Results 421-440 of 10,964 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: We have beaten the Deputy to it because RTÉ has been put under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General and all State entities, including An Post and the other ones I will be taking responsibility for once there is a transfer of function order, come under the auspices of NewERA, which to all intents and purposes is a holding agency or accounting body to keep a watchful eye on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: At the moment there are none to my knowledge. That is not to say there will not be. I did not expect there to be three in the first place, and I certainly did not expect that we would be back to RTÉ again after everything that happened, but we are. I turn to information that has been compiled and the investigative process under way. I would like to think Members support that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: There is one important thing to point out here, which is that the Department has no role in the sanctioning of capital expenditure within RTÉ. I know the Deputy knows that. With regard to Professor Niamh Brennan, the Deputy's assessment has been quite unfair. I know him a long time and I know he will reflect on that. The work she did on RTÉ unearthed a serious culture that had...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy. I know everybody is anxious to see what we will ultimately get to by way of a report and how quickly. What I do not want to do is put pressure on the group I have assigned to carry out the work for fear people will say I am in any exercising undue influence. I want a report I can stand over and present to the Oireachtas. I am sure it will be debated by committees and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Economic Policy (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Since becoming Minister, I have been particularly interested in the amount of work my Department has been undertaking on the night-time economy. This has primarily been focused on supporting the development of safe and vibrant nightlife across the country. In 2022, the Department invited all local authorities to put in a night-time economy pilot initiative. The aim is to stimulate...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together. I thank the Deputy. Following my appointment as Minister, issues were brought to my attention regarding a failed ICT project in the Arts Council and an unused X-ray machine in the National Gallery. Both projects were funded directly from my Department. Given the serious nature of the issues, I wanted assurance in relation to capital...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Coastal Protection (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will appreciate that tourism is now the policy responsibility of my colleague, Peter Burke TD. Following the making of a Government Order on Tuesday, statutory responsibility for the sector will transfer to Minister Burke from 1 June. Minister Burke has already had a number of engagements with key tourism stakeholders across a range of priority areas.However, the Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: An Ghaeltacht (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Mar is eol don Teachta, is dúshlán náisiúnta í seo atá níos leithne ná an Ghaeltacht féin ar ndóigh agus tá an Rialtas an-ghníomhach sa réimse seo. Ar an 15 Aibreán 2025, cheadaigh an Rialtas an scéim ghinearálta don Bhille um Ligean Gearrthéarmach agus Turasóireacht. Soláthróidh an Bille...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Centres (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Proposals for the development of new local arts centres are a matter in the first instance for the local authority. County and city development plans, including for the arts sector, are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. Much of the existing nationwide infrastructure of arts venues and centres was initiated and funded...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourist Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will appreciate that tourism is now the policy responsibility of my colleague, Peter Burke TD. Following the making of a Government Order on Tuesday, statutory responsibility for the sector will transfer to Minister Burke from 1 June. I understand that Minister Burke has welcomed the recent ESRI research profiling Short Term Letting (STL) usage across Ireland. The research is based...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: As I stated to the Deputy previously would like to assure the Deputy of my firm commitment to ensuring that all aspects relating to the Arts Council IT project are fully explored, all findings shared with Oireachtas colleagues and that all recommendations which emerge are fully implemented. The Arts Council Business Transformation Project has cost €6.75m and resulted in a...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Údarás na Gaeltachta (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Is ceist thábhachtach í soláthar tithíochta dóibh siúd atá ina gcónaí agus ag obair i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Chuige sin, tá Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta ag féachaint ar bhealaí inar féidir leis an Údarás tacú le soláthar tithíochta inacmhainne i gceantair Ghaeltachta ar fud na tíre. Go...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourist Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 134, 136 and 143 together. On 15 April, the Government approved the general scheme for the Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill. This Bill will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings (STLs) in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026, ensuring compliance...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Policy (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy will appreciate that tourism is now the policy responsibility of my colleague, Peter Burke TD. Following the making of a Government Order on Tuesday, statutory responsibility for the sector will transfer to Minister Burke from 1 June. This Government recognises the central importance of the tourism sector to Ireland's economy and communities. Marine and coastal tourism has...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Promotion (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 124 together. The Deputy will appreciate that tourism is now the policy responsibility of my colleague, Peter Burke TD. Following the making of a Government Order on Tuesday, statutory responsibility for the sector will transfer to Minister Burke from 1 June. Minister Burke has already had a number of engagements with key tourism stakeholders across...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Government recognises the central importance of the tourism sector to Ireland's economy and communities and tourism is now the policy responsibility of my colleague, Peter Burke TD. Following the making of a Government Order on Tuesday, statutory responsibility for the sector will transfer to Minister Burke from 1 June. Figures published on 29 April by the CSO show a 15% reduction in...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: While tourism is now the policy responsibility of my colleague, Peter Burke TD, to whom statutory responsibility for the sector will transfer by Government Order in the coming period, this Government recognises the central importance of the tourism sector to Ireland's economy and communities. Figures published last week by the CSO show a 15% reduction in the number of overseas visitors in...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Policy (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: In support of Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce my Department, in partnership with the County and City Management Association invited all local authorities to apply to take part in a Night-Time Economy pilot initiative. The aim of the initiative is to stimulate night-time activity in a particular area supported by a Night-Time Economy Advisor. Dublin City was...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourist Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 130 and 140 together. Tourism is of critical importance to the Irish economy, providing around .227,000 jobs and €6 billion in income to our economy in 2024. The role of the Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy, and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Broadcasting Sector (8 May 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Future of Media Commission (FOMC) recommended that a Strategic Plan for Sports Broadcasting and Promotion be developed. Government accepted the recommendation in principle, and it was agreed that Coimisiún na Meán, in conjunction with relevant media and sports organisations, would lead on developing such a strategy. The strategy is intended to look beyond the traditional...