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ARTS AND HERITAGE minister Heather Humphreys has been asked to explain what’s happening in relation to planned further Star Wars filming at Skellig Michael.
It’s been reported more filming for the sci-fi film series is being planned for mid-September.
Director JJ Abrams filmed for two days on the Co Kerry island last summer – with Humphreys saying afterwards there had been no adverse impact on the bird population at the Unesco World Heritage site.
Concerns were raised by environmentalists, including Birdwatch Ireland, in advance of the project last year — the group said it would have preferred if the filming could have been moved to later in the year, when breeding season is over.
There were also concerns that the potential impact of the filming could cost the beauty spot its Unesco World Heritage status.
National trust body An Taisce published a statement today raising questions over the status of the Star Wars project and asking whether proper environmental screening had been carried out.
“The first round of filming, last year was facilitated in breach of long established conservation policy for the World Heritage Site,” An Taisce said.
According to the organisation’s Ian Lumley:
“Existing levels of visitor activity are already at the level of or slightly in excess of what would be best for a site of this sensitivity, and even with current restrictions, wear and tear is visible. Therefore nothing unnecessary should be permitted, as is normal policy for the whole island, including the monastic remains.
“An Taisce believes the site has not just extraordinary beauty, value and presence, but that the site is very fragile and none of it was ever intended for the human numbers and the levels of activity already occurring during the summer season.
The island is also of extreme importance to the colonies of birds it supports. Given the approximate dates for the proposed filming this year, mid -September, there will still be considerable numbers of the two priority- listed bird species on the island, Manx Shearwaters and Storm-Petrels.
An Taisce has three questions for the minister:
The Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht wasn’t saying much in its statement, when asked about the filming this afternoon.
Here’s their response:
“Sceilg Mhichíl is a national monument in the ownership of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the National Monuments Acts.
“As such, it enjoys the full range of protections afforded by those Acts, including a requirement that any works at, or in proximity to it, are subject to my prior written consent. The Skellig islands themselves also form part of the Skelligs Special Protection Area (SPA). The SPA is designated for the protection of various species of seabird and is subject to the provisions of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
“The Minister recently received correspondence from An Taisce. A reply to this correspondence will issue in due course.”
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There should be a debate on immigration. It is being swept under the rug by mainstream media..
@Patrick Mulkerrin: and all the candidates who ran in June on the alleged immigration issue got less than 1% support.
@Johnny Wilson: that was local not national, different ballgame. Immigration issue is a massive issue and needs managing. Only fair to see what each party would do to improve on current dire situation before we vote.
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: obviously not if no one is bringing it up- except some Journal commentator- hardly representative of anyone
@Sean Hayes: do you not actually believe it’s an issue ?
@Sean Hayes: bad rage bait
@Patrick Mulkerrin: All have their heads buried in the sand, thousands still arriving weekly, it’s unsustainable as we don’t have the Housing or Public Services, it’s not going to end well, massive social division & anger on the ground. People understand Immigration & the need for a structured system, but what we have at present is a mess.
Yes we need to stop SF moving pedos to this country
@Patrick Mulkerrin: it’s pretty simple ” we are full”
I really don’t think the voting people of Ireland want to hear about sport in fairness
@James Carolan: what about casement park. I work hard and my taxes go to pay for a stadium up north. Really pisses me off.
@Alan: it’s not though. Btw, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of funding Ireland already provides to the north, which you’re clearly unaware of.
@James Carolan: Go to Oriel Park and tell me that
@Eoin .h: I’m talking about what might happen. Would rather see the money going into school sports facilities. Let commercial enterprises take care of themselves. As for GAA, dont get me started
@James Carolan: I do. For starters any politician who wants to spend our tax money to build a stadium in Northern Ireland wouldn’t get my vote
@Ger Whelan: wow, it’s that much of a red line issue for you? I doubt that’s been registered on the doors for the last two weeks
@James Carolan: Agreed. Sport is important to the lives of many people but realistically is not a national election issue.
@Social Guy: as an aside: can we have the old comment functionality back please? Getting bounced out of the comments when commenting is VERY annoying. The new format is very poor. There doesn’t seem to be any benefit to it.
Why waste a cent on nordies
@Social Guy: sport is more important than housing dole parasites
@Alan: That the GAA is a brilliant organisation that makes and saves millions for the irish exchequer.
I would like to ask them a couple of questions
Kilmore Celtic fc from Coolock founded in 1990 still have no facilities toilets etc we have 14 teams underage girls boys 18 boys 17 girls senior men’s team we really need all weather facilities badly which would be used seven days a week keeping kids out of trouble FAI have a lot to answer for they do nothing shocking
How come bohemian fc can come into Coolock and take over Oscar Traynor road development centre when lease clearly states local needs non profit all councillors and TD were well aware of this and done nothing for local clubs kids need sports so bad
Seriously like we don’t have enough problems to be worried about who is going to maintain the football pitches
@thanks for the beautiful music christy rest in pea: Go to Oriel Park park anx come back to me
They’ll debate about sports but not on the issues that actually matter, like immigrations, taxes and the national debt. Maybe because none of the parties have any sort of answer to those issues in question.
Jesus wept
Bread and circuses
Fantastic idea, put it on a channel that isn’t free to air
Wouldn’t it be more useful for the electorate to know the identity of the alleged Russian spy referred to as Cobalt if he/she is running for the Dail.
Wouldn’t it also be more useful to the electorate to know the identity of the person allegedly standing for election, but not for any party, who allegedly is/was under investigation by the Gardai for allegedly assaulting her/his/their sister, an assault that allegedly involved hair pulling.
A debate to deflect from the real issues, Matt Cooper wont have a debate on issues like Immigration, Housing, Law & Order or Cost of Living, too close to the Political classes. No clear lines of separation between Mainstream Media & Govt & the voice of the people is not being heard. Radical change needed, vote radically so we get rid of Govt & their media buddies.
Could be an interesting watch
Ireland holds its breath with anticipation
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