Results 10,341-10,360 of 10,432 for speaker:Niamh Smyth

Other Questions: Film Industry (7 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Minister. We all agree that the indigenous film and television production sector has a significant cultural and economic impact in Ireland. Indigenous producers preserve Ireland's rich cultural heritage and chronicle what it means to be Irish. The sector has enjoyed many successes in recent years and competes well on the world stage. However, there is a growing belief that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Heritage Plan (7 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: 1. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she expects to publish an updated national heritage plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20106/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Heritage Plan (7 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: It is good to see the Minister in the House. We have had quite a few outings this week. Please God we are coming near the end of it. When does the Minister expect to publish an updated national heritage plan, and will she make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Heritage Plan (7 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: When does the Minister hope to have a full board in place again? Fourteen out of the 15 positions on the board are vacant and if we are to have a national heritage plan, we must ensure there is strong strategic leadership in the sector. We all know that the arts sector believes it has been neglected and undervalued. That feeling is shared on the heritage side also. The Minister will be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Heritage Plan (7 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I draw to the Minister's attention some challenges facing our national cultural institutions which it would be critical to address in the new heritage plan. I understand a significant portion of the National Library of Ireland lacks modern fire protection for its collections. Will the plan address that critical issue of protection? The National Museum of Ireland is seriously...

Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I wish the Minister of State the best of luck in her new position. So-called legal highs are playing havoc in my constituency, Cavan-Monaghan, to the same extent that they are nationally, and they are causing untold damage to families. The families of the young people who have consumed the drugs know only too well the destruction these substances have caused. In my own area, for...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I will focus on arts and education aspects. I know the Minister is a big supporter of arts and education and she worked closely with me in my former job with Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board. In regard to the Arts in Education Charter, how is the higher implementation group progressing with the Arts Rich Schools programme, which is an objective of the Arts in Education...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: The charter is really well written and clearly laid out. Bearing in mind my involvement, I would have no apprehension regarding duplication. I am very conscious always that there should not be two separate bodies providing the very same service. What was super about the arts and education charter is that it focused on delivering the expertise of the professional arts sector to schools...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I have a final question. Is the high-level implementation group answerable to the Minister or to the Department of Education and Skills?

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: So it reports to both Ministers?

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Minister.

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I have one final question for the Minister. The capital investment in regional arts centres around the country is a welcome development. My experience, which I have expressed before, is that while these buildings have infrastrucutral deficits, the main deficits are staffing and running costs. As the Minister knows, even in the Garage Theatre in Monaghan, the ETB staffs it. That is the big...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I have two questions for the Minister of State, Deputy Ring. First, has a Heritage Council board been established? It is my understanding that only a chair is in position since last November and that there is no board or committee in place to drive the work of the Heritage Council? Second, regarding a national heritage plan, my understanding is that every heritage officer in each local...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: There was a long discussion at Monaghan County Council yesterday and there is a great appetite among public representatives there to talk positively about seeing the Ulster Canal opened. I know the Minister is working on having it opened up as far as Clones. Is there a timeline for that to happen?

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: I will start with the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, and ask a question about An Post. At the outset, he said there is a big task in hand in bringing post offices back in order that they are at the forefront of our communities and towns. It is a simple no-brainer. They have been allowed to fall behind because they have not been given an opportunity to function or provide services. If...

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: That did some damage.

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: If they get the services and functions to provide, people will come to them.

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: The post offices would be very busy again if they had passport functions.

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: There would be queues out the door.

Select Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 33 - Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (5 Jul 2016)

Niamh Smyth: Does a town need a chamber to avail of that?