Results 8,361-8,380 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Horseracing Ireland. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: While my reply was brief, I was simply providing the Deputy with a straight answer to her question. I look forward to receiving the strategic plan soon. I take the view that horse racing and the horse industry, in its broadest sense, is of enormous importance to this country. While race meetings may be the shop window of an important industry, there is much more to the industry than that....

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: A London 2012 task force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012. This task force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff within my Department. The selection of London as the host...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I agree. It is the view that the fact that the Olympics will be held in London in 2012 will provide opportunities in a range of areas such as tourism and directly with athletes in terms of facilities. There are also business opportunities. As I stated, the report is in but I have not read it and I do not want to guess at it. An issue that arose was the quality of some of the physical...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: Whatever facilities are resourced, I would like to put enough in to maximise the usage of these facilities. If there is an enormous difference between putting resources into a particular sized facility as opposed to a larger facility and one can see the return on it, it is worth considering. I am anxious to be directly involved in the development of Abbottstown and to make decisions on it...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: Abbottstown has many positive aspects. I would like to bring clarity to what we will do with regard to the development of a sports campus at Abbottstown. I have been a strong supporter from the beginning and I will engage soon with the various stakeholders involved to see what is the best way forward to give the best return to our athletes and sport in general. If doing this attracts other...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 103 and 112 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 78 earlier today which dealt with this subject.

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: Meetings are being organised with representatives of the Irish Olympic Council and all the sporting bodies. I want to do this as quickly as possible because urgent matters are raised with regard to the Olympic Games which are about to take place. I understand a meeting between Mr. Hickey and me has been arranged. I believe he is away at present.

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: We are all in agreement on that.

Arts Plan. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I have not received the mid-term review of Partnership for the Arts as it has not yet been completed. The formal mid-term review of the strategy has been under way since January 2008. It is centred on Partnership for the Arts: In Practice 2006 — 2008, the strategy document guiding current Arts Council policy and provision. The outcomes of the mid-term review will be considered by the...

Arts Plan. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I have not formally met the Arts Council. As the Deputy will appreciate, I am anxious to do what I outlined regarding those meetings as quickly as possible. She is correct about the number of plans. I want to get my head around whether I am supposed to deal with one plan or an amalgam. My approach will be to select a plan and deliver it as I do not want more plans. The review has been...

Arts Plan. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I have no hesitation in agreeing with the Deputy. I fully agree touring the arts is absolutely crucial. Many different elements could be toured that otherwise would not be. I have a strong view about the value of the arts in general. It is of huge value to all generations, particularly our youth. It is not exclusive to the large cities, particularly Dublin, even though many of the major...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: My policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts and make the arts an integral and valued part of all facets of national life. It is my belief that the arts are critical to the health of society, to enhancing the life of local communities and to giving expression to place and identity. I recognise that the...

Written Answers — Arts Policy: Arts Policy (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Report on The Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion, to which the Deputy refers, from the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) is a substantial and comprehensive document. It recommends a series of initiatives aimed at supporting increased participation in the arts and on creating a more inclusive and cohesive society. Such complex and cross-cutting proposals require to be...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: The decision by the Government to provide financial assistance for the development of the new stadium at Lansdowne Road was in response to a joint proposal from the IRFU and the FAI. As the ownership of the stadium was not, and is not, jointly shared between the IRFU and the FAI, that particular aspect did not form part of the Government's consideration of the proposal. Under the Sports...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Agreed Programme for Government commits to the roll out of the Local Sports Partnership programme on a nationwide basis to provide for the development of sport at local level. The Irish Sports Council has a statutory role in the promotion and development of sport, including initiatives such as the Local Sports Partnership network, through which sports initiatives at local level are...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I am well aware of the positive role which participation in sport and the arts can have on young people, including in drugs prevention. Such participation has a positive impact on character formation and development and acts as an antidote to social misbehaviour. The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by the Department, has a statutory role in increasing participation in...

Written Answers — National Library: National Library (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: Recognising the inadequacy of the premises occupied by the Library, the State has, since the mid 1990s, supported a major redevelopment programme of those premises. This programme which is being overseen by the Office of Public Works comprises 9 separate phases and includes the upgrading of the security and sprinkler systems in various buildings, the refurbishment of the former National...

Written Answers — National Aquatic Centre: National Aquatic Centre (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 287 together. The National Aquatic Centre reverted to the control of Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd, now the National Sports Campus Development Authority, on 1 December 2006 following High Court proceedings against the previous operators for failure to comply with the terms of their lease. As part of the contingency planning for the...

Written Answers — Arts Reports: Arts Reports (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 101 together. I am aware that the draft report prepared by the Special Committee on Arts and Education, jointly commissioned by my Department and the Department of Education and Science, has been under consideration by our two Departments with the Arts Council in recent months. I should point out however, that the publication of the report is in fact...

Written Answers — Departmental Reviews: Departmental Reviews (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my predecessor's reply to Parliamentary Question reference number 31505/07 on the 29th November, 2007, and Parliamentary Question reference number 10973/08 on the 13th March, 2008, which outlined the background to the Heritage Fund. A very positive review of the governance and operation of the Heritage Fund, which is now virtually depleted, has been completed. As the...