Vol. 970 No. 6
6. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she plans to take on foot of the concerns expressed by An Taisce regarding the impact of the use of Skellig Michael as a filming location and its request for strict protocols in respect of this to be introduced. [26709/18]
In light of the concerns expressed by An Taisce about the impact of filming and other activities on the Skelligs, and given that they are an important environmental resource and tourist destination, what structures and protocols does the Minister propose in order to preserve and protect the Skelligs as one of Europe's top destinations?
Sceilg Mhichíl is a national monument in the ownership of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the National Monuments Acts. As such, it enjoys the full range of protections afforded by those Acts, including a requirement that any work at or in proximity to it are subject to my prior written consent. The Skellig Islands themselves form part of the Skelligs special protection area, SPA, which is designated for the protection of various species of seabird and is subject to the provisions of the EU birds and habitats directives.
While recent filming, including the high-profile "Star Wars" filming, led to concerns being raised in some quarters about the potential impact on the SPA, I am satisfied that there have been no adverse impacts. All filming proposals were reviewed by experts in my Department and subject to screening for appropriate assessment in accordance with the birds and natural habitats regulations. Filming was only permitted where the screening concluded that this was in order and that avoidance and mitigation measures were robust. In addition, stringent conditions and monitoring were put in place by my Department.
In the case of the first filming of "Star Wars", for example, following discussion with my officials, the film company submitted a revised application with a significant reduction in activity and a redesign of several elements of the original proposal, including a 90% reduction in proposed helicopter activity for the project. The revised proposal was then screened for ecological and species impact and subject to detailed review by the archaeological experts of the National Monuments Service. The screening concluded that, provided the avoidance and mitigation measures proposed by the film company were implemented in full, and subject to 15 special conditions attached to the consent for the project, the proposal would not have a significant effect on the Skelligs SPA.
Filming was limited to a number of days and only on specified parts of the island. The activities of the film crew were supervised at all times by personnel from the Office of Public Works and my Department's National Monuments Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
On the second occasion of filming in September 2015 after the bird season, conditions were also restrictive, the filming footprint was heavily circumscribed, and duration was limited. As well as implementing strict controls over filming on the island, much of the filming of "Star Wars VIII" took place at Ceann Sibéal on mainland County Kerry rather than on Sceilg Mhichíl itself. The entire catalogue of application, screening, approval, conditions and ex-post reports are available online.
Sceilg Mhichíl was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Information about filming projects, and particularly on ecological issues and assessments undertaken prior to approval for filming, was made available to UNESCO. The post hoc ecological and monument assessments were also made available to UNESCO.
The Minister will have seen the extraordinary photo of recent weeks of puffins on the Skelligs using plastic rubbish, detritus from fishing boats and so on to construct their nests.
Scandalous.
Experts have said that some of that rubbish has come from across the Atlantic. The Minister will have had an opportunity to visit the area. For anyone who knows it, it is an area of extraordinary and outstanding natural beauty and "Star Wars" going there has been a significant boost to its tourism, but the Minister should take account of the concerns expressed by An Taisce. There must be a balance in preserving what is a fragile ecosystem - notwithstanding the fact that it has endured for thousands and thousands of years - against the risks of modern pollution, such as shown in the recent picture of plastics, and the impact of filming, which has seen the number of people visiting Skellig Michael increase. Does the Minister propose to carry out a detailed study on how to do the best for the islands?
An Taisce did not list the protocols it wants to see. Its position is that there should be no filming on Skellig Michael and that purist view is simply not sustainable. It wrote to us several times during the licensing of the 2015 filming and we responded to each letter. We published the application online and the full approval. We did not hear again from An Taisce on the matter until its letter last December to coincide with the release of "Star Wars VIII". The letter was released to the press at the same time that it was sent to us and was obviously written to coincide with the sure publicity the movie could get. As a consequence, its negative view got some traction.
With regard to the puffins, in September 2015, most of the birds on the island had departed for the winter, including the puffins. The report published afterwards is unequivocal in stating that there was no impact on the wildlife, the buildings or the structure on Skellig Michael. UNESCO was fully informed and raised no correspondence whatsoever. I am very satisfied with the way that it has been undertaken. An Taisce's view is second-hand, speculative and uncorroborated, in my view. Incidentally, the shot used in The Irish Times when it covered An Taisce's letter on 21 December was taken not on Skellig Michael but on a set in Sybil Head.
