Results 4,281-4,300 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Departmental Travel: Departmental Travel (23 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The policy of my Department in relation to frequent flyer points is governed by Department of Finance Circular 26/04 — The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. Section 16.2 of the Code states that 'benefits under frequent flier schemes may be retained by individual civil servants in recognition of the fact that official travel is disruptive to personal and family life'.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department to date in 2007 is estimated as follows: € Total Paper Cost 32,000 Total Stationery Cost 72,000 Recycled Paper cost 2,000 It is my Department's policy to promote the increased usage of recycled paper as much as possible. However, due to the high cost of recycled products and due to lack of availability of certain...

Written Answers — Pre-Budget Submissions: Pre-Budget Submissions (24 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I have met with representatives of the Irish Hotels Federation on a number of occasions since my assumption of the Tourism portfolio and discussed its pre-budget submission and related matters. Such discussions were useful in understanding the concerns of the industry as the Government progresses its own work on the preparation of the forthcoming budget and the Departmental Estimates for 2008.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The emissions trading scheme and the question of the inclusion of aviation is primarily a matter for my colleagues, the Ministers for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Transport. Accordingly, detailed questions on the issue would be more appropriately addressed to them. On the particular issue raised by the Deputy, I understand that final agreement on the proposal for a...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I offer my best wishes to Deputy Mitchell on her appointment to the Fine Gael front bench as spokesperson on the important area of arts, sport and tourism. It is significant that south Dublin seems to have attracted similar portfolios. I am sure it is to the benefit of arts, sport and tourism.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I cannot say too much on these matters in the presence of the Ceann Comhairle. Technology will bring significant changes in this area. There is a dilemma in our arguing at European level to reduce aviation emissions because by doing so we create a disincentive to travel by air. However, one can square the circle somewhat. Experts say that modern technology permits larger aircraft built...

Sports Funding. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I also wish Deputy Upton well in her new post, playing centre forward for the Labour Party in this important brief. I met the Gaelic Players Association, GPA, and the GAA on 11 and 17 October respectively at which the issue of player grants was discussed. These meetings were positive and useful in identifying the challenges which must be overcome in this issue. As I have previously...

Sports Funding. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I share Deputy Upton's wish that we progress this matter quickly. Much good work has been done in the background to try to move this matter on. I have arranged for ongoing discussions between all sides. In the course of the coming weeks, I am confident that those discussions will come to a satisfactory conclusion. All sides are keeping the lines of communication open and are having...

Sports Funding. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Irish Sports Council could play a role in these discussions as it is independent and its members have a wealth of experience. The council could be of considerable assistance. I pay tribute to inter-county players. They take a great deal of time off for training and they make a fantastic commitment. Playing inter-county nowadays is not like 20 years ago because it demands an enormous...

Departmental Expenditure. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The funding of the Arts Council, as with all departmental and State agencies, is a matter for consideration under the annual budget and Estimates process. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society. I am aware of the Arts Council's desire to have multiannual budgets, having met the Council on a number of occasions. I appreciate the...

Departmental Expenditure. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The programme for Government commits us to multiannual funding to the Arts Council, which should identify key areas for development for organisations or key strategies in the arts and to ensure increased arts activity is sustained and developed. The Government is committed to moving in that direction, particularly where key areas for development can be ring-fenced. Funding for the council...

Swimming Pool Projects. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Under the National Development Plan 2007-2013, €184 million has been allocated for the provision of public swimming pools under the local authority swimming pool programme. The programme provides grant aid towards the capital costs of new public swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing public pools provided by local authorities themselves or by other bodies where the application for...

Swimming Pool Projects. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: There is €25 million in the 2007 subhead, which will be spent in 2007. I take the Deputy's point. There are 57 projects either completed, open, under construction, out to tender or at contract document stage, so there has been significant activity in this area. Considerable funds have been invested by the taxpayer. Two things will now happen. My Department is to complete a...

Swimming Pool Projects. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Some $25 million will be provided in 2007, the main overhang as the Deputy called it, in the sense that the money available in 2007 will be used to finish the 57 projects.

Swimming Pool Projects. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As far as I know that will finish the 57 projects.

Swimming Pool Projects. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Of the 57, 28 are completed and open. Some 14 are under construction and three are out to tender. The €25 million is available in the Estimates this year to complete the 14 under construction and deal with those out to tender. If the Deputy is concerned the new allocation of €184 will be eaten into by the old programme, I do not believe it will. I will check that again.

State Airports. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Minister for Transport is finalising an economic and tourism development plan for the wider Shannon Airport catchment area which has been prepared in consultation with the Departments of Finance; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and my own Department. The plan seeks to help the region respond to the challenges and opportunities emerging in...

State Airports. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is a matter of urgency that we get on with this package, and much of it is being dealt with in the context of the upcoming Estimates and budgetary process. We should approach part of the issue in that manner. I had a very good meeting recently with the Irish Hotels Federation and I also met with various bodies in the Shannon region. I had good discussions with their representatives in...

State Airports. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We have been discussing open skies for a long period. It will be next year before flights begin to operate under this policy.

State Airports. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Everyone must do what he or she can to prepare Shannon for that eventuality.