Vol. 784 No. 3
1. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his report to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the merger of cultural institutions has been presented to Government for its consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53114/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, the public service reform plan published by the Government on 17 November 2011 outlined a series of rationalisation measures, some of which related to a certain number of the bodies funded from my Department's Vote. In this regard, my Department conducted a critical examination of the structure and operations of the institutions included in the public service reform plan and developed a comprehensive and practical approach to implementation of the various Government decisions in this area. This was endorsed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. A progress report on the implementation of these measures was recently submitted to and approved by the Government. Summary documents which outline the main outcomes of this examination in relation to the relevant bodies and institutions have been published on my Department's website.
Savings of €20 million in enhanced service efficiencies and value for money measures were targeted in the public service reform plan. In this context, it is expected that savings in the region of approximately €1 million will be made initially across the institutions involved in the reform programme which are funded from my Department's Vote, with further savings to be identified as the various cost saving measures are implemented. In the immediate term savings are being made primarily in the following three ways: through the ending of payments to chairpersons and members of boards or advisory councils; through a programme of shared services between institutions, including retail, security, marketing, procurement and storage; and through the provision of services by my Department for certain institutions, including human resources and financial services, thereby relieving them of the need to incur costs in accessing these services.
Fearaim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus tuigim go bhfuil an t-Aire féin ag gníomhú ar chúrsaí a bhaineann leis an gcáinaisnéis. Tá sé sin tábhachtach, gan amhras. I agree that it is important that the Minister use every housekeeping initiative available to him to achieve economies. However, I am concerned that the arm's length principle enshrined in the Arts Act 2003 is being abandoned with the proposal to merge the National Archives, the National Monuments Service and the National Library of Ireland. In an international context we have identified 113 countries which have established national archives, but in only two are they amalgamated with the national library. I draw the Minister of State's attention to a comment made by our literary master craftsman, Mr. Colm Toibin, who stated: "The ethos behind a National Library – the making of books and manuscripts available to scholars - and the function of a National Archives – the preservation of documents emanating from government departments – seem quite distant from each other." We are asking the Government to desist from pursuing this policy because it is not in the interests of the cultural institutions to be drawn back into the control of the Minister. I accept that the Minister, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, is totally committed to ensuring the well-being of our cultural institutions, but this change will live on after him and we cannot be sure that future Ministers will have such a demonstrable interest in this area. I do not think for one minute that he believes in his heart that the proposals made are in the best interests of these important facilities, given their major cultural and economic significance, not least in the context of The Gathering.
No decision has been made to amalgamate the National Archives with any other body. The National Library of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland will introduce a similar governance structure as that in place for the National Archives which has a statutorily independent director and an advisory council that serves pro bono and which has been successful in raising money from private sources to fund its work. This model has been adopted by the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland, each of which will have a statutorily independent director. The Minister has committed to updating the legislation to strengthen the position of director at each institution. There will also be a National Museum of Ireland and National Library of Ireland council comprising nine members who will serve pro bono. The council will be tasked with fulfilling an outward facing and philanthropic role. The two institutions will be expected to work closely together in the sharing of common services. This is also expected of the three galleries which already work closely together in areas such as marketing, procurement, security and retail services.
2. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an féidir leis gealltanas a thabhairt go gcoinneofar an maoiniú oibleagáide seirbhíse poiblí d'aeriompar chuig Árainn ag an leibhéal atá ann faoi láthair. [53113/12]
Beidh an conradh reatha ceithre bliana chun seirbhís aeir a chur ar fáil d’Oileáin Árann faoi oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí ag teacht chun deiridh ar 31 Lúnasa 2013. Ina theannta sin, tá conradh eile ag mo Roinn chun bainistiú a dhéanamh ar na haeradróim ar na hoileáin agus tiocfaidh deireadh leis an gconradh sin ar an dáta céanna. Cosnaíonn na seirbhísí sin beagnach €2 mhilliún ar mo Roinn in aghaidh na bliana. Is ionann é sin agus timpeall an tríú cuid de bhuiséad reatha mo Roinne do na hoileáin.
Ní miste dom a lua gur thug mé cuairt ar Inis Mór le déanaí agus gur chas mé fosta le toscaireacht ó mhuintir Árann in éineacht lena gcuid ionadaithe poiblí an tseachtain seo caite. Is deimhin liom, mar sin, go dtuigim go maith an tábhacht a bhaineann leis na seirbhísí aeir do phobal Árann.