The Minister has probably seen some of the detailed commentary and the commentary relating to nest-building, plastic waste and rubbish. It does not just relate to puffins but gannets too. The Minister would be foolish to be quite so churlish about An Taisce being concerned about the natural environment. Has the Minister taken an opportunity, since she became Minister, to visit this important area? Everybody wants to see the maximum positive development of tourism in this area, which has long been an area which has relied on tourism and its natural beauty for promoting the livelihoods of local people. Equally, one has to protect the environment. What are the Minister's plans to do that?
I am not remotely churlish about Skellig Michael and I am kept fully briefed and informed about filming on it at all times. There has to be a dose of reality with regard to it and there is some misinformation about it. Skellig Michael lies 14 km offshore in what are euphemistically known as challenging sea conditions and it is cut off by sea for seven months of the year. Its archaeology, which has survived for 15 centuries, is open to the full natural fury of the Atlantic elements. Its biggest challenge is not its visitors. Those numbers can be controlled. It is actually the wild Atlantic elements to which it is exposed. None of those events caused any damage to the ecology, ornithology or archaeology of the island at any stage. I am satisfied with the screening, supervision during filming and the ex post ecological report, all of which were published.
8. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports provided to built heritage projects in County Kildare in the past two years; her plans for 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26721/18]
The next question is in the name of Deputy Martin Heydon. I had agreed to ask the supplementary for him. I will allow the question and the Minister to give one answer for the question, if that is all right. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Deputy Heydon has inquired about built heritage projects in County Kildare in the past two years and my plans for 2019, which I believe is also the Acting Chairman's constituency. Financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures is provided by my Department through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities. The built heritage investment scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures, that is, structures on the local authority record of protected structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals. I have allocated funding of €2 million in total for this scheme in 2018. In 2017 and 2018, the built heritage investment scheme provided €100,000 in grant aid for 28 projects in County Kildare.
The structures at risk fund enables conservation works to heritage structures in both private and public ownership that are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. I have allocated €1.324 million for the structures at risk fund in 2018. In 2017 and 2018, a total of €119,000 was allocated to five projects in County Kildare under the structures at risk fund. Details of the projects approved under both funding schemes are published on my Department's website and local authority websites. My Department has provided €350,000 in funding to the Office of Public Works in 2018 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. The two Departments continue to work closely together on survey, excavation and research work relating to our national monuments.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports. With regard to 2019, I am pleased to say that the funding announced as part of the national development plan, NDP, presents a significant opportunity to improve the supports available to owners and custodians of our heritage buildings in conserving and protecting this important and irreplaceable part of our heritage.
9. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available to groups wishing to hold centenary commemorations of events relating to the War of Independence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27065/18]
We are well over halfway through the decade of centenaries at this point. Communities throughout the country are commemorating various different events at a grassroots level, taking the initiative and marking those events. I understand that the Minister is carrying out a review of the various different funding streams and the plan from here on. That review has been going on for some months. When will that be available? Will it steer funding, priorities and criteria for those communities that will make grant applications for their various local commemorations?
One of the most significant lessons from the Ireland 2016 centenary programme was the capacity of local communities to mobilise and achieve successful outcomes when the right structures and supports were put in place to assist their endeavours. The Government's approach to the remembrance of the significant historic events and related themes of the period from 1919 to 1923 will continue to be informed by the guidance of the expert advisory group on centenary commemorations, which is chaired by Dr. Maurice Manning, and by the all-party consultation group, once established. The expert advisory group's second phase mission statement was launched by my predecessor as Minister, Deputy Humphreys, last October. This statement provides a structure of guiding principles which will assist all interested parties in delivering appropriate commemorations at national and local level.
In its second statement, the advisory group acknowledges the significant role played by local authorities in developing inclusive, citizen-focused, and authentic commemorations. The advisory group believes that they should continue this important work and be supported in their role. I share the view that local authorities will have a key role in supporting engagement by local communities and in developing suitable commemorative initiatives at county level. Following the conclusion of the decade of centenaries public consultation process at the end of February, the advisory group has been considering the guidance that it will provide to assist the Government in commemorating the significant historical events over the remainder of the decade. I expect to receive the group's advice shortly. I am aware that 20 of the 73 submissions received were made by local authorities and I very much appreciate their engagement and observations.
The issue of funding for the local authorities over the remainder of the decade will be examined in the context of the findings of the public consultation process and the guidance provided by the expert advisory group to Government. It will also be considered in the context of the overall approach by Government as part of the normal Estimates process.
