Results 5,681-5,700 of 10,581 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Seanad: Tourism: Statements (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I commend the Senators who have spoken constructively today. Their suggestions will be taken on board. I have taken a lot of notes. I hope that as we flesh out the development of tourism policy for the future, I can take on board as many of the positive and concrete suggestions made today that will add value, create more jobs and enhance the visitor experience for people coming to Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am glad to be able to address the committee today on the impact of Brexit on tourism and sport. The feedback from tourism industry participants at several sectoral dialogues in January reaffirmed the Government's analysis of the implications of Brexit. The Minister and I attended those dialogues. As a Government and Department, we are committed to an ongoing dialogue with the tourism...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I can answer all the questions at the end of the time slot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I will start at the end of Deputy Fitzpatrick's questions and work backwards. In respect of our interactions with Northern Ireland, unfortunately there is not a functioning Executive there at the moment, which is causing its own difficulties. If anybody can assist in re-establishing a functioning Executive in the North, the Government would welcome that assistance. In the absence of an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I do not disagree with anything that Senator Feighan has said. I come from Newcastle West in County Limerick and up until recently we did not have a hotel that had any future, and still do not have a functioning hotel. One of our own who did well in Britain decided to come back and buy the old one, knocked it and it is now under re-construction. The reason is not too dissimilar to Senator...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I appreciate that and I am trying to be helpful in saying what we are doing. The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Canney, and I have realised this and we come from similar parts of the country. The OPW is the largest landowner in Ireland and the custodian of some of our national monuments that open on a seasonal basis rather than all through the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Troy for his questions and comments and for his support for the industry. It is important to point out Tourism Ireland is a North-South body funded by the Government here and by the Northern Executive. We fund on the basis of two thirds to one third. Comparisons can be made with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland but, to be honest about it, it is apples and oranges because...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: We do.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: We do. The Deputy is wrong.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: May I address that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is important. I cannot answer for a Minister in a Government that does not exist. I cannot answer for what happens in a Northern Executive that does not exist. I can answer for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Deputy is wrong. There is an increase year on year in the tourism marketing fund.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: If the Deputy looks at-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy has omitted to accept that Tourism Ireland is a Good Friday Agreement body. We do not work in a vacuum. We have to be conscious that whatever the Southern Government does, it has to be reciprocated. We do not have a functioning Administration in Northern Ireland. It is a major problem. In its absence, I brought legislation through the committee to provide for how Fáilte...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I met the IABA this morning. A number of concerns have been raised on an ongoing basis with me. It is my second time meeting the IABA in the aftermath of the Rio Olympics. No one believes what happened in Rio is acceptable. We have had two meetings with the IABA at my level and a number of engagements with Sport Ireland and officials in my Department. I have huge concerns over the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I want to be very clear. An allegation was made about me this morning on "Morning Ireland". I met the IABA previously to discuss governance. An issue was referred to me by a constituent. A matter was referred to me by a boxing club in my constituency about the selection of a person to box for Ireland. I referred the matter to John Treacy, who is the CEO of Sport Ireland, as it was the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I referred an issue concerning a constituent of mine to John Treacy, the CEO of Sport Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: That is correct. This morning was the second time I met the IABA. I expressed the same concerns in respect of governance, the Rio review, the high performance coach, expenditure, clarity and many other issues at our first meeting this morning.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have asked Sport Ireland and the IABA to reflect on the recommendation made by the high performance coach, Bernard Dunne. Mr. Dunne is also the high performance director of sport in the IABA, which is funded by and answerable to Sport Ireland and, ultimately, my Department. It is up to him to manage the selection process. Limerick will play Clare next Sunday and I wish them the best of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is not my role to select anybody. It is my role to refer on complaints that I receive, as I am sure the Deputy would do if, for example, a person complained him about a State agency. He would not have been elected if he did not refer on such complaints.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Implications of Brexit for Transport, Tourism and Sport: Discussion (31 May 2017)

Patrick O'Donovan: In terms of business as well as tourism, the issue of visa entries is of concern to all members and witnesses. At the opening stages of Brexit negotiations, the Taoiseach outlined the situation regarding Ireland and what the Government wants to achieve. The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has reciprocated in terms of the special case and relationship that Ireland has with the United...