Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Sep 2015

Vol. 890 No. 2

Other Questions

National Library

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

6. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the recent merger of the Chief Herald function and the genealogical function at the National Library of Ireland into a new division and the fact that family researchers account for the single biggest user group at the National Library of Ireland, her plans to offer greater resources to the National Library of Ireland to assist in this function and take advantage of efficiencies offered by the merger to allow the National Library of Ireland to generate more user-derived income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32178/15]

Deputy Catherine Murphy

This question relates to the resources available to the National Library. Fairly recently, the Office of the Chief Herald was amalgamated with the genealogical function. Essentially, it has been looking at significant efficiencies. I think it is "efficencied out" at this point, and it is down to the core function. The single biggest user group is family researchers, which is a very positive thing. It is about looking for resources in the context of the budget to support that.

Deputy Heather Humphreys

While my Department provides funding to the national cultural institutions, the management and board of each institution are responsible for all operational matters and I do not have a statutory function in this regard. It is the responsibility of the management and the board of each institution to determine the spending priorities for their individual institutions, based on the resources available to them.

I am aware of the reorganisation of the management structure in the National Library. As part of this, the heraldic responsibilities of the Office of the Chief Herald and the genealogical services now constitute a single business area. I understand that the library considers that bringing genealogy and heraldry services together better acknowledges the connection between these areas and highlights the unique offering of the library as both a centre for genealogical research and the home of the heraldic authority for Ireland.

Indeed, I note the success of the library's recently launched parish registers website, which has had almost half a million visitors since its launch. The digitisation of those records will be of great assistance to those who wish to research their family history and will have a particular resonance for the Irish diaspora, which until now has faced significant difficulties in easily accessing this type of information.

I am aware of the pressures faced by the National Library, along with the entire public sector, given ongoing fiscal constraints. In that context, I was pleased to ensure there would be no reduction in funding for the arts and culture areas of my Department for 2015 and I secured an additional €2 million in funding for the national cultural institutions, including an increased allocation in 2015 of €600,000 for the National Library. The future funding needs of the library will be carefully considered, having regard to the resources available to my Department in the context of the ongoing budget and Estimates process.

Deputy Catherine Murphy

At its peak in 2007, the National Library had €13.2 million, taking into account capital and current amounts. This was reduced to €6.3 million in 2014, again based on capital and current amounts. I acknowledge that there was an improvement this year, but there were extra demands because of that new service, which is more than welcome. I salute the library for its efforts in respect of the church records. It has been forced to scale back on many of its operations. The largest number of requests are from family research groups, which means there is a role in terms of tourism. Once people find their connections, they will visit the area, so it has a definite return. Things that are not being done include the national collection, only 1% of which is conserved to international standards. I have told the Minister on several occasions that there is a fire risk associated with the collection. It is the kind of thing in respect of which we need to learn lessons from our history.

Deputy Heather Humphreys

I acknowledge that there are issues at the library and I am very aware of them. I am conscious of that and want to see investment in the library increase in the year ahead, but we are working within major budgetary constraints. The economy is doing well, but it is fragile and there will be difficulties. The Deputy can rest assured that I will be putting the case forward for the library. I have always said that as the economy continues to improve, I would like to be in a position to give more funding to our cultural institutions. Major constraints are still out there. Budget negotiations are under way. Of course, it is my hope that I will be in a position to increase funding for the library next year, but I must await the outcome of the budgetary process.

Deputy Catherine Murphy

I wish to make a comment on returns. Currently, there is a 9% VAT rate on the hospitality sector and some of that is welcome but does McDonald's and other such companies need a 9% VAT rate? Could it not be more targeted? If there is not going to be a rowing back on this, could the money not be found for something that actually delivers a return to a particular sector, even the tourism sector in the context of the National Library? Can the Minister make that kind of input into the budget?

Deputy Heather Humphreys

The VAT rate is a matter for the Department of Finance. I hear what the Deputy says but it will be a decision for the Minister for Finance. I hope I will be in a position to increase funding but I have to work within major constraints in terms of the budget.

Dr. Sandra Collins was recently appointed director of the library. Sandra is a very welcome addition and I wish her well in her new role. The Deputy is aware that the library is an essential part of our cultural infrastructure and there has been a very positive increase in visitor numbers. The digitisation project has been very successful and will play an important role in the 2016 commemoration. I was at the library a number of weeks ago and launched its annual review of 2014. There is a great sense of enthusiasm and the new services it is providing, such as the digitisation of the Catholic parish registers, have been a huge success. I accept that there are challenges but I will continue to work with the library and provide whatever support I can.

