The biodiversity officer is up to the local authority. I was asked earlier about heritage officers and I know that 31 local authorities have a heritage officer but there are about two or three local authorities that do not have a biodiversity officer. My full understanding is that it is a matter for the local authorities themselves to resource for a biodiversity officer. Recruitment is ultimately a matter for the local authorities. The programme for Government, which has not been ratified yet, commits to ensuring t…

I appreciate the Deputy's passion for the subject but it does not come not under my remit. It comes under that of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I will relay the Deputy's concerns to the Minister. I do not know whether he was here earlier, but another Deputy referred to the areas mentioned. From my perspective, the 86 National Parks and Wildlife Service parks and reserves have all been open during Covid-19. Shane Ross, as the Deputy knows, is the incumbent Minister with responsibility for tourism, a…

This week, National Biodiversity Week, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to update the Dáil on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our built and natural heritage. The world we knew in February has changed utterly. Adjustment to the new reality is challenging each of us, and it places large and stressful demands on the way we live our lives and the way our society is organised. All organisations need to learn to adjust and survive in the environment we are in and to equip themselves for the society that w…

The Minister of State, Senator Kyne, is in discussion with the Business Committee with a view to an appearance next week before the Covid-19 committee to discuss the responses in respect of the Gaeltacht. I am here today to discuss heritage matters. I was here last week to discuss culture matters. Maybe, given the limited time, we can confine it to that.

As the Deputy knows, and with respect, the Minister of State, Senator Kyne, has statutory responsibility for the Gaeltacht.

I have no difficulty in answering the question if it is of assistance to the Deputy. It would better serve other Deputies, as the Ceann Comhairle has stated-----

I will answer the Deputy's question. First, we recognise that the colleges play a vital part in the social and economic infrastructure of the Gaeltacht, with up to 27,000 students going every summer. My son was due to go this year and is extremely disappointed not to be going. I know it is of major economic value, bringing in approximately €50 million from economic activity in the region. It is regrettable that because of Covid-19 we are not in a position to do much about that. Under the Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Ga…

Deputy Ó Snodaigh mentioned our national cultural institutions. They have done a huge amount of work online and I am well aware of the challenges they face. I thank the Deputy for also mentioning rural and regional museums. We are working very closely with the Irish Museums Association and the directors of the Council of National Cultural Institutions on a plan of action. For the national cultural institutions, reopening obviously poses a series of different challenges, particularly for the theatre sector, which th…

We can send the Deputy something on that.

I-----

I just want to say one or two lines about the grey partridge. The current estimate is the best minimum population estimate and is largely derived from spring camps. The population has declined, but we have approximately 116 pairs at present in Boora in Offaly and it is a red-listed species of high conservation concern and the Department is very aware of it.

I will reply to the Deputies in reverse order. In answer to Deputy Stanley, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment are trying to streamline the application process, as recommended in the national peatlands strategy. That would make it somewhat easier to apply. Obviously, it is quite cumbersome to be obliged to apply for planning permission for leave for substituted consent. As the Deputy recognised, it is a matter for An Bord Ple…

On Covid-19 in general and turf cutting, the National Parks and Wildlife Service recognises the seasonal dependencies on the saving of turf and that it is an important source of heating fuel for households. Turf may be harvested from non-designated bogs in accordance with guidelines. No more than two persons should be on a bog at any one time. A rotation system could be agreed in advance by text or WhatsApp. Those cutting turf must do so and then leave the bog. Each individual must travel separately to the bog unle…

The Deputy touched briefly on culture there and obviously my Department is working very closely with all art organisations and with the Arts Council in particular to determine how we can support the sector overall. Obviously, the collective national impact of increasing access will have to be assessed and not just the safety of the individual cultural outlets. We must consider the audiences as well as the participants. This sector was one of the first to be hit and will be one of the last to get back on track. Unde…

The Deputy can rest assured we are in close contact with all local authorities. Most of the 31 local authorities have an in situ heritage officer who does a lot of work in the community and we also give them some funding. Heritage Week will be going ahead but, obviously, it will be in a different format to previous years. Since the emergence of the crisis, we have been deliberating on how we can best deliver it. We will be inviting people to undertake projects that will culminate during Heritage Week. People can ex…

I agree with some of the Deputy's points and do not agree with others. We have done a huge amount over the last number of years. I have been in this Department for two and a half years and we have significantly increased the funding. Primarily, what the Deputy spoke about is biodiversity and species, really. We have the national biodiversity action plan, which commenced in 2017 and will conclude in 2021. There will be an opportunity at that stage to perhaps draft another biodiversity action plan. It is based on the…

I will try to cover all the Deputy's questions. The coastal protection measures in Portrane have been enabled by the National Parks and Wildlife Service so, with respect, the Deputy is not correct in that regard. The agency with primary responsibility is Fingal County Council, as he may be aware. The National Parks and Wildlife Service responded within weeks to the temporary sea protections being put in. From a special areas of conservation perspective, natural erosion takes place and it would not be appropriate to…

The Deputy is right in that we do always aim but we also do. You have to aim in order to do. It is important to say that. My track record on heritage for which I increased the budget by 15% last year demonstrates my commitment to this area. The Deputy has gone through a number of different issues. There were six fires in County Wicklow. I acknowledge that she welcomes that drones will now be used. It is important to note that if the National Parks and Wildlife Service had not been on duty, there would have been mul…

The Deputy is right that the coming months will be very difficult for the heritage sector. I am not sure whether he was here earlier when I mentioned cafés, franchises and so forth on historical sites. There has been a huge loss of revenue for that sector, and the Heritage Council has carried out a number of surveys in which we have seen that. Some of the sites are free; some are not. There has been increased awareness about heritage, so it would be good to see families continue to use such sites. As the Deputy sai…

My sister lives close to the Phoenix Park so she would be delighted to have cars banned but I am not in a position to say that they will be. My understanding is that it would be primarily the responsibility of Dublin City Council in terms of car parking. It would not be via my Department. It does not come within my remit. Certainly, it is something the Deputy could raise with the local authority in terms of car parks, etc.