Mar is eol don Teachta, áfach, tá ciorruithe á ndéanamh ar chaiteachas trasna na seirbhíse poiblí agus ní haon eisceacht é an caiteachas ar na hoileáin. Tá mo Roinn ag breathnú ar chostas na seirbhíse aeir i gcomhthéacs an phróisis meastachán agus i gcomhthéacs na gconarthaí eile a bhaineann le seirbhísí iompair do na hoileáin. Déanfar cinneadh i dtráth cuí i gcomhthéacs an tsoláthair a bheidh ar fáil do mo Roinn le fóirdheontais a thabhairt do sheirbhísí den chineál seo.
Is ábhar tábhachtach é seo agus is ábhar mór imní é freisin do mhuintir Oileáin Árann. Mar is eol don Aire Stáit, tá muintir na n-oileán anseo i mBaile Átha Cliath inniu le haghaidh preas ócáid ar an ábhar seo. Dúirt an tAire Stáit le pobal Oileáin Árann go n-ardódh sé an cheist seo leis an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe, an Teachta Howlin, agus go mbualadh sé leis an tseachtain seo caite. Ar bhuail an tAire Stáit leis maidir leis an cheist seo agus cad a dúirt an tAire leis? Ar chuir an tAire Stáit an cheist ar an Aire agus cén freagra a thug sé ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo?
Is léir go ndéanfaidh aon chinneadh a ísleoidh an t-airgead atá ag dul do na seirbhísí seo an-damáiste do mhuintir Oileáin Árann. Ceapann an coiste atá i gceannas ar na hoileáin go n-imeodh thart ar 20% den phobal ón Inis Mór go fadtéarmach muna mbeadh an tseirbhís seo i bhfeidhm. Is bagairt mór an cinneadh seo do thodhchaí an oileáin agus do chúrsaí sláinte agus oideachais ar an oileán. Tá sé an deacair do sheandaoine agus daoine tinn dul ar an mbád i rith an gheimhridh nuair a bhíonn drochaimsear ann. Caithfear seirbhís mar seo a choinneáil i bhfeidhm agus caithfidh cruinneas a bheith ann fúithi.
Ba chóir go mbeadh an tAire Stáit sásta a rá inniu go rachaidh an tseirbhís se ar aghaidh go fadtéarmach agus nach bhfuil aon bhagairt uirthi.
Tá an próiseas Meastachán ar siúl go fóill agus beidh go dtí lá na cáinfhaisnéise. Maidir le Oileáin Árann agus na hoileáin ar fad ar an chósta, tá breis agus 20 oileán ann a gcuireann an Roinn airgead ar fáil dóibh le haghaidh farantóireacht, lastas, aer seirbhís agus busanna. Tuigim go han-mhaith chomh tábhachtach agus atá na seirbhísí seo do na hoileáin. Is é an cuspóir atá agam ná na seirbhísí seo a choinneáil ag dul ar aghaidh chomh fada agus is féidir i dtuilleamaí an méid airgid a bheidh ar fáil sna Meastacháin.
Thug mé cuairt ar Oileáin Árann. Bhí mé in Inis Mór cúpla seachtain ó shin agus bhí me in Inis Meáin agus Inis Oírr. Bhuail mé le muintir na n-oileán agus bhuail mé leo agus lena n-iodaithe poiblí an tseachtain seo caite. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil siad sa chathair inniu arís. Ba mhaith liom a chur ina luí ar an Teach go dtuigim go fíor mhaith, mar dhuine a bhfuil an-eolas agam ar na hoileáin cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá na seirbhísí seo. Geallaim go ndéanfaidh mise gach iarracht gach seirbhís gur féidir a choinneáil ar siúl. Ach mar sin féin, ní bheidh freagra na ceiste againn go dtí go mbeidh a fhios againn go díreach cá bhfuil muid inár seasamh.
Tá aithne mhaith ag gach éinne ar na Blascaodaí agus ar Inis Airc agus ar oileáin eile mar iad timpeall na tíre atá marbh mar oileáin ar a bhfuil pobal beo. Má stopann an Rialtas an tseirbhís seo, cuirfidh sin an-bhrú ar chúrsaí gnó, cúrsaí fostaíochta agus cúrsaí turasóireachta ar an oileán seo. Tá an cumhacht ag an Aire Stáit. Is léir gur buille tubaisteach é seo don oileán. Ba cheart go mbeadh an tAire Stáit sásta a bheith oscailte agus go mbeadh sé in ann teacht amach agus a rá go rachaidh an tseirbhís seo ar aghaidh agus nach mbeidh fadhb ar bith léi.
