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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Mar 2013

Vol. 796 No. 2

Other Questions

Local Cultural and Heritage Events

Bernard Durkan

Question:

6. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he expects to be in a position to offer financial support to locally organised cultural and-or heritage events over the next three years with the objective of rewarding local initiatives and effort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13060/13]

I would like to acknowledge the strong interest of the Deputy in matters relating to culture and heritage, and the potential of those sectors - apart from their intrinsic value - to help promote economic recovery. As the Deputy is aware, I have responded to a range of questions from him on these matters over recent months and have also supplied him directly with a significant volume of information about assistance provided to arts and heritage groups from my own Department, the Heritage Council and the Arts Council.

I share his view that the arts, culture and heritage sectors continue to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits to communities throughout the country. The nature of employment within the arts sector encompasses a wide range of activities, while cultural and heritage tourism is one of the most important elements of Ireland's tourism product. I should also say that the Government appreciates and values the contribution the arts sector makes to the internationally renowned artistic and cultural reputation of this country.

I have outlined previously for the Deputy a range of ways in which my Department and relevant bodies within its remit are seeking to support cultural and heritage initiatives in conjunction with local groups and communities. These include cultural tourism initiatives such as the St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Music Day and Culture Night; the extensive support provided by the Arts Council for festivals and other arts and cultural events across the county; the range of activities organised by the Council of National Cultural Institutions and other cultural venues supported by my Department; the philanthropy leverage initiative, funded by my Department; the many cultural and heritage events being held under the auspices of both The Gathering and our EU Presidency cultural programme; a number of web-based projects being developed by my Department to promote greater appreciation and understanding of Ireland's heritage as a valuable amenity for residents and visitors alike; and other collaborative work with bodies and groups such as the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust, Fáilte Ireland, and Leader groups.

Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, heritage, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of these sectors. While I know the Deputy appreciates the funding difficulties facing all Departments at this time, he can be assured I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for these sectors. The specific allocations to be made over the next three years will, of course, be dependent on the budgetary and estimates cycles in each of those years.

I thank Deputy Durkan for putting down this significant question. The Minister recently visited Donegal where he got a good insight into heritage projects there. While I was not able to attend the meetings he had with local groups due to the meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, on behalf of the groups I thank the Minister for giving up his time.

In his response the Minister referred to local community engagement with any potential interpretative or visitor centres for historical sites. In Donegal, there are two sites where we could realise massive potential. Malin Head has an historic tower which was used in the past by Lloyds of London, Marconi, the Admiralty and the Army as a coastal defence system in both world wars, respectively. It has been a local ambition for many years to get an interpretative centre there. Whatever influence the Minister can use in conjunction with the Office of Public Works would be important.

The second site is Fanad Head lighthouse. There is an application for INTERREG funding for a necklace of visitor sites at lighthouses around the coast. This would make a massive contribution to the maritime tourism sector. A decision on the Fanad Head lighthouse site is imminent and I hope it will be successful.

I agree with Deputy McHugh on the opportunity for tourism development by having such a necklace of visitor centres at lighthouses around our vast coast. There is a good example already in County Clare and the residents of Valentia Island are looking to develop their lighthouse as a tourist attraction. I will give whatever support I can to this initiative. I will be speaking to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, later this evening and I will refer to the tourism potential of our lighthouses around the coastline.

The Irish language is one of the most important cultural and heritage aspects we have in society. In a report released yesterday, the Coimisinéir Teanga stated the Official Languages Act, which comes under the Minister's remit, was in a state of chaos. There have been 753 complaints about State organisations not fulfilling their responsibilities under the Act. We have a situation where three quarters of Irish language schemes-----

Deputy, we must stick to the original question.

Yes, but the Irish language is a cultural and heritage issue which comes under the Department's remit.

Could the Deputy put a question?

Three quarters of the Irish language schemes that finished last year were not renewed. Only nine language schemes were put in place last year which will take 12 years to complete. How will we resolve the issues with the official language if it is going to take this long?

Most of the problem is with other Departments and these problems did not arise just yesterday. It is important all Departments are mindful of their responsibility towards the Irish language and they provide bilingual services as required. I saw the report of the Coimisinéir Teanga. The Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, is aware of these issues. For the past 30 years, more than any other Member, Deputy McGinley has been one of the strongest proponents of the Irish language. Since he became Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, there was never more Irish spoken in the House. We are mindful of this report and we will be addressing the various issues raised. A special committee on the Irish language, chaired by the Taoiseach, is in place and the report will be discussed at its next meeting.

We will move on to Question No. 7.

On a point of order, if two Members come in on one question, is the amount of time apportioned doubled?

No, only if questions are taken together.

Tourism Promotion

Bernard Durkan

Question:

7. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans, if any, to utilise national monuments/sites/historic locations in the context of the promotion of a positive image of national identity at home and abroad, with particular reference to the need to attract public attention to events of this nature throughout 2013 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13059/13]

I share with the Deputy the conviction that the unique qualities of our national heritage play a significant role in enhancing and projecting Ireland's image abroad, in supporting economic renewal through cultural and heritage tourism and in downstream opportunities, such as in the retail, catering and accommodation sectors.

According to Fáilte Ireland, some 3.5 million overseas visitors engaged in cultural activities while in Ireland in 2011. Over 2.5 million tourists visited historic houses or castles, while 2 million visited our archaeological monuments. Cultural institutions under the aegis of my Department attracted some 3.5 million visitors in 2012, with over 3.7 million visitors to heritage sites where the Office of Public Works provides a guide service. As well as gaining an insight and appreciation of Ireland's rich and diverse heritage and history, overseas visitors spent an estimated €2.8 billion during their stay.

I am committed to availing of every possible opportunity to project a positive global image for Ireland and am particularly conscious in the context of 2013 being the year of The Gathering initiative. My Department is actively engaged in a wide range of activities to this end, both in co-operation with bodies such as Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works, and in promoting its initiatives such as our places to see and monuments to visit websites. These provide directions to lesser known heritage sites and details of what the visitor can expect to find on arrival. In addition, my Department provides core funding for the Heritage Council, which supports a range of initiatives, including national heritage week.

This year, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, my Department is also initiating a pilot programme, the Historic Towns Initiative, in Youghal, Westport and Listowel with the Heritage Council and the local authorities in each town. This initiative is intended to promote heritage-led regeneration with the objective of harnessing cultural heritage to create desirable places to live, do business and visit.

These are but a sample of the overall range of initiatives and programmes my Department is helping to promote, support or guide as a means of preserving the quality and diversity of our built heritage, increasing awareness of that heritage and positively promoting Ireland's image abroad as a good place to visit or do business.

State Art Collection

John Browne

Question:

8. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he has taken to update security procedures around works of art belonging to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12977/13]

The national cultural institutions under the aegis of my Department manage important collections of art and other artefacts on behalf of the State. While my Department provides funding to these institutions the board of each institution is responsible for all operational matters, including security arrangements and procedures and I have no statutory function in respect of such matters. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that the security of the collections is a matter which is routinely kept under review by all of the institutions. My Department maintains appropriate contact with them on the subject of their security measures and the arrangements in place to ensure the protection of the collections in their care.

My Department owns several pieces of art and other artefacts in its own right in a number of properties. In light of a recent incident involving the loss of several items held in private storage on behalf of my Department I instructed as follows: that an inventory and physical check take place in respect of all artwork, furniture and other similar items held by my Department; in cases where any such art and other artefacts were held in storage, they should be moved to secure State facilities; and that a review be carried out of the procedures and protocols in place relating to the storage of art and artefacts by my Department. All of these actions have been completed. Separately, the Office of Public Works is responsible for the care and management of art pieces in a wide range of State properties.

I thank the Minister for his response. There are two areas of concern. Last October, the OPW reported that 37 pieces of art in these Houses were unaccounted for and this was widely reported in the national press at the time. What has happened to these? Given that I come from Kildare I am especially interested in the fact that there was apparently a theft of items which were being kept in storage in County Kildare. This was discovered in October when several of those items were offered for sale.

The Minister has informed us that the audit is complete and that a review of security provisions is taking place. I put it to the Minister that one of the things highlighted by the storage issue is that we should not have items that have been bequeathed to the State kept in storage. Given the facilities we have in this city and throughout the country, including all the arts centres and museums, does the Minister agree that it would be desirable for anything in storage that can be taken out of storage to be taken out and made available in order that people can enjoy them? They should be on public display.

The items in question were in storage for some time. They were taken from Killarney House and put in storage pending the restoration of the house which is under way. There is an active investigation of the theft being carried out by the Garda authorities under the direction of an assistant commissioner. At the moment I have been advised not to dwell on the issue for operational reasons. Obviously, we are taking this seriously and progress is being made.

I agree with Deputy Ó Fearghaíl that we have good storage space in Swords at the moment. Any property in the ownership of the State should not be in private storage and if it is not on display in the credited museums to which Deputy Ó Fearghaíl referred, then it should be in State storage. This is what I have directed people to do. The items from Killarney House were taken from where they were and placed in storage. Many of the artefacts in question from Killarney House are now in State storage in Swords.

Commemorative Events

Brendan Smith

Question:

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he is taking to commemorate 1916 during the year of The Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12995/13]

Arranged by the Minister for Defence, the annual commemoration of the Easter Rising will be held at the General Post Office on Easter Sunday and the annual commemoration at the church and graveside of the executed leaders at Arbour Hill will take place on Wednesday, 8 May. The decade of centenaries programme is committed to following the historical timeline of the period 1912-1922. Therefore, commemorative initiatives in 2013 are focused primarily on the events of 1913, including the passing of the Third Home Rule Bill in the House of Commons, the 1913 Lock-out and later in the year the centenary of the founding of the Irish Volunteers. I am working with ministerial colleagues, the Defence Forces, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, national cultural institutions and academic and community partners on the programme of events for this year. The events of 1913 are of tremendous importance in understanding the revolutionary period and presenting the Easter Rising in context.

To ensure that the State produces a comprehensive, inclusive and authentic programme of commemorations an expert and independent advisory group on commemorations has been established, chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning. The group will commence a national consultation process on commemorations shortly with a series of meetings in regional centres at which they will seek suggestions and contributions from individuals and groups on commemorations in the decade of centenaries.

I am unsure. Has the Minister organised events this year for The Gathering with regard to 1916 or will he wait until 2016 to organise events?

The Department of Defence organises the main event which takes place every year on Easter Sunday. The event is open to everyone and takes place on O'Connell Street. Representatives attend from all political parties North and South. The annual event was initiated in 1996 and it has proven to be very successful since then. It is a dignified occasion. The families of the 1916 leaders attend and the event is run to a high standard. There is an event to commemorate the execution of the leaders as well. This is a Government event and this year it will be held on Wednesday, 8 May in Arbour Hill.

This year the focus will be on the Dublin Lock-out and the founding of the Irish Volunteers in November. We will follow this timeline but the event on Easter Sunday will ensure that 1916 is commemorated appropriately. Obviously, there will be other events throughout the country as well.

It represents a missed opportunity not to have organised more around The Gathering. The birth certificate of the State dated 1916 is something we should be commemorating throughout the year of The Gathering.

The main event will be on Easter Sunday. We are making preparations for the commemoration of 1916. There will be extensive and considerable focus on the 1916 commemorations. There has been no demand for a continuous commemorative programme for 1916 during the year of The Gathering but it is important that the events we are organising are done properly and this has been the case since 1996.

National Monuments

Dara Calleary

Question:

10. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he will make a decision on the future development of 1916 Moore Street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12982/13]

Sandra McLellan

Question:

38. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will refuse to sign approval for the plans of chartered land for works on the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street, in view of the fact that the company is now presenting modified plans which are subject to approval of planning applications which have not yet been submitted by chartered land and in view of the fact that if ministerial approval is given at this stage there is no guarantee that any such modification will be made or revised planning applications submitted subsequently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13123/13]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

42. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will refrain from making any decision regarding the proposed works on the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street by chartered land in advance of the forthcoming report of Dublin City Council’s Moore Street advisory committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13124/13]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 38 and 42 together.

Nos. 14-17 Moore Street are the subject of a preservation order under the National Monuments Acts. The effect of the preservation order is that any works affecting these properties require the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended. The landowner’s application to my Department for consent to proposals that include the provision of a commemorative centre to the 1916 Rising and its leaders on the national monument site is being examined.

The approval given by An Bord Pleanála in 2010 for the wider development that includes the national monument site requires the applicant to revert to the planning authority with revised proposals in respect of certain elements of the development. The processes under the Planning Acts and the National Monuments Acts are entirely separate and any requirement or condition imposed under one process stands independently of the other. My consideration of the consent application and the associated environmental impact assessment is being undertaken on that basis.

As part of the consent process under the National Monuments Acts, the applicant was asked by my Department to submit an environmental impact statement on the proposals for the national monument site. This is in accordance with section 14D of the National Monuments Act 1930, as inserted by the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment of Proposed Demolition of National Monuments) Regulations 2012. The new provision places additional responsibilities on landowners in respect of national monuments protected under the National Monuments Acts. An environmental impact statement was submitted to my Department on 25 January 2013. In accordance with the consultation procedures prescribed in section 14D of the National Monuments Act 1930, it was made available for a five week period to allow for examination by the public and lodgment of submissions or observations with the Department.

In the meantime, the Department has informed the consent applicant that the newspaper notice published on 18 January 2013 on the submission of the environmental impact statement was not compliant with the requirements of section 14D of the National Monuments Act 1930 in that it did not state the nature and extent of the proposed demolition. The applicant has accordingly been required to publish a further public notice, the timing of which is a matter for the applicant. In practical terms, the requirement for a new public notice will recommence the five week period for submissions or observations to my Department on the environmental impact statement. It will be open to Dublin City Council’s Moore Street advisory committee to offer its views on the environmental impact statement during this period. Having completed the prescribed consultation procedures in relation to the environmental impact statement, I will then proceed as quickly as possible to undertake a formal environmental impact assessment and make a decision on the consent application itself.

