Results 8,501-8,520 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Sports Capital Programme (16 Feb 2012)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 29 together. I have already replied on this matter. I recently announced that I will be advertising two new rounds of the sports capital programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements with a view to launching the first round in the coming weeks. The advertisement of the new round and the amount to be allocated will...

Sports Capital Programme (16 Feb 2012)

Michael Ring: In 2011, there was €55.5 million outstanding. In 2008, this figure was €191 million. We have made great progress on the basis that a number of clubs and organisations are not drawing down funding simply because it would be very difficult in the current climate to obtain matching funding for their projects, which were conceived at the time of the Celtic tiger and were, therefore,...

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (16 Feb 2012)

Michael Ring: I am disappointed to learn that the Cork-Swansea Ferry Service, operated by the Fastnet Line, has ceased to operate. I met with the West Cork Tourism Co-op on 17 January last when they outlined their plans for the future of the service. As a first step, however, the Co-op advised me of the overriding requirement to secure further investment to bring the enterprise out of examinership. I...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (28 Feb 2012)

Michael Ring: I recently announced that I will be advertising two new rounds of the Sports Capital Programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements with a view to launching the next round of the SCP shortly.

Leaders' Questions (1 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: Deputy Doherty was not out this week.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (8 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 211 together. I recently announced that I will be advertising two new rounds of the Sports Capital Programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements with a view to launching the next round of the SCP shortly. Once these necessary arrangements are in place I will make the relevant announcement.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (15 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I recently announced that I will be advertising two new rounds of the Sports Capital Programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements with a view to launching the next round of the SCP shortly. Once these necessary arrangements are in place I will make the relevant announcement.

Seanad: Tourism Amenities (21 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I am pleased to respond to Senator O'Brien on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who is on his way to Brussels to attend a meeting of EU transport Ministers. He apologises for his absence. I understand that in 2009, Fingal County Council applied to Fáilte Ireland for tourism capital investment support to renovate Malahide Castle. The...

Seanad: Tourism Amenities (21 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: Mayo.

Seanad: Tourism Amenities (21 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I certainly will. I will be in Malahide with Deputy Alan Farrell and Senator O'Brien and will have no problem in taking a look around. Deputy Farrell also raised this issue with me. I will meet the Senator on site and will bring his points to the attention of the Minister.

Seanad: School Accommodation (21 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn. I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects over the next five years and to clarify the current position of the application for major capital funding from...

Seanad: School Accommodation (21 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I will bring Senator Cullinane's strong representations to the Minister. I thank him for raising the issue. I know he feels very strongly about it.

Sports Capital Programme (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I am pleased to advise the House that earlier today I announced a new round of the sports capital programme. Allocations of €30 million which will benefit sports clubs, community groups, local authorities, schools and national governing bodies of sport will be made in the late autumn or early winter of this year. Applications will be accepted from all areas of the country. A maximum...

Sports Capital Programme (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I thank the Deputy for her kind words. The Deputy is correct. This is the first time since 2008 that we have had a new round of the sports capital programme. It was difficult enough to get the funding and I compliment my colleagues who supported me very strongly as establishing this programme was a commitment in the programme for Government. The Deputy is quite correct that clubs...

Sports Capital Programme (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: The Deputy is a bit like the media who think because I have become a Minister of State that I cannot represent my constituency. I want to tell the media I will represent my constituency. I am not speaking about grant aid, I am speaking about health, social welfare and agriculture. To answer the question, every application will be judged on its merit and criteria will be set. The Deputy...

International Sporting Events (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 11, 55, and 62 together. The normal procedure for the hosting of international sporting events is that the Irish affiliate of the relevant international governing body would bid to host the event in question in Ireland. Accordingly, it would be a matter for the IRFU to decide if it wished to make a bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. If so, the...

International Sporting Events (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: The Minister and I will meet with the IRFU shortly. It is a matter for the union to make the bid. Japan will host the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and must give a guarantee of €115 million. In 2023, that figure could well be €125 million. Also, television rights are held by the International Rugby Board. Saying that, Ireland would be well capable of holding the Rugby World Cup. If the...

International Sporting Events (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: Deputy Dooley is correct that hosting the Rugby World Cup would be a great boost for the country and tourism. We have shown we are capable of holding major events. I accept we may not have enough rugby stadia to cover the games. We would have to talk with the FAI and the GAA for using some of their facilities. Ravenhill rugby stadium is also being upgraded to 80,000 seats. The IRFU has...

International Sporting Events (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: Everyone is positive about this proposal. The Government is supportive of it. We must sit down with the IRFU and the State agencies such as Fáilte Ireland to work on it. Hosting the rugby world cup in New Zealand was worth €500 million to its economy. This amount would be a great boost to our economy. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and I are prepared to meet the IRFU and Fáilte...

International Sporting Events (28 Mar 2012)

Michael Ring: The IRFU's chief executive has been quoted in newspaper articles as saying that it would need to consider the issue and discuss it with the Government. We have held informal negotiations, but I cannot go into more detail on those. My answer to the Deputy's question on the GAA is "No". First, the IRFU must decide whether it wants to make a bid. Second, it must discuss the matter with the...