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Tuesday, 6 Nov 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1216-1238

National Raised Bog Management Plan

Questions (1216)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter regarding a bog (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44633/18]

View answer

Written answers

The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022, published in December 2017, sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed, including exploring the options in terms of certain provisions of article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive.

In certain areas where there is a difficulty in finding relocation solutions for turf cutters, the Department, in consultation with turf cutter interests and within the framework of the National Plan, is considering whether the provisions of article 6.3 of the Directive could be utilised to provide for domestic turf cutting within areas of a number of special areas of conservation. Under article 6.3 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown by rigorous scientific investigations that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the (ecological) integrity of the site.

If it can be demonstrated that turf cutting within a proposed location in a special area of conservation would not impact on the integrity of a European site, the appropriate consent would then be required from the relevant public authority.

As set out in the National Plan, the site referred to in the Deputy's Question is one of the sites being examined as regards the potential for domestic turf cutting on the site in accordance with the provisions of the Directive. The initial phase of scientific investigations on the site, undertaken by contractors engaged by my Department, was completed in November 2017. These investigations illustrated that a further specialised examination of the bog was required because of the hydrological and topographic complexities of this particular site. The results of this examination, undertaken this year, mean that it has not been possible to rule out, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, the threat of peat failure (bog burst) if turf cutting resumes in the south of the bog, as required by article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive.

Consequently, a final phase of concentrated geophysical and hydrological investigations is scheduled to be carried out in early 2019 to assess the level of risk of peat failure in the proposed domestic turf cutting area in the south of the site.

National Monuments

Questions (1217)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

1217. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the reinstatement of a monument (details supplied). [44766/18]

View answer

Written answers

I refer the Deputy  to my reply to Questions Nos. 620, and 622 to 624, on 22 May 2018.

In the meantime, my Department’s National Monuments Service, together with the National Museum of Ireland and Meath County Council, has been liaising with the landowner with the aim of achieving a mutually satisfactory and appropriate outcome. The parties have met on site on an number of occasions and I am advised that positive progress has been made towards resolving the issues that have arisen.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (1218)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1218. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she, her departmental officials and or her ministerial predecessors have met companies and an organisation (details supplied) and or representatives of same in the past three years to date; if so, if a schedule of those meetings and the associated minutes will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44772/18]

View answer

Written answers

The position in relation to this matter is unchanged from that set out in my responses to Parliamentary Question Number 347 of 18th October and Parliamentary Question Number 713 of 23rd October.

Irish Language

Questions (1219)

Niall Collins

Question:

1219. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current and capital funding allocation for each item (details supplied) in each of the years 2016 to 2018, in tabular form in addition to the funding announcements made in budget 2019 regarding each item. [44837/18]

View answer

Written answers

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

 

2016 Expenditure

2016 Expenditure

2017 Expenditure

2017 Expenditure

2018 Budget

2018 Budget

2019 Budget

2019 Budget

 

 Current

€ 

Capital

€ 

 Current

€ 

Capital

€ 

 Current

€ 

Capital

€ 

Current

€ 

Capital

€  

 An Foras Teanga total

 13,249,410

 -

 13,507,471

 -

 14,028,000

 -

 13,323,000

 -

Údarás na Gaeltachta total (1)

11,823,000

9,087,000 

12,208,000

8,957,000 

12,587,000

7,000,000 

13,292,000 (2)

8,500,000 (2)

Gaeltacht co-operatives and community development

organisations

 1,615,000

 -

 1,904,000

 -

 1,978,000

 -

 

 

Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta

 535,000

 -

 535,000

 -

 535,000

 -

 

 

Ealaín na Gaeltachta

 320,000

 -

 342,432

 -

 341,500

 -

 

 

Gnóthaí Óige

 605,000

 -

 605,000

 -

 605,000

 -

 

 

