Results 3,281-3,300 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The Deputy is right in that we do always aim but we also do. You have to aim in order to do. It is important to say that. My track record on heritage for which I increased the budget by 15% last year demonstrates my commitment to this area. The Deputy has gone through a number of different issues. There were six fires in County Wicklow. I acknowledge that she welcomes that drones will...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I will try to cover all the Deputy's questions. The coastal protection measures in Portrane have been enabled by the National Parks and Wildlife Service so, with respect, the Deputy is not correct in that regard. The agency with primary responsibility is Fingal County Council, as he may be aware. The National Parks and Wildlife Service responded within weeks to the temporary sea...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I agree with some of the Deputy's points and do not agree with others. We have done a huge amount over the last number of years. I have been in this Department for two and a half years and we have significantly increased the funding. Primarily, what the Deputy spoke about is biodiversity and species, really. We have the national biodiversity action plan, which commenced in 2017 and will...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The Deputy can rest assured we are in close contact with all local authorities. Most of the 31 local authorities have an in situ heritage officer who does a lot of work in the community and we also give them some funding. Heritage Week will be going ahead but, obviously, it will be in a different format to previous years. Since the emergence of the crisis, we have been deliberating on how...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The Deputy touched briefly on culture there and obviously my Department is working very closely with all art organisations and with the Arts Council in particular to determine how we can support the sector overall. Obviously, the collective national impact of increasing access will have to be assessed and not just the safety of the individual cultural outlets. We must consider the audiences...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I will reply to the Deputies in reverse order. In answer to Deputy Stanley, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment are trying to streamline the application process, as recommended in the national peatlands strategy. That would make it somewhat easier to apply. Obviously, it is quite cumbersome to be...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: On Covid-19 in general and turf cutting, the National Parks and Wildlife Service recognises the seasonal dependencies on the saving of turf and that it is an important source of heating fuel for households. Turf may be harvested from non-designated bogs in accordance with guidelines. No more than two persons should be on a bog at any one time. A rotation system could be agreed in advance...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: We can send the Deputy something on that.

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I-----

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I just want to say one or two lines about the grey partridge. The current estimate is the best minimum population estimate and is largely derived from spring camps. The population has declined, but we have approximately 116 pairs at present in Boora in Offaly and it is a red-listed species of high conservation concern and the Department is very aware of it.

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Deputy Ó Snodaigh mentioned our national cultural institutions. They have done a huge amount of work online and I am well aware of the challenges they face. I thank the Deputy for also mentioning rural and regional museums. We are working very closely with the Irish Museums Association and the directors of the Council of National Cultural Institutions on a plan of action. For the...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I have no difficulty in answering the question if it is of assistance to the Deputy. It would better serve other Deputies, as the Ceann Comhairle has stated-----

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I will answer the Deputy's question. First, we recognise that the colleges play a vital part in the social and economic infrastructure of the Gaeltacht, with up to 27,000 students going every summer. My son was due to go this year and is extremely disappointed not to be going. I know it is of major economic value, bringing in approximately €50 million from economic activity in the...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The Minister of State, Senator Kyne, is in discussion with the Business Committee with a view to an appearance next week before the Covid-19 committee to discuss the responses in respect of the Gaeltacht. I am here today to discuss heritage matters. I was here last week to discuss culture matters. Maybe, given the limited time, we can confine it to that.

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: As the Deputy knows, and with respect, the Minister of State, Senator Kyne, has statutory responsibility for the Gaeltacht.

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (21 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: This week, National Biodiversity Week, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to update the Dáil on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our built and natural heritage. The world we knew in February has changed utterly. Adjustment to the new reality is challenging each of us, and it places large and stressful demands on the way we live our lives and the way our society is...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (20 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1399 and 1404 together. As I have previously informed the House in May 2018 and in my reply to  Parliamentary Question No 3025  of 23 July 2019 and Parliamentary Question No 2584 of 24 July 2018, the Government, on 1st May 2018 approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day, with the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Contracts (20 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I am advised that no external consultants have been engaged by my Department for the period under review. My Department commissions engineering, environmental and other experts from time to time to provide technical reports or advice on specific issues. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants etc., or may describe themselves in other such...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (20 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: An application under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme had been received from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. Annual payments for 2020 (€1,554 to each qualifying applicant) under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme to qualifying applicants are being made. My Department expects this process to be completed by the end...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (20 May 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Under the Wildlife Acts and under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 all bird species are protected and animals such as badgers, deer, otters, bats and hares are also protected.  Officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department monitor compliance with the Wildlife Acts and the European Community (Birds and Natural Habitats)...