I thank the Minister. I acknowledge that local authorities continue to fund groups throughout the country and community groups are enthusiastic and keen to ensure that their commemorations are marked locally. We are right in the middle of 2018 at this point and there are a great many significant commemorations for this year alone, including votes for women, the 1918 general election, the ending of the war and, most significantly, I feel, at the Mouth of the Glen between Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh and Ré na nDoirí. I refer to the first ambush of the War of Independence, where local volunteers engaged with the RIC in July 1918. That engagement is being marked locally.
The Minister would have known the timeline and that a review has been under way for almost a year. Why has the review taken so long and is it going to be brought to a conclusion quickly? Communities would like the review to be concluded and for direction to be provided to them in addition to an opportunity to apply for funding and also that the various criteria would be outlined. The review is under way for the best part of a year at this point, in the middle of what would have been a set timeframe, and should be brought to a conclusion soon. Does the Minister have a date for the conclusion of the review? Is she aware that the national commemoration for July almost clashes with the Mouth of the Glen commemoration in the same month?
The previous Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, announced that the Department would re-establish the consultative group on commemorations following its success in the lead-up to the State's commemoration of the 1916 centenary. We need an all-party representation on the group to ensure a balanced perspective on what is a contentious period in our history. Nominations have been sought from all parties represented in the Oireachtas, including Independents, as well as representatives from the Northern Ireland Assembly. We want the consultative group to meet as soon as possible so as to ensure the best possible commemorations in the coming years.
One of the historic events we hope to commemorate appropriately is the founding of Dáil Éireann in 1919. The first meeting was on 21 January 1919 and it is one of the most significant historic events in the decade of centenaries and deserves to be commemorated accordingly. The Houses of the Oireachtas is advancing plans for a ceremonial event to mark that. Another period to commemorate is the struggle for independence from 1919 to 1921. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan mentioned the War of Independence, which is the name commonly used to describe the guerrilla warfare fought between the Irish Republican Army and the British security forces in Ireland, and we also have that centenary commemoration.
In relation to the clash mentioned by Deputy Moynihan, we cannot prescribe to local authorities on how they should commemorate events locally. It would be better if they consulted directly with the Department.
I gceann cúpla seachtain, ag tús mhí Iúil, beidh muintir Bhéal Átha an Ghaorthaidh agus muintir Mhúscraí ag ceiliúradh nó ag comóradh an chéad luíochán i gCogadh na Saoirse, a tharla i mBéal a' Ghleanna. Tá sé an-tábhachtach a leithéid a chomóradh. Beidh fáilte roimh an Aire má bhíonn sí ann.
It is very important that communities have the opportunity to do something and the resources to go ahead and make sure those significant events are commemorated. I understand the Minister is still conducting the review, that the committee has only met twice and that it does not have an outcome yet. When does the Minister expect the committee to conclude the review? Will it report directly to the Minister?
I acknowledge that local authorities are continuing to support the process but they need direction and a steer from national Government and the Minister should put in place a plan and not land State events on top of significant events such as the first ambush of the War of Independence at the Mouth of the Glen.
As someone who has been a member of the all-party committee on commemorations since 2006 when it was first mooted by Bertie Ahern, I believe it is a good scheme and it needs to happen. Most of the ideas the State used came through that mechanism. The Minister is now running out of time.
Local authorities were brought on board late in the day for the 2016 commemorations and they delivered a lot better than was expected considering the very short notice. I appeal to the Minister to bring the consultation to a conclusion and to allocate the money in the budget in order that planning can go ahead.
One of the things that was also successful during 2016 was the national capital projects. They take a lot more planning than six months. We are running very close to An Chéad Dáil commemoration events and the election before that, but there are also key moments during the war and some planning is required so that we end up with some capital projects, some monumental events and have some monuments left behind. That cannot happen overnight.
I have consistently been asking the Minister questions about the all-party committee that was advising on the commemorations and she keeps giving the response that it will happen shortly and that she is waiting for nominations. The various groups were asked to make those nominations six or eight months ago, if not longer. Surely it is time to tell them that the train is leaving the station and it is fine if they want to jump on at this station at the beginning, and it is also fine if they want to join later, but they cannot hold up the entire process. They have had the chance. When will the committee meet, with or without those final nominations?
