Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

631. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the exact provisions under which she granted consent, on 7 September 2015, for the filming of scenes for the film "Star Wars" on Sceilig Mhichíl; to explain why the consent letter did not provide these details, so that the lawfulness of the consent could be considered; to provide a complete and full copy of the consent to Dáil Éireann, or, to provide a reason as to why, if this is not possible; to provide a full list of all consents, licences, permits, and authorisations issued by the Government or State agencies in respect of these works, and a copy of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32949/15]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

632. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide to Dáil Éireann a copy of any and all considerations by the Minister and her Department, in relation to the requirement for a section 14 consent under the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended, and the basis on which she determined that any such consent would not be required, and when any such determination was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32950/15]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

633. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the recent filming for the "Star Wars" picture on Sceilig Mhichíl from 7 to 18 September 2015 inclusive, if she will provide to Dáil Éireann a full and complete report in respect of the special protection area for birds protected under both the European Union (EU) birds and habitats directive and our own national regulations implementing same; if she will detail the timing of all the helicopter flights arriving and departing from the islands; if she will specify the wait-times on the helipad over this period; if she will detail all incidents with the protected bird species on or approaching the island over this period; if she will require from the National Protection Wildlife Service and all ecologists present on the islands over the period, to provide her with detailed reports on any concerns and issues encountered with the protected species or protected habitats over the period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32951/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 631 to 633, inclusive, together.

In considering the request of the film company referred to, which is the maker of one of the world’s biggest film franchises, for consent to carry out filming on Skellig Michael, I have balanced the positive benefit it will reap for the Irish film industry and the South Kerry region with the need to ensure that the island’s unique environment and wildlife is fully protected.

Stringent ecological and environmental safeguards and mitigation measures were put in place by my Department and the OPW to ensure that the site was fully protected during filming. These safeguards included an Ecological and Screening Assessment of the proposed film work, as well as stringent bio-security protocols. Specialist staff were on site at all times to supervise the filming activity and to ensure there were no negative impacts on the island, its wildlife, habitat or built heritage. A condition of the consent is that the salary costs and expenses of my Department’s staff will be met by the film company.

Section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended) provides that, in the case of a national monument such as Skellig Michael, Ministerial consent must be obtained for any proposals:

(a) to demolish or remove wholly or in part or to disfigure, deface, alter, or in any manner injure or interfere with any such national monument, or

(b) to excavate, dig, plough or otherwise disturb the ground within, around, or in proximity to any such national monument, or

(c) to sell for exportation or to export any such national monument or any part thereof.

The film producer’s proposals were carefully considered by my Department’s National Monuments Service in that context. This screening assessment confirmed that there would be no physical interference with the monument or with archaeological deposits and my Department was, therefore, satisfied that they fell outside the scope of the consent requirement. The National Monuments Service also gave advance notice of the filming to UNESCO's World Heritage Centre in Paris.

My decision to grant consent in this case was notified to UNESCO and the European Commission and neither body has indicated any issues with the process and its outcome. I am satisfied that this is an excellent example of how film-making can operate in harmony with environmental protection, providing that all necessary safeguards are in place, allowing us to showcase our unique cultural and heritage to a global audience.

As I stated previously, I will receive a full report on the film shoot in due course. However, the relevant experts from my Department have indicated that they are satisfied that all protocols and conditions set down in the consent were adhered to fully by the production team and that there were no issues from an ecological and habitats standpoint.

It may be noted that the consent issued in this case and other relevant documentation have been published on my Department’s website at .