Vol. 911 No. 2
29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici an próiseas tairisceana maidir leis an aersheirbhís chuig Oileáin Árann a tharraingt siar chun é a leasú agus ceann eile a chur ina áit; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13679/16]
Mar is eol don Teachta, rinneadh athbhreithniú sa bhliain 2014 ar riachtanas na seirbhíse aeir seo, i gcomhréir le rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh. Cuireadh tuarascáil chuimsitheach faoi bhráid mo Roinne a chlúdaigh an tréimhse ó 2003 go 2013. Rinneadh measúnú sa tuarascáil sin ar leibhéal agus ar threocht na gcostas don tseirbhís aeir agus ar an gcomhréireacht idir an oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí agus riachtanais forbartha eacnamaíochta an réigiúin. I measc nithe eile, léiríodh sa tuarascáil go raibh caiteachas bliantúil mo Roinne ar an tseirbhís aeir tar éis méadú faoi 136% le linn na tréimhse athbhreithnithe, cé gur fhan líon na bpaisinéirí a bhí á n-iompar mórán mar a chéile. Ar an mbunús sin, dúradh sa tuarascáil go raibh sé riachtanach breathnú ar roghanna éagsúla chun luach níos fearr a fháil ar airgead don Státchiste. Is sa chomhthéacs sin a d'ullmhaigh mo Roinn, i gcomhar leis an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais, an t-iarratas ar thairiscintí atá faoi chaibidil. Ar ndóigh, thug mo Roinn faoin obair seo in 2015 chomh maith ach, de bharr éiginnteacht faoi stádas Aerfort na Gaillimhe nach raibh ar fáil do thréimhse an chonartha, cuireadh deireadh leis an bpróiseas áirithe sin.
Sa phróiseas tairisceana atá ar siúl ag mo Roinn faoi láthair, is é Aerfort na Mine amháin atá luaite mar phointe imeachta ar an mhórthír. Tá mo Roinn, i láthair na huaire, ag iarraidh teacht ar chomhaontú le bainistíocht na saoráidí sin a chuimseoidh rochtain ar na saoráidí mar aon leis an leibhéal táillí a bheidh iníoctha. Ní mór do mo Roinnse, ar ndóigh, na rialacha maidir le tras-fhóirdheonú agus státchabhair a shásamh sa phróiseas seo uile. Mar a chuir mé in iúl don Teachta mar fhreagra ar Cheist Uimh. 173 uaidh ar 26 Bealtaine, tá spriocdháta den 17 Meitheamh 2016 chun tairiscintí a bheith faighte faoin bpróiseas tairisceana atá ar siúl maidir leis an tseirbhís aeir d’Oileáin Árann.
I dtosach báire, guím chuile rath ar an Aire Stáit ina phost nua. Tá mé cinnte go mbeidh go leor rudaí spéisiúla le plé againn as seo go ceann cibé cén fhad a mhairfeadh an Rialtas seo. Dúirt an tAire Stáit an tseachtain seo caite go raibh sé ag scrúdú gnéithe uilig an cháis. An cheist atá agam ná seo: an bhfuil sé i gceist aige é seo a chríochnú roimh an 17 Meitheamh? An bhfuil seans ann go dtarraingeoidh sé siar an t-iarratas ar thairiscintí? Chomh maith le sin, an bhféadfadh sé a rá liom nó a dheimhniú go bhfuil an Roinn tar éis tairiscintí a lorg don tseirbhís gan réamh-shocrú a bheith déanta maidir le costas na seirbhíse ó thaobh an aerstráice sna Mine? An nglacfaí leis go bhfuil an costas nó na táillí atá i gceist a ghearradh ar na hoileánaigh agus ar thurasóirí i bhfad ró-ard? Mar is eol don Aire Stáit, cuireadh é sin ina láthair cheana ag cruinniú a bhí ag na hoileánaigh leis le gairid.
Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta. Tá an t-am istigh.
Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cuív as ucht an cúpla focal sin agus é ag déanamh comhghairdeas liom. Tá mé an-sásta obair leis agus urlabhraí eile chuile pháirtí as seo amach. Tá a fhios ag an Teachta go bhfuil próiseas ar bun agus go gcaithfidh mé a bheith cúramach faoi chuile rud a deirim faoin gceist seo. Níl mé ag iarraidh an Roinn a bheith os comhair na gcúirteanna ó thaobh aon rud a deirim. Tá taithí ag an Teachta leis an bpróiseas seo ó bheith ag déileáil leis agus tá a fhios aige go raibh an Roinn ar chéimeanna na cúirte anuraidh maidir leis an gconradh PSO seo.