I understand that the Minister has a lot on her desk but the commemorations are really important at both a national and local level. They are not just about commemorating the actual first meeting of the Dáil. The local commemorations are really important. The Minister must offer support to having a national structure. What we had for the 1916 commemoration was very inclusive. It reflected communities and people were drawn from a wide range of organisations and none. The involvement by the Government was agreed by everybody in the House to be extremely successful. I share the concern that for some reason or other nothing much seems to be happening for the next series of commemorations. If the Minister allows a vacuum to develop then others may fill the vacuum in a way which will be far less inclusive than what we successfully achieved in 2016.
I accept all the points raised by the Deputies. I could not agree more. There has been some difficulty getting an all-party committee and getting all parties to nominate people to give their views on how to proceed.
Why not ask the spokespeople?
I will just finish. However, I have indicated that the first sitting will be happening in the next couple of weeks, regardless, because we want it to be inclusive, as Deputy Burton mentioned. I am very conscious of the time. It is very important that we have a balanced representation on the committee. The aim of any commemoration is to broaden sympathies without having to abandon any loyalties and to make sure that we reflect everybody's perspective.
In relation to regional funding, I do expect that local authorities will have a key role in supporting engagement and facilitation in local communities and in developing appropriate commemorative initiatives as part of the decade of centenaries. That integration is going to be really vital for local communities and that everybody is involved. I will do my utmost to make sure that everything is as successful as it was for the 2016 commemoration.
12. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she was consulted in relation to the sale of a studio (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27114/18]
Ardmore Studios is a very strategic facility. It was sold recently and I understand the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation was involved. Was the Minister consulted about the sale and were concerns expressed about the vulnerability of Ardmore's future as a studio?
The sale of the studio referred to by the Deputy is first and foremost a matter for my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Heather Humphreys. I can confirm, however, that her Department has kept my Department informed of the progress and ultimate acquisition of the facility in question. In March this year I issued a press release welcoming the acquisition of the studios by an Irish company. Ireland is an attractive location for film production and the facility referred to by the Deputy will continue to operate as a studio.
I want to ensure that Ireland continues as an attractive location for film production and also becomes a global leader in this area. On Monday last, 18 June, the name of the Irish Film Board was changed to Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.
Fís Éireann or Screen Ireland is the national development agency for the Irish film, television drama and animation industry. Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of the industry in Ireland. In 2018, €18 million was allocated to Screen Ireland, an increase of €1.55 million from the previous year. Screen Ireland also supports the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment and the use of Ireland as a location for international production, and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. Screen Ireland liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland to maximise opportunities for the promotion of Ireland as a location for film production. Information on its funding scheme is available on its website.
The Government also supports the film industry through the film tax credit scheme, as provided for in section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The twin approach of direct funding and tax expenditure measures maximises the benefits of the Government's support to the audiovisual industry. In addition, pillar four of the Creative Ireland programme focuses on Ireland's potential to be a global leader in film production, television drama, documentary, children's storytelling and animation.
Just to satisfy my idle curiosity, I ask the Minister to explain why the Irish and English versions of the name are totally different. Screen Ireland is translated as "Fís Éireann" but the word "fís" means "vision", while the Irish for the word "screen" is "scáileán". Why does this anomaly with regard to the name exist? Which word more truly reflects the nature of this body? Is it "Fís" in the Irish title or "Screen" in the English title?
I totally agree with Deputy Ó Cuív's comment on the translation. When I saw it I wondered about it too because the word "fís" has a very particular meaning in Irish relating to a vision. That is how the word is used. For example, it features as a title in much academic discussion and political commentary. It is an odd translation.
I thank the Deputies for their comments. On the issue of use of the word "fís", we need to have a vision for film, television and all of the new platforms. A digital revolution is taking place around the world and the word "fís" encompasses it more than the word "scáileán" would. The former is also easier to remember than the direct Irish translation of screen.
On the issue of Ardmore Studios to which the Deputy's original question refers, Enterprise Ireland requires the consent of its parent Department to dispose of State assets. In this context, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation maintained contact with my Department during the sale process to keep us briefed on developments, while also noting that the Department had no formal role in the process. The Department did not have a view as to who should own the studio but only that the studio would continue as a key asset underpinning the development of the Irish film industry. Ultimately, the decision to dispose of the Enterprise Ireland shareholding was a matter for the board of Enterprise Ireland and was subject to the approval of the relevant Minister. The process concluded when the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, wrote to me on 6 March 2018 to inform me of her decision to approve the proposed disposal by Enterprise Ireland of its minority shareholding on the terms recommended by its board.
