Results 9,081-9,100 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Physical Education Facilities. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: If there were refurbishments in some cases, one could not possibly call them such. They were literally——

Physical Education Facilities. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: ——entirely new. I would not consider €15 million on a project a refurbishment.

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 110 together. An extensive refurbishment and redevelopment plan has been drawn up for the Natural History Museum at an estimated cost outside the scope and capacity of current budgets. In view of this cost and the extensive nature of the proposed plan and, as the reopening of the Natural History Museum is a priority, the Office of Public Works, at...

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I hope the Natural History Museum will re-open this year. That is the plan. Obviously this is not in terms of the major investment which is part of the OPW budgets. If Deputy Mitchell puts down a question to the Minister responsible for that, I am sure she will get the answer. I am anxious that it does not remain closed. If we cannot proceed with the big project, let us do the next best...

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy's questions are important and I suggest she will get a fuller and more correct response from the Minister responsible if she puts down a question to him. The budget for that project was in the OPW. It still has budgets, although they are scaled back like everybody else's.

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I set out the situation in some detail. Of course I have spoken to the OPW, but the specific question the Deputy is asking me is not in my budget. I am directing her to where the answers to those specific questions lie. I am not trying to be evasive. I do not have that specific information. If Deputy Mitchell has put it down in the question I would have given her the answer.

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Of course I do. I am the one who is getting it open, not keeping it closed.

Natural History Museum. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: In April of this year an exhibition will be put on in the Riding School in Collins Barracks and that will be warmly welcomed by those who want to visit this type of exhibition. They will use the popular exhibits from the Natural History Museum. In light of the economic circumstances, if it is not possible to proceed, I do not want the place to lie dormant. I want the Natural History Museum...

Departmental Bodies. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy will be aware, annual output statements were introduced in 2007 as a mechanism for Dáil scrutiny of the annual Estimates of expenditure of Government Departments, as part of the Government's ongoing budgetary reform measures. The output statements link budgets to performance targets and, from 2008, they report on progress made in achieving the targets set the previous year....

Departmental Bodies. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: To some degree I agree with Deputy Upton. I have a view on many of these agencies. While the Deputy might think it is difficult to get information, I often find it hard, as the responsible Minister, and that is not healthy. As politicians we peddled a line for years, and others peddled it on our behalf, that everything has to be so-called "independent". Nobody is independent. Everybody...

Departmental Bodies. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: This will not be popular in many quarters but after 20 odd years in this House I believe that the people on all sides of the House are more than capable of being responsible for taxpayers' money. I do not accept that outside agencies are more responsible than we would be.

Arts Funding. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme, ACCESS, is a key element in the Government's regional arts strategy and has greatly improved access to and participation in the arts for many nationwide. The scheme has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of quality cultural spaces. Facilities funded to date include integrated arts centres, theatres,...

Arts Funding. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: It is €32.5 million in the current round.

Arts Funding. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Yes, it was approximately €80 million.

Arts Funding. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am not in a position——

Arts Funding. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I intend, as soon as humanly and economically possible, to open the next round of ACCESS. It will not happen this year but I have not given up on opening up the third round of a successful programme. I take the Deputy's point with regard to the excellence of the facilities and the need to find mechanisms to keep them alive and operating and to deal with normal maintenance. If issues arise...

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Hear, hear.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Hear, hear.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I wish to share time with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Ireland finds itself in the most challenging global economic conditions we have seen for a long time, however economies have always been subject to cycles. It is vital that as we manage the immediate challenges we face, we position ourselves so we come out ahead in the inevitable upturn. The framework for sustainable economic renewal outlines an agenda for reform and investment that will...