Táim ag iarraidh go mbeidh seirbhís aeir fhadtréimhseach ag muintir Árann. Táim tar éis cuireadh chun cruinnithe a thabhairt don Teachta Ó Cuív mar aon le Teachtaí agus Seanadóirí eile sa Dháilcheantar, seachas an Seanadóir nua atá tofa. Ní bheadh sé ceart go mbeadh an tSeanadóir Ó Céidigh i láthair linn. Tá súil agam go mbeidh chuile dhuine in oifigí na Roinne Dé hAoine seo chun é seo a phlé leis na feidhmeannaigh ón Roinn freisin. Tá a fhios agam go raibh sibh ag iarraidh an chruinnithe seo ar feadh tamaill.
Caithfidh mé a rá gur dea-scéal é sin. Glacaim go fonnmhar leis an gcuireadh a bheith ann. Cinnte ní mór é seo a phlé. Aontaím leis an Aire Stáit go bhfuil srianta áirithe ar an méid is féidir a rá, ach níl aon srianta ar na ceisteanna polasaí. Déarfar leis an Aire Stáit go bhfuil, ach níl. Mar sin, is féidir leis, mar shampla, an t-iarratas seo a tharraingt siar agus a rá go bhfuil an méid a bhainfear de na hoileánaigh as cor ar fad agus go dtosóimid as an nua arís.
Chomh maith le sin, mar a d'iarr mé ar an Aire Stáit, an féidir leis deimhniú gur lorgaíodh ar na tairiscintí seo sular raibh aon socrú déanta le bainistíocht Aerfort na Mine maidir leis an gcostas a bhainfeadh leis na seirbhísí sin a úsáid? Más mar sin é, creidim go bhfuil locht ollmhór ar an méid atá déanta go dáta. Níl an locht ar an Aire Stáit; ní raibh aon smacht aige air mar ní raibh sé ina Aire Stáit ag an am. Ach dá bhféadfadh sé é sin a dheimhniú, sílim go mbeadh sé tábhachtach go mbeadh an tuiscint sin againn inniu, mar sin an tuiscint a bhain mé as an méid a dúirt sé.
Glaoim ar an Aire Stáit chun críochnú ar an ábhar seo.
Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an chumhacht agam an t-iarratas a tharraingt siar. Níl cinneadh déanta agus, mar a dúirt mé, tá mé ag breathnú ar chuile rud a bhaineann leis an rud seo ó thaobh comhairle dlí agus rudaí mar sin. Tá a lán rudaí le plé againn ag an gcruinniú Dé hAoine ó thaobh na gceisteanna práinneacha atá ag an Teachta Ó Cuív agus ag na Teachtaí agus Seanadóirí eile ó thaobh an ruda seo. An rud is tábhachtaí ná go mbeidh seirbhís aeir ar fáil. Sin atáim ag iarraidh a dhéanamh. Mar a dúirt mé, tá mé ag fáil comhairle maidir le seo. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil imní ar mhuintir Árann ó thaobh chostas na seirbhíse agus tá an rud sin lárnach san iarratas. Beidh mé ag breathnú air sin agus beidh mé ag súil leis an gcruinniú Dé hAoine chun na rudaí seo a phlé leis an Teachta Ó Cuív agus leis na Teachtaí agus Seanadóirí eile.
30. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on and her plans following the landmark ruling of the High Court which declared the battlefield site in the Moore Street area in Dublin 7 to be a National Monument, a legal decision which matched arguments within the case, matched political opinions in the House of the Oireachtas and is supported by public opinion. [13683/16]
I call on the Minister to proceed.
Standing Orders have been changed. I am sorry, but I thought-----
It is the old system.
Gabh mo leithscéal.
Following the High Court's ruling, progress on the 1916 commemorative centre and conservation project on Moore Street has ceased and arrangements are being made to have limited works, as approved by the court, carried out as soon as possible to preserve and protect the buildings at 14 to 17 Moore Street for the time being. The objective of the works will be to safeguard the buildings, in so far as possible, until a permanent solution is identified. In that context, I am continuing to examine the court's findings in so far as they relate to the Moore Street project and the general operation of the National Monuments Acts.
I am also examining, in consultation with other Departments, whether there are broader planning and development implications nationally, especially in terms of potential impacts on infrastructural projects such as housing, roads, broadband and other utility developments. I am not at liberty at this juncture to go into further detail on whether the High Court ruling in this case will be appealed.