The Ardmore site is currently zoned for film industry use only. This protection is due to run for at least another five years under the Bray municipal district local area plan. The site cannot be used for non-film industry development without the agreement of Wicklow County Council to alter the current zoning restriction. It is important that Ireland remains at the forefront of the audiovisual sector and this is one of the main aims of Global 2025, which the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and I launched recently.
Given that we are talking about the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I presume that Fís Éireann was the original name which was translated into English and not the other way around. It baffles me as to why, having called it Fís Éireann, the Department did not call it Vision Ireland but my puzzlement will continue.
Given the price of residential land in the Bray area, is the Minister concerned that there is a significant possibility that the Ardmore site might be rezoned as residential land? In such circumstances, it would be impossible to ensure the site would be retained for film making in the context of profitability. Does the Minister agree that there is an absolute need to have ready-made production facilities in this country if we are to continue to attract major film and screen projects?
Deputy Josepha Madigan: I have no control over what a local authority decides to do into the future but the site cannot be used at the moment for non-film industry development without the agreement of Wicklow County Council to alter the current zoning restriction.
The Olsberg report was published on foot of an economic analysis of the Irish audiovisual industry. It found that the industry generated almost 17,000 jobs in 2016 and added almost €1.1 billion to the economy, which could increase to €1.46 billion. The headline figures in the report relate to radio production as well as film, television, animation, commercial advertising and video game production.
13. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the cultural and heritage centre at a location (details supplied) will begin hosting exhibitions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27112/18]
An arrangement was arrived at with the Bank of Ireland on College Green in Dublin, under which the State would be given the use of a facility for ten years to host exhibitions. When will this happen because it has been a long time coming?
I am delighted to inform the Deputy that the cultural and heritage centre at Bank of Ireland on College Green will be launched on Wednesday, 4 July 2018. I will open the new centre alongside Ms Francesca McDonagh, the chief executive of Bank of Ireland. The first exhibition to be housed at the centre is entitled "Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again". It will celebrate the life and work of our great Nobel Prize winning poet and will be launched by President Michael D. Higgins on the same day. The centre and new exhibition will open to the public on 6 July. The exhibition will draw on the extensive literary archive donated to the National Library in 2011. I take this opportunity to thank the Heaney family for their remarkable philanthropy and for strongly supporting this initiative. The exhibition will be an exciting partnership between the State and the private sector and will run for four years.
The Heaney exhibition will be the first at this dynamic new cultural and heritage centre at the Bank of Ireland's premises on College Green in Dublin which is the home of Ireland’s first Parliament. Part of this iconic building has now been transformed to welcome the public in partnership with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The exhibition will be accessed by the public through the Gandon designed entrance to the College Green building on Westmoreland Street, which has not been used for many years. It will be a superb addition to the cultural landscape of Dublin.
The recent opening of the Luas line across Dublin city centre will facilitate visitors and tourists in coming to an area that has been little more than a pedestrian and traffic throughway for too long. The new culture and heritage centre at the Bank of Ireland premises is held under licence between the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the bank for ten years from 27 November 2017. The National Library of Ireland, through a memorandum of understanding, is responsible for the first exhibition to be hosted at this unique venue. It is envisaged that further exhibitions involving other national cultural institutions will be hosted at the venue in the future.
I am not certain that it was the first parliament. My father wrote a book about parlaimint na mban, or the women's parliament. I must check the date to find out whether the Minister is correct. On a more serious note, the agreement to use this venue for ten years was reached four and a half years ago. Why did it take so long to get this up and running? On the day the doors open, will we have five and a half years to go or ten years to go? It will be most disappointing if there are just five and a half years to go.
As I mentioned, this venue will open to the public on 6 July next. The Deputy will appreciate that organising something of this significant nature involved the collation of archival records as well as the Seamus Heaney collection. I thank his family for the work involved. A great deal of work, including work on the building, has had to be done to put an exhibition of this size together and bring it to the public. Expressions of interest were called for in 2014 to animate the centre. Submissions were received from a number of institutions and organisations. An expert selection committee was established to examine the submissions. The National Library of Ireland was selected for its proposal to curate an exhibition on the life and works of Seamus Heaney. As I have said, the exhibition is based on the literary archives which were donated to the library by Seamus Heaney and his family in 2011. The exhibition, which is entitled "Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again", is curated by the National Library of Ireland and by Professor Geraldine Higgins, who previously curated Emory University's successful Heaney exhibition, "The Music of What Happens", which celebrated the life and work of the great Nobel Prize-winning poet.
