Results 20,221-20,240 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

National Archives (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: As a minor historian, I would be very sympathetic towards trying to preserve the National Archives. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, has told me what a wonderful reading room there is there. He shares with me the value of protecting such material, given that we saw the loss of so much in 1922. The latter material can never be retrieved. I accept there is a...

National Archives (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I am greatly inclined towards appointing a new council because I believe much guidance is needed regarding the deposition of archives, as well as their conservation and management. At present, I envisage such a development in the context of working towards a management merger. This simply pertains to management in order that back-office services and technology in particular can be shared....

National Archives (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: One could have a debate on that issue for a long time. I believe the freedom of information legislation probably has changed thinking in that regard because that Act allows one to have immediate access to decisions, policies and the backgrounds thereto. It then means that under the 30-year rule, one is holding for the fullness of time. While this is the first time I have considered this...

National Archives (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I understand there will be a similar type of issue in respect of the Irish Manuscripts Commission and the National Library.

National Archives (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: This is not necessarily even being considered from a cost-benefit perspective. In my last position as Minister for Social and Family Affairs, MABS and the Citizens Information Board came together under a single body and management and yet both are maintaining highly distinct identities, which also is what I envisage happening in this regard. I hope to re-establish the council and to be able...

Tourism Industry (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I have received a number of representations from the car rental industry seeking support for the provision of additional car hire capacity in 2010. The matter was also raised with me at meetings with the Irish Hotels Federation and the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation on 1 April and 13 April, respectively. The concerns expressed to me relate mainly to the availability of automatic...

Tourism Industry (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I am considering a number of different issues. In the first instance, groups within the tourism industry have been telling me that a subsidy is required while other groups demur. On the other hand, I am not completely sure that the business model which has been used for a number of years by car companies remains appropriate. We must ensure we have availability this year. Unfortunately, the...

Tourism Industry (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Having checked, it does not even need a change in legislation; it could be done by regulation. In the event that is an acceptable solution to the problem, we might be able to do it.

Tourism Promotion (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: A high-level coordinating group chaired by the Department is looking at the opportunities that may arise for Ireland across the sports, tourism and cultural sectors from the London 2012 Olympic Games. The group comprises representatives from Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Arts Council, Culture Ireland, the Irish Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Ireland, Paralympic Council of...

Tourism Promotion (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: It is not true to say the Olympic Games are the only thing happening in 2012. In Ireland, there will be the tall ships race in Dublin, the Volvo ocean race in Galway, the world youth sailing championships in Dún Laoghaire, the centenary of the Titanic, the Eucharistic Congress and the general election.

Tourism Promotion (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I was present at the UCD bid to secure the use of its facilities by sportsmen who will be at the Olympics. The same has been done in the University of Limerick and the National Aquatic Centre hopes to get some of the synchronised swimming teams. Potential exists in this area but we do not have specific numbers yet. Dr. Ronnie Delaney and Pat Hickey of the OCI have been very supportive of...

Tourism Promotion (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I was talking about the general election in terms of major events that will happen in 2012. The reality is that the big countries will not come to train in Ireland, they will go directly to the larger cities in England. We hope to get some of the smaller countries and their ambassadors were all present in UCD, while UL and the National Aquatic Centre have been marketed to attract them. The...

Tourism Promotion (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I was not for one moment suggesting that the visa was a long-term issue. I stated that having the visa will ensure long-term growth of the tourism industry as I see great potential there. I accept what Deputies stated on language skills. One of the exciting initiatives of recent years has been the development of the Confucius Centre in UCD, where students can take Mandarin along with other...

Arts Funding (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Departmental funding for major capital cultural projects is primarily from the cultural development subhead that has an allocation of €16 million in 2010. This level of funding will allow for continued progress for the arts and culture capital enhancement support scheme, ACCESS, that commenced in 2001. Under the ACCESS scheme, grants totalling more than €85 million have been awarded for...

Arts Funding (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Earlier, I indicated that another 22 projects were due to draw down grant aid, so they are ongoing all the time. Quite a number of new projects are also included in what I indicated. This concerns funding under the capital programme so any staffing would have to be paid for under grants through the Arts Council and that would come up for consideration as part of its Estimate every year.

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 48, 182, 186 and 187 together. Since my appointment as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, I have met the Chairs and Chief Executives of the tourism agencies – Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Shannon Development. I have also met a broad selection of the main representative bodies in the tourism sector as well as a wide range of individuals at...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The Sports Capital Programme allocates funding to sporting and to voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised in the national print media. All applications received under the programme are assessed on an individual basis by the Department in accordance with a detailed set of assessment criteria as specified...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I am fully committed to reform of the public service, including in relation to the Agencies operating under the aegis of my Department, so as to ensure value for money for the public, particularly in current difficult and challenging economic circumstances. Since becoming Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in March 2010, I have not been specifically requested to engage in an...

Written Answers — EU Meetings: EU Meetings (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Due to prior diary commitments, I was unable to attend the informal meeting referred to by the Deputy. I was however represented at senior official level by an Assistant Secretary from my Department. Given the informal status of the meeting, I understand that the majority of delegations were represented at official rather than political level. The informal meeting approved the "Madrid...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (19 May 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The information that the Deputy requested in relation to the level of outstanding commitments for each year is set out in the table below...