a former history teacher, I have referred to the site in the past. I thank the Deputy for reminding me and ensuring that I recall the importance of the site. However, this is a site where something has happened and where the OPW is doing something. A guide and proper literature are now available and it is more of a...

Heritage Sites (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I agree with the Deputy that in this country we do transition and translation well, but we do not do transmission. We have spent a lot of money to develop cultural facilities, but often people do not know about them. Transmission is vitally important. With modern technology, including Facebook, iPhone apps and other means of communication, we can tell people about our attractions in an...

Heritage Sites (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: True, but Deputy Sandra McLellan is from a different constituency. I was in St. Fin Barre's Cathedral recently and appeal to the Cork Deputies to take an interest in this remarkable building. It is a national treasure that needs attention, as it is taking in rainwater. The organ which is unique needs to be repaired.

Heritage Sites (11 May 2011)

Jimmy Deenihan: I would like all Cork Deputies to take an interest in the restoration of St. Fin Barre's Cathedral and I will not be found wanting because I am very impressed by the building. It will take some action to rectify it.