The first meeting of the First Dáil, the lasting effect of which we are still talking about almost 100 years later, was organised in less than two months. The timescale was even shorter than I thought it was when I raised this matter with the Minister previously. It seems extraordinary that the venture now coming on stream was announced in February 2014, which was almost four and a half years ago. I will repeat the simple and plain question I have already asked. Does the ten-year period for which this venue is being made available start in 2018, or are we still working on the basis that it started in 2014? If there are just five and a half years to go, we have spent nearly half of the time getting the first exhibition going.
As I said in my original response, this venue is held under licence for ten years from 27 November 2017. No time has been lost. The official opening will take place on 4 July next. The exhibition, which will be free for everyone, will run for between three and five years. It is the aspiration of the National Library of Ireland that the exhibition will move permanently to the library's historic building on Kildare Street at the end of that period. It will take its place there alongside the award-winning exhibition dedicated to W.B. Yeats. This will bring two of Ireland's greatest writers together in a library they both loved. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has given the National Library of Ireland an additional capital grant of €615,000 towards the cost of designing and building the exhibition. Bank of Ireland has generously provided the space in College Green and will contribute towards the cost of running the centre.
The question has not been answered.
The Chair has no function in that business.
The Chair does have such a function under the new Standing Orders.
The Deputy will have to write to the Ceann Comhairle if he wants a different answer to the question.
The Chair is incorrect. If the Chair checks the Standing Order, he will see that-----
We are not going to have a debate on it now.
-----this can be raised.
If the Deputy was sitting in this Chair, he would not allow a debate on it either.
I would.
In honour of the decision he would make in that kind of situation, we will move onto Question No. 17, in the name of Deputy Burton.
17. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress which has been made in the filling of vacancies on the board of the National Museum of Ireland; the process by which the vacancies will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26711/18]
I ask the Minister to update the House on the filling of vacancies on the board of the National Museum of Ireland. She will be aware that there have been a number of difficulties at the museum. I await the Minister's report on the filling of the vacancies.
There are three vacancies on the board of the National Museum of Ireland, two of which are for ordinary members of the board and one of which is for the staff nomination to the board. Section 19(1) of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 provides that "the Board of the Museum shall consist of a chairperson and not less than 13 or more than 15 ordinary members who shall be appointed to be members of the Board of the Museum by the Minister". Under the procedures put in place to appoint members of State boards, the process of filling two of the current vacancies on the board of the museum will be run by the Public Appointments Service. An assessment panel will be convened to consider and assess the expressions of interest received. A shortlist of suitable candidates will then be prepared to be sent forward for my consideration. Officials in the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht are working with the National Museum of Ireland and the Public Appointments Service to prepare the appropriate call for expressions of interest to serve on the board. It is expected that this will be finalised shortly and will then be advertised on www.stateboards.ie.
The process for appointing the staff member to the board is set out in section 19(6) of the 1997 Act, which provides that the person in question "shall be selected by the Minister from a panel of not less than 4 persons (of whom not less than 2 shall be women and not less than 2 shall be men) [and whose names shall] be submitted to him or her by the members of staff" of the museum. There was an insufficient number of staff nominations from the museum following the initial call for nominations. The Department has written to the museum to ask for additional nominations, following which I will make a staff appointment to the board in accordance with section 19(6) of the 1997 Act. The final form was sent for ministerial approval in recent days so that the vacancies can be advertised by the Public Appointments Service. There was a particular focus on the skill sets to be included on the form. As I have said, there are two vacancies for ordinary members of the board and there is one vacancy for the staff nomination to the board.
Why is it taking so long? These vacancies came up at the end of last year or early this year. We are now into the middle of the year. The Minister has suggested that they are just about to be posted. Can she give us a timeline for how long it will take to fill these vacancies? The difficulties which have beset the board of the museum have been debated in this House on a number of occasions. I refer, for example, to staff issues like the level of unhappiness among those who work at the museum. Can the Minister say how long this procedure is likely to take? Does she have a timeline? If one of our major institutions were to have insufficient representation on its board, it would imply that there is a significant weakness in the organisation. Is the Minister going to prioritise this matter? Can she tell us whether it will take another month, two months or three months? Can she give us a timeline?