Deputy McLellan comprehensively outlined the importance of the site and I share her views. I appreciate the intricacies of the planning system and the sensitivities involved but can the Minister indicate a definite timeframe in which a decision will be made on Nos. 14-17 Moore Street? It was previously suggested that tripartite meetings should be arranged between the National Museum, the Department and the developer. Have those meetings taken place? Is the Minister in a position to provide a briefing to Opposition spokespersons on the matter? There may be aspects which would be useful for us to learn but he may not want to put them into the public realm.

On the general issue of heritage and the Rising and the revolution, will the Minister consider developing a revolutionary heritage trail in Dublin which might take in significant sites around the city? The sites associated with various artists and writers are an important element of heritage tourism in Dublin and there is similar potential for the history of the Rising.

I understand that Fáilte Ireland is currently developing a heritage trail. I have no problem with arranging a briefing for Opposition spokespersons and anyone else who may be interested. A number of briefings have been provided by the developer, my departmental officials and staff of the National Museum, including to the all-party Oireachtas 1916 centenary committee. I will arrange for an additional briefing for Deputy Ó Fearghaíl.

As we were not happy with the notice, we asked the developer to publish another notice including all the information required to allow people to respond. As soon as that process is complete I will proceed with the final environmental impact assessment. This will involve an examination of the developer's environmental impact statement and the other observations that have been made. It is my function to make a decision which I will then take to the Cabinet. The process has not been delayed by my Department. We had to follow a certain procedure but due to the European Court of Justice judgment the developer had to produce an environmental impact statement. We are complying with all the regulations and ensuring that proper procedures are followed.

Notwithstanding all that the Minister has said, is it possible that 2016 will have come and gone before the matter has been resolved?

A decision will be made, whether "Yes" or "No", and after that it will be entirely up to the developer to proceed with the project. Although Nos. 14-17 Moore Street are a national monument, they are in private ownership. The only decision I have to make is whether the developer's proposal for the national monument is suitable and will not damage its integrity in any way. The remainder of the site is a matter for An Bord Pleanála and Dublin City Council.

We are only 34 months away from 2016 and the centenary is fast approaching. In the two years I have been in this House, the issue has been on the agenda every Question Time. Is there any chance of getting a definitive answer on when a decision will be made? Are we looking at weeks, months or years? I am beginning to think that if the Government was real about this it would have made a decision by now.

If the Deputy understood the process she would not ask that question.

It is really important.

Of course it is.

It has been going on for years.

Even if we grant permission-----

Cut through the red tape.

-----which the Deputy opposes, it may not happen. It is up to the developer to finance the project. There is also a proposal for the GPO which has more certainty because it can be controlled by the State. I am supporting the GPO proposal along with An Post and the OPW.

As regards Moore Street, my only responsibility is to determine whether the proposal by the developer is suitable for Nos. 14-17, which are in private ownership. I have asked the developer to go through various processes in order that I can make a determination. We are going through a legal process and once the necessary information is supplied to me I will make a decision at the earliest opportunity. I hope to make a decision by the end of this Dáil term.

I am aware that the Minister's remit is confined to Nos. 14-17 Moore Street. He stated that the remainder of the site is in the hands of An Bord Pleanála, Dublin City Council and the developer but the State, in the form of NAMA, has total control over the site. Nothing will happen without NAMA's permission.

Is it possible that the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht could have influence with NAMA in how the rest of the development takes place, especially given that Moore Lane and Henry Place are pretty significant in addition to 14-17 Moore Street, which is obviously the centrepiece? At the moment we are looking at eight floors in the laneways, and it would be wonderful if there could be some setback in the laneways. Most people agree that the original application was for a very large development and it would not be unreasonable to scale it back somewhat with some setback for the laneways. The Minister has previously told me that his remit is confined to 14-17 Moore Street, but I am sure he might have some influence with NAMA.

Neither my Department nor I had anything to do with the granting of planning permission on this site. I want to make that clear, because there is an insinuation to that effect. All I have to do is to determine whether the proposal for 14-17 Moore Street is suitable for that monument. Planning permission was granted by Dublin City Council and I understand it was more or less unanimous, with no objections at the time it was granted. In 1999 planning permission was granted to demolish every building on it. As I understand there were very few dissenting voices on the previous occasion when permission was granted. It then went to An Bord Pleanála and has gone through all those procedures, which I have nothing to do with. I cannot change the planning permission that was granted on the site. However, in consultation with experts in my Department and the National Museum I can determine whether the proposal for the national monument is a suitable proposal for that site. I will determine that as soon as I get the information I must get because of the legal issues involved. I am following that procedure very carefully because this is very contentious, as the Deputies know. As for the suggestion of contacting NAMA about a specific site, I am sure I would be precluded from doing that.

Written Answers follow Adjournment.
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