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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 3

Written Answers. - Heritage Council.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

358 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the geographical representation on the Heritage Council; her views on the level of representation from the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22685/98]

The following is a list of the members of the Heritage Council and their geographical locations: Ms Freda Rountree-Chairperson, County Offaly; Professor Emer Colleran, Galway; Ms Ruth Delany, County Dublin; Ms Anne Brennan, Dublin; Dr. Jimmy Dunne, Galway; Ms Elizabeth Fahy, Dublin; Ms Orna Hanly, Dublin; Ms Anna McHugh, County Galway; Fr. Tomás Ó Caoimh, County Kerry; Mr. David Leach, Cork; Mr. Peter Pearson, Dublin; Dr. Michael Ryan, Dublin; Dr. Micheline Sheehy-Skeffington, Galway; Mr. David Slattery, Dublin; Professor John Waddell, Galway; Mr. Michael McNamara, Clare and Mr. Michael Conry, Carlow.

With one exception these members were appointed by my predecessor Deputy Michael Higgins, and their term of office expires in July, 2000. In accordance with the heritage Act, 1995 the Heritage Council consists of a chairperson and not fewer than 14 or more than 16 ordinary members, and they are appointed on the basis of the interest in or knowledge or experience of the national heritage. In appointing members of boards my view is, where appropriate and feasible given other requirements, a wide regional background is desirable.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

359 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the adequacy of the budget for the National Heritage Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22686/98]

The allocation for the Heritage Council in 1998 of £4 million from my Department represents an increase of 14 per cent on its 1997 allocation of £3.5 million. This continues the trend of year-on-year substantial increases in financial allocations from my Department to the council.

I recognise that further additional funding could be put to good use by the Heritage Council to support its advisory and financial assistance functions under the Heritage Act, 1995 in relation to the physical heritage, and I will, of course, pursue the question of further increased funding for the Heritage Council in 1999.

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