Results 5,561-5,580 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: As the Deputy will be aware the Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. has recently announced a reallocation of responsibilities between a number of Government Departments including my own. As soon as the necessary orders to give effect to these changes are in place, the heritage functions of this Department, which includes the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will transfer to the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Special Areas of Conservation (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together. My Department has in place a special areas of conservation designation, conservation and management work programme. Under this on-going programme, 276 sites have been designated as special areas of conservation by Statutory Instrument, site specific conservation objectives have been published for 364 special area of conservation sites...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: I have asked my officials to collate the information sought for the period in question and I will send it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: The highly invasive non-native weed Rhododendron ponticum occurs in low to moderate, or slight to severe, levels throughout previously cleared oak woodlands of Killarney National Park, depending on the classification terminology being used. Higher densities occur in woodlands close to dense infestations where rhododendron has never been cleared, due to seed rain. Densities of seeding plants...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) sought to undertake an expert Peer Review of Rhododendron ponticum and the programmes and measures for its control in Killarney National Park. Overseas experts were invited to participate in this independent scientific review. Despite agreement to participate from an independent overseas expert, it has subsequently not proved possible for him to...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Invasive Plant Species (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: An environmental NGO made a complaint to the European Commission in 2017. The Commission made the Department aware of the complaint in July 2018. The Department replied to the Commission in respect of the contents of the complaint in August 2018 and an acknowledgment was received. In June 2019 on foot of further correspondence from the NGO, the Commission contacted the Department asking...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: My Department is currently drafting a new National Policy on Architecture which will support long–term planning strategies and will assist in addressing key issues including societal well-being, climate change and urban regeneration. The adaptation of existing as well as the design of new buildings will, of course, be critical to meet the targets set by the Climate Action Plan 2019. ...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: It would not be Departmental practice to publish the information sought in details supplied. The use of moorings for fishing/pleasure boats on the lakes in the area in question are subject to a fixed mooring allocation to traditional users. On an annual basis there are 20 pegs available which are subject to a lottery by the area’s regional management. This lottery is run in conjunction...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: Under the European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003, my Department has responsibility for the inspection and licensing of zoos and aquariums in the State. The role of my Department is regulatory and its functions do not include the provision of funding or grant aid to zoos or aquariums nor does it have a remit with regard to the day to day management of the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Environmental Investigations (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: As set out in the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022, Moanveanlagh Bog Special Area of Conservation is one of the bogs identified for assessment as regards the potential for domestic turf cutting within parts of the site, in accordance with the provisions of article 6.3 of the EU Habitats Directive. Scientific assessments in that regard were...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: It is not possible to answer this question at present as the transfer of functions has not yet occurred therefore there is no agreement on corresponding financial allocations. This question will be proper to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, when reconfigured, in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Investigations (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: I am advised that a granite pillar was brought to the attention of my Department’s National Monuments Service as possible evidence of the existence of a famine graveyard at the location in question. However, my Department's view is that the origins and associations of the pillar are unlikely to relate to such burials. While there is insufficient evidence at this point for the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Island Communities (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: My Department currently has 11 different contracts in place to transport light and heavy cargo to the off shore islands. Of these contracts, 9 are dedicated solely to the provision of carrying heavy cargo at a cost of €1.3 million per year to the Exchequer. These subsidies are of great benefit to the islanders as they provide a real reduction in the cost of transporting goods to and...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 363 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that arrangements are being made for the publication on my Department's website of this material.

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358, 371 and 376 together. The Government is aware of the unprecedented impact that the coronavirus is having on business and people’s livelihoods and that this impact is likely to be more protracted in the arts sector. The Government has extended its two universal income support measures for all sectors. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Hare Coursing (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: The control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings and managing the use of hares for that activity, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibility relates to the conservation status of the hare. While the regulation of hare...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Waterways Issues (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: Waterways Ireland continues to reopen facilities on the Shannon Navigation based on guidance from Government and relevant health professionals, in order to protect its staff, stakeholders and the wider community. It is aware that the restriction of services and facilities impacts on the ability of users to enjoy the waterways. All measures are being taken to support the national effort...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Ministerial Functions (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: As the Deputy will be aware Government Chief Whip, Dara Calleary TD, was appointed Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, the Irish language and Sport by An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin on Wednesday 1st July. I look forward to working closely with Minister of State Calleary to progress the broad remit of the Department. Arrangements for the transfer of Ministerial functions, including...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Bodies (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: As the Deputy will be aware the Taoiseach, Mícheál Martin T.D. has recently announced a reallocation of responsibilities between a number of Government Departments including my own. Pending the making of the necessary orders to give effect to these changes, the details of the offices and agencies currently under the remit of my Department are available from the following links on...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (14 Jul 2020)

Catherine Martin: Foras na Gaeilge has been administering Scéim Pobal Gaeilge since 2005, to assist voluntary committees in promoting the Irish language in the community on an all-island basis. I have been informed by Foras na Gaeilge that the consultation process regarding the proposed restructuring of the current scheme is still ongoing and will be until 17thJuly 2020. The final proposals regarding the...