Ba mhaith liom gach rath a ghuí ar an Aire agus ar an Aire Stáit nua. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an t-ádh leo ina gcuid post.
Most Irish people will say the arts, culture and heritage are central to who we are as a people, that they are intertwined with our identity. Many will be shocked, therefore, to hear that the arts and heritage have been added to this Frankenstein Department and that the investment in this Department is only one fifth of that in other European countries. The battlefield site on Moore Street is an example. It is nearly three months since the court ruled on this issue. With regard to the disconnect between the Government and the people and the High Court, what plans does the Minister have to develop a new cultural and heritage plan for the battlefield site on Moore Street?
I have two decisions to make. I must look at the site on Moore Street in the context of the judgment and I must also look at its wider potential implications. I need to look at whether there are broader planning and development issues nationally. I am still assessing the potential impacts and consulting other Departments. I am also taking legal advice on the matter. I am, therefore, not in a position to give a definitive answer on the issues around the legal case and until that decision is made, I will not be able to say what we plan to do in the wider area. I understand this is an emotive issue, but we have made considerable progress in dealing with it. This is the first Government to have acquired 14 to 17 Moore Street.
The Minister's first port of call is public opinion on this issue. This is the centenary year of the 1916 Rising and public opinion on the issue is clear. It is also important, being in a minority, that the Government consider the opinion of the Dáil. From what I understand, the positions of Fianna Fáil and my party are close - that everything needs to be done to prevent the travesty of a shopping centre being built on one of the most important heritage and historical sites in the State. This generation has an opportunity to preserve one of the central spaces in the 1916 Rising. My other concern in this regard is that the loans of Chartered Land, the company which is proposing to build a shopping centre in this space, lie with NAMA. If NAMA was to appeal the decision, the State, in effect, would be funding a second appeal against a decision of the High Court which fulfills the will of the people and the Dáil.
I accept that the location is evocative. I want to see us preserving the buildings which include the final headquarters of the 1916 leaders. The intention always was to restore the buildings, 14 to 17 Moore Street, to their 1916 state in order that visitors would be able to take a step back in time. I am consulting other Departments and whenever the decision is made on the ruling in the court case and what steps we should take in that regard, I will be happy to sit down and have a conversation with my colleagues in the Oireachtas on the best steps forward.
31. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will support the Labour Party’s budget campaign to retain the additional capital and current funding allocated for the 1916 Rising commemoration in the general arts budget from 2017 onwards to systematically restore funding to the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13682/16]
Funding across the public service, including that which could be provided for investment in culture and the arts, was severely impacted on by the economic crisis. However, since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the sector year on year. The allocation for the Arts Council in 2016 is €60.1 million, an increase of 6% in the past two years. The allocation for the Irish Film Board in 2016, at almost €14.5 million, shows an increase of 3.6% from last year.
In terms of capital investment, in January I announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on upgrading the existing stock of such centres around the country. The funding is being made available as part of the capital investment framework 2016 to 2021. Significant refurbishment and expansion projects are also planned or under way at a number of the national cultural institutions, including the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Archives of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland.
A Programme for a Partnership Government contains an important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I will be engaging with my colleagues in government and the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming Estimates and budgetary processes.
I wish the Minister well in her brief. I asked if she would support the Labour Party's campaign to ensure the capital allocation for the 1916 Rising commemorations, which involve important work at cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Ireland, was maintained in future years as a national endowment for the arts. I do not know whether she is aware that salaries, for instance, in the arts are low, particularly among women. I am not sure whether she is aware that turf cutters receive more of a mention in the programme for Government than the arts sector. Given that the arts are so important to us as a nation, will she support the Labour Party's campaign to have the funding maintained as a national endowment to promote the expansion of the arts?
I have already stated I want to retain as much as possible of the additional funding for commemorations in the 2016 budget for the cultural sector. It is something on which I am keen because there was significant investment in the arts during the recent 2016 commemorative programme. The arts were very much at the centre of the commemorative programme which has done a tremendous job in getting people more involved in the arts, not only in the cities but across the country. When one looks at the local authorities programmes, in every county there was involvement by the arts in the commemorative programme. In fact, I had the pleasure of attending one launch at which young schoolchildren acted out Ms Grace Gifford's marriage.
Has the Minister had discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance to maintain the funding, both capital and current, allocated for the 1916 Rising commemorations? The Minister has cited examples of good events which we all have attended, but we need a serious national endowment for the arts. They suffered disproportionately, partly because a lot of the funding was diverted by the Minister's predecessor to deal with the issues around turf-cutting. That is fine, but the funding diverted and the national endowment for the arts needs to be restored.
