Results 2,321-2,340 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue

Written Answers — Sports Facilities: Sports Facilities (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 192 together. As I have informed the House on a number of occasions, the nationwide audit of sports facilities has commenced and is being carried out in stages to help speed up the availability of information. Phase One is being carried out within my Department and will establish a record of national and regional sports facilities. The work currently...

Written Answers — Cricket World Cup: Cricket World Cup (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I would like to put on record my pride and delight at the outstanding performance of the Irish Team in qualifying for the Super Eight stage at the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies This is an unprecedented achievement for the Irish Cricket Team. Their impressive performances against Zimbabwe and in particular, Pakistan has deservedly earned them a place in the coveted Super Eight of the...

Written Answers — Abbey Theatre: Abbey Theatre (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 88 and 191 together. As the Deputy is aware the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock on a Build, Finance, and Maintain (BFM) basis. At the same time, the Government agreed to hold an international design competition for the new Abbey Theatre. The OPW is currently finalising the preparation for the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: In recent years, innovation has emerged as a key consideration for most agencies involved in enterprise development, including the key tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. This has been explicitly recognised by the Government which is providing over 6 billion euro for Science Technology and Innovation under the Enterprise, Science and Innovation Priority of the National...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: Funding is provided by my Department to local authorities towards the capital costs of a new or replacement public swimming pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool under the terms of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. The Programme provides for a maximum grant of €3.8million. Where a project is being undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the proposal...

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together. I refer the Deputy to my answer given earlier today to Priority PQ 61.

Written Answers — Sports Stadium: Sports Stadium (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 86 and 89 together. In response to approaches from South Dublin County Council, the FAI and Shamrock Rovers FC, I gave a commitment on behalf of the Government that funding would be provided towards the completion of a soccer stadium in Tallaght. The specifications for the stadium is that it would be capable of hosting soccer fixtures and that it would...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: On 15 February last, Failte Ireland published a seven year strategy to guide public and private sector investment in tourism. The strategy was drawn up by an expert Review group, representing a cross section of tourism interests from both the public and private sectors. In preparing its recommendations, the group undertook a comprehensive analysis of international trends and of the responses...

Written Answers — National Conference Centre: National Conference Centre (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 85 together. As I have informed the House, most recently on 15 February, 2007, Spencer Dock International Conference Centre Consortium has been appointed Preferred Tenderer for the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin. The Centre is being procured under a Public Private Partnership process under the auspices of the Office of Public Works...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 102 together. I refer the Deputies to my detailed replyto the Priority Question No. 64 on this subject today.

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I am aware of the situation currently faced by the National Chamber Choir (NCC). However, the main channel of State support to the NCC is the Arts Council. The Arts Council under the Arts Act, 2003, is statutorily independent and I have no role to play in its funding decisions. I understand that the Arts Council is highly supportive of the National Chamber Choir and regards them as an...

Written Answers — Stadium Redevelopment: Stadium Redevelopment (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 62 given by me in the House today.

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council, a State body funded by my Department. Further details of funding programmes provided by the Arts Council is available on their website www.artscouncil.ie. Fáilte Ireland allocates funding to assist festivals/cultural events through its Festivals and Cultural Events Initiative....

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: Crime and measures to prevent and combat it are, as the Deputy is aware, properly matters for my colleague, the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform. It is important to be clear that the 6% increase referred to by the Deputy is in the number of referrals to the Service, primarily from the Gardaí. In its Report, the Service makes it plain that it will continue its awareness raising...

Written Answers — Music Board: Music Board (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: The Music Board of Ireland was established on an interim basis in May, 2001 by the then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, Síle de Valera, T.D. The Mandate given to the Board was: to act as a forum for the industry; to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the industry and the maximisation of its contribution to the national economy; to...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 198 together. I wish to refer the Deputy to my previous replies of 26th October and 30th November 2006, and of 15th February and 6th March 2007 regarding the issues surrounding the present status of film-making in the State.

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: With London 2012 fast approaching, athletes and teams from other countries may consider using Ireland as a base to prepare and train in the years prior to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012. Ireland possesses the advantages of having the same climatic conditions and being in the same time zone as London, as well as being within an hour by air travel. Furthermore, this...

Written Answers — Stadium Redevelopment: Stadium Redevelopment (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 62 given by me in the House today.

Written Answers — Culture Ireland: Culture Ireland (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: The Arts Act 2003 gives the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism responsibility for promoting the arts within and outside of the State, thus recognising the international dimension of my remit. In recognition of the changed legislative environment, new mechanisms for the promotion and support of Irish art and artists abroad were put in place in February, 2005, when a new non-statutory body...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (28 Mar 2007)

John O'Donoghue: As I have previously indicated, I have had a number of meetings with both the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the GAA at which player welfare issues for inter-county players were discussed. At these meetings and in subsequent letters to both the GPA and the GAA, I have set out the position of the Government on this issue. I do not intend to provide direct funding to meet the costs...