Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of new committees, advisory groups or new positions in general that have been put in place since he was appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40544/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department, as currently configured, was established on 2 June 2011 and therefore the available information is being provided from that date. I assume that the Deputy is not referring to routine internal committees and working groups, established within my Department to support the delivery of its goals. On that basis, the following groups have been established:

· The Peatlands Council - established to respond to commitments set out in the Programme for Government and to assist Ireland in responding in a strategic way to the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive, which require Ireland to protect and conserve important peatland habitats.

· Cross-representative advisory/working group to consult across the arts sector and recommend actionable steps in the area of philanthropy in relation to the arts.

· Inter-departmental committee to examine the feasibility of the implementation of the Creative Capital Report – Building Ireland's Audiovisual Creative Economy.

· Working Group to review the operation of Part IV (Architectural Heritage) of the Planning and Development Act 2000.