Cultural Policy

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

7. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress being made in the development of Culture 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32193/15]

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl

This simply seeks to establish from the Minister the progress being made on the publication of Culture 2025. I commend the Minister on her commitment in bringing forward that piece of work. Does she see herself being in a position to have the policy in place before the general election, given that it may not be until spring next year according to what the Taoiseach has suggested on many occasions?

Deputy Heather Humphreys

The aim of Culture 2025, Ireland's first national cultural policy, will be to set out the high-level aims and policies of the Government in this area in the period up to 2025. To help inform the public consultation process, I launched a discussion document on the proposed cultural policy on 7 August last. That document was informed by a colloquium of cultural stakeholders organised by my Department, in association with the Royal Irish Academy, on 25 May last.

My Department is currently undertaking a series of regional public meetings around the country on the development of this policy. I hosted the first meeting in Cavan last week. These meetings provide an opportunity to hear directly from local cultural organisations throughout the country. In addition, I am inviting everyone to submit written observations on the discussion document and the specific questions which it poses. Details of the public meetings and the postal and e-mail addresses for submissions are available on my Department's website. I also announced last week that the deadline for submissions is being extended to 31 October 2015.

Culture 2025 will reflect the important role culture plays in our daily lives and will help integrate cultural policy within broader social and economic goals. It will explore how culture can contribute to building an inclusive society, provide avenues for expression for our citizens, drive innovation and contribute to our societal growth and economic well-being. The final policy document to emerge from this process will be submitted for the approval of Government and it is envisaged that the new policy will be published in early 2016.

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl

That is a bit of good news. I hope the document and the policy will address the obvious disconnect that exists between national and local policy. The Minister has clearly engaged the local authorities and their arts officers, who are doing a fine job, but from the funding streams coming down the line, we see that the Arts Council has, in a number of regional and local venues and initiatives, reduced funding as it is of the view that local authorities should be putting up the money. There is a disconnect. Will the policy the Minister is bringing forward address that or do we need to wait for the publication of Culture 2025 to see the obvious difficulty being addressed? It is a difficulty that needs to be addressed urgently.

Deputy Heather Humphreys

I am aware of this and the short answer is "No". The development of our first national culture policy provides an important opportunity for everyone to have their say on what we want to achieve in terms of our arts and culture over the next decade. Setting out high-level aims up to 2025 will help to protect and promote our culture and encourage new cultural forms to flourish. The development of Culture 2025 provides us with a chance to reflect on the important role culture plays in our life. It will also create a platform to bring together cultural bodies and groups at local, regional and national level.

I agree with the Deputy that arts officers in local authorities have a huge role to play in this, because they are at the coalface and engage with local arts organisations. I want them to be part of it and I also want artists to join in the conversation. We are going to a number of different venues and I hope to attend a number of them personally. I am going to Galway next week for consultation and we will extend the deadline for submissions until 31 October. I want to hear from heritage organisations because heritage is also very much part of our culture and I want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in this consultation document.

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl

We look forward to the symposium in Dublin, which should be worthwhile. I am struck by the fact that the Minister and I grew up in an Ireland that was, to a large extent, a monocultural place, while we are now multicultural. I was talking to Deputy Kitt about the Carole King song "Tapestry", in which she sings of a "tapestry of rich and royal hue". How will the Minister ensure that, in this Culture 2025 document, the rich and royal hue of the tapestry that is now Ireland can be reflected in order that the multicultural nature of the society we have become can be reflected in Government policy and can be responded to by arts officers and others involved in arts and heritage and all the myriad aspects of the cultural life of a country?

Deputy Heather Humphreys

I absolutely agree that we have become a multicultural society and we want to engage with other cultures because that diversity will continue to enrich our culture. We want to protect our own culture but, at the same time, embrace new cultures. We are also going to be looking at new technology because that is going to have a huge impact on our culture as well. I have put out these areas as headlines to get people's ideas on how to bring together all the richness we have.

Locally there are a number of different cultural events. In my own county of Monaghan new communities have celebrated their culture and we have celebrated our different cultures together. By bringing them together, our own culture will develop into a richer culture and how we do that will be part of the discussion. I want to encourage as many people as possible to make their views known on how we should move forward because culture is so much a part of what we are as a people. Everyone who leaves this country talks of our culture so it is important we protect it and allow it to grow and flourish.

Wildlife Conservation

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

8. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has reviewed the regulations regarding grass cutting and hedge cutting on roadsides here; her plans to extend the dates on which grass cutting and hedge cutting can proceed or if it is her intention to allow such work to proceed all year round; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32058/15]

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice

Over the past five or six months the Minister has looked for submissions on verge trimming and hedge cutting throughout the country. This has become a major problem since April from the point of view of road safety and access on the byroads of Ireland.

