Results 20,561-20,580 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

London 2012 Olympics (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Enterprise Ireland earlier this year organised a two-day visit for a delegation from the Olympics to discuss business opportunities. In October, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, went to pitch on behalf of Irish firms such as building contractors, and Enterprise Ireland has held information evenings with the Olympics organisers. Up to 50 Irish firms...

Film Industry Development (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: As Deputies will be aware, the benefits of film and television production in Ireland include not only job creation in the industry but positive spin-off effects for promoting Ireland as a tourist destination and as an industrial location for all aspects of creative endeavours. The Irish audiovisual sector was valued at €557.3 million in 2008, equivalent to 0.3% of GDP, and it employs...

Film Industry Development (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Any discussion we will have on this tax relief would be similar to that on the 12.5% corporation tax rate as we would all agree on the matter. It is an essential relief, not only because of its economic value but also because of the number of people it facilitates employment for and the way it supports the creative sector and not just the technical side. There is also a knock-on effect for...

Film Industry Development (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: If only all questions were like this. The Deputy is absolutely correct and the issues will be addressed in the strategy, which I should publish quickly.

Tourism Industry (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I proposed to take Questions Nos. 31, 42, 46 and 47 together. As I said in my response to the earlier priority question, the tourism figures to date for 2010 reflect very difficult conditions, including global economic difficulties, loss of consumer confidence, exceptionally bad weather in the early part of the year and the negative impacts of the Icelandic volcanic ash on air travel....

Tourism Industry (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The tourism renewal group, tourism renewal implementation group and forum of major tourism businesses, which was attended by all the major airlines and was organised by me, all recommended the abolition of the air travel tax. This view must, therefore, be taken seriously. I am concerned that the tax is having a serious impact on tourism. In light of the many other factors which came into...

Tourism Industry (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I assure the Deputy that the issues he raises are being discussed in the context of the forthcoming budget. The industry is the one element that will ensure the strategy is implemented for the benefit of the tourism sector. I have never encountered as enthusiastic and resilient a group as those involved in tourism. The industry is determined to ensure it is a success and the Government is...

Tourism Industry (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland are two distinct agencies and both work well. One could ask the reason any country needs to have two tourism agencies. Tourism Ireland has a particular remit by virtue of the fact that it markets Ireland internationally as an island. Fáilte Ireland, on the other hand, is responsible for the domestic market. While the marketing of Ireland...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Services: Broadcasting Services (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is statutorily required to consult with me before making an order or amending an order to list events of major importance which must be available on free television service. As Deputies will be aware, the Minister has proposed the designation of certain rugby and GAA matches as free to air, along with the Cheltenham festival....

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The Deputy will be aware that in light of the current economic situation it is necessary for the Government to make an overall expenditure adjustment of €15 billion over the next four years in order to achieve the target deficit of 3% of GDP by 2014. The adjustments required are set out in the Four Year Plan published by the Government today. The Plan includes adjustments to the overall...

Written Answers — Expenditure Programme: Expenditure Programme (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Parliamentary Question No. 22 of today's date. The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, published in July 2009, made a number of recommendations in respect of my Department and the agencies under its aegis. Specifically, the recommendations of the Special Group included proposals to reduce...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: In 2010, no expenditure has been incurred by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport on consultancy services. Expenditure last year on such services came to €33,000. The amounts for previous years were as follows – €6,000 in 2002; €45,000 in 2003; €130,000 in 2004; €122,000 in 2005; €42,000 in 2006; €36,000 in 2007; and €259,000 in 2008. 35 reports were completed by...

Written Answers — Hotel Sector: Hotel Sector (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Economic circumstances are making trading conditions difficult for most businesses at present. These difficult conditions are exacerbated in the hotel sector by an overcapacity in supply. This is proving to be a complex situation to resolve and I believe that, inevitably, it will require a market led solution over time. In recent weeks I have received copies of the IHF's pre-Budget...

Written Answers — Budgetary Submissions: Budgetary Submissions (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 120 together. Policy in the areas of tourism, culture and sport is kept under constant review, in consultation with key sectoral interests. I meet many of the stakeholders in the tourism, culture and sports sectors on a regular basis as part of this ongoing consultation process. In the tourism sector, since my appointment as Minister for Tourism,...

Written Answers — Corporate Governance: Corporate Governance (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The statutory framework for the various agencies under the aegis of my Department are the subject of regular review to ensure that each agency is fit for purpose, that there is an appropriate separation of functions between the Department and its agencies and that transparency, openness and accountability apply. The current situation is that I am responsible for the formulation, development...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Capital funding for arts and cultural projects supported by my Department is provided from the Cultural Development subhead, D5, of Vote 35 of the Revised Estimates Volume. Under this subhead, capital grants are awarded for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure throughout the country. Integrated arts centres, theatres, museums, galleries, arts studios and creative and...

Written Answers — Art Collection: Art Collection (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 43 together. I refer the Deputy to my previous replies on this matter. There is concern that the sale of Irish art works by the organisations referred to would depress an already troubled market place for Irish art. I have pointed this out to the Bank of Ireland and, emphasised the deflationary and displacement impact which the sale of a significant...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 44 and 110 together. Government Policy in this area is set out in the Programme for Government. This policy is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life, and maximise the potential for cultural tourism. The Government appreciates...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Under the Sports Capital Programme, funding is allocated to sporting and to voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. For a variety of reasons it can take grantees a number of years to draw down funding allocated under the Programme. Where delays are excessive, or where the project has ceased, the Department will withdraw the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (24 Nov 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The most recent published figures from the CSO show a reduction of 15.7% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland in the first three quarters of 2010 compared to the corresponding period of 2009. Figures for the third quarter of this year show that the fall-off is slowing down, at just over 8% compared to the corresponding period of 2009. While any decrease is disappointing, the figures...