Results 121-140 of 369 for land speaker:Michael Ring

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Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks (2 May 2017)

Michael Ring: ...across  the country and attracted in excess  of 4 million visitors annually. Within  the National Parks alone,  the NPWS is responsible for a trail network spanning some 220km, including both cycling and walking trails, which run over some  of the most iconic and scenic landscapes in Ireland. In addition, long-distance trails such as...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks (4 Apr 2017)

Michael Ring: My Department is aware of the need to improve the area referred to in details supplied and a survey of landing areas including the area in question within Killarney National Park has recently been carried out. Following this minor works have taken place such as the addition of new sleepers, safety wire, and non-slip surfaces. The next phase will be to engage the services of an engineer to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks (21 Mar 2017)

Michael Ring: ...million visitors annually. Within the National Parks alone, the NPWS is responsible for a trail network spanning some 220km, including both cycling and walking trails, which run over some of the most iconic and scenic landscapes in Ireland. In addition, long-distance trails such as the Wicklow and Kerry Way, 129km and 122km respectively, run through the National Parks and are also...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Culls (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Ring: There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels, and in a responsible and ethical manner. With regard to deer in Killarney National Park (KNP) , as part of its regular on-going management operations, my Department...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Sustaining Viable Rural Communities: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2017)

Michael Ring: I listened to the debate in the Seanad. It was interesting that most of the people that spoke and were critical of the Bill never lived in rural Ireland. We are all for heritage and protecting the environment, but we have to live there as well. I live in a place where the biggest complaint I have all summer is that people will not be able to get up and down their roads as a consequence of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Deer Culls (1 Mar 2017)

Michael Ring: ...for raising this matter. There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels and in a responsible and ethical manner. It should be noted that while the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department licenses the...

Topical Issue Debate: National Parks (21 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. While I agree with him sometimes, I totally disagree with him about Killarney. As far as I am concerned, the No. 1 place in Ireland, in Europe and in the world is a place called Westport in County Mayo. Anytime the Deputy wants to come down on holidays, he is very welcome to do so and he will see what is really happening down there. I must...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Land Acquisition (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: The lands referred to will be managed as part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. While the lands will be primarily managed for Nature Conservation, other uses such as recreation will be considered where compatible with the Park’s Nature Conservation objectives. Given the high conservation value and sensitivity of the Blanket Bog and Heathland habitats, provision of high...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Land Acquisition (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: ...for capital investment in our National Parks and Nature Reserves, I am mindful of the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands. It is for that reason, my Department could only consider the matter referred by the Deputies if the price fell within a certain range or in the context of a donation or bequest. In this...

Topical Issue Debate: Architectural Heritage (1 Feb 2017)

Michael Ring: ...a certain range. In this context, I would also remind the House that in late 2016 my Department negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole at a cost of €800,000. The Deputies might remember that the vendor was looking for €4 million at the time. Clearly, the Guinness name is very famous in...

Topical Issue Debate: Regional Development Policy (30 Nov 2016)

Michael Ring: ...This Government has been very proactive in terms of regional development and it is clear that policies such as the regional action plans for jobs and the work of agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Udarás na Gaeltachta are having a significant positive effect on the development of the regions. This is borne out by the latest employment figures for the regions. In...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Deer Hunting (30 Nov 2016)

Michael Ring: ...licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to 28 February, depending on the species and gender of deer. My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as the National Parks. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls may be carried out to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: NAMA Assets Sale (29 Nov 2016)

Michael Ring: The process to purchase lands at Glenasmole is almost complete and I expect to make a formal announcement in this regard shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Funding (29 Nov 2016)

Michael Ring: My Department administers the Walks Scheme, under which landholders receive modest payments to maintain sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands. A total of 39 trails are currently covered by the scheme, and the number of participants receiving payments under the scheme currently stands at 1,912. Payments in 2016 to participants who maintain...

Other Questions: Regional Development Initiatives (20 Oct 2016)

Michael Ring: ...will be no hold-ups and the local authorities will have their ground work done. When people are appointed to deal with the contracts, we will be there and the local authorities will deal with the land issues and any other issues that arise. The Minister, Deputy Naughten's Department will deal with the licences and we will do our bit. The local authorities have all been written to and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Recreation Policy (20 Oct 2016)

Michael Ring: ...My Department also provides funding to private landowners under the Rural Walks Scheme for the maintenance and upkeep of sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands. It is anticipated that approximately €1. 8 million will be made in payments to participants under this scheme in 2016. I have secured an additional €8 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Sites (18 Oct 2016)

Michael Ring: Contractual negotiations in respect of the purchase of the lands at Glenasmole, which incorporate part of the area popularly known as ‘the Featherbeds’, are advanced and it is expected that they will be concluded shortly. The Featherbeds are an important area for nature conservation and for public amenity. Their acquisition is a sign of the State’s enduring commitment...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (28 Sep 2016)

Michael Ring: ...to the National Transport Authority or the National Roads Authority, as it was known then. What happened? Those responsible thought they could go in and walk over farmers, go in on their green land and put greenways in place. It did not work. It is not going to happen, Chairman. I am disappointed because I had thought I was going to get it, but it is not going to happen.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Programme Projects (16 Sep 2016)

Michael Ring: The Walks Scheme is a scheme under which private landholders receive modest payments to maintain sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands. Payments totalling €1,779,410 and €1,769,698 were made to participants in 2014 and 2015 respectively, and it is anticipated that in the region of €1,770,000 will be made in payments to...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: National Parks Projects (21 Jul 2016)

Michael Ring: Following a meeting in February 2014 between my predecessor and Mountaineering Ireland, at which the question of lands near Wicklow Mountains National Park held by the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) was discussed, officials from my Department approached NAMA to discuss those lands, with a preliminary meeting held in April 2014. On foot of the meeting, my Department expressed an...