Recently, the Taoiseach attended a major event at the Kennedy Center in Washington where he praised the arts, given that it is our calling card when we go to the United States. However, as Lenny Abrahamson said, the arts are not just a photo opportunity for politicians, they are much more important for us as a people and in how we present ourselves to the world.
I am committed to increasing funding for the arts as the economy improves. We will have additional resources only if we maintain a growing economy through prudent economic management. The Deputy knows the budgetary process and I will make the case to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that-----
Has the Minister met the Department yet?
No, but I will do so and seek to hold on to as much as possible of the additional funding that was achieved for the 1916 Rising commemorations.
Will the Minister, therefore, support the Labour Party's campaign?
At least two weeks ago, I stated very clearly how successful the investment in the arts had been during the commemorations. We are on the same hymn sheet.
32. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her priorities for the arts under the new programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13680/16]
I congratulate my constituency colleague, Deputy Niamh Smyth, on her appointment as Fianna Fáil spokesperson on the arts. I look forward to working with her on national and local issues. She has a great interest in the arts, particularly given her role in the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, ETB, arts in education initiative which was very successfully piloted through the board.
A Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I will engage with my colleagues in government and the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming Estimates and budgetary processes.
Other priorities, in line with A Programme for a Partnership Government, include the publication of Culture 2025, Ireland's first national cultural policy, which I intend to finalise shortly. It will provide a framework for considering a range of important issues, including improving access to culture, breaking down barriers in areas of social exclusion and disadvantage, and how culture is enriched by greater cultural diversity. Another priority is the continued implementation of the arts in education charter and encouraging local authorities to strengthen the role of arts and heritage officers by building stronger links with local development groups. This will also feed into my expanded brief covering regional development and rural affairs. I will also prioritise opening the new capital grants scheme for applications to provide for upgrades of existing regional arts and cultural centres around the country. There is €3 million for the scheme in this year's budget and a total of €9 million over three years. Other priorities include boosting supports to regional museums and facilitating increased loans between the national cultural institutions and the network of regional museums, working with the Irish Film Board, Screen Ireland, to ensure Ireland is maximised as a location for international film production, and further encouraging strong, mutually beneficial links between the business community and arts organisations.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
These priorities represent an ambitious agenda and I look forward to working with all partners and across all parties in this House to develop and implement these initiatives.
I congratulate the Minister on her reappointment to the ever-increasing portfolio, as we can see from the recent announcement. While I congratulate her, I am disappointed at what most of the arts community and I see as the demotion of the arts within the Department. While I appreciate the priorities the Minister outlined, the former Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has been increased to include regional development and rural affairs and encompasses responsibility for the roll-out of broadband and the development of the An Post network. We fully understand the need for a dedicated Department for regional development and rural affairs. My colleague, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, was Minister for just that from 2002 to 2010. However, during that time a separate Department for the arts had a lead portfolio. I am very fearful, like most of the nation, that the arts may be left behind and forgotten about in the Minister's miscellaneous responsibilities. What reassurances can she give on this?
We have the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and added to its brief are regional development and rural affairs. I am looking forward to taking up the new role. To assist me, I have the Ministers of State, Deputies Seán Kyne and Michael Ring. With a bigger Department comes more staff and resources which I can use for the benefit of the arts, given that they are part of a much bigger Department. I am very committed to working to improve them across the country. Culture is so important and so much part of what we are as a people and we must invest in it. I want to see increased investment in the arts as the economy improves. They will not be left behind.
While I am delighted to hear that, we must ensure the arts and culture remain at the heart of Irish life and that their contribution to a well rounded society is fully recognised and realised. We believe the Government's downgrading of the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht is wrong and the arts community is frustrated about it. The arts constitute a very important industry which creates many jobs and has a major impact nationally, as we can see from the year we have just had. Will the Minister assure us of her commitment and say the arts are a priority? Until the portfolio is restored to the lead role it had for almost a quarter of a century, there are real doubts about the Government's commitment. Will the Minister suggest to the Taoiseach that he reconsider and include the arts in the Department's title?
As the senior Minister, I retain responsibility for the arts which are in no way diminished in the new portfolio. They are not being downgraded. I have met a number of arts organisations. Last week, for example, I met the National Campaign for the Arts. The arts have a vital role to play in rural Ireland. The Deputy will be familiar with the new, state-of-the-art Garage Theatre in Monaghan which is a very important amenity for the local community. We also have the Ramor Theatre in Cavan and the wonderful Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig. It is unique in many ways and I was delighted to be able to approve funding of €200,000 to assist in the construction of a new recording studio.
