Results 3,501-3,520 of 5,767 for speaker:Olivia Mitchell

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the initiatives he has introduced to tackle the downward trend in tourism figures; his views on whether he considers the structures in place sufficient to give strategic leadership to those struggling in the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32887/09]

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The Tánaiste - although it may have been the Taoiseach - stated in recent days that 35% of jobs in the tourism industry are vulnerable. She indicated that she was involved in discussions with the Minister with regard to initiatives to be taken. Regardless of how one tries to play down this matter and state that other countries are also doing badly, the reality is that there is a huge...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The Minister has not clarified whether the tourism renewal group has reported yet. Will its report recommend emergency or long-term measures? Something that will try to salvage what remains of this year is needed, as otherwise the businesses concerned simply will not be there next year. That is the truth, no matter what the Minister might say. From the perspective of salvaging what...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The issue is with the airlines. Although we are an island nation, we are losing the airlines.

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The Minister did not give an answer regarding the tourism renewal group's report.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether policy initiatives aimed at fostering new talent and sustaining those established in the artistic community have been adequate to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32888/09]

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I wish to raise two aspects that arise from the various reports produced by the McCarthy group and the Commission on Taxation. The first pertains to the issue of the tax exemption on which I seek the Minister's views. Although the McCarthy report suggested its abolition would save money, the case has been put forward that so doing would instead reduce tax revenue. The truth is in there...

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: There appears to be a suggestion that even in conjunction with the cutbacks recommended in the McCarthy report, there will be a cutback based on over-expenditure this year. If that is true, it would amount to approximately 17% and the Minister should clarify this issue.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Was there not a suggestion of reserves being spent this year?

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Was there a suggestion of money being spent this year that would not be available next year because reserves were being spent?

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: I seek the Minister's opinion on the artist tax exemption. While I acknowledge the Minister is not entirely his own master in this regard, does he have a view on it?

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: On that issue, I spoke to a hotelier in Cork who pays €10,000 a week in rates. It adds up to €500,000 a year, which nobody can sustain. That is not even in Dublin; it is in Cork. The hoteliers are reducing their prices but their inputs must come down. That means local authority inputs must come down. My question is related and the Minister was about to touch on it. Many of the hotels...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: It is important it is not somebody with a vested interest. That will be the problem with NAMA. There will be clear conflict of interest for the banks which will manage both loans. It will be a real issue.

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: The question was a little broader than I intended. I was trying to focus on the tourism capital investment programme and I am sorry that was not in the question. Perhaps the Minister will clarify that. The €50 million, which was supposed to be in the national development plan for tourism investment-----

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Yes. It was €50 million support planned for the upgrading of and presentation to the best international standard of approximately 20 of our most strategically important existing visitor attractions, heritage and so on. I know a large number of people are not investing currently but some are. Will this scheme go ahead? These people believe they are limbo? They had prepared applications...

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: They have to change on the beach, however, because there are no changing facilities for them.

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: During the summer I visited Birr Castle Gardens which were renovated over the past ten years. They informed me, however, that their visitor numbers are down to what they were in the mid 1990s. Another summer with such figures and the gardens will have to close. It is a fragmented industry that needs to be given some coherence.

National History Museum. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: Given that originally very extensive work on the museum was planned, it now sounds as if a few nails and a ball of string are being put into operation. Stories about nets to catch falling glass from the dome and that the upper floors have had to be closed for health and safety reasons turn one's blood cold. Is the Minister sure this will work? Will the museum staff be given the assurances...

National History Museum. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: What about the storage?

National History Museum. (24 Sep 2009)

Olivia Mitchell: If we ever reinstate the national development plan the National Museum and the Natural History Museum must be priorities for investment.