I was dealing with advertising directed at children and the developments that have taken in place in some EU countries. Deputy O'Shea asked whether this issue was raised at meetings, particularly during the Swedish Presidency, because the Swedes have taken a particular interest in this matter. They have been somewhat frustrated at the undermining of what they see as the national provision by broadcasters under their jurisdiction due to the Television Without Frontiers Directive. I had an opportunity at a recent informal Council of Ministers meeting to discuss the issue when I made my views known and supported the Swedish position. The Commission, which will be drawing up proposals to amend the Television Without Frontiers Directive, is aware of both the Swedish and Irish positions on the matter.
Deputy Higgins asked whether the capital funding of £500,000 applied to community stations as well as local stations. Yes, this funding will assist both stations in regard to difficulties with transmitters where more than one site is required and where different franchise areas must be covered. The £500,000 is referred to in the broadcasting legislation following the commitment to the 3% levy but the allocation of the money is purely a matter for the Independent Radio and Television Commission.
The funding of TG4 was raised by a number of Deputies. Obviously we all have an ongoing interest in the development of TG4 and a great deal of good work is being done by a group of very young of people, which is an example of what can be done in broadcasting. As a result I was very pleased to have secured a significant increase of 24% in funding this year for the station. The additional funding for 2001 enabled TG4 to begin substantial capital works at its headquarters in Baile na hAbhann where it wants to update and expand the existing facilities. The station is also looking to the onset of the digital era. The provision in the Broadcasting Act refers to the establishment of TG4 as a separate entity, which will be done by way of consultation with the Comhairle and RTE.
Deputies McGinley and O'Shea raised the question of the commencement of the Broadcasting Act and the establishment of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. Given the debate on the Bill in both the Dáil and Seanad, Deputies will be aware that the Independent Radio and Television Commission, which will become the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, will have an extended role. It has put forward proposals which I have put to the Department of Finance. We are attempting to secure the necessary sanction for additional resources which the commission will need given its new role.
Questions were raised in regard to the current Arts plan 1999-2001. There is currently an evaluation of the plan. The same procedure was carried out following the completion of the first arts plan. This exercise was very useful and will be needed before the council will be in a position to plan for its forthcoming arts plan. It has already begun an extensive consultation process for the next plan from 2001 onwards. The council is encouraging people to take part in that consultation process and has set up a website where people can give their views. Under the current arts plan, the Arts Council has moved from being purely a grant-giving agency to being a developmental agency. I am sure this is something we all welcome because it is the way we should progress.
Deputy McGinley asked about the Asgard which he will be aware is in the ownership of the Minister for Defence. My Department’s role relates to the issuing of a licence to the Asgard restoration project. On the housing of the artefact, I am advised that the ARP was notified by the National Museum of Ireland that the accommodation for the Asgard in the car park of the Point Depot raised many concerns and was most unsuitable. The ARP has since moved the vessel to the enclosed yard in the docks which has 24 hour security. This appears to be a far better option and the National Museum will continue to monitor the conditions under which the Asgard is stored.
A question was raised about the opening hours of the National Museum. Apparently the museum opens six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday, to which Christmas Day and Good Friday are the only exceptions. Opening on Mondays is receiving considerable attention and the Department of Finance is considering the significant staffing implications of this. I hope the matter will be resolved and that opening seven days a week can be achieved. Turlough Park is of great interest because this will be a great improvement on what we can offer those who come to enjoy the different elements of the museum. The folklife collection will be housed there. The official opening will be in the autumn if not before. The opening of Turlough Park House has implications for staff. Six were appointed and 18 more posts are sanctioned. I am confident that the museum will operate to a high professional standard with 24 staff.
The issue of CDIS and the access scheme was raised. EU and Exchequer funding of £19.5 million was provided under the operational plan for tourism 1994 to 1999. When other money is taken into account, the total funding was around £45 million. The CDIS ran out in 1999 and was not replaced. We need Exchequer funding to build the arts infrastructure and the Government gave £36 million for the access scheme which will run from 2001 to 2004. As with CDIS, private funding will be generated to bring the overall capital expenditure to more than £45 million. The applications are being carefully sifted through and I will announce soon the successful applicants under the access scheme. Deputy O'Shea raised the funding of projects and mentioned some in which he is interested. I spoke to him separately about one of those projects. These projects were outside the scope of access. There is huge interest in the scheme and the number of applications will not facilitate general funding outside its parameters. Only some applications will be successful.
Deputy Michael Higgins referred to Eglinton Canal, Galway. He asked when the required works will be carried out. The project, managed by Office of Public Works, involves replacing a bridge at Parkaverragh lock in Galway city. The detailed design will be completed this month and the job will go to tender. A contractor should be on site at the start of September and the job completed by the end of October.
Concerns were voiced about stone national monuments. A Case Study 2000 was produced by the Heritage Council. My Department, through Dúchas, is aware of the points raised in the survey and agrees with most of them. Reference was made to damage caused by repair work using Portland cement. That cement is not used by my Department. The report states that such repairs, while problematic in themselves, did arrest structural decay, especially in harder limestone constructions and so there is a positive element. I emphasise that my Department is to the fore in stone conservation and follows best international practice. Last November I announced an investment of more than £100 million in built heritage under the national development plan, an unprecedented commitment to the conservation of national monuments in State care. Baltinglass and Trim abbeys were specifically referred to. Dúchas conducts maintenance work twice yearly at Baltinglass Abbey. Masonry work on the nave arcade was undertaken three years ago and is routinely checked. The Heritage Council assessment of the abbey is not shared by Dúchas professionals. My departmental advisers believe the risk to Trim Abbey is not as acute as the Heritage Council report suggests. Deputy McGinley referred to Donegal and Doe castles. The work on Donegal Castle represents a step forward for it and the town generally. Such improvements mean we can promote the built and natural heritage which increases visitor numbers bringing revenue to an area or region. Donegal Castle has 30,000 visitors annually. The site at Doe Castle is conserved and the remaining structures are in good condition. We want to conserve our many national monuments for the future. That does not always necessitate full restoration. If that were so, we could concentrate on only a few to the detriment of the rest. Our general approach is the right one.
The national inventory of architectural heritage was discussed in both Houses. It will take 12 years to complete. There are a million structures and sites and we want to ensure the standards in surveying them fulfils international criteria. Other jurisdictions take longer to correlate their information. During the debates, I stated that if we took this road, the work would take 12 years, but if we did not it would be 40 years. I reiterate that there will be interim surveys of the 26 counties in the next two to three years, which will help speed up the process. We are making good headway compared to other jurisdictions, such as England where it took four years to compile a parks and gardens register of 1,085 sites.
Everyone here favours conservation but the method and implementation of programmes cause concern. We formally transmitted to the European Commission 362 candidate special areas of conservation. Our proposals will be sufficient when the second seminar evaluates the proposals in the EU's Atlantic region. That conference will take place later in the year. Members are aware of the liaison committees, appeal systems and compensation for loss with regard to SACs.
Preparation is under way to designate further SPAs and extend some of the existing sites. Many sites — the important areas for birds — comprise coastal and inland waterways or small offshore islands. Some are on farmland. The same comprehensive procedures apply as for SACs, where landowners are concerned.
The acquisition of headquarters for the Heritage Council is primarily a function for the council. There have been discussions between the council and the Representative Church Body of the Church of Ireland because there was interest in acquiring the building known as the Bishop's Palace in Kilkenny and agreement had been reached. As there was some concern within the congregation of the Church of Ireland, a motion was put to discuss the matter further and the majority were in favour of proceeding. The Church of Ireland has resumed communications with the Heritage Council and I await the result of these deliberations. The decision is, first and foremost, one for the Heritage Council and the RCB.
Deputy O'Shea asked for information about the Discovery programme. The programme is funded through the Heritage Council. It was initiated in 1999 and deals with the western stone forts projects, the north Munster project, the Tara project, the lake settlement in Ireland and the medieval rural settlement. A total of £900,000 is provided for the work in 2001, an increase of £60,000 on last year's figure.