Results 3,421-3,440 of 5,767 for speaker:Olivia Mitchell

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I thank the Minister for his reply. We discussed this matter on a number of occasions recently, both at the joint committee and elsewhere. I do not intend to comment on it in detail now. However, when we discussed the outputs for the year it was discovered that the target outputs keep changing. The first target was to introduce a new fund for a number of years but this morphed into a...

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I am not sure what the Minister is saying. Is he saying that it cannot be funded by the taxpayer? Yet, he has ceded to the Department of Finance a 1% levy, and this means he will be short €30 million to €40 million in his Department. Is he saying now that the income of the horse and greyhound industry will effectively be halved this year? If so it is a disaster for the economy, never...

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The Minister does not know.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I am talking about the Exchequer, the €67 million fund that is guaranteed and was granted at the beginning of the year.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: This means, in effect, that half the revenue is virtually gone, even though it was guaranteed by the Minister.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The industry did not take away the tax. The Minister agreed to it at the Cabinet table, and now half the revenue the industry was expecting is gone.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Nevertheless, the Minister is not going to persuade me that a 1% reduction in tax is going to have no impact. Of course it will.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: What impact will this have on the industry?

Tourism Promotion. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I am aware of the ongoing marketing of Ireland and the fact that money has been maintained in this area, and it is all very welcome. However, it is undermined completely by a departure tax. I ask the Minister, as somebody who sits at the Cabinet table, how he could let this happen. How could he let such a totally counter-productive instrument as a departure tax happen to the tourism...

Tourism Promotion. (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: It is not the airlines but the people who are concerned.

Leaders' Questions (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Closing beds and theatres will not improve administration.

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 152: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of slots available at Heathrow Airport, London, available to Aer Lingus at the time of the Aer Lingus sale; the number that are available and in use at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23511/09]

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 153: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of Heathrow slots owned by Aer Lingus at the time of its sale by the Government which have been the subject of a disposal transaction in the period to date; if, in each case, shareholders were informed as required by legislation; if he was required under the legislation to make a recommendation to the Department of Finance; and if he...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 154: To ask the Minister for Transport if the Aer Lingus decision to open a second base outside of the Republic of Ireland has impacted on its ability to meet the criteria for connectivity of Dublin, Cork or Shannon with Heathrow Airport, London, as outlined in his statement laid before the Dáil Eireann at the time of the Aer Lingus sale; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (16 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 275: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason an application by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14 for the summer works scheme was rejected ; if this school will be accommodated for building works under any other available building scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23773/09]

Special Educational Needs. (23 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I stated previously in the House that I welcome the principle of introducing a preschool year for children. All the research indicates that children do better when they have had that opportunity. It is particularly valuable for disadvantaged children. Disadvantage comes in many forms. It may be financial or social disadvantage or due to poor quality parenting. All these children would...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (24 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 129: To ask the Minister for Transport when pre-clearance facilities will be introduced at Shannon and Dublin Airports; if facilities, infrastructure, staff or other logistical measures necessary for the commencement of the facilities have been put in place; the potential he foresees both facilities have in terms of generating additional business or revenue for Ireland; and if he...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (24 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 144: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of formal applications which have been made and approved by Fáilte Ireland under the mid-Shannon tourism investment scheme; the amount of funding which has been drawn down to date under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25368/09]

Social Welfare Benefits. (25 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 16: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons on a national, county and local social welfare office basis waiting for their application in respect of jobseeker's allowance to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23338/09]

Aviation (Preclearance) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I, too, welcome this legislation which has the potential to be of huge benefit to Ireland from a tourism and transport perspective. I have long been of the view that tourism and transport are inextricably linked and should not alone be housed in the same Department but should be part of a major economic Department, a view with which An Bord Snip agrees. This is essential given the...