Vol. 871 No. 2
6. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which the preparations for the 1916 commemoration continue in line with targets and expectations; the extent to which all those associated with 1916 are duly recognised in a sensitive, meaningful, and respectful way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10178/15]
This question seeks to obtain an update on the preparations. While it is somewhat similar to the last question, its emphasis is on the need to ensure a solemn and sensitive commemoration in keeping with the ideals and aspirations of those who were involved in the 1916 uprising, while recognising the need for inclusiveness, in the context that we have inherited what they envisaged.
The objective of the Ireland 2016 initiative, which I am leading and which was formally launched on 12 November 2014, is to develop, co-ordinate and deliver a programme to honour and remember those who fought or died in the Rising and to recognise all the people whose lives were touched by the events of 1916. It also will reflect on the legacy of that period and will look towards the future, based on the themes set out in the Government's framework plan. I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary in 2016 will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.
Together with my officials, I have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including the mayors, cathaoirligh and senior officials of local authorities, Departments and State agencies, as well as national cultural institutions. I am also engaging with the Oireachtas all-party group on commemorations and the expert advisory group on commemorations.
The relatives of those who fought and those who died during the Rising will play a key role in the Ireland 2016 programme, and I am actively engaging with them to ensure they will have a central involvement in a number of key State events and that their views on the overall programme are considered. My officials and I have met with a number of relatives, including representatives of relatives’ groups and individual relatives, to highlight the important role they will have in the plans to commemorate the centenary of the events of Easter 1916. My Department also is working closely with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence to ensure that a full programme of State commemorative events is developed that is respectful to all those who were affected by the events of the Rising.
I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. I also mention the need to recognise the role played by Cumann na mBan and by some people who were pacifists, such as Francis Sheehy-Skeffington, as well as other people who were involved who were not necessarily in agreement but who became part of what it was at the time, which we now have inherited. The point about inclusiveness to which the Minister referred is of huge importance, as we must try to ensure that everyone is recognised for his or her own particular contribution while recognising, as Members should now, that it was not a popular thing to do at the time. There was quite an amount of antipathy towards it, but it was a landmark decision at a highly sensitive time in our history.
I accept what the Deputy is saying on the need to recognise the role of women and, in particular, Cumann na mBan. Their contribution must be recognised. I recently visited Lissadell House, and while one can see the important role played by Countess Markievicz in the events of 1916 and her subsequent election to Parliament, and the important role women played in the Rising, one also can see how they then sort of faded into the background. I note that 100 years later, the Oireachtas has passed legislation to have women make up 30% of the names on the ballot paper at the next election. While it is very important to show the role women played, I also want people to consider how they then faded away into the background, leaving us in a position today in which we must get more women involved in politics. The Deputy also mentioned the need to remember all these people. An important aspect that emerged in other commemorations was the personal stories that people will tell. These stories also bring a greater understanding to the events of the time as to why people became involved and what encouraged them to take the stand they took. All of this is extremely important.
I thank the Minister. My last point is on the need for a solemn occasion without triumphalism. At this time in our history, it is appropriate to bring together all the various strands of thought that have prevailed in Ireland for hundreds of years. I believe it will be an ideal time to do it, and I thank the Minister for her reply.
I agree with the Deputy about the need for a solemn occasion. The parade on Easter Sunday will be a very solemn occasion as we remember those who lost their lives, as that is the ultimate sacrifice.
We also need to be respectful and inclusive and it needs to be appropriate. I agree that it is not something about which we need to be triumphalist. It will be a solemn occasion. As we go through the year, it is important that we hear the stories. Historians and others will be interested in giving their opinions, and by listening to them we will gain a much greater understanding and appreciation of the event.
7. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures she is taking to promote the commercial, educational and export possibilities of the indigenous music industry here, which according to a recent report commissioned by the Irish Music Rights Organisation could open up significant opportunities in the short, medium and long term; if her Department has studied the Canadian and Icelandic music industry models, which include both macro and micro initiatives for musicians; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10191/15]
The Irish Music Rights Organisation, IMRO, report is the latest in a long line of studies calling for the strategic development of the Irish music industry and repeating a number of recommendations on how to nurture our home-grown musical ability through education, training and promotion abroad with a focus on new talent. To date, policymakers have almost completely ignored these studies. What concrete measures does the Minister plan on taking to implement to recommendations of the latest report? Can we believe there will be more meaningful action for our artists this time around?
The Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. My Department provides significant support to the industry through its funding of the Arts Council, capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure, and through other financial and policy supports. I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the income ceiling for the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which artists, including songwriters and composers, make to society and to the music industry.
Last year, in response to a proposal from the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, IASCA, a capital grant of €50,000 from my Department's capital budget was awarded for the purpose of introducing a digital music system to be available to all Irish musicians and to Irish broadcasters. This system will assist in directing royalties to Irish musicians. The recent IMRO report referred to in the Deputy's question, entitled The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy, highlights the impressive contribution the music industry makes to the Irish economy. The report contains a broad range of recommendations for which several Ministers have responsibility. My Department will be examining those of relevance to my areas of responsibility. In this regard, the report will also be of relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, which will be entitled Culture 2025, and I look forward to working further with the music industry as part of that process. I intend to publish a culture 2025 discussion paper shortly, which will be an important step in opening up the debate around how we should shape the future of the arts in Ireland, including music.
The tax exemptions of which the Minister spoke are for people who are already on their feet in the game, whereas IMRO has focused on those trying to start up. These are the people who need to be helped. The report recognises the difficulties faced by early career musicians and has called for business training and financial support. Most of those starting their careers in the cultural industries recognise the dole as a necessary fact of life. Although they are trying to start a career, they have to declare themselves unemployed, as if they were doing nothing at all. Apart from being liable to be caught in a compulsory Gateway or JobBridge scheme to retain their dole, the point is that what they are trying to do in the music industry is not recognised and has no status. The Government must introduce a structure to change the situation.
I will examine the areas of the report for which I have responsibility. Business training support is provided by the local enterprise offices, LEOs, to help those who want to start their own businesses. I fully appreciate the major contribution Irish music makes to our culture. Our culture is so important to us, and appears on every brochure that leaves the country. That is why I want to ensure it is continued. This will be the first time we will have put together a cultural policy to state the importance of our culture to us and to outline all the different areas it encompasses and to which it relates. It is important that the document be published and that we get buy-in. I hope to have the draft document shortly and I want people to feed into it and make their views known.
Although the Minister says the people in the music industry are valued, due to the lack of structure, they do not feel that their worth is being recognised. Has the Government examined other countries such as Iceland, which responded to its financial crash in 2008 by investing in a creative economy? Iceland's creative industries contribute as much to the country's economic turnover as the aluminium industry, which dominates its export market. The success is due to focusing public funding on the export of home-grown acts and the nurturing of interest in Icelandic music abroad through artists' grants and travel supports such as the Icelandic Music Export, IMX, fund. It is possible to change how things are and it would be a great investment on the part of the State. Has the Minister had any consultation with the Department of Social Protection regarding a mechanism to assist with the living conditions of artists in a way that does not require them to declare themselves unemployed?
While I am not aware that my Department has studied the Canadian and Icelandic models, I hear what the Deputy is saying and I will examine those models to see if we can use some of their ideas to the benefit of our music industry. Music is very important to us and very much part of our culture and part of what we are. I have considered the social protection issue and I will discuss it with the Department of Social Protection regarding supports that can be put in place. Aosdána provides a continuous income for those artists who are part of it. I have considered the issue and will give it further consideration.
8. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount that has been spent, to date, by her Department, in preparation for the 1916 commemoration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10187/15]
I am aware that the Minister has already answered a number of questions on the 1916 commemoration and I do not want to be repetitive. My question relates to the budget allocation for all the activities around the commemoration. The Department has earmarked €26 million, €22 million of which is to be spent on capital projects. How far along the road is the Minister with the expenditure? Does she have concerns about the risk of overruns in the budget? It seems a very ambitious capital programme for the amount of resources allocated and I would be interested to hear the Minister's views on it.
