Results 9,361-9,380 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will permit it.

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I will go through the answer because it is substantial given the magnitude and importance of the question.

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that there was a reduction of 4.3% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for the first two months of 2009 compared with the corresponding period of 2008. Overseas visitor numbers for 2008 as a whole were down by 2.2% on the numbers experienced in 2007. While any reduction in the numbers of overseas visitors is disappointing,...

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy that any actions now to solve the problem this year would be very late. All the decisions with regard to this year have already been taken. There has been significant reorientation within the budgets for marketing expenditure, focusing on the different markets and the type of holidays being promoted. The Deputy is probably familiar with the new campaign on...

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: In reply to Deputy Mitchell, as a matter of interest I met with Continental Airlines representatives when I was in Houston which is its main hub. This was one of the reasons for my visit to America for the St. Patrick's day festivities. The airline is very robust in its attitude to Ireland. It is confident about the current number of its flights and sees great potential for expansion. It...

Written Answers — National Museum: National Museum (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the development of the new Centre Block building at the National Museum at Collins Barracks. The development of the Centre Block has not been cancelled. Progress on the project is at an advanced stage and the tender documents for the project are now finalised. As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 8585/09 and 8521/09 on 3 March 2009,...

Written Answers — National Stadium: National Stadium (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to respond to Questions Nos. 84, 95 and 103 together. As I have previously stated in response to questions on the overall development of the national sports campus project, I have been engaged in discussions with the NSCDA as to how we might best advance matters during 2009 and following years taking into consideration the current difficult economic constraints. While it is not...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: There are four bodies, each with its own statutory base, involved in the administration of elements of sports policy. The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. The Irish Sports Council Act, 1999 states that the ISC has responsibility for developing "strategies for increasing...

Written Answers — Arts Projects: Arts Projects (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions 47821 and 47825 on 27th January 2009. I wish, however, to confirm to the House that progress is continuing to be made with the digitisation of state papers and the paper based collections of the relevant national cultural institutions, commensurate with the availability of resources. In particular, the Deputy may wish to note that the digitised...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose taking Questions Nos. 87 and 97 together. In 2006, the Government approved the establishment of the Irish Institute of Sport. The Institute has been working with the national governing bodies of sport and the elite athletes in ensuring that they have available to them the most up-to-date supports as they prepare to represent Ireland at international events and the Olympic Games....

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: My Department is currently finalising a five-year strategic plan to inform the future development of necessary sporting facilities throughout the country. An inter-agency steering group, chaired by my Department, was established to oversee the development of the strategy. A wide range of stakeholders were consulted in order to generate a clear picture of the important issues to be...

Written Answers — Natural History Museum: Natural History Museum (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: The position, as stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No 8515/09 on the 3rd of March 2009, is that a programme of works for the Natural History Museum has been agreed between the National Museum of Ireland, the Office of Public Works and my Department. This programme of works, which is designed to facilitate the reopening of the Museum in September of this year, is ongoing. The...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Since 1998, over €725 million has been allocated to over 7,400 projects across the country. Primary and post-primary schools may only apply to the Sports Capital Programme for funding jointly...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 109 and 316 together. A consultative process is underway with the Directors of the national cultural institutions involved whereby consideration is being given to the future arrangements necessary to give effect to the decisions to combine the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Crawford Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland, while retaining their...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am fully aware of the many issues affecting the hotel and catering industry, including the issues of costs and competitiveness, as are all of my cabinet colleagues. I keep in regular contact with the key industry representative groups, including the Irish Hotels Federation and the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, and have received detailed submissions from them in the context of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 111 together. In 2004, Comhaltas Ceoltóri Éireann launched a five year Capital Development Programme with the aim of enhancing its network of regional development resource centres around the country and in Northern Ireland, in order to build on and support its existing activities. Stemming from the agreed Capital Development Programme, my Department...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I wish to refer the Deputy to priority question number 77 (16367/09) which I have answered earlier today.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: Tourism Ireland was established on foot of the Good Friday Agreement and formally incorporated on 11 December 2000. The Company is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council with funding for its operations being provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and by my Department in the South in accordance with agreed ratios. The current agreed...

Written Answers — Departmental Reviews: Departmental Reviews (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, which was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. In 2004, the Government put in place regulations to increase the limit of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund from €254m to €550m to continue the Fund for a further four years to 2008. By the end of...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: Government Policy on the Arts is set out in the Programme for Government and is elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy. 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 our national life. The State appreciates and values the contribution the...