Results 3,341-3,360 of 5,767 for speaker:Olivia Mitchell

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2009: Motion (9 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: We are not so good at so many things - apart from shooting ourselves in the foot, I suppose - that we can afford to ignore an industry in which we are a world leader. We have discussed what the industry contributes but, in addition, it employs almost 30,000 people directly and many more indirectly. It is a major foreign currency earner and brings in a minimum of 80,000 tourists every year....

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2009: Motion (9 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: We are the best. The value of such a reputation when showcasing Ireland around the world is incalculable. Not to support this industry, and not to seek every possible way to ensure its continuance, would definitely amount to shooting ourselves in the foot. The trouble is that every job, from the farm in Kilkenny to the racecourse at Leopardstown, is sustained by the size of the purse on...

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2009: Motion (9 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Is it presented that way in the new budget?

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 179: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will permit funds to write off rebates due to them on foot of redundancy payments against tax due, in view of the fact that the delays in repaying is driving firms out of business. [15177/09]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (22 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 666: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin for proposed refurbishment and the construction of a new gymnasium under the school building programme; when he envisages this project will proceed to architectural planning and construction; his views on whether an absence of sporting facilities has...

Departmental Expenditure. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the details of changes to the allocation of expenditure within his Department for 2009; the changes to programmes, initiatives or projects within his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16749/09]

Departmental Expenditure. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I will concentrate on the areas in which there have been significant changes in spending. We now know there is no swimming pool programme as such, as we are just paying off the remaining bills on pools that were agreed some years ago. The actual amount allocated is down by €6.5 million this year. Does the Minister expect that the bills will not come in from the local authorities or...

Departmental Expenditure. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Over ten years.

Departmental Expenditure. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: That is incorrect, as many of those are refurbishments. The pools were already there.

Tourism Promotion. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 78: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had representations from a group (details supplied) seeking his support for a food tourism initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16471/09]

Tourism Promotion. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: It is great to discover the type of activity that can be generated by a parliamentary question. Before I submitted this question, there was no indication that the meeting to which the Minister referred was likely to take place. Nevertheless, I am pleased that some progress is being made in this area. As I have said before in this House, the old methods of promoting tourism are no longer...

Tourism Promotion. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I have already raised with the Minister the decision of the Dublin Institute of Technology to break up the faculty of food and tourism at Cathal Brugha Street. The Minister has dismissed this development as unimportant. However, it is considered of immense importance by all those involved in the food and dining industries, including the Restaurant Association of Ireland. I accept that the...

Tourism Promotion. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: My point is that while the tourism industry in general is fragmented, this was one faculty that brought all the elements of tourism together. It seems this decision is being taken merely to facilitate laboratory availability.

Tourism Promotion. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: My point is not about access but about retaining a single facility.

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I may ask any question I wish.

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I am sure it is.

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The Minister has correctly stated that access fares have been coming down in many cases. However, overall access ability, the capacity to access Ireland, has decreased. There has been a significant diversion of flights out of Ireland in particular. This morning, Aer Lingus announced it will be cancelling its Airbus orders which means there will not be growth in the long haul trips to...

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Hear, hear.

Issue of Writ: Dublin South (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Séamus Brennan was a much respected Deputy in Dublin South and it was right, both out of respect to him and to his family, that a reasonable period of time was left before a by-election was held to replace him. However, that time has passed, and nobody more than Séamus would want an election to take place and the people of Dublin South to be properly represented. The people want that and...

Issue of Writ: Dublin South (28 Apr 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The Minister will get to it on the third paragraph on the next page.