Results 4,461-4,480 of 6,645 for speaker:Jimmy Deenihan

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: Considering the way in which we address that funding challenge for the future cannot be avoided and we are determined to work with our cultural institutions in this challenge. The process of reform in which we are engaged is not about diminishing them, it is about the long-term survival of these institutions. In this challenge, they must work together, share common operational services and...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I mentioned that the Abbey Theatre got extra funding. I did so to emphasise the type of funding being provided to cultural institutions. The Abbey Theatre will receive more than €7 million, approximately, a ninth of the current Arts Council allocation. I am making the point that the taxpayer is providing substantial funding for the cultural institutions. I said last night that our...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: -----and there are efforts to reach out involving the National Concert Hall and proposals to make connections in New York. There is certainly significant potential and our national cultural institutions will have to reach out to realise it. In an era of diminished State funding capacity, it would simply not be right of me to ignore the examination of existing structures to see whether they...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: It is not a full-time position, in other words, it is temporary. It will be advertised like other jobs.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: The person who has been given the job is someone who was in that position for many years, knows the process well and the procedures within Culture Ireland. One could not find a better person to do the job. I have experienced the efficiency of the person who replaced Mr. Downes, Ms Christine Sisk. She is a top class civil and public servant.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I am doing so. Mr. Downes was excellent. It was unfortunate that, because he was on contract and of employment law, we were not able to retain him. He has a major role to play in the arts and I hope he will continue to play it. Obviously, it would have been advantageous to have him in the position for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union, especially because of his vast number of...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I hope he will play an important role here in the future. I reiterate that I did not single out the Abbey Theatre. I was not in any way singling it out because of Senator Fiach Mac Conghail's association with it. I am delighted Senator Jillian van Turnhout received such satisfaction from the National Archives of Ireland in tracing her family tree, etc. The National Archives of Ireland is a...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: In the context of what is happening, it seems as though, if the Department has any connection with a State institution, there is something wrong with it. I realise they must have independence, but, eventually, ithe Department provides the funding and also gives advice and help. The National Archives of Ireland is a good example of a body in which there is an independent director and...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: Regarding the council of the National Archives of Ireland, I say to Senator Maurice Cummins and confirm that I was delighted that Professor Diarmaid Ferriter after he had resigned from the National Library of Ireland had stayed on in the council of the National Archives of Ireland. For all those who were appointed to the National Library of Ireland by the previous Minister, former Deputy Mary...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: Funding was increased this year. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and I went to the National Archives of Ireland which had a problem with the roof which we tried to solve. My officials are working closely with it to try to find a solution.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: As I know too well. It was a pity, when we had so much money in the country with which we did not know what to do, that all of these challenges were not faced. Obviously, there was the lack of a vision, to which Senator Fiach Mac Conghail referred. The proposer and seconder of the amendment, Senators Tony Mulcahy and Ivana Bacik, expressed strong views. Senator Ivana Bacik, especially,...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: That perception is unfair to the staff of my Department who have worked with the individuals in question for years. I acknowledge, however, that it is the impression people would get from reading the newspapers.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I assure Senator Zappone that I have made no proposals to Government yet. I have not finalised my position. It is too early to accept the motion because we have not yet determined what we will do. That is the reason I cannot accept the motion. I included elements of the motion in the amendment in recognition of it.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: If Senator Barrett would allow me to interrupt, as he is aware, my Department was a reconfiguration of previous Departments. Because of the reconfiguration, the figure in the Estimate does not reflect the amount spent in the Vote on administration. I explained that when I was doing the Estimate before the committee. Senator Barrett is correct in what he says but there is an explanation for it.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: No, they are not.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: It is no problem. The Independent Senators provided a fine audience for them but I was delighted.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: It certainly was a big audience. As no interest is evident from the Gallery most of the time-----

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: -----last night was very interesting.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: I apologise.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions: Motion (27 Jun 2012)

Jimmy Deenihan: In fairness, I have been involved in politics for 30 years.