Last year, I established a 2016 project office in my Department which has responsibility for co-ordinating and leading on all activities relating to the development and implementation of the Ireland 2016 initiative, which is focused on the commemoration of the centenary of the events of the 1916 Easter Rising. The initiative will also reflect on the legacy of that period and look towards our future, based around the themes set out in the Government's framework plan. I have secured a dedicated allocation of €4 million in current funding to support the development in 2015 of the Ireland 2016 initiative. This allocation will be used to engage with and support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts, as well as Irish language and educational projects. Details of individual allocations from this €4 million are currently being finalised. The allocation of €4 million is in addition to the capital provision of €22 million, which will be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship commemorations projects. I also secured €2 million in additional funding for the Arts Council for its commemoration programme in preparation for 2016. The national cultural institutions have also been preparing their plans for Ireland 2016, which will be supported both from their own resources and from additional allocations to be provided by my Department.
Some €1 million of the current funding allocation of €4 million for 2015 will be to be distributed across all local authorities. The purpose of this funding allocation is to support engagement and facilitation within local communities to generate awareness of the Ireland 2016 initiative and the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, and to support each local authority in developing and delivering a plan for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level in line with the national plans for Ireland 2016. Local authorities will be notified of individual allocations very shortly.
To date, expenditure of more than €2 million has been incurred across the 2016 programme. This includes expenditure on capital projects, as well as the current and administrative costs arising. It does not include expenditure incurred by other key Departments and offices such as the OPW and the Department of Defence.
I thank the Minister. My original question related to whether the Minister is confident that the various capital projects that are under way will be completed within budget by the time of the commemoration next year. I note the really ambitious programme of work that has been put in place. This programme includes the construction on an interpretative centre in the GPO. The term "interpretative centre" is one of my pet bugbears and I am of the view that what is proposed should be called a visitors centre, which, essentially, is what it will be. The programme also includes work to adapt the Kilmainham Gaol complex and the military archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks. All of this work is necessary and I am hugely supportive of it. However, is all of it achievable within the budget that has been allocated and will the various projects be completed on time? Some of the work is behind schedule. Given that the Minister was not in office when that work commenced, this is not her fault. However, the timeframe is quite tight and the turnaround in respect these various major projects is only 12 months.
We have established a team within the Department which has been charged both with monitoring progress closely to ensure that the projects will be delivered on time and with monitoring costs. I am satisfied that the various projects are on target both in terms of their completion dates and the costs involved. The centre at the GPO will be a fine facility and we hope it will attract in the region of 300,000 visitors to Dublin's city centre each year. The project at Kilmainham Gaol will facilitate the expansion of the services available there. On each occasion one passes the complex, one can see a queue of people waiting to gain entry. The conversion of the adjoining courthouse will expand the facilities at Kilmainham and I am of the view that this will prove to be extremely beneficial. The project at Richmond Barracks is a community and Dublin City Council-led initiative, with support from my Department. I am in receipt of regular updates and I am satisfied that the projects remain on target.
The initiatives to which the Minister refers are all really important in the context of the population of Ireland. People are going to feel proud when all of these historic sites are improved and upgraded in time for the commemoration. I am concerned, however, that the Ireland Inspires proposal was rejected by the Department. Essentially, this proposal revolved around a plan to attract visitors from around the world to attend the 1916 Commemoration and it was very much based on The Gathering model. I am curious to discover why the Department rejected the proposal in question and why it was not embraced as a concept to tap into the huge tourism potential that exists in terms of encouraging members of the diaspora to return to Ireland and celebrate next year's centenary. The Minister referred to the 300,000 people the new facility at the GPO is expected to attract to Dublin's city centre each year. There is huge potential to attract visitors from across the globe, both next year and beyond. It seems strange that the Department rejected the proposal.
