Results 781-800 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue
- Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: The redevelopment of Croke Park has been a spectacular success from every conceivable point of view. Since 1998 the Government has provided â¬103.49 million in funding towards making Croke Park the truly magnificent venue it is now. Speaking of Lansdowne Road â most of the nation's thoughts will be directed towards it for the rest of this evening â proposals to redevelop that stadium...
- Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: It is interesting, all the same.
- Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: I wonder who would get that job.
- National Conference Centre. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: Tenders for the provision of a national conference centre in the Dublin area were received from two consortia by the Office of Public Works on 20 May last, the deadline for the receipt of tenders. The rigorous assessment and evaluation of these tenders has now been completed and the report of the evaluation panel submitted to the national conference centre steering group. I expect a...
- National Conference Centre. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: Issues regarding the sites proposed by the tenderers for the national conference centre are matters for their respective owners and parent Departments. Beyond that I cannot comment.
- National Conference Centre. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: I fully agree with the Deputy that we do not want a legal quagmire surrounding the national conference centre, which is why I repeat that any issues regarding the sites proposed by the tenderers for the national conference centre are matters for their respective owners and Departments. The procedures involved in a public private partnership are complex. As part of the procedural requirements...
- National Conference Centre. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: Everybody is bound by the rules which apply to this tender. The strict rules and procedures of the competition are such that I am not in a position to elaborate on the nature or substance of the steering group's works. However, it is intended to have a provisional preferred tenderer designated very soon.
- Appointments to State Boards. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: Under the terms of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, as amended by the Greyhound Industry (Amendment) Act 1993, I appoint the members of the board of Bord na gCon which consists of seven members, a chairman and six ordinary members. Ordinary members are appointed to serve for a three-year term on the expiry of which they are eligible for reappointment for a further term. All appointments made...
- Appointments to State Boards. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: All appointments to State boards I make are based on the experience, knowledge and expertise of the individual being appointed. In this instance that knowledge, experience and expertise is acknowledged by people across the spectrum. The person brings that experience, knowledge and expertise to the board. I would not make an appointment if I felt he were in any way restricted from serving on...
- Appointments to State Boards. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: Irrespective of whom one appoints, that person will have supporters and detractors. It is no different in this case. The individual in question has been a member of a board that has been eminently successful. Bord na gCon has invested a considerable amount of money in building up its facilities and the integrity of the sport as well as increasing prize money over the past few years. We are...
- Tax Code. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: I have consistently argued that the tax exemption for artists has very positive effects on the arts in Ireland. The scheme was innovative and imaginative from the outset, and the benefits are many. This scheme increases the level of artistic activity, encourages artists to stay with the arts rather than moving to more lucrative occupations, makes Ireland a more attractive place for artists to...
- Tax Code. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: I wholeheartedly agree with Deputy Gogarty in his assessment of the situation. My understanding is that the Minister for Finance initiated a review of tax reliefs which would include the artists' exemption scheme. It should be recalled that the exemption is for works that are creative and artistic and that they must have cultural and-or artistic merit. These hurdles must be cleared before the...
- Tax Code. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: I have received voluminous correspondence about the scheme from people involved in the arts, and Deputy Gogarty is correct in saying they are very worried about the future of the scheme and in general terms support the retention of the scheme in its entirety, irrespective of their income. Regarding the artistic merit of a stallion, it all depends whether one bets on a winner or a loser.
- Abbey Theatre. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: After proposals for redevelopment of the Abbey at its existing location or at the site of the former Carlton Cinema in O'Connell Street or on the former Coláiste Mhuire site in Parnell Square were ruled out for a variety of reasons, I authorised negotiations with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in connection with its offer of a site for the theatre at George's Dock. The Office of...
- Abbey Theatre. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: It is my intention to bring a proposal to the Government shortly. I can confirm that the only site under consideration at present is the George's Dock site. I expect the full report from the OPW shortly, probably in a matter of weeks. At that point the proposal will be brought to Government. I expect that the construction of a new national theatre would result in an international competition....
- Abbey Theatre. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: No valuation has been sought for the existing national theatre. It is not, at present, envisaged that it would be put up for sale. I do not know what will happen in the context of the construction of a new theatre. The preliminary estimated cost of a new Abbey Theatre is between â¬170 million and â¬180 million.
- Abbey Theatre. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: If the Government were to agree to the George's Dock proposal, it having been cleared by the Office of Public Works as a suitable site, the next step would be to hold a competition, after which the planning permission issue would arise. I envisage that if all were to go according to plan and if approval were forthcoming, construction would commence during 2008.
- Tourism Industry. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: The Ryder Cup 2006 will be one of the greatest sporting events ever to come to Ireland. It will be a landmark not just for Irish golf but for Irish tourism generally, with 40,000 people attending the K Club each day along with 2,000 members of the media and 1 billion people worldwide watching the event on television. It is already nearly impossible to book accommodation for Ryder Cup week...
- Tourism Industry. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: Every effort has been made to remind the industry of the need to offer value for money and the industry is responding. It remains a cause of concern that while the majority of visitors still say they really enjoyed their visit and would recommend Ireland to a friend, nonetheless, issues such as the cost of drink and eating out are still regarded as not giving value for money. The Department...
- Tourism Industry. (13 Oct 2005)
John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 14, 39, 42, 43, 47 and 49 together. As the House is already aware, I have no direct responsibility in relation to individual actions or measures relating to tourism promotion or development in so far as specific areas of the country are concerned. These are day-to-day functions of the State tourism agencies. The ITIC report referred to indicates that,...