Parliamentary questions

Heritage Sites

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

1. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to ensure the former Houses of Parliament on College Green, Dublin 2, are continually available for arts and cultural events; if he has assessed the viability of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38599/13]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas maidir leis an gcóras ceapacháin a bhí ann do bhord nua Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus conas a chinntigh an tAire go gceapfaí baill a mbeadh taithí agus saineolas cuí acu chuig an mbord; an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas maidir le tuairiscí sna nuachtáin go raibh gearrliosta ann de dhaoine oiriúnacha don Bhord a dhréachtaigh an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta agus maidir leis an gcúis nár ghlac an tAire le hainm ar bith ina measc, agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas maidir leis an tábhacht atá leis an eolas iomlán faoin gCóras Ceapacháin a chur os comhair an phobail, i bhfiainaise tuairiscí á rá nár tugadh na cáipéisí seo ar láimh do Nuacht RTÉ/TG4 nuair a iarradh taifid a bhain leis an gcóras ceapacháin faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise i Nollaig 2012. [38598/13]

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

3. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide the detailed scientific reasons for designating each of the 53 raised bog complexes under the birds and habitats directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38688/13]

Foras na Gaeilge

Michael P. Kitt

4. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon daoine atá fostaithe ag Foras na Gaeilge faoi láthair, cé mhéad post in earnáil dheonach na Gaeilge atá maoinithe ag Foras na Gaeilge faoin gcóras bunmhaoinithe reatha, agus cé mhéad post a bheidh le maoiniú faoin múnla maoinithe nua atá beartaithe a theacht i bhfeidhm an 1 Iúil 2014; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38600/13]

Cultural Policy

Sandra McLellan

5. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of County Limerick's designation as City of Culture for 2014, the supports, whether in terms of personnel, resources, finance or otherwise, his Department intends to give to local arts and tourism bodies and the local authority in order to ensure that the City of Culture year is successful; and his Department's plans to promote Limerick domestically and internationally for 2014. [38687/13]

Scéimeanna Forbartha Pobail

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

6. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an raibh aon phlé aige leis an Roinn Comhshaoil i dtaobh an tionchar a bheidh ag na hathruithe ar an tslí ina mbeidh na scéimeanna forbartha pobail, ar nós LEADER, á riaradh, ar phobail Ghaeltachta, ar fhorbairt pobail sa Ghaeltacht, agus ar phleanáil teanga sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38493/13]

An Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Timmy Dooley

7. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Timmy Dooley den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38461/13]

Tourism Project Funding

Clare Daly

8. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he has taken to assist in delivering the promised maritime museum and facilities for the Irish Seal Sanctuary in partnership with Fingal County Council; and the action that can be taken to bring this project, which has planning permission, to fruition, even initially on the basis of a pop-up museum. [29217/13]

National Monuments

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeframe for the restoration of the national monument at Moore Street, Dublin 1; the further difficulties that need to be overcome to ensure that redevelopment takes place in advance of the centenary anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38479/13]

Archaeological Sites

Charlie McConalogue

10. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position on the significance of the recent uncovering of an ancient monastic settlement beside the Drumholm Church of Ireland graveyard, near the village of Ballintra, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38472/13]

Grazing Rights

Seán Kyne

11. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if interim payments will be made to farmers in the Twelve Bens region, County Galway, for 1 December 2012 to 1 May 2013 in recognition of the fact that said farmers were unable to avail of the agri-environment options scheme as no applications were accepted. [38372/13]

Limistéir Gaeltachta

Niall Collins

12. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Niall Collins den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an staid reatha maidir le haon limistéir Ghaeltachta nua atá beartaithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38458/13]

Commemorative Events

Éamon Ó Cuív

13. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total expenditure of his Department to commemorate the 1913 Lock-out; the further plans he has to commemorate the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38484/13]

Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda

Seán Crowe

14. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Crowe den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an raibh aon phlé aige leis an Roinn Cumarsáide faoi aon phleananna atá aige chun forbairt a dheánamh ar an ngréasán idirlín leathanbhanda sa Ghaeltacht, agus go háirithe faoi forbairt leathanbhanda i nGaeltacht na Rinne i bPort Láirge i bhfianaise thábhacht an tionscail faisnéise agus tionscal na meán sa Ghaeltacht sin; an leagfaidh sé amach an dul chun cinn atá déanta ar fhorbairt an ghréasáin sin go dtí seo; an dóigh leis go bhfuil tionchar ag an easpa idirlín leathanbhanda ar chruthú post; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38497/13]

Seirbhísí Eitilte

Seán Kyne

15. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta chun síneadh a chur leis an Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Poiblí maidir leis an aersheirbhís go dtí Oileáin Árann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38373/13]

Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge

Gerry Adams

16. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Gerry Adams den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige an scéim “Líofa 2015” a chur ar bun sa stát seo; agus mura bhfuil, an dtabharfaidh sé míniú ina thaobh. [38488/13]

Ministerial Appointments

John McGuinness

17. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the procedure that is followed by his Department when appointing members of the public to State boards or other agencies under the aegis of his Department; if he could outline all appointments made by him to all boards or agencies since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38475/13]

Annals of Inisfallen

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

18. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress he has made in securing the return of the Annals of Inisfallen to the Irish State; the communications has he had with the University of Oxford in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38454/13]

Commemorative Events

Willie O'Dea

19. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the discussions he has had with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to issuing an invitation to members of the British royal family to the centenary commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38483/13]

State Properties

Denis Naughten

20. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he is taking to promote and provide public access to State controlled lands designated as being of scientific interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38415/13]

Seirbhísí Eitilte

Barry Cowen

21. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Barry Cowen den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le seirbhísí iompair nua d’Oileáin Árann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38459/13]

An Tóstal 2013

John Browne

22. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Browne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an mbeidh níos mó post ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht in 2013 de bharr na dturasoirí a bhaineann le Tóstal Éireann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38455/13]

Cosaint Fostaíochta

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

23. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé soiléiriú ar thodhchaí Arramara Teo; agus cad atá á dhéanamh aige chun slí bheatha na mbainteoirí feamainne a chaomhnú. [38495/13]

National Monuments

Martin Ferris

24. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the current state of the 1916 national monument at Moore Street-Moore Lane, Dublin 1; when he will make a decision on the future of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38505/13]

National Monuments

Robert Troy

25. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of national monuments which have been reported to his Department as damaged to date in 2013; the actions he has taken to remedy these damages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38481/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Sandra McLellan

26. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the advertisement on 4 June, seeking board members for the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Chester Beatty Library, the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, the Arts Council, the Irish Architectural Archive and Archbishop Marsh’s Library, the process by which he intends to appoint persons to these positions; and the measures he will take to ensure that the persons taking up those positions will have the appropriate qualifications and experience. [38503/13]

Deer Hunting

Brendan Smith

27. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the further measures he has planned to protect the red deer stag; if he intends to change the licensing in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38482/13]

Irish Language

Seamus Kirk

28. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made with the review of the Official Languages Act; when legislation will be published on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38468/13]

Budget 2014

Sean Fleming

29. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his priorities for the coming year; if he is satisfied with the current negotiations for a budget allocation for his Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38464/13]

Heritage Projects

Robert Troy

30. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent of his contact with the Dublin Civic Trust regarding the rejuvenation of Dublin’s Georgian squares; if his Department has any plans in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38480/13]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme

Brian Stanley

31. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the outcome of efforts to find a relocation option for the turf cutters on Coolrain Bog, County Laois; and the progress to date in this matter. [38500/13]

EU Directives

Dessie Ellis

32. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the application of the EU Habitats and Birds Directive; the difficulties that may have arisen regarding its implementation; the way any resistance to its application is being handled; the moneys that have been paid out to landowners in compensation in 2013; and if he will provide an estimate for the moneys likely to be paid out in compensation in 2014. [38510/13]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme

Denis Naughten

33. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will review the content and conditions of contracts issued to turf cutters under the cessation scheme; the number of contracts issued and the numbers returned to date; the number under each compensation-relocation category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38389/13]

An Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Gerry Adams

34. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Gerry Adams den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé cinnte de go mbeidh an t-éileamh a rinne na 66 eagraíocht Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, cultúrtha agus oideachais chun tosaigh ar chlár an tseimineáir atá beartaithe ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta a eagrú, is é sin go gcuirfí struchtúr ardleibhéil ar bun idir na húdaráis agus eagraíochtaí pobail na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, trína bhféadfar moltaí a dhéanamh ar chur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-30 sula gcuirfear ar aghaidh chuig na hAirí cuí iad; an féidir leis an Aire a chur in iúl cén dáta atá socraithe don seimineár ós rud é gur fhógair sé é an 30 Bealtaine 2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38487/13]

Food Promotion

Michael McGrath

35. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the policy his Department has in relation to visitor attractions under the aegis of his Department promoting Irish produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38473/13]

Heritage Projects

Clare Daly

36. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will support the development of a museum and heritage centre in the Dublin docks, following on from the work being undertaken by the Dublin Dockworkers' Preservation Society. [37171/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Martin Ferris

37. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made to date on a website portal and joint commercial and marketing strategy as outlined in the comprehensive review of expenditure 2012-2014; the projected income that such an initiative might accrue to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38506/13]

National Monuments

Maureen O'Sullivan

38. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the category and status of the national monument at 17 to 21 Moore Street, Dublin 1, on the Office of Public Works listing of national monuments; and the responsibility and role of his Department in this matter. [27977/13]

Commemorative Events

Michael Moynihan

39. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to commemorate the contribution of women to the 1916 Easter Rising; his further plans to commemorate in particular the contribution of Cumann na mBan in the fight for Irish independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38485/13]

Ulster Canal Restoration Project

Seán Crowe

40. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the Ulster Canal restoration project; the remaining steps that must be taken to complete the project; if he will provide an indicative timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38498/13]

Fóram Pleanála Uile-Éireannach don Ghaeilge

Mary Lou McDonald

41. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mary Lou McDonald den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas maidir leis an ngá atá ann Fóram Pleanála Uile-Éireannach a bhunú; an bhfuil aon phlean aige a leithéid d’Fhóram a chur ar bun; agus mura bhfuil, an dtabharfaidh sé míniú ina thaobh. [38489/13]

Commemorative Events

Peter Mathews

42. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures he is taking to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38411/13]

Arts Funding

Sandra McLellan

43. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views of the impact of cutbacks to the National Irish Visual Arts Library; and his further plans to ensure that there is an independent policy or advisory committee established for this library. [38504/13]

National Cultural Institutions

Billy Timmins

44. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he is taking to maximise the use of State exhibits and exhibitions currently held in storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38414/13]

Expenditure Reviews

Jonathan O'Brien

45. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made on the proposal contained in the comprehensive review of expenditure 2012 -2014 on shared finance services, and HR services across national cultural institutions; and the savings that would be made by the implementation of this proposal. [38508/13]

An Curaclam Scoile

Pearse Doherty

46. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an raibh aon phlé aige leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna maidir le hathbhreithniú ar an gcuraclam do scoileanna Gaeltachta; an mbeidh aon ionchur aige ar na téarmaí tagartha d’aon athbhreithniú den chinéal sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [38491/13]

The Gathering Initiatives

Bernard Durkan

47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which The Gathering has been utilised through the promotion of the arts as a means of projecting a positive national image; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38439/13]

Wildlife Protection

Micheál Martin

48. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline his response to the first national report on bird of prey persecution and poisoning which showed that there were 33 confirmed incidents here in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38469/13]

National Cultural Institutions

Éamon Ó Cuív

49. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to publish legislation relating to the future governance of the National Library and the National Museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38477/13]

Departmental Expenditure

John McGuinness

50. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total expenditure by his Department to carry out surveillance on protected bogs under EU law; the services that were obtained as part of this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38486/13]