Gaeltacht Support Schemes

7,369,622 

6,565,000 

6,390,000 

 €6,670,000

 -

Infrastructure for the Gaeltacht

€921,895 

€1,900,000 

2,322,000 

 -

€2,522,000 

Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta

40,000 

50,000 

 -

 Islands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Infrastructure for islands

6,643,187 

1,357,448

1,344,000 (3) 

1,644,000 

Current Expenditure for the islands including

essential transport services

6,630,886 

6,606,602 

6,631,000 

7,131,000 

 20 year strategy for Irish Language total (4)

999,277 

1,250,000 

 -

2,650,000 

3,250,000 (5) 

 Language Planning Process

340,125 

816,553 

 1,669,951

 -

 

 

 Programmes and other projects mainly benefiting the 20 Year Strategy

659,152 

613,000 

 Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta – language planning

support

270,000 

270,000 

Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta · language planning

support

181,000 

 

420,340  

 

Ealaín na Gaeltachta – language planning support

325,000 (6)

(6)

 Gnóthaí Óige

203,879 

 Irish Language Commissioner

638,784

730,000 

738,000 

763,000 

 Irish language Support Schemes – outside the Gaeltacht

3,499,037 

94,551 

3,997,000 

17,000 

4,200,000 

382,000 

4,450,000 

682,000 

[1] The following programmes are funded through Údarás na Gaeltachta’s total allocation.

[2] Breakdown of 2019 budget estimate not yet finalised.

[3] Includes capital carryover of €700k.

[4] The following programmes are funded through the 20 Year Strategy’s total allocation.

[5] Breakdown of 2019 budget estimate not yet finalised.

[6] Funding from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (1220, 1221)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

1220. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the location of the submissions made to the consultations undertaken by her Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44855/18]

View answer

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

1221. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the consultations undertaken by her Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44873/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1220 and 1221 together.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to consultations undertaken by my Department since its establishment in 2011 to date in 2018 is set out in the following table. If the Deputy has further specific queries relating to a particular consultation process, I will endeavour to provide her with relevant information in that regard.

Year

Details of Public Consultation

Submissions Published

2011

National Peatlands Strategy Formulation

No

(Report available at: https://www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting/peatlands-council/national-peatlands-strategy)

2011

National Landscape Strategy / Strategy Issues Paper

No

(Report available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2015/07/N-Landscape-Strategy-english-Web.pdf)

2011

Ending the use of lead shot for hunting over wetlands

No

2011

Public Consultation for the Brú na Bóinne Management Plan

Summary of submissions published in Plan (Report available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2015/08/Bru-na-Boinne-World-Heritage-Site-Research-Framework.pdf)

2012

Review of the Open Seasons Order for deer species

No

2012

Public Consultation on review of the Official Languages Acts

Yes.

Available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/gaeltacht/the-irish-language/review-of-official-language-act-2003/submissions/

2013

Review of taking young raptors from the wild

No

(Report available at: https://www.npws.ie/news/raptor-reports-published-2012-2013-2014)

2013

Consultation on Article 17 of the Habitats Directive

No

(Report available at: https://www.npws.ie/article-17-reports-0/article-17-reports-2013)

2013

Consultation on Ireland’s Prioritised Action Framework for Natura 2000

No

(Report available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/PAF-IE-2014.pdf)

2013

Consultation on the report on the status of Irish Birds under Article 12 of the Birds Directive

No

(Report available at: https://www.npws.ie/news/birds-directive-article-12-reporting)

2013

Review of boating activity on the Lakes of Killarney in order to modernise arrangements and bring them to a more open transparent and fair system.

No

2014

Public Consultation on the Draft National Peatlands Strategy, Draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan and NHA Review

No

(Report available at: https://www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting/management-plans)

2014

Screening of National Landscape Strategy for SEA and Appropriate Assessment/Screening

Yes.

Available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/heritage/built-heritage/national-landscape-strategy/national-landscape-submissions/

2014

Second phase of public consultation for the Brú na Boinne Management Plan

Summary of submissions published in Plan (Report available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2015/08/Bru-na-Boinne-World-Heritage-Site-Research-Framework.pdf)

2015

Review of Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts

Yes, submissions available at: https://www.npws.ie/legislation/review-section-40-wildlife-act

2015

Public Consultation related to the Review of Archaeological Survey and Mitigation Policy relating to Bord Na Móna Peatlands since 1990

No

(Report available at: https://www.archaeology.ie/news/review-archaeological-survey-mitigation-policy-relating-bord-na-m%C3%B3na-peatlands)

2015

Open policy debate regarding the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. A series of public meetings were convened, in addition to written submissions being sought both from the public and key stakeholders. Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge NUIG, were engaged by the Department to prepare a report summarising the key conclusions of the consultation process and identifying key strategic priorities.

No

(Report available at; https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/03/an-diospoireacht-oscailte-ar-pholasai-faoin-straiteis-fiche-bliain-don-ghaeilge-2010-2030-priomhthosaiochtai-straiteiseacha.pdf)

2016

Draft Irish Standards of Modern Zoo Practice

No

(Report available at: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/ISMZP%202016.pdf)

2016

Burren National Park Initial Public Consultation made in the context of a proposed Visitor and Traffic management Plan for the Burren National Park.

No

2017

Legal Deposit of published digital material in the 21st century in the context of Copyright Legislation

Yes.

Available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/culture/projects-and-programmes/public-consultation-legal-deposit-of-published-digital-material/

2017

Review of Section 482 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 / Review of tax relief scheme

Yes.

Available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/heritage/built-heritage/section-482-review-submissions/

2017 / 2018

Decade of Centenaries – Public call for submissions to assist the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations in advising Government on the State's approach to the commemoration of significant historical events that took place between 1918 and 1923

Consideration will be given up publication of submissions when the programme for the next phase of the Decade of Centenaries is finalised.

2017

Submissions from interested parties were sought regarding the future use of airstrips and surrounding sites at Cloon & Laghtanabba near Cleggan and on Inishbofin, Co Galway

Yes.

Available at: https://www.chg.gov.ie/gaeltacht/islands/public-consultation-airstrips/

2017

National Biodiversity Action Plan

Yes.

Available at: https://www.npws.ie/news/draft-national-biodiversity-action-plan-2017-2021-public-consultation-summary

2017

Public Consultation on 1st draft of Visitor and Traffic Management Plan for the Burren National Park. Public meeting and workshops held and comments recorded

No

(Report available at: http://www.burrengeopark.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/GeoparkLIFE-Burren-National-Park-Visitor-Managment-Proposal.pdf)

2018

Review of the Derogation Process under Article 9(a) of the EU Birds Directive

Yes.

Available at: https://www.npws.ie/news/eu-birds-directive-derogation-report

2018

Public Consultation associated with preparation of a Hill of Tara Conservation Management Plan

No

Census of Population

Questions (1222)

Colm Brophy

Question:

1222. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to a campaign to have the 1926 census records released earlier than planned to facilitate ancestry researchers; if this has been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44930/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am aware that the 1926 Census is the next full set of Census records available to the State following the 1911 returns.  The 1926 Census was the first undertaken by the independent State, just four years after the Treaty was signed and three years after the Civil War.  I understand that this is a historic collection of great value and interest for historians, researchers, the general public and Diaspora.

Census collection and census records are provided for in the Statistics Act 1993. Responsibility for this legislation falls under the aegis of the Office of the Taoiseach. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1993/act/21/enacted/en/html

Under sections 33 and 35 of that Act, information gathered by the Census which relates either directly or indirectly to an identifiable person cannot be released until 100 years after the date of the relevant census.

I have been informed that making the 1926 Census available to the public will require a significant volume of work which will involve both the conservation and the digitisation of the data in the individual 1926 Census forms.  This will take several years and my Department will provide assistance in this regard. I would hope, therefore that the Census will be ready for public release at the end of the statute period in 2026 while some additional statistical material may become available in advance of that date.

Arts Council Funding

Questions (1223)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1223. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cultural institutions in receipt of State funding which is located in an area (details supplied); and the organisations that are trying to locate or establish themselves in this vicinity in the future. [44987/18]

View answer

Written answers

Within the area referred to there are three cultural bodies for which funding is provided through the Arts Council, namely the Gate Theatre (€860,000 in 2018), Poetry Ireland (€333,000 in 2018) and the Irish Writers' Centre (€100,000 in 2018).  The Gate Theatre has also been allocated capital funding for works to the theatre under my Department's  Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 in the amount of €24,680.

My Department also provides direct current operational funding for the Irish Museums Association (€40,000 in 2018), which is also located on Parnell Square, and the James Joyce Centre (€162,000 in 2018) located on North Great George's Street.

In respect of National Cultural Institutions near the geographical area cited, one of the National Museum of Ireland four sites is located at Collins Barracks (which focuses on Decorative Arts and History).  The allocation for the National Museum in 2018 is €13,546,000.

Further, The Abbey Theatre receives its current State funding (€7 million: 2018) from the Arts Council and its capital funding (€400k in 2018) from my Department. An indicative funding level of €80m has been included in Project Ireland 2040 for the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre.

National Orchestras

Questions (1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1229, 1230, 1231)

Micheál Martin

Question:

1224. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of plans to move the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to within the remit of the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45060/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

1225. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps taken to move the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to within the remit of the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45061/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

1226. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the costs associated with moving the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to within the remit of the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45062/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

1227. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the costs incurred to date in moving the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to within the remit of the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45063/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

1228. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the moving of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to within the remit of the National Concert Hall has been costed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45064/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

1229. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the structures put in place to enable the transfer of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to within the remit of the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45065/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

1230. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the issues identified with the transfer of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to within the remit of the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45066/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

1231. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when it is expected the transfer of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to within the remit of the National Concert Hall will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45067/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1224 to 1231, inclusive, together.

Following the publication of the report by RTÉ that it commissioned from independent consultants Helen Boaden and Mediatique on the RTÉ Orchestras entitled RTÉ Orchestras Ensuring a Sustainable Future, the Government agreed in principle that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (RTÉ NSO) should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall (NCH). The Government also authorised the initiation of discussions on the implementation of the recommendations of the report.  The overall aim  of the Government decision in relation to the proposed transfer of the RTÉ NSO is to enable the orchestra to be established as a world class orchestra which would, with the NCH, provide a creative and imaginative programme strategy that would greatly enhance the offering of the combined organisation to the public.

An Oversight Group has been established with formal terms of reference, with a view to identifying and addressing the relevant issues to enable the successful transfer of the NSO from the remit of RTÉ to the remit of the NCH. The group has already met on two occasions. In addition, a Working Group, as a subset of the oversight group, has been tasked at examining the detailed issues involved in the proposed transfer of the orchestra.

No costs have been incurred by my Department to date in relation to this decision.  Both the Oversight and Working Groups will, inter alia, examine the costs involved in moving the RTÉ NSO to the National Concert Hall.  

At this point, it is considered that 2020 would be the earliest date for the completion of the proposed transfer.

My Department welcomes the opportunity to work with all stakeholders including the members of the  RTÉ NSO to ensure that it can contribute fully to Ireland’s rich cultural heritage.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (1232)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1232. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a company (details supplied) has undertaken work within her Department's remit to build or renovate projects over the past ten years; if so, the project name and location; the year in which it was built; if building fire safety inspections have been carried out on the projects since construction; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45196/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised that the company referred to by the Deputy has not carried  out any work on behalf of my Department during this period. 

Departmental Meetings

Questions (1233)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

1233. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of engagements, meetings or correspondence that each Minister of State in her Department has had with a person (details supplied) in the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45454/18]

View answer

Written answers

Further to my responses to Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 18th October and Parliamentary Question No. 713 of 23rd October, I am advised that there were no engagements, meetings or correspondence involving any Minister of State in my Department and the person identified by the Deputy during the period specified by the Deputy.

Wildlife Regulations

Questions (1234)

Clare Daly

Question:

1234. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a copy of each declaration made since 1986 under Regulation 3(1)(a) of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986, SI No. 254 of 1986, or its equivalent. [45675/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am arranging for my Department to provide the Deputy with the Wild Bird Declarations made under the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 since 1986.   The Declarations for 2018/2019 are available on my Department's website. 

Animal Culls

Questions (1235)

Clare Daly

Question:

1235. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will withdraw the licence issued to Dublin Airport Authority which allows for hares to be shot dead on airport property and instead insist on a capture and relocate approach in view of growing concerns regarding the future of the Irish hare. [45713/18]

View answer

Written answers

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has issued a number of permits in recent years under the Wildlife Acts to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to remove hares from the Dublin Airport airfield due to potential damage to aircraft and the threat to passenger safety.   My Department has also issued permits to the DAA to cull hares at the airport due to the increase in the number of hares in the airfield.  Permits are required from the Department as hares are protected species under the Wildlife Acts. It is the case that the majority of hares are captured and relocated to a number of locations.

Film Industry

Questions (1236)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

1236. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to meet the CEO of the Irish Film Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45836/18]

View answer

Written answers

I met with the CEO and Chair of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland (the new name for the Irish Film Board) on  Wednesday 17th October, 2018.  It should be noted that my Department maintains contact with Fís Éireann on an ongoing basis. The Deputy may also wish to know that as part of  Budget 2019, I announced an increase of 14% in the 2019 Fís Éireann allocation bringing it to €20.04m.

Heritage Schemes

Questions (1237)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

1237. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the financial support available to Sligo County Council for the conservation and protection of Court Abbey, Mullinabreena, County Sligo; the estimated cost of assessing such a structure; if funds will be released to Sligo County Council for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45856/18]

View answer

Written answers

My role, as Minister, with regard to the protection and management of our built heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, including the Planning Acts and the National Monuments Acts, as are the role of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.

I understand Court Abbey is in the ownership of the local authority, which is, therefore, responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. They would be in the best position to advise on the estimated cost of any assessment.

My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through the Structures at Risk Fund (SRF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), which are administered by local authorities. This year I have allocated €1.3m and €2m respectively to these schemes. The SRF will be revamped for 2019 and I will be launching the 2019 schemes shortly. It will be a matter for Sligo County Council to determine whether they wish to apply for funding under these schemes.  

In the context of a particular building or historic structure, the best advice is generally to contact the Heritage Officer or Architectural Conservation Officer in the local authority who is well placed to advise on the various types of funding available to assist with its renovation or conservation.  Court Abbey is also recorded on the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) for County Sligo and my Department’s National Monuments Service would be happy to provide any archaeological advice or guidance that might be of assistance.

North-South Implementation Bodies

Questions (1238)

Micheál Martin

Question:

1238. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45893/18]

View answer

Written answers

The North/South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland operate on an all-island basis and are funded jointly by the administrations, north and south, on the basis of an agreed contribution ratio, which varies from body to body.  Decisions concerning the bodies are taken jointly by the relevant Ministers in the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC). 

At present, in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive, it is not possible for the NSMC to meet and to bring the Government and Executive together to oversee ongoing North/South work and further develop cooperation, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement.  Notwithstanding the current political situation, the North/South Implementation Bodies continue to carry out their important public functions in line with their mandates and to deliver economic and social benefits for people across the island.

Two North/South Implementation Bodies come under my responsibility, Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga. The Budget 2019 allocations for these bodies is available on my Department’s website at

https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2018/10/budget-2019-allocations.pdf.

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