It is questions on Cavan-Monaghan.
It was one of the first arts institutions to be funded on a cross-Border basis. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council in Dublin both fund it.
It is good to finish on a high point.
33. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will attend an urgent meeting between the Galway West Oireachtas Members, Connemara councillors, the Galway County Council national roads project office and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider the delay in the development of the N59 from Oughterard to Maam Cross and from Maam Cross to Clifden, County Galway, which is a vital artery for the Connemara Gaeltacht and the rural area of Connemara generally, particularly in view of the recent Bord Pleanála decision and her responsibilities in the development of the Gaeltacht, rural areas and the islands; if she will arrange for an official from the heritage side of her Department to attend this meeting in order that issues regarding natural heritage will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13681/16]
My Department has had extensive engagement, including significant pre-planning engagement, with Galway County Council on the projects referred to by the Deputy. My Department has continued its considerable engagement following An Bord Pleanála’s consent for the Oughterard to Maam Cross section of the road project. Some eight method statements have been received to date on the project, with initial statements approved within two weeks or less. Recent statements received have been particularly complex and key information was omitted or the statements had not been approved by the council, as required. Senior officials of my Department arranged a meeting earlier this month with Galway County Council to address these issues and this positive engagement will continue.
There is no doubt that the overall N59 development is a complex project. It is incumbent on my Department to balance its regional development objectives and its environmental obligations in seeking to contribute to a positive outcome for the people of Galway West, Connemara and the region in general while seeking also to avoid the project falling foul of legal challenge.
I remain available to meet, as necessary, with public representatives on this matter. I have had meetings with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, on the matter and he has briefed me on it and impressed upon me the importance of this road to the area.
This road is included in Transport 21. I insisted on the coastal secondary roads being included in it. Since planning was given for the project virtually no progress has been made on the stretch from Oughterard to Maam Cross. We will not have a rural Ireland with its unique cultural heritage if we do not provide basic infrastructure. In view of the offer of the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, to meet us on Friday in the Department's office in Na Forbacha to discuss the air service, could a parallel meeting be arranged that morning with the Minister's officials, the county council and the Teachtaí Dála and the Seanadóirí for the area to once and for all discuss how we can collectively progress this project, which is of vital interest? I do not believe that the environmental challenges are half a big as the Minister has said. What we will possibly gain in terms of the environment we are losing in cultural and other heritage in the Gaeltacht and in west Connemara.
I understand the importance of this road for the area. It is good for the region, for tourism and for the people who live in the area. The Deputy will understand that I have obligations, under EU law, around nature conservation. I have to try to balance these in order to contribute to a positive outcome for the region. My officials have been working with the local authority to progress the matter and will continue to do so. They are available to meet interested parties. The Deputy requested that and I give a commitment that my officials with meet him. I trust Friday will suit and, if it does, that can certainly happen. There is no reason they will not meet the Deputy. Is it this Friday that my ministerial colleague has that meeting?
Yes.
Absolutely, that can happen. I will come back to the Deputy on this through the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, and they can arrange that meeting.
I welcome the Minister's commitment to consider Friday for such a meeting. It would be very convenient for everybody to once and for all get around the table and resolve this issue. Environmental heritage is important and nobody doubts it, but the road from Maam Cross to Recess was widened many years ago and a railway line was built through Connemara. Despite that we still have this fantastic ecology that the Minister is preserving. It seems disproportionate that after four years of negotiations between the Minister and the county council, we cannot resolve what we need to do. The project is not the building of a new road but the widening of the existing dirt track into a road. Many people in Connemara are tempted to put up big signs with the words "horses and carts from here on in" along the route. It is ridiculous and I ask the Minister to organise a meeting for Friday. This is now a matter of crucial importance. The Minister of State will be able to brief the Minister on how offended are all of the preservers of the environment of Connemara who live there at the top-down attitude being taken by officialdom here and in Brussels towards their heritage.
I understand the Deputy's concerns but he will understand there is balance to be struck here. It is about trying to work towards a solution and striking the right balance. The European Commission has written to me on this project indicating a particular concern with respect to the pearl mussel and we cannot ignore that. This is all part of the habitats directive. My officials are prepared to meet the Deputy. I give a commitment that they will meet him on Friday and they will work with the local authority to find a resolution. I understand the Deputy's frustration about this.