If one travels the byroads of the country, it is horrendous to see the amount of grass and hedges that are hanging out. Councils, perhaps through lack of funding or whatever, did not have the required resources to deal with the issue. I welcome that in some parts of the country some community schemes are in place - I know of some in Cork and Clare. Will the Minister change the regulations to allow this to be facilitated for a longer period of time, all year around or whatever?

Deputy Heather Humphreys

Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of farming and biodiversity. As a result, a review of the current legislation was initiated to ensure that it remains effective and balanced.

Stakeholders had sought an opportunity to input their views on the operation of section 40 of the Acts, and last year I announced a consultation process which provided that opportunity. The submissions received have been published on the website of my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service at http://www.npws.ie/legislation.

Following the end of the public consultation period, I established a working group, comprising officials from my Department, to consider the submissions received and to report back to me with a range of proposals. I expect to announce the outcome of the review in the near future. Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, as provided for in section 40 of the Wildlife Acts, would require amending legislation.

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice

I thank the Minister. It is welcome that a working group has been established, but I understand from the reply that it comprises officials from the Minister's Department. Is that correct? Balance is needed from a working group.

When one considers Northern Ireland, it seems as though we live in two Ireland's. Verge and hedge trimming is done in the North throughout the year. It seems that it is in a different EU to the one we are in. There have been €5 million in insurance claims for car transporters around the country because the windscreens of cars being transported have broken. Everyone believes in making sure the nesting season is looked after, but there are health and safety issues. We cannot have grass growing on the sides of the road, which puts people's lives at risk. It is like many things in this country; we have to use a bit of common sense and cop-on.

Deputy Heather Humphreys

I thank the Deputy. I am fairly familiar with the dates in Northern Ireland, which are the same as ours. They were changed from the end of July to the end of August. I fully understand the need for health and safety considerations, but councils have the authority to cut hedges where are there are health and safety issues and I would encourage them to do so. I live in the country and understand that when hedges are growing into the middle of the road, it is very dangerous.

The issue is complex and many submissions have been received from farming organisations, contractors, BirdWatch Ireland and other groups. I met different organisations and there are diverse views. I am considering the issue and my officials are working on it. I am trying to find the best way to get the right balance between accommodating hedge cutting while at the same time protecting habitats.

Irish Language

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

9. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the lifting of the derogation for the Irish language to be recognised as an official language in the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31987/15]

Deputy Terence Flanagan

I ask the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, for an update on the derogation for the Irish language. I raised this issue previously and preparatory work is taking place to ensure that the Government makes a decision. The clock is ticking on this matter.

Deputy Joe McHugh

I thank the Deputy for raising this question again. I acknowledge his consistent approach. He shares my approach in that he sees opportunities.

The Irish language was given full official and working language status in the EU from 2007. However, because of recruitment and resource concerns, temporary derogations were put in place to cover the periods 2007-11 and 2012-16. A unanimous decision by the Council of the EU is required on whether to end, amend or extend the derogation from 2017.

The Government places major importance on Irish becoming a full working language of the EU institutions and is committed to ending the derogation. The Government, however, is also conscious of concerns about the recruitment of sufficient numbers of Irish language translators, lawyer linguists and translation assistants, and the associated resource implications during a period of adjustment by the EU institutions. It is in this context that the Government is seeking agreement at the Council of the European Union for a Council regulation extending the derogation for another five years, with a view to the derogation ending on 31 December 2021. An incremental approach to the provision of additional services is also being proposed so as to narrow the scope of the derogation in the interim.

In tandem with this approach, the Government is also taking significant steps to create the circumstances in which a sufficient number of qualified graduates are in place to meet EU recruitment needs. Following a review of the advanced Irish language skills initiative, which is funded by my Department, new arrangements for relevant third level courses are currently being implemented by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills and the Higher Education Authority.

These new arrangements, which include an increased focus on competence in three official languages, are currently being implemented in third level institutions from the start of the 2015-16 academic year. These arrangements are aimed at improving the success rate in EU recruitment competitions and at better equipping graduates for employment in EU institutions.

Deputy Terence Flanagan

I thank the Minister of State for his response and acknowledge his commitment in this area. He made dealing with this issue a priority, but it is very disappointing to hear that the derogation is being extended and we do not have the requisite number of translators in place in order to ensure that Irish becomes more than an official language in name only and operates as an official language.

