Results 5,221-5,240 of 10,581 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Network (23 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: This is my first visit to Seanad Éireann.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Network (23 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I attempted to get in here on one occasion but I was beaten by a quarter of a vote.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Network (23 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach and all Senators on their election. I look forward to working with Members from various panels and the university seats. As the line Minister with responsibility for tourism and sport, I congratulate the Republic of Ireland football team on its fantastic result last night. I am sure all Senators and the Leas-Chathaoirleach will agree it was a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Network (23 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I do not disagree with the Senator. I have met officials from the Department of Transport over the last number of weeks as part of my introduction to my current role. As a former member of Monaghan County Council the Senator will probably agree with me that a major issue is that our local authorities over the last number of years, even when they did have money, did not carry out adequate...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Community Development Initiatives (28 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​The role of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It does not develop or fund individual projects, which is a matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if a response...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Expenditure (28 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​Details of all allocations under the sports capital programme are published on the Department's website dttas.ie. In relation to operational funding, Sport Ireland, which is funded by the Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the allocation of funding for National...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: State Bodies Data (29 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 209, inclusive, together. ​I refer the Deputy to the replies given by my predecessor to various previous questions on this matter, most recently on 6 April 2016. As the Deputy has already been informed, the processing of the Freedom of Information request and the decision of the Information Commissioner mentioned by the...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (30 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputies opposite need to sort it out among themselves.

Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Project Funding (30 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue. Many of his points on the national issue have already been identified by us in the Department since the Government changeover. He is right that the Fáilte Ireland branding has been very successful. Since coming to the Department, I have instructed departmental officials and Fáilte Ireland that there is a corridor down the middle...

Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Project Funding (30 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy will know from his time in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the brands he mentioned have been some of the greatest drivers of tourism. The Deputy is right and I have pointed out to Fáilte Ireland that there is a corridor in the middle of the country. As I said at the start of my contribution, the county CEOs have an opportunity. Fáilte Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Administration (30 Jun 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any interested group should register online now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ieas this portal will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Administration (5 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any interested group should register online now at as this portal will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme. I note that the organisation referred to by the Deputy is not currently registered.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (5 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any interested group should register online now at as this portal will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Events (6 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: The development of proposals for the staging of major sports events is a matter in the first instance for the governing bodies of the relevant sports and other event promoters.  In that regard, the tourism and sports agencies are available to discuss proposals to host or stage sports events and may be in a position to support those events, subject, of course, to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Eligibility (6 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any interested group should register online now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ieas this portal will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (12 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​My Department's role in tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not involved in the management of individual tourism projects, such as the Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way Passport initiative was developed by Fáilte Ireland and An Post to increase visitor dwell time and encourage greater exploration and immersion in the many...

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know Deputy O'Keeffe has submitted practically the same question. Deputies will be aware that the sports capital programme is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. They will also be aware that there was no round of the sports capital programme in 2009, 2010 or 2011....

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: To take the last point first, I would be very slow to withdraw any grant that has been allocated to a sporting club because, as Deputy O'Keeffe knows, many sporting clubs have difficulties regarding planning permissions and the matching of funding. I certainly would not accept the suggestion that we withdraw money that has already been allocated. The only state of confusion seems to be...

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I remind Deputy O'Keeffe that in the worst days of the economic crash, in 2009, 2010 and 2011, the last government was able to reintroduce the sports capital programme. We did so because we realised that this is a labour activation measure in many rural and urban communities. It really makes a difference to clubs. Nobody on this side of the House needs to be told about the programme's...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​Deputies will be aware that the Sports Capital Programme is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. Deputies will also be aware that there was no round of the SCP in 2009, 2010 or 2011.  There were however rounds of the programme in 2012, 2014 and 2015.  Almost 1,600 applications were received...