Mar a dúirt mé, tuigim na himpleachtaí go léir. Tá cuairt tugtha agam ar na hoileáin go léir agus chas mé le muintir na n-oileán agus rinne siad moltaí deimhneacha agus fiúntacha an lá deireanach a bhí siad anseo. Tá plé le déanamh ar na rudaí seo.
Ar bhuail an tAire Stáit leis an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe?
Táim ag éisteacht le glór na n-oileán.
3. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the statement in the report submitted to him by IMPACT on the proposed merger of the National Archives and the National Library which described the proposition as not compelling; if he will make available a copy of this report; his views on whether the proposed merger will have a detrimental effect on the capability of our national cultural institutions to facilitate genealogical tourism; if he has factored in the loss of tourism revenue in his cost-benefit analysis on the proposed merger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52865/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, the public service reform plan published by the Government on 17 November 2011 outlined a series of rationalisation measures and some of those measures related to a certain number of the bodies funded from my Department's Vote group. In this regard, my Department conducted a critical examination of the structure and operation of the institutions included in the public service reform plan and developed a comprehensive and practical approach to the implementation of the various Government decisions in this area, which was endorsed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. A progress report on the implementation of these measures was recently submitted to and approved by Government. Summary documents outlining the main outcomes of this examination with regard to the relevant bodies and institutions have been published on my Department's website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/PublicServicereform/. As is clear from those documents, it is not proposed to go ahead with the merger of the National Library and the National Archives.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that the National Archives is working well. It is headed by a statutorily independent director, is advised by an advisory council that serves pro bono, and has proved successful at raising funds and sponsorship from private sources to further its work. The Government, on the recommendation of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has recognised that the model is working well.
In response to a freedom of information request, the IMPACT report referred to by the Deputy has been released. I will arrange for a copy to be sent to the Deputy.
The Minister of State has acknowledged the National Archives model is working well. The key issue is that this is an arm's-length model, under which the body has the freedom to act on its own behalf. That freedom has paid dividends by allowing the National Archives to make direct approaches to funders.
I have no difficulty with the sharing of resources and believe this makes sense. However, the independence or arm's-length distance of our cultural institutions from the Government is of benefit. I have no problem with reform, but when it will not produce a positive result or saving but will damage cultural institutions, it is only right that we ask questions about it. Michael Ryan has published an excellent opinion piece in The Irish Times today which makes the argument very well.
I agree with Deputy Murphy that the National Archives is currently functioning well. It has its own independent director and advisory council, serving pro bono. As the Deputy has pointed out, it also has the freedom and ability to go out and raise funds and seek sponsorship and income and is not dependent on the Exchequer. That is a great advantage. The same model is envisaged for the National Library and the National Museum. Like the National Archives, these will function at arm's length. We probably agree on more than we disagree on in this case.
The report that was done by IMPACT said that what was originally proposed would "seriously undermine" the ability of the "already very strained" bodies to deliver on their statutory obligations. Will the Minister of State comment on the report in question? Was it considered when a decision was made on how the Government intends to organise the governance of the National Museum?
Yes. I am confident that every report that has made constructive and positive proposals with regard to these important national institutions - we all recognise the work they have done - has been considered at the highest level.
4. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta má éiríonn le Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge nó le Conradh na Gaeilge a bheith mar phríomheagraíocht sa réimse Ardú Feasachta agus Ionadaíocht faoin múnla nua atá molta ag Foras na Gaeilge an mbeidh deireadh á chur leis an eagras eile tar éis tréimhse 18 mí mar a míníodh ó bhéal d’eagrais na hearnála [53115/12]
I dtosach báire, ní mór dom a shoiléiriú go mbaineann an cheist seo leis an athbhreithniú atá ar bun ag Foras na Gaeilge ó mhí Aibreáin 2008 i ndáil leis an mbunmhaoiniú a thugtar do 19 n-eagraíocht ar mhaithe le seirbhísí a sheachadadh do phobal na Gaeilge. Tá 12 n-eagraíocht acu sin lonnaithe go príomha sa dlínse seo agus tá seacht n-eagraíocht acu sin lonnaithe ó Thuaidh. Ar ndóigh, mar ghníomhaireacht den chomhlacht forfheidhmithe Thuaidh-Theas, An Foras Teanga, tá Foras na Gaeilge freagrach don Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas agus urraithe ag mo Roinn féin agus ag an Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta ó Thuaidh.
Sa bhliain 2008, is amhlaidh go raibh Foras na Gaeilge ag cur 40% dá bhuiséad, is é sin €8 milliún, ar fáil don 19 n-eagraíocht bhunmhaoinithe. Bhí os cionn 50% den bhunmhaoiniú sin á chaitheamh ag na heagraíochtaí ar thuarastail amháin. Sa chomhthéacs sin, rinne bord Fhoras na Gaeilge cinneadh athbhreithniú seachtrach a dhéanamh ar an bhunmhaoiniú agus thacaigh an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas leis an gcinneadh sin. Cuireadh an t-athbhreithniú seachtrach i gcrích le linn 2009. Léirigh na torthaí an mhí-éifeacht a bhaineann le seirbhísí a sheachadadh trí 19 n-eagraíocht do phobal na Gaeilge. Ó shin i leith, tá mionscagadh agus plé cuimsitheach déanta ar mhúnlaí eile a d'fhéadfaí a chur ar bun in ionad an chórais bhunmhaoinithe. Rinneadh é sin i gcomhairle leis an earnáil bhunmhaoinithe agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile.
Bhí próiseas comhairliúcháin poiblí i gceist fosta, ó Thuaidh agus ó Dheas, agus pléadh an dul chun cinn ag cruinnithe den Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas. San idirlinn, leanadh le bunmhaoiniú eatramhach a chur ar fáil don 19 n-eagraíocht - socrú atá le bheith i bhfeidhm go dtí 30 Meitheamh 2013. Is é an staid reatha ná gur chuir Foras na Gaeilge cás gnó lena mholtaí críochnúla, atá aontaithe ag an bhord, chuig na Ranna urraíochta an mhí seo caite. Tá na moltaí sin á mbreithniú ag an dá Roinn faoi láthair. Táthar ag súil go gcuirfear páipéar fúthu os comhair na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas ag an chéad chruinniú eile ar 12 Nollaig 2012. Tuigfidh an Teachta nach mbeadh sé cuí aon eolas breise a thabhairt go dtí go mbeidh plé déanta ar mholtaí críochnúla Fhoras na Gaeilge agus cinneadh tógtha ina leith ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Mar a dúirt sé, beidh cruinniú ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas ar 12 Nollaig seo chugainn. Cuirim fáilte roimh an gcruinniú sin. Táimid ag caint mar gheall ar múnla nua atá molta ag Foras na Gaeilge. Tá an tsamhail nua mhaoinithe caite amach, ar ndóigh. Cén rud nua atá sa mhúnla nua? An aontaíonn an tAire Stáit le Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge agus Conradh na Gaeilge go mbeidh sé an-deacair pleanáil a dhéanamh as seo amach?
Tá an t-athbhreithniú seo ag dul ar aghaidh le ceithre bliana anuas, ón bhliain 2008. Chuir siad plean úr i láthair sa bhliain 2009. Chuaigh siad i mbun teagmhála leis na heagraíochtaí seo arís de bharr comhráití, srl., a tharla ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas. Tá plean maoinithe úr molta ag Foras na Gaeilge. Tá an plean sin curtha faoi bhráid mo Roinne agus freisin faoi bhráid an Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas. Ní shílim go mbeadh sé ceart, nó fiú indéanta, dul isteach sna moltaí seo go dtí go mbeidh siad pléite ag an gcruinniú a tharlóidh i gceann coicíse, ar 12 Nollaig seo chugainn. Os rud é go bhfuil freagracht ó Thuaidh agus ó Theas sa chomhthéacs seo - tá inchur ag an dá Rialtas - ba cheart dúinn fanacht go dtí go bhfuil an t-ábhar seo pléite agus cinneadh déanta. Is ag an am sin go mbeimid in ann na moltaí a chur in iúl don Teachta agus gach duine eile.
An dtuigeann an tAire Stáit go bhfuil dainséar ann go mbeidh iomaíocht idir eagraíochtaí ar nós Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge agus Conradh na Gaeilge os rud é nach bhfuil aon rud i scríbhinn curtha ar fáil do na heagraíochtaí sin, nó don phobal, maidir leis an mhúnla nua maoinithe? Cathain a tharlóidh sé go mbeidh rud éigin scríofa ar fáil?
Mar a dúirt mé, níl an próiseas seo críochnaithe go fóill. Cuireadh na moltaí úra atá glactha ag bord an fhorais romhainn. Beidh siad á bplé ag an chéad chruinniú eile den Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas faoi cheann coicíse. Tuigim go bhfuil suim mhór ag na heagraíochtaí éagsúla atá ag saothrú ar son na Gaeilge le blianta fada ar cad é atá i ndán dóibh. Tá muidne ag iarraidh go mbeidh an luach is fearr ar na hacmhainní atáimid ag cur isteach sna heagraíochtaí deonacha á fháil againn nuair a bheidh an próiseas seo thart. Ba mhaith liom iad a mholadh as an obair atá déanta acu le blianta agus le glúinte anuas. Caithfimid amharc ar an ról a bheidh acu sna blianta amach romhainn. Caithfidh sé sin a bheith aontaithe ag leibhéal níos airde. Nuair a bheidh sé sin déanta - cibe cén uair - tiocfaimid ar ais anseo chun tuairisc a thabhairt don Teach.
5. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the levels of engagement he has had with the European Commission regarding the issue of rights, the compensation scheme, and the potential for relocation or re-designation where relocation or compensation are not an option; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is an important issue for turf cutters here and that the Turf Cutters Association are seeking re-designation as a resolution to this issue for their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53117/12]
There has been constant contact with the European Commission on turf cutting issues since the Government came into office in March of last year. When the Minister met the Environment Commissioner, Janez Potonik, on his visit to Dublin last week, he took the opportunity to update him on the progress being made. Last April, the Ministers, Deputies Hogan and Deenihan, met Commissioner Potonik in Brussels, where they secured his support for developing a national raised bog SAC management plan. This was in keeping with the recommendations of Mr. Justice Quirke following his report on the Peatlands Forum. It was also in line with the motion agreed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 7 March last, which called on the Government to "engage actively with the European Commission to seek a resolution within the terms of the Habitats Directive, and to prepare and submit a National Raised Bog Restoration Plan to the Commission as a matter of urgency". That plan will provide for the long-term protection of Ireland's raised bog SACs, will address the needs of turf cutters and will unlock the flexibility available for dealing with the most difficult bogs within the terms of the habitats directive. A delegation of Commission officials visited Ireland in October to discuss the progress being made. During their visit, they travelled to Clara Bog in County Offaly and the nearby relocation site at Killeranny. They also met representatives of several bogs who are engaging with the State to find solutions which meet their needs as turf cutters, through compensation or relocation. The detailed exploration of relocation sites is a key element in progressing the national plan. My Department, in collaboration with the Peatlands Council and with the assistance of Bord na Móna, is actively engaging with turf cutting communities to consider how relocation can be progressed.
Will the Minister tell the House what he considers to be a realistic timeframe in which a plan can be put in place for the 53 bogs? With regard to relocation, where this is an option, what does the Minister of State consider a realistic timeframe? In the event that relocation or compensation is not an option, does he consider compensatory habitats are an option? As per section 6.4 of the directive, will his Department actively pursue compensatory habitats where no other option is available?
Some 747 applicants have to date indicated an interest in relocation. Potential relocation solutions for 34 SAC bogs have been identified, with arrangements finalised for the first of these relocation bogs. It is expected that relocation will not be required for about 15 SACs, as there has been little or no turf cutting on these bogs for many years. If, following an in-depth examination, there are a small number of sites for which there are genuinely no alternatives in terms of relocation, the national plan may be able to provide some flexibility in this regard.
Having carried out much good work on the relocation issue, the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, once again urges the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association to engage with the process the Government has now put in place with the agreement of the European Commission. I know that on the Commissioner's recent visit to the country, Deputy McLellan had an opportunity to raise these matters directly with him.
What actions have the Minister of State and his Department taken to make progress on this with local turf cutters? The Minister of State said he met them. Will he provide further concrete examples?
As I said, there is a standing invitation to the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association to engage with the Minister so we can achieve a solution that will be acceptable to all. The Minister has devoted much time and effort to coming to such an arrangement and major progress has been achieved. Some 2,000 payments have been made thus far and 2,500 applications have been received. People are obviously opting for the very generous compensation scheme that has been adopted. I understand anyone who participates and opts for the scheme will receive total compensation over 15 years of approximately €23,000. Of course, there are some who would prefer to have fuel provided for them, and I understand 180 people have taken that option. They will get fuel to a value commensurate with what had already been agreed with those who have taken a direct monetary payment.