As the Minister of State knows, jobs and job creation have been central tenets of the Government's record. It is, therefore, disappointing that when it knew this was coming down the track more emphasis was not placed on the issue. The Minister of State is not long in the Department, but previous Ministers did not see ensuring that we had the requisite people with specialist knowledge to take up these jobs as a priority. It is important for the future of the language that we all use it on a more regular basis.

Deputy Joe McHugh

I again acknowledge the enthusiasm and dedication of the Deputy to this area. At the moment there are 50 posts in Europe. There is potential for approximately 185 posts. My message to leaving certificate students and to the secondary school students in the Gallery is that if they have three languages and two of them are our first language of Irish and Béarla and the third is French, German or Italian, there will be opportunities for them at the end of 2021. Before that, there will be an incremental approach which will involve extra posts before 2021. My message today, along with that of the Deputy, is that there are opportunities. We do not have responsibility or control over the decision on the derogation; it is an EU Council decision.

We make the recommendation, and we have made a very strong recommendation. We are putting our money where our mouth is and providing additional resources for courses in the likes of King's Inns, LYIT in Letterkenny and NUI Galway. My message today to the students in the Gallery and throughout the country is if they have three languages which include Irish, English and a third language, there will be opportunities. After they leave secondary school and if they go to university, they could be living in Strasbourg or Brussels and they would have a nice lifestyle. They could come over and back because it is not too far away.

Deputy Terence Flanagan

I thank the Minister of State and I welcome his enthusiasm and encouragement for the students, particularly those in the Gallery. I thank him for his response and his interest in ensuring this will happen incrementally and will provide new opportunities for encouraging the development of the Irish language.

EU Directives

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

10. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the habitats directive is under review in the European Union; if that review is taking place, her plans to make a submission regarding the problems that have arisen as a result of the habitats directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32059/15]

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Fitzmaurice should buy a lottery ticket today as he has done very well.

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice

I understand the habitats directive is under review in various countries. What plans is Ireland making to review the habitats directive, given the massive problems it has caused for people living in rural Ireland? Every one of us loves wildlife and loves promoting it, but the sad reality of the habitats directive is that it puts a snipe ahead of a human being and is driving people out of rural Ireland. What submissions has the Government made to balance the weighing scales?

Deputy Heather Humphreys

I thank the Deputy for raising all these issues today. The European Commission published a mandate for a fitness check on the EU birds and habitats directives in February 2014. Its purpose was to examine progress in the implementation and integration of the directives across the member states of the EU, the costs of implementation and of non-implementation of the legislation, and opportunities for improving implementation and reducing administrative burden without compromising the integrity of the purpose of the directives. The Commission’s State of Nature in the EU report was a central document in the process. Earlier this year my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine were invited to make submissions via a detailed questionnaire. I understand that IBEC and an environmental NGO were also invited to respond to the questionnaire. A public Internet consultation was also held, ending in July this year.

I understand that a dedicated conference will be held on the fitness check in Brussels in November, where draft results of the evaluation will be shared and discussed with member states and key stakeholder groups. The Commission is to publish its report on the results of the fitness check in 2016.

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice

I do not know whether we are dealing with unelected people in Brussels, and I know it may be hard to get through to them at times, but in the UK the massive problems are widely acknowledged, be it where people are moving out of town to build in new areas or the flooding of rivers throughout the UK. EU officials had to be escorted through parts of Cyprus by the police or army because of a row. I encourage Irish officials and the Minister to talk to the British and the people in Cyprus. They should talk to the countries having problems because stuff cannot continue to be rammed down a person's throat if other countries are having problems. I have spoken to people in Poland who are having massive problems. This is not why the habitats directive was introduced. It was to encourage and help different countries, but at present it is tormenting them. Will the Minister forge links with all these countries having problems to highlight the difficulties involved and drum a bit of common sense into unelected representatives in Europe?

Deputy Heather Humphreys

I have spoken to Commissioner Vella and met him earlier this year. I have highlighted the difficulties we have with some of these directives and there is no doubt about this. I welcome the review which was initiated by the incoming Commission. The Department has engaged at official level and there is much further work to do in the process. We all need to engage in this, including our MEPs and public representatives as well as the Government. We must all engage in this process and make our views known. A total of 520,000 responses have been received from member countries and it is open to anyone to make a submission, but it is up to the Commission to assess these responses. We will continue to engage in the process. It is at an early stage and a conference will be held later in the year and a paper will be prepared. I encourage people to make their views known and make submissions because we should not leave it up to other people. We should all get involved in the process.

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice

I thank the Minister.

Written Answers follow Adjournment.