Thursday, 24 Sep 2015

Written Answers Nos. 31-40

Special Areas of Conservation Management

Ceisteanna (31)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to engage with traditional turf cutters with a view to resolution of any outstanding issues arising from special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas; if she is satisfied that the concerns of the most directly affected have been addressed or have had their fears assuaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32176/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Since this Government has come into office, huge efforts have been made to solve the issue of the protection of Ireland's raised bog special areas of conservation (SACs), within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive. This has included intense and ongoing engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and the European Commission.

A long-term compensation scheme has also been introduced to compensate cutters for their loss arising from the cessation. This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off incentive payment of €500. 3,134 applications have been received under this scheme to date. Of these, 719 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs.

The draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan was published in January 2014. It sets out how raised bog SACs are to be managed into the future and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed.

Notwithstanding the complexity involved, progress in relocating turf cutters to non-designated bogs is being achieved in a number of cases. Potential relocation sites have been identified for each of the raised bog SACs where relocation may be required. When relocation sites have been assessed as suitable, my Department has been seeking expressions of interest from turf cutters with a view to them moving to these sites.

For a number of these SACs, the relocation site identified may not be suitable or may not have the capacity to cater for the number of turf cutters who may wish to relocate there. In such cases, and in the context of the finalisation of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, my Department, in consultation with turf cutting interests, is considering the available options in terms of relocation and the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive. Under article 6.3 of the Directive, consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog SAC where it can be shown that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the site. Under article 6.4 of the Directive, consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog SAC for imperative reasons of overriding public interest.

Given the clear scientific evidence of the negative impact of turf extraction on raised bogs, it will only be possible to utilise the provisions of article 6.3 in a small number of cases. Similarly, the flexibility provided for under article 6.4, if required, will only be applicable to a small number of sites.

Final resolution of all issues in relation to the protection of Ireland's raised bog SACs will only be brought about by everyone working together, within the law, with my Department and with the Peatlands Council, which was established with the purpose of ensuring the input from all stakeholders.

The Review of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bog natural heritage areas. The Review has concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf-cutting on certain natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017 and the partial or complete de-designation of certain natural heritage areas.

Special Protection Areas Designation

Ceisteanna (32)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

32. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has put in place a scheme of compensation for farmers whose lands have been designated as hen harrier special protection areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32061/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Special Protection Areas are designated in accordance with the provisions of the EU Birds Directive, which has been transposed into national law under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Significant funding is provided through the Rural Development Programme (operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) to assist farmers in meeting the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. It is wise in my view that this Programme, which is co-funded with the EU, is used for such purposes. Farmers in Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas are given priority access to the GLAS scheme and can receive the higher GLAS + payment if they have sufficient eligible lands.

It should also be noted that participation in the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) requires farmers to abide by the statutory requirements relating to Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation – collectively known as Natura 2000 sites.

Heritage Sites

Ceisteanna (33)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

33. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reasons she granted consent for a film production company (details supplied) to return to Sceilig Mhichíl for filming for the Star Wars franchise this month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32194/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

In considering the request of the film company referred to, which is the maker of one of the world’s biggest film franchises, for consent to carry out filming on Skellig Michael, I have balanced the positive benefit it will reap for the Irish film industry and the South Kerry region with the need to ensure that the island’s unique environment and wildlife is fully protected.

Stringent ecological and environmental safeguards and mitigation measures were put in place by my Department and the OPW to ensure that the site was fully protected during filming. These safeguards included an Ecological and Screening Assessment of the proposed film work, as well as stringent bio-security protocols. Specialist staff were on site at all times to supervise the filming activity and to ensure there were no negative impacts on the island, its wildlife, habitat or built heritage. A condition of the consent is that the salary costs and expenses of my Department’s staff will be met by the film company.

My decision to grant consent in this case was notified to UNESCO and the European Commission and neither body has indicated any issues with the process and its outcome. I am satisfied that this is an excellent example of how film-making can operate in harmony with environmental protection, providing that all necessary safeguards are in place, allowing us to showcase our unique cultural and heritage to a global audience.

Beit Collection

Ceisteanna (34)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

34. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update regarding the future of Russborough House, County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31988/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I refer the Deputy to my reply to today’s Priority Question No. 1.

Seirbhísí Aeir Fóirdheonaithe

Ceisteanna (35)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

35. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici an próiseas tairisceana atá ar bun le haersheirbhís a chur ar fáil go hÁrainn a chur ar ceal agus tairiscintí nua a lorg d’aersheirbhís eitleáin ó aerfort Chonamara leis an minicíocht a bhí ann go dáta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [31991/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Joe McHugh)

Mar is eol don Teachta, rinne mo Roinn athbhreithniú a choimisiúnú anuraidh ar an tseirbhís aeir i gcomhréir le Rialachán an AE. Léirigh an t-athbhreithniú a rinne EY go raibh cás socheacnamaíoch ann don tseirbhís aeir. Léiríodh fosta go raibh sé riachtanach sábháiltí a bhaint amach i gcomhthéacs an mhéadaithe de 136% a bhí tagtha ar chostas na seirbhíse aeir le linn na tréimhse athbhreithnithe 2003-2013 a bhí faoi chaibidil sa tuarascáil. Bunaithe ar mholtaí an athbhreithnithe, cuireadh próiseas tairisceana ar bun chun conradh a aontú don tseirbhís aeir don tréimhse ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2015 go dtí an 30 Meán Fómhair 2019. Is í an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais atá i mbun an phróisis tairisceana a reáchtáil thar ceann mo Roinne i gcomhréir le Rialachán an AE.

Tar éis measúnú a bheith déanta ar na hiarratais faoin bpróiseas tairisceana, fógraíodh an tairgeoir roghnaithe don chonradh seirbhíse aeir ar an 26 Lúnasa. Cuireadh in iúl freisin go raibh bronnadh an chonartha faoi réir chomhlíonadh tréimhse sosa deonaí de cheithre lá dhéag agus nach gcuirfí conradh ar bith i gcrích go rachadh an tréimhse sosa in éag ar an 9 Meán Fómhair.

I gcomhréir le comhairle dlí a fuarthas, fógraíodh ar an 10 Meán Fómhair go raibh síneadh á chur leis an tréimhse sosa dheonach go dtí an 16 Samhain. Tógadh an cinneadh seo le súil is soiléiriú a fháil maidir le hAerfort na Gaillimhe a bheith ar fáil do thréimhse an chonartha ceithre bliana ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair mar atá leagtha amach san Iarraidh ar Thairiscintí.

Chun a chinntiú go leanfar le seirbhís aeir chuig agus ó Oileáin Árann, tá mo Roinn ag plé leis an soláthraí seirbhíse reatha chun teacht ar chomhaontú maidir le síneadh a chur leis an gconradh reatha ar feadh ceithre mhí ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair.

Is í an aidhm a bhí agam ón tús ná a chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhís aeir ann i gcónaí d'Oileáin Árann agus leanfaidh mé orm chun an aidhm sin a bhaint amach feadh mo chumais.

Waterways Issues

Ceisteanna (36)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which the fears expressed by traditional canal dwellers, canal users and recreational users of the Royal and Grand canals have been fully addressed in the context of the proposal emanating from Waterways Ireland; if she expects to be in a position to reassure those directly affected and their respective representative bodies to the effect that all the issues raised have been examined and reassurances provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32177/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Joe McHugh)

As I indicated to the Deputy in my replies to Dáil Question No. 39 on 30 April 2015 and No. 275 on 18 June 2015, I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the proposed bye-laws that Waterways Ireland intends to make in order to enhance the management of the canals for all canal users.

The current position is that there is ongoing liaison between Waterways Ireland and my Department with a view to finalising the draft bye-laws which will be referred to me with recommendations for consideration and final decision. It is my intention to afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making a final decision on the draft bye-laws.

Easter Rising Commemorations

Ceisteanna (37)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

37. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of planned celebrations and commemorations for 1916; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31993/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched on 31st March last, includes a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to the formal State occasions, which will run throughout 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The Programme will be an invitation to everyone on the island of Ireland and to the global Irish community to shape and engage in a diverse range of historical, cultural and artistic activities – all designed to facilitate reflection, commemoration, celebration, debate and analysis and an active imagining of our future.

Officials of my Department have facilitated an intensive consultation period over the last few months, including active engagement with schools, universities, colleges, business and voluntary organisations, arts and culture institutions, historical societies and representative groups – at home and in our Diaspora around the world – to inform, to stimulate debate and discussion about 2016, and to foster programme initiatives. Work has been ongoing to implement a comprehensive programme and planning is well underway for the range of initiatives within the seven programme strands.

Among the key milestones achieved to date are the following:

- Over 83 public consultations, facilitated by the local authorities, have taken place nationwide. Arising from this, 31 individual local authority plans will be launched in October. I have allocated €1 million in 2015 in current funding to support this process.