I should have mentioned in my initial response that earlier today, I signed the ministerial approval for the vacancies to go to advertisement. I will give an overview of the process. The vacancies on the board arose in January. A number of legal and interpretation issues arose as the Department was preparing to advertise the vacancies. The process of preparing to make new appointments to State boards requires a reasonable degree of consideration by the boards of State bodies, the Department and the Public Appointments Service. This can take some time. A number of legal and technical issues regarding the process arose in this case but have now been ironed out. The appointments are now ready to be advertised and this should happen shortly. As I said, there are two vacancies for ordinary members of the board of the museum. The Department wrote to the acting director in January and sent a reminder in February.
We requested legal advice in March. We sent another reminder in April. Suffice to say it is now all in situ and we should hopefully have those appointments made in a matter of weeks.
Can the Minister say for how long they have to be advertised and how long it will take the Public Appointments Service, PAS, to examine the applications and make recommendations to the Minister? The Minister will then presumably have to submit these appointments for approval by Government or Cabinet. Can she give an estimate of how long this process is likely to take? She has referred to legal difficulties and perhaps procedural difficulties. Would she care to enlighten us on what the legal difficulties may have been? Can she just tell us when she is going to get on with it and when the appointments are going to be made? They will land on her desk and I assume she will make a selection from those persons deemed by the PAS to be eligible and suitable for appointment.
I signed the ministerial approval earlier today-----
No, this question is about the advertisement.
I cannot give the Deputy a definitive timeline as to when PAS will come back to me with a shortlist process but I imagine it will be a matter of weeks rather than months. It is important that we get these appointments made as soon as possible. As I mentioned in my first response, the museum did not give us four names. We were only given three, which was not sufficient. Under section 19 of the Act there is a requirement for four nominees to be forwarded to the Minister for consideration. There was formal legal advice received on 22 May stating that it would be prudent for the Department to consider writing to the National Museum of Ireland stating that the Minister requires a panel of four pursuant to section 19 of the Act and to ask the museum to nominate a further nominee, at least one other female, to be considered for appointment. A letter was issued to the director seeking an additional nomination on 23 May 2018. We sent a reminder to the National Museum of Ireland in respect of this matter and the final form was sent to me and was signed today. The issue was resolved. The revised form was sent back on 4 May. That is where we are at the moment and hopefully we will have this sorted out in the next few weeks.
Question No. 18 is next.
It was already dealt with.
It is identical to Question No. 1.
19. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding that will be provided to Waterways Ireland to maintain and enhance canals as a tourist amenity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26712/18]
This is to ask the Minister what her proposals are in respect of the funding to be provided to Waterways Ireland. There are a number of very important canals in the country, not least the canals on the north side and south side of Dublin. Other canals pass through very touristic country and through urban areas. They are very popular with local people and visitors. Waterways Ireland has been struggling in terms of the funding allocated by the Department. I would like to know what the Minister's proposals are and when that funding will start to become available. Waterways Ireland is a North-South body, as the Minister is aware.
Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of some 1,000 km of navigable inland waterways, principally for recreational purposes. It has responsibility for the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Shannon Navigation, the Barrow Navigation, the Grand and Royal canals - which latter runs through the Deputy's constituency - the Erne System and the Lower Bann Navigation. This is a significant recreational resource and Waterways Ireland has been proactive in the development of blueways and greenways as a means to attract new visitors and in response to the growth of recreational activities such as walking, canoeing and cycling.
The amount of funding allocated to Waterways Ireland from my Department's Vote in 2018 is €24.106 million to undertake its statutory functions across its entire network. Recently I announced that a further section of the Ulster Canal would be developed, in addition to the section currently nearing completion from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson. Waterways Ireland is actively involved in the development of the towpaths along the canals to provide off-road, safe amenities for walkers and cyclists. Waterways Ireland has worked with local authorities, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Fáilte Ireland and other partners to upgrade the Royal Canal towpath as part of the Dublin-Galway cycle route and it is hoped that this route will be largely completed, and indeed extended to the Shannon River, by the end of this year. There is continued development of the Grand Canal towpath and the Barrow towpath as important off-road links to open up southern and western Ireland to tourists. Waterways Ireland is also at the forefront of developing blueways along the canals network. They offer opportunities for locals and tourists to enjoy outdoor recreational activities on and beside the water in a comfortable, safe environment. Infrastructure is in place and plans are under way to have an operational blueway in place along the Royal Canal at Mullingar for summer 2018.