Many different events are going to take place in the context of 2016, one of which involves connecting with the diaspora. We are working with our embassies throughout the world to link in with the members of the diaspora. I visited New Orleans in November for the International Famine Commemoration 2014 and I am aware that there is a great interest in the 1916 commemorations. The Deputy may rest assured that we are going to connect with the diaspora. However, it must be remembered that the next year's commemorations are going to be about the Irish people and about the country itself. The events that will take place will allow us to remember those who lost their lives in 1916 and respect the sacrifice they made. If people want to visit Ireland to participate in the commemorations, they will certainly be made very welcome. I reassure the Deputy that our embassies will, with the support of Culture Ireland, continue their programme of engagement with the diaspora on this matter.
9. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of representations she has received in respect of objections to the granting of licences to coursing clubs; and if she will meet some of the groups which have concerns regarding this practice. [10013/15]
This question relates to the level of engagement the Minister has had with groups and individuals who are concerned about her Department's continued granting of licences for hare coursing. The Minister indicated that this activity is regulated and that there are safeguards in place. However, her comments are belied by the reality. Will the Minister outline the contact she has had with individuals who might provide her with a very different view on this matter than that promoted by coursing clubs?
The control of live hare coursing, including the operation of individual coursing meetings, is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Hare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958.
Licences were issued by my Department in August 2014 under the Wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club, on behalf of its affiliated clubs, to facilitate the tagging and capturing of hares for the purpose of hare coursing for the 2014-2015 season. I have received numerous representations in recent months requesting me to revoke the licences issued to the Irish Coursing Club and asking me not to issue any further licences to it. I understand that the majority of these representations have been prompted by an online campaign organised by anti-blood sports organisations urging people to make such representations to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and to me. I have not received any requests for meetings on foot of these recent representations.
I am glad the Minister verified that there has been considerable contact with her Department. This reflects the fact that the majority of people are appalled by the live baiting, mauling and killing of hares in the so-called name of sport. Hare coursing is a practice that has been outlawed in Australia, Britain, Northern Ireland and so on. I hope the Minister will agree to meet some of the groups involved. The problem is that licences are granted to coursing clubs on the basis of certain conditions. Information obtained by some of the animal welfare organisations under the freedom of information legislation shows that many of these conditions are being violated. For example, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is supposed to monitor the activities which take place at coursing meetings. However, it only managed to monitor 23 events last year. At an event in Fermoy, an NPWS ranger was obliged to call a vet to attend because one was not present. One of the conditions of the licences issued by the Department is that vets are supposed to be in attendance at meetings. At meetings held in Gorey and New Ross, numbers provided in respect of the number of hares killed were different from those tallied by the rangers present. Again, this is evidence that the rules are being bent.
Unlawful practices are ongoing which the Department must examine. Will the Minister meet some of the groups who have this information?
I thank the Deputy for her question. I know this is an area she is very passionate about, but I wish to make clear that issues relating to welfare and cruelty are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and not me as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. My interest and area of responsibility is in the conservation of the hare. The scientific evidence available tells me that the conservation status of the hare is good. I do not have any concerns about the conservation of the hare, and welfare issues are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
I have not received a formal request for a meeting but if people wish to meet me, they can contact my office and we will try to accommodate them.
I will certainly suggest that they do that, but I would respectfully say to the Minister that the monitoring of licences is the prerogative of her Department. Some of the conditions for the licences are being severely breached. In Mallow, for example, nobody attended the meeting arranged by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, officer to meet the coursers. In Liscannor, a ranger was intimidated when she asked to check the hare paddock, yet co-operation with NPWS officers is a condition of the licence being granted. Having a vet on call is another condition of the licence. Some animal welfare groups and information from the Department's NPWS officers verify that such breaches are taking place. I presume when that happens it is a basis for stating the licence should be revoked. There is obviously a bigger picture in the sense that the activity in its entirety should be banned, but there are issues the Department could examine now.
The Minister said she had no concerns about hare stocks but the figures are at variance with the real experience of the NPWS officers. I will get the groups to contact the Minister in the hope that it might assist in advancing the issues.
I thank the Deputy. The conservation of the hare is my responsibility and the evidence I have received indicates that it is in good conservation status. From my perspective, no issues arise in terms of conservation. However, if the groups wish to contact my office, we will certainly consider a request for a meeting.
10. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will recognise the work of the Committee for the Commemoration of the Irish Famine Victims, CCIFV, and the campaign to highlight what many call the biggest tragedy in Irish history; if she will commit to the allocation of the second Sunday in May as the designated memorial day to commemorate all who suffered in the Great Famine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10180/15]
My question is to ask the Minister about recognising the work of the Committee for the Commemoration of the Irish Famine Victims, and its campaign to highlight what many call the biggest tragedy in our history. The word "continued" is missing prior to allocation in my question. Will the Minister continue the practice of having the second Sunday of May as the national famine memorial day?
I thank Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan for raising this matter. Officials from my Department have met the Committee for the Commemoration of the Irish Famine Victims periodically in recent years. At the most recent meeting with the CCIFV last month, my officials committed to keeping it apprised of all arrangements in relation to the 2015 Famine commemoration and provided its representatives with a direct line of communication to my Department, which they could avail of to raise any matters in relation to the plans for 2015.
My main focus regarding the annual national Famine commemoration is to ensure that the victims of the Great Irish Famine are respected and appropriately remembered. To do so requires a high level of interaction between my officials, other Departments, local authorities and various other stakeholders. Arising from that, there has been a degree of continuity in the format and scheduling of the commemoration.
While there has been a degree of continuity in the format and scheduling of the annual national Famine commemoration ceremony, the date of the ceremony, as well as the artistic and cultural elements, may change from year to year. It has proved possible in most years to schedule the commemoration on the second Sunday in May, to which the Deputy referred. However, it has not been considered desirable to fix the same date each year, given the factors that may need to be considered, such as the site selection process, the availability of the lead person to officiate at the ceremony and the general arrangements at community level. In 2015, the ceremony is expected to take place in the second half of the year because of those organisational imperatives. In keeping with the custom in place since the inaugural commemoration in 2008, this year's commemoration will take place in Ulster.
The international famine commemoration is also expected to take place in the fourth quarter of this year. It will be the seventh international commemoration and is a further demonstration of the Government's commitment to ensure that the victims of the Great Irish Famine are remembered in an appropriate fashion. I expect that arrangements in relation to both events will be finalised in the coming weeks and I will make an announcement regarding locations and dates at that time.
My main concern is to highlight the work of the committee, which was started by two ordinary citizens in 2003. They organised a walk from what was a soup kitchen near the Four Courts in Famine times on to the quays. In 2004, they held another commemorative event and last year was the twelfth time they organised a commemorative walk. It is important to acknowledge the work of those two individuals which was not done by Governments to commemorate one of the saddest events in our history.
Although I accept what the Minister said, it is important that we have a set date. Sometimes, when there is not a set date such a commemoration can get lost. Given all the work done by the committee, it would be a terrible shame if that were to happen. I seek a commitment from the Minister to a particular period during which the commemoration will happen, for example, the month of May.
I acknowledge the work of the committee and the National Famine Commemoration Committee, which I chair. The event goes from place to place each year and issues always arise about timing. If we keep the date flexible it means we can give a broader range of venues an opportunity to host the Famine commemorations. A commemoration was held in my local town of Clones and it was a lovely event. A lot of work goes into such events and they are very much community driven. We do not want to set an exact date in stone yet because we get a better result if we can retain a degree of flexibility. That is the current position. I cannot give the Deputy a commitment that we will set a date for the commemoration but I accept her point. The commemoration of the Great Irish Famine is very much in our calendar and every year we have had the famine commemoration the involvement of local communities has made it a great success. The international event is always held. I attended it in New Orleans this year. It was a tremendous event. Significant engagement by the Irish in New Orleans was evident. They are so proud of their Irish heritage. It is important that the commemorative events would continue on an annual basis both nationally and internationally.
