Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Written Answers Nos. 241-250

Census of Population Publication

Ceisteanna (241)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

241. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the efforts he has made to publish the 1926 census; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21172/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to enabling the publication of the 1926 Census records. A 1926 Census Working Group has been formed comprising officials from my Department, the National Archives and the Central Statistics Office. The group has met to consider how best to enable the publication of the 1926 Census records. Under current legislation, (the Statistics Act, 1993), census data must be withheld for 100 years. If the records were to be released before the expiry of 100 years a change in legislation would be required to allow for the early release. Following discussions with the CSO, the Minister is of the opinion that the extensive preparatory work required to facilitate the release of the data into the public domain can commence in advance of the legal restriction being adressed. The CSO and the National Archives have agreed to facilitate the preparatory work on the Census records.

Irish Film Board

Ceisteanna (242, 243, 244, 245, 246)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

242. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he will provide his assessment of the performance and governance of the IFB. [21182/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

243. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he will confirm the average salary paid to staff in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21183/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

244. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he is concerned at the volume of lending provided by the IFB to its board members. [21184/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

245. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he is concerned at any of the expenses incurred. [21185/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

246. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he will provide an assessment of the relevant skills and experience of the new chairman of the IFB who he recently appointed (details supplied). [21186/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 to 246, inclusive, together.

As can be seen in its Annual Report and Accounts, the Irish Film Board has a successful year in 2011. The Irish film industry continued to build on its excellent international reputation garnering significant recognition and acclaim as new Irish features were selected for major international festivals and Irish talent picked up awards and received nominations for some of the industry’s highest accolades.

Highlights included the Irish short film THE CRUSH that became the 7th Academy Award nominated Irish short since 2002, Irish projects were selected for some of the world’s most renowned festivals including Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, Tribeca and Cannes where Rebecca Daly’s debut feature THE OTHER SIDE OF SLEEP was selected for the prestigious Directors Fortnight and THIS MUST BE THE PLACE was in official competition.

THE GUARD had an extraordinary year. Following its world premiere at Sundance, it was selected for numerous prestigious festivals including Berlin, Edinburgh and Tribeca and was phenomenally well received when it was released in Irish cinemas. It became the most successful independent Irish film in Irish box office history.

The Irish Film Board (IFB) is a statutorily independent agency. The allocation of support to projects, its staffing arrangements, expenses and other arrangements are matters for the IFB itself. In fact, details of the IFB's recusal policies for dealing with applications by members of the Board for project support are provided the annual report itself.

On 23 April last, Mr Bill O'Herlihy, Chairman Designate of The Irish Film Board gave evidence before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht in relation to his vision and strategy for the Irish Film Board. Mr O'Herlihy made a lengthy statement to the committee and answered all questions put to him by the members of the Joint Committee in a frank and forthright manner and to their satisfaction.

North-South Implementation Bodies

Ceisteanna (247)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

247. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will approve the lease agreement between Waterways Ireland and Longford County Council with respect to Abbeyshrule Tidy Villages, County Longford who have applied for grant funding from Longford Community Resources. [21199/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy will appreciate, Waterways Ireland is an implementation body established under the British Ireland Agreement and therefore, the proposed lease agreement between Waterways Ireland and Longford County Council with respect to Abbeyshrule Tidy Villages, Co Longford falls to be considered under the relevant North / South procedures.

I am advised that this process is expected to be completed next month..

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (248)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

248. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department and agencies under its aegis, who own or rent property in commercial developments are in compliance with their responsibilities under the Multi-Unit Development Act 2011; if he will outline those agencies who have representation on the boards of owners management companies; if he will provide a list of the agency, the relevant management company and its associated property but not the name of the individual representing the said agency; and his views on the implementation process of the Multi-Unit Development Act within his Department. [21239/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

It is not possible to collate the information requested in respect of my Department in the time-frame permitted for a Parliamentary Question but it will be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

With regard to bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, the Deputy will appreciate that the matters raised are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question. I am arranging, therefore, for the terms of the Deputy’s Question to be transmitted to the heads of relevant bodies with a request that they provide information, to the extent feasible, directly to the Deputy.

An Teanga Gaeilge

Ceisteanna (249)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

249. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta ó leasaíodh Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 le hAlt 62 den Acht um an Dlí Sibhialta (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2011 chun nach gá Achtanna den Oireachtas a fhoilsiú go comhuaineach i ngach ceann de na teangacha oifigiúla a thuilleadh ach go bhfuil cead ag an Rialtas Acht den Oireachtas a fhoilsiú ar an idirlíon i mBéarla amháin anois, an dóigh leis go bhfuil an córas níos éifeachtaí anois; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [21282/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Dinny McGinley)

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ní mór dom a shoiléiriú don Teachta nach bhfuil feidhm reachtúil agamsa maidir le foilsiú Achtanna den Oireachtas.

Ceadaíonn an leasú a rinneadh ar alt 7 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 le halt 62 den Acht um an Dlí Sibhialta (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2011 gur féidir Achtanna den Oireachtas a fhoilsiú ar an idirlíon i gceann amháin de theangacha oifigiúla an Stáit sula ndéantar iad a chló agus a fhoilsiú go comhuaineach i ngach ceann de na teangacha oifigiúla.

Cinntíonn an leasú seo go bhfuil Achtanna den Oireachtas ar fáil chomh luath agus is féidir tar éis iad a bheith sínithe ag an Uachtarán. Ní athraíonn an leasú seo ar aon bhealach an dualgas reachtúil maidir le cló agus foilsiú Achtanna den Oireachtas go comhuaineach i ngach ceann de na teangacha oifigiúla mar atá sonraithe in alt 7(1) d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 (arna leasú le halt 62 den Acht um an Dlí Sibhialta (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2011). Tuigtear dom go bhfuil an fhoráil leasaithe ag feidhmiú go héifeachtach chun an leagan achtaithe d’Achtanna an Oireachtais a chur ar fáil le linn don tiontú oifigiúil a bheith á réiteach.

Wildlife Protection

Ceisteanna (250)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

250. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the post-mortem investigations into dolphins found dead off the Mayo coast; if he will now investigate the spate of dead seals as revealed by the Irish Seal Sanctuary. [21506/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Seals are protected under the Wildlife Act and their habitats require protection under the EU Habitats Directive.

In the winter months, officials of my Department responded to information received from the Irish Seal Sanctuary and others on dead seals on the Waterford and Wexford coasts. As set out in my reply to PQ Number 379 of 26th of February 2013, these deaths were investigated by my Department.

My Department has not had recent reports of significant seal deaths. Departmental officials working in coastal areas remain vigilant and will continue to work closely with other law enforcement authorities in such situations.