Results 2,601-2,620 of 5,767 for speaker:Olivia Mitchell
- National Aquatic Centre. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: From a low base.
- Horseracing Ireland. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he envisages new funding arrangements for Horse Racing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10976/08]
- Horseracing Ireland. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: I agree with the Minister that this is a highly important industry for many reasons, including employment and rural employment in particular. Horse Racing Ireland and the bloodstock industry together constitute one of our critical industries and it is appropriate that the State should ensure that horse racing is facilitated, if not subsidised. As this is such an expensive sport obviously it...
- Horseracing Ireland. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: I note Paddy Power PLC has opened 18 new shops, ten of which were new and the rest being acquisitions. I find it hard to believe it could not sustain a higher rate of tax, if that is what is required. This is not a sport in which many people actively participate. Given the obvious limits to the State's resources, such funding should be going into increased activity, particularly for young...
- Horseracing Ireland. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: May I ask a brief question?
- Horseracing Ireland. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: I understand Horse Racing Ireland has made a recommendation. Has the Minister received it yet? It also has recognised this is not sustainable. Has he received recommendations for alternative sources of funding?
- Horseracing Ireland. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: Perhaps this industry should be financed from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment rather than through sport.
- Horseracing Ireland. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: I accept that.
- Tourism Industry. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: I agree the Department of Finance cannot but ensure that schemes are not amenable to tax evasion and that it has to be vigilant of abuse in cases where VRT is not payable. However, it is almost impossible for the car hire industry to implement the scheme as proposed without increasing its costs enormously. Even though car hire companies will have to be aware whenever a car reaches its 34th...
- Arts and Culture Plan. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: Dublin City Council organised a successful culture night during which access was free to theatres and all cultural facilities under the council's remit. I understand the event will be repeated this year. Does the Minister see a role for himself in encouraging local authorities and arts venues to participate in a national culture week? Access also requires awareness because the reason...
- Sports and Public Health. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: There is no disputing the correlation between physical activity and better health and we have had all the warning signs that our population is heading in the wrong direction. I feel sorry for the Minister because to talk about a drop-out rate is one thing, but so many children never participate in a sport because there are so few facilities in schools. Even in our constituency many schools...
- Sports and Public Health. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: Some have gone to private schools. There is an assumption that State schools will receive funding from the Department of Education and Science but that is not happening. Perhaps it falls to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism to target facilities that would be available to school children. I have raised the issue and I know Deputy Brennan is examining the guidelines for the...
- National Archives. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: I recently read that the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Brennan, has 199 board positions within his gift. This is a serious responsibility and I do not need to lecture him on the importance of choosing the right people. I have no problem with the members of the former board. If he wants to reappoint all of them I will not complain. However, appointments should be made. This...
- National Archives. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: Can I take it from that response that we can look forward to an iconic building for the national archives? Is that a promise?
- National Archives. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: Indeed, but if it is the Minister's opinion I will be happy with that. Are we heading in that direction?
- Access to Sporting Facilities. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: I will not labour the point, but despite all the facilities that have been built, there is a problem with access. Many of the facilities that have a single owner, such as clubs composed largely of volunteers, find it extremely onerous to maintain a building. The financial burden and the workload would be significantly reduced if there was multi-ownership. I wish to raise with the Minister a...
- Access to Sporting Facilities. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: It is ridiculous.
- Arts Plan. (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: I know the Minister is keen to increase participation in the arts and made a speech to that effect at the launch of the NESF report, which went down well with the players in the arts. I reiterate the point that unless we increase participation in the arts through the schools, the arts will always be on the fringe. We must mainstream the arts. The Minister is probably too polite to say...
- Written Answers — Heritage Fund: Heritage Fund (13 Mar 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: Question 24: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a decision has been taken on the desirability of creating a new heritage fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10973/08]
- Pension Provisions. (2 Apr 2008)
Olivia Mitchell: Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the life certification project on the 14% of recipients of contributory State pensions who reside abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12118/08]