Written Answers. - Departmental Agencies.
Gay Mitchell
Question:
349
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
if she will list every State agency, company, board, group, committee, commission, inquiry or authority which was set up under the aegis of her Department; and if she will give a brief outline of the aims of each such body.
[9927/01]
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of agencies, etc., set up under the aegis of my Department since I came into office is set out below.
The Special Area of Conservation Appeals Advisory Board was set up in 1998 to make recommendations to me in cases where landowners object to the inclusion, or exclusion, of their land in proposed special areas of conservation.
The Burren Consultative Committee was established to offer advice where my Department's functions affect the development of the Burren and to work in co-operation with the management of the Burren National Park and my Department in the development of the national park in a way that recognises the role of local people in the Burren area and encourages a harmonious relationship with the local communities; acts as a forum to identify opportunities for the communities within the north Clare area, which will accord with the needs of nature conservation and take account of the particularly sensitive character of the Burren National Park and the built heritage, archaeological and architectural, of the north Clare area in general; encourages the harmonious development of towns and villages in the area in keeping with their existing scale and character in order that they may take advantage of development opportunities, including tourism; advises on presentation in the proposed centres supported by my Department; and encourages local knowledge, skills, and techniques in the presentation of the heritage of the Burren.
The committee may develop plans and proposals for the general development of the Burren. Where such proposals involve responsibilities of Ministers other than myself, I shall facilitate the presentation of these proposals to other Ministers-Departments.
The film industry strategic review group was set up in 1998 to: carry out an objective evaluation of the effectiveness of the existing State support schemes and incentives to develop the industry; analyse and identify the fundamental issues facing the industry and to make recommendations in regard to future measures in support of the film industry; and formulate a strategic plan for the future of the industry into the next decade. Having presented its report in August 1999 as required, the group was disbanded.
The Screen Commission of Ireland was established on an operational basis in 1998 to promote Ireland as a location and centre of excellence for film-making. The functions of the commission were brought under the auspices of the Irish Film Board in 2000 following the report of the film industry strategic review group.
The project management group for digital terrestrial television was established in 2000 to oversee the establishment of the digital terrestrial television platform in Ireland. In addition to representatives from this Department, the project management group includes representatives of the Departments of Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Public Enterprise.
The Wicklow Mountain National Park Council and Killarney National Park Liaison Committee were set up in 2000 to represent the views of the local communities and groups which have a legitimate interest in the management of the Wicklow and Killarney National Parks. The primary task of both groups will be to develop a management plan for their respective parks. Once those plans are finalised the groups will continue to meet regularly to review their ongoing implementation and to further maintain a harmonious relationship between the park and the community.
The Grand and Royal Canals task force was set up in 1998 to co-ordinate and monitor the activities of the various agencies responsible for developments within the canal corridors in the greater Dublin area, having regard to the recommend ations contained in the Grand and Royal Canal corridor study reports.
An Coimisiún faoin nGaeilge sa Ghaeltacht was established in April 2000 to make recommendations with regard to strengthening the Irish language as the spoken language of the Gaeltacht.
Coiste Comhairleach na nÓg, which is a committee comprising of young people in the Gaeltacht, was established in September 1999 to advise on the future of the Gaeltacht.
Tascfhórsa Bhéal an Mhuirthead was established in response to the announcement of the closure of Warners (Éire) Limited in July 2000 to make recommendations regarding the provision of employment and the remedying of infrastructural deficiencies in the Belmullet area.
The Interdepartmental Committee for the Islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish language was established in 1998 to co-ordinate the implementation of Government policy as it relates to the Islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish language, having particular regard to the provision of services and the elimination of overlap or duplication of State services to provide a more efficient service for island communities.
A steering and monitoring committee in relation to the study of island airstrips and associated services was set up in 2000 to oversee a feasibility study now being carried out on the proposed development and day to day management of island airstrips and associated air services.
Waterways Ireland, the North-South Implementation Body for inland waterways, was established on 2 December 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement and the supplementary Implementation Bodies Agreement signed in March 1999. It has the functions of management, maintenance, development and restoration of certain inland navigable waterways systems throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes.
An Foras Teanga, the North-South implementation body for language, was established on 2 December 1999 under the terms of the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999. The body is comprised of two agencies – Foras na Gaeilge, which exercises the functions of the body in relation to the Irish language and Tha Boord o' Ulster-Scotch, which exercises the functions of the body in relation to Ullans and Ulster-Scots cultural issues. The body assumed the functions of Bord na Gaeilge, which was dissolved on 1 December 1999, in regard to the promotion of the Irish language. Additional functions were also transferred to the body.
In addition to the above, local committees and other consultative arrangements are established from time to time in relation to the operation and monitoring of local services.
