Results 9,621-9,640 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No 65 of Thursday 17 September 2009.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The elements of the Department's Vote which are part-funded by the proceeds of the National Lottery are as follows: - Subhead C.1: Grants for sporting bodies and for the provision of sports and recreational facilities under the Sports Capital Programme; - Subhead C.3: Grant-in-Aid provided to the Irish Sports Council in respect of general assistance to sports organisations and expenditure in...

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The Irish film industry is one of our most important industries, providing substantial levels of employment and significant inward investment. In 2007, the value of the audio-visual production sector in Ireland was more than €500 million. It provides direct employment of 6,000 people according to the Irish audio-visual content production...

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy's comments. The economic facts speak for themselves but there has been a very focused effort in recent years to raise the ability of Irish film to a new level, and that has been very successful. We have gone from approximately 1,000 employees in the early 1990s to approximately 6,000 today. These people are recognised worldwide as being very creative and talented,...

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I will address two specific concepts. It is important to see this in context. The report prepared by Mr. Colm McCarthy is excellent and he has looked across all Departments before presenting a menu. Nobody would anticipate that every single line written by him would be taken verbatim and implemented but he has provided important food for thought. I do not want to put this in a space of I,...

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Deputy Upton is right. That is why, when Building Ireland's Smart Economy - A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal 2009 to 2014 was being compiled, I was very strong in my view that the creative sector has a legitimate role to play. This matter is not just the preserve of Intel and similar companies. Many of those who work in the creative industry move among the sectors therein. We...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The number of overseas visitors to Ireland fell by 10.4% in the first seven months of 2009 compared with 2008. This reduction must be seen in context. The current year has been very difficult for tