Results 5,381-5,400 of 10,581 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Policy (30 Nov 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.  While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism, the Department does not...

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

Patrick O'Donovan: The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. The most recent rounds of the programme were in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Following the conclusion of the 2017 Estimates discussions, a total of €52m has been provided for sports capital projects. This...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wild Atlantic Way Project (30 Nov 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, such as the Wild Atlantic Way. This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Football Players Transfer System (6 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together. Neither I nor Sport Ireland have any role in relation to the practice of British soccer scouts recruiting underage players in Ireland.  The Deputy may wish to enquire with the Football Association of Ireland as the National Governing Body for soccer in Ireland.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ferry Services Provision (6 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects.  This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.  While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland to invest in tourism offerings,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (6 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects.  This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Facilities Provision (6 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I understand that the next step in relation to the proposed velodrome is for Sport Ireland to undertake an appropriate financial appraisal, i.e. a Cost Benefit Analysis, in accordance with the Public Spending Code.  Thereafter, any proposal to proceed will be subject in the normal way to the availability of capital funding. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (6 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the implementation of that policy, including the provision of tourism information and marketing.  That is an operational matter for the Boards and Management of the tourism agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have...

Other Questions: Sports Events (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Durkan for his question. The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator, can be a great showcase for Ireland and drive international visitor numbers. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland on travel itineraries as a holiday destination. Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the tourism agencies,...

Other Questions: Sports Events (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: Event Ireland has its ear to the ground as regards potential future events that are of interest to Ireland Inc. I am satisfied with its interactions and with my dealings in the Department with the national governing bodies of sport, be they the paralympic movement hoping to host events or any of the other major and smaller bodies. They are all prepared to put their heads above the parapet....

Other Questions: Sports Events (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: One of the best examples of what Deputy Durkan is referring to is the video that was launched as part of Ireland's Rugby World Cup bid for 2023. It shows the four provinces, North and South of the Border, in a fantastic light. Apart from the bid offering and its importance, any discerning visitor would watch the video and want to visit this place. A large part of Tourism Ireland's...

Other Questions: Tourism Promotion (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Department's tourism role lies primarily in developing national policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism initiatives, including the development and marketing of brands, which is a matter for the tourism agencies. In line with its regional tourism development functions, Fáilte Ireland has operational responsibility for the...

Other Questions: Tourism Promotion (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: Deputy Bailey is correct in saying Dublin has a lot to offer. The brand that has been developed has proven itself. More than 10 million people will visit the island of Ireland this year, which is a phenomenal number. More than 8.5 million will visit the Republic and a huge proportion of those will visit Dublin. Dublin’s brand is very strong. That is why the Government is also...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects.  This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. That said, I can advise the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government commits to the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Hotel Accommodation (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I welcome the improved viability of the hotel sector, given its important contribution to the economy and jobs.  However, the shortage of available hotel bedrooms in Dublin city has caused hotel room rates to increase in recent years.  While I acknowledge the need to have a fair return on investment, hotels must ensure that any increase in returns is done at...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbours and Piers Development (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I understand that there is a Specific Local Objective within Dun Laoghaire Rathdown's 2016-2022 County Development Plan "to support and encourage the development of a National Watersports Centre to facilitate training and participation in a varied range of water sports and activities to provide a focus for national and international watersport events". In this regard, I'm aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourist Accommodation (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: Fáilte Ireland monitors the performance of tourist accommodation through regular occupancy surveys.  This analysis indicates that while the country as a whole has sufficient stock of tourist accommodation, there are capacity constraints in areas of high tourist traffic at times of peak demand and additional capacity is required in certain parts of the country, particularly in Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourist Accommodation (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2011, Fáilte Ireland has specific powers and functions regarding the registration and grading of tourist accommodation.  In accordance with the legislation, certain categories of accommodation, such as hotels and guesthouses, are obliged to register, whereas other accommodation segments, such as B&Bs or small self-catering...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment.  The most recent rounds of the programme were in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Following the conclusion of the 2017 Estimates discussions, a total of €52m has been provided for sports capital projects. This...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Events (7 Dec 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide a great showcase for Ireland and drive international visitor numbers. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination. Accordingly, I am very supportive of the ongoing efforts of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies...