Results 2,161-2,180 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue
- Legislative Programme. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I imagine the Irish Sports Council (Amendment) Bill, which is at an advanced stage of preparation with just a small number of technical issues to be resolved, will be the first to come before the House. It is difficult to know whether the legislation will be passed during the course of this Dáil. I think the time might be tight.
- Tourism Industry. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 13 and 20 together. The CSO has not yet produced last December's tourism figures, but all of the indications are that 2006 was a landmark year for tourism. We expect to have received a total of 7.4 million visitors in 2006, an increase of close to 10% on 2005. Figures from the CSO for the first nine months of the year show an increase of 11% in foreign...
- Tourism Industry. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: It is estimated that over the next six years, approximately 6,000 additional people will be required for the tourism industry here. The industry already accounts for more than 3% of GNP and has attracted approximately 246,000 to its workforce. It is clearly important we ensure people are incentivised. In that respect I was pleased to announce this morning that we will make â¬148 million...
- Tourism Industry. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: It was not.
- Tourism Industry. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: If Deputy Deenihan wished us to give the specifics, if available, on the breakdown of the amount spent on the east coast and west coast by visitors to the country, he should have put down a question to that effect.
- Tourism Industry. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: What I can say to Deputy Deenihan is there is evidence of a substantial increase last year in the number of visitors coming to the regions. Of that, there is no question. There is a correlation between the increase in the number of visitors and the revenue. I have explained all of that already. With regard to the national conference centre, about which Deputy Deenihan asked, I anticipate we...
- Tourism Industry. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: It is understandable the chief executive of Tourism Ireland would make his concerns known on two very important issues. As Deputy Wall stated, one of these relates to competitiveness and value for money. The other matter relates to the warmth of the Irish welcome. Both factors are of pivotal importance in terms of advancing the cause of the tourism industry. Ours is a free market economy....
- National Concert Hall. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 31 together. The inaugural meeting of the inter-agency steering committee established for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall was held on 4 December 2006, under the chairmanship of the Secretary General of my Department. The committee members are the Secretary General of my Department, the chairman of the Office of Public Works, the chairman...
- National Concert Hall. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: Whether Mr. Furlong remains as chairman of the steering group will hinge on circumstances which have yet to unfold. It is not possible to say at this point what will be the case. I hope he will be in a position to continue as chairperson because, as Deputy Wall stated, he is a man of considerable experience. He was also successfully involved in the national conference centre. Mr. Furlong...
- National Concert Hall. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I mean Deputy Wall. Maybe Mr. Furlong will be a Deputy later. He would be a great Minister because he helped me. Work is advanced on the accommodation brief of the redeveloped National Concert Hall project.
- National Concert Hall. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I advised Deputy Deenihan that I would bring this proposal to the attention of the steering group and the board of the National Concert Hall. I have no update on the situation but will make inquiries about the current position and write to Deputy Deenihan.
- Film Industry Development. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I refer the Deputy to my previous replies of 26 October 2006 and 30 November 2006 regarding the incentives available for film production in the State. I explained at that time that the task of attracting international production to Ireland is dependent on a number of elements, not all of which fall within the sphere of influence of my Department or of the Irish Film Board. Decisions to site...
- Film Industry Development. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: Irrespective of when I went to Hollywood, it feels as if I never left it. During the St. Patrick's Day festivities and over the course of that week many Ministers travel to different parts of the world. It affords us an opportunity to advertise Ireland on the world stage. As a small nation on the periphery of Europe, we must take advantage of it. No other country of comparable size is...
- Film Industry Development. (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: Last year was extremely successful for the Irish film industry. The number of certified productions at the end of the year was the highest in several years. The total certified spend last year was â¬202.5 million, which was a significant increase on previous years, except 2003. The section 481 amount last year was the highest in several years, at â¬110.8 million. The British have...
- Written Answers — Stadium Projects: Stadium Projects (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 22 together. The planning process for the Lansdowne Road Stadium redevelopment is still in train. To reiterate the position, in July last year, Dublin City Council granted planning permission for the project, subject to a number of conditions. This led to a number of appeals against the granting of planning permission by local residents. An Bord...
- Written Answers — Stadium Projects: Stadium Projects (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: The question of the GAA continuing with its policy of accommodating rugby and soccer in Croke Park is one for the GAA alone to decide and it has always been my policy not to interfere in this matter. I have at no stage sought to tell the Association what approach it should take on the question of access to Croke Park. However, like most other sports loving people in the country, I was...
- Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that under the new National Development Plan, covering the period 2007 to 2013, almost â¬2.7 billion has been allocated for a range of programmes and projects in the Arts, Culture, Sport and Tourism areas within the remit of my Department, made up of â¬904 million under the Cultural Sub-Programme, â¬991 million under the Sport Sub-Programme and â¬800...
- Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 25 together. As I have previously informed the House, the nationwide audit of sports facilities has commenced and is being carried out in stages to help speed up the availability of information. The first phase is being carried out within my Department and will establish a record of national and regional sports facilities. As the House is aware, the...
- Written Answers — National Theatre: National Theatre (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 21 together. I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 4 earlier today.
- Written Answers — Greyhound Racing Industry: Greyhound Racing Industry (15 Feb 2007)
John O'Donoghue: The Deputy will be aware that animal welfare and the area of illegally imported animal remedies for greyhounds and racehorses is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Agriculture and Food. Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon are the statutory bodies responsible for the horse and greyhound racing industries respectively including integrity management and anti-doping controls....