- I was delighted to host the first of the State ceremonial events of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme on 1st August to commemorate the funeral of O'Donovan Rossa in Glasnevin Cemetery, in the presence of President Michael D. Higgins and the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D.

- An allocation of €22 million in capital funding is being provided through my Department’s Vote in 2015 for the ‘Permanent Reminder’ projects. These capital projects are progressing well and potential launch dates have been identified.

- The Government has announced its intention to purchase and restore the National Monument at 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin, and arrangements to this end are progressing well.

- The Global and Diaspora Programme, including the preliminary Culture Ireland plans, was launched on 29th June and was very positively received at home and abroad.

- On 6th August, the Arts Council announced 9 major arts projects to commemorate 1916.

- The launch of the National Flag Initiative took place on 14th September, with the first in a series of deliveries by the Defence Forces of the National Flag and the Proclamation to over 3,300 national schools across the country.

- The grants programme for Irish language projects under the ‘An Teanga Bheo’ strand of the Programme has been completed and will be announced in the coming weeks.

- The Education Programme strand was launched on 22nd September for the primary, post-primary and third-level education sectors; and

- Consultation is ongoing with relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including official, political, media, artistic and NGO stakeholders.

Further information in relation to the various events, activities and initiatives taking place under each of the above strands can be found on my Department’s dedicated website at www.ireland.ie.

National Monuments

Ceisteanna (38)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

38. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32179/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I am pressing ahead as speedily as possible with the arrangements for the preservation and restoration of the national monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street and the creation of a dedicated 1916 Commemorative Centre on the site.

The ongoing consultative process with the 1916 Relatives Association is being maintained as we develop the plans for the Commemorative Centre, which will be run as a public facility and will, I believe, be a fitting tribute to the 1916 Leaders and to the events that took place in Moore Street in 1916. My intention is to have the Commemorative Centre - which will also enhance and complement the 1916 visitor facility currently being developed in the GPO and from where the insurgents retreated to Moore Street - open to the public at the earliest possible date next year.

The objective of the Government’s decision to acquire Nos. 14–17 Moore Street was to bring the national monument into public ownership, to secure its long-term future and to complete the development of the proposed 1916 Commemorative Centre as quickly as possible. The Government’s decision also clearly demonstrates that the State is acknowledging the historical importance of the site in a clear and substantive way and that the long-term future of this historical landmark will be secured and safeguarded.

Archaeological Sites

Ceisteanna (39)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

39. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress of the archaeological investigation into lands near Annaghdown Priory, County Galway, which it is hoped may be used for the expansion of Annaghdown Cemetery which is at capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32190/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Following previous unsuccessful efforts to identify a suitable location for an extension of the existing graveyard that would not have unacceptable archaeological implications, a representative of the local graveyard committee approached my Department earlier this year about the possibility of developing a different site for the graveyard extension. My Department subsequently gave the committee approval under the National Monuments Acts for the archaeological investigations needed to allow this proposal to be properly assessed.

My Department has met with the graveyard committee and local public representatives in the meantime to further discuss the range of the test trenching required to establish the extent of any archaeology that might be present on the current site. Arising from that meeting, an amended and reduced trenching framework was conveyed to the committee by my Department in early August, along with advice on the most efficient approach to be taken with the work so as to minimise the associated cost for the committee.

My Department is now awaiting the results of these investigations. I am conscious that an early solution is required and my Department will continue to work positively with the committee with a view to facilitating a satisfactory outcome.

Civil Registration Legislation

Ceisteanna (40)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

40. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection following the recent publication of the Marriage Bill 2015, if consideration will be given to facilitating the appointment of notaries public as marriage registrars, in order to meet the increased demand for marriage registrations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32566/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended, provides for the categories of bodies and organisations which may apply for registration of persons on the Register of Solemnisers maintained by the Registrar-General.

These are:

- The Health Service Executive for the registration of a registrar employed by the Executive;

- A religious body (as defined) for the registration of a member of that body; and

- A secular body (as defined) for the registration of a member of that body.

As Notaries Public do not fall into any of these categories it is not possible to enter them on the Register of Solemnisers.

The increased demand for marriage solemnisations arising from the implementation of the same-sex marriage provisions in the Marriage Bill 2015 will be offset to a significant extent by the cessation in the registration of civil partnerships which is also provided for in the Bill.

There are no plans to change the categories of bodies and organisations which may apply to have their members entered on the Register of Solemnisers.