The Acting Chairman, Deputy Durkan, probably has an interest in the Royal Canal as well. Has any work been done in respect of design for a proper footpath in the area called the deep cutting, which runs from Castleknock and Blanchardstown up to Clonsilla? It is a very deep and dangerous section of the canal. The Department has been considering this in conjunction with Waterways Ireland for many years. It is in an area with a population of more than 100,000. It is a very important amenity for the area. Until recently, the Taoiseach was a frequent jogger along the path. This cutting is so deep and the footpath so high and narrow that it is very difficult for more than two or three people to walk abreast. It is quite a difficulty. Somebody using a wheelchair would probably find this section of the canal, which is lengthy enough, extremely difficult to go along. Has the Minister made any progress in this regard?
My understanding is that it is called the deep sinking but I will bow to the Deputy's knowledge of the area. It is part of the Royal Canal between Castleknock and Clonsilla, starting just after the 12th lock and continuing for about 4 km west of Clonsilla station. It is very narrow in places, making it difficult for boats to pass each other. At its deepest, the towpath is carried some 9 m above the water and in places it is only 1 m wide or less, making it difficult to develop. Waterways Ireland along with Fingal County Council and the National Transport Authority is exploring design options to integrate the development of the towpath along the deep sinking into the overall development of a multi-use trackway as part of the Royal Canal greenway, the national cycling network route from Dublin to Galway. Waterways Ireland is also carrying out work on the Royal Canal towpath in conjunction with local authorities. The overall funding for this work will not come from the Waterways Ireland budget but from other agencies such as the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Waterways Ireland initially funds the work and then recoups the majority of the cost from the various agencies. At this point in the year, it is anticipated that the net spend by Waterways Ireland following this recoupment will be negligible.
Will the proposals be put on public view? This part of the canal, which the Minister described correctly, is quite extensive in length. It is an area of enormous natural beauty with a very large bird and wildlife population. It is really important that whatever design is drawn up, given the particular difficulties of the height of the towpath above the canal, it is subject to a proper environmental assessment in terms of protecting the natural environment of the canal at that point.
I certainly hope there will be more consultation than there has been with many residents of those areas of the Barrow waterway who have had various proposals that would interfere with the peace of the area.
I think there should be consultation. Following completion of each section of the Royal Canal towpath, Waterways Ireland will enter into service-level agreements with the local authorities with regard to the upkeep and ongoing maintenance of the towpaths and greenways. The potential running costs for Waterways Ireland have yet to be determined but will be monitored as discussions advance. Due to the drier weather, we are experiencing lower than normal levels of water in some areas of the Royal Canal. Waterways Ireland is managing individual passages at the summit level on a one-to-one basis. This is being monitored and a marine notice will issue on this if it is necessary. It is important that the blueways are used for tourists - not just for tourists but also for residents living in the area, as the Deputy correctly pointed out, so that they can avail of their canal from a recreational perspective.
24. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad airgead atá ceadaithe aici i mbliana do mhion-oibreacha caipitil ar na hoileáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [26704/18]
Ní thógfaidh sé seo ach dhá soicind. Cé mhéad airgead atá ceadaithe ag an Aire Stáit le haghaidh mionoibreacha ar na hoileáin?
Tugann mo Roinn cuireadh bliantúil do chomhairlí chontae a bhfuil oileáin faoina gcúram iarratas a chur chuici ar chomh-mhaoiniú do thograí mionoibreacha ar na hoileáin úd. Níos túisce i mbliana, rinne mo Roinn amhlaidh d'fhonn clár a cheadú do 2018. Tá na hiarratais á cuireadh chuici á meas ag mo Roinn faoi láthair. Is buiséad caipitil de €1.344 milliún san iomlán atá ar fáil don Roinn i mbliana do thograí oileán. Nuair a chuirtear maoiniú do mhórthogra forbairt Ché Inis Oírr san áireamh, meastar go mbeidh thart ar €1 mhilliún ar fáil le cur i dtreo mionoibreacha i mbliana.
That concludes Question Time.
Cén uair a fhógrófar iad?
Tá said faoi chúram mo Roinne faoi láthair.
Tá an t-am istigh.
Tá na meastúcháin ag bogadh ar aghaidh. Tá mé ag smaoineamh go mbeidh an obair déanta roimh dheireadh na bliana, ach beidh oibreacha áirithe déanta roimhe sin. Tá brón orm cur isteach ar an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach ach ba mhaith liom a rá maidir leis an bpleanáil teanga taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht go bhfuil na hullmhúcháin ceadaithe ach níl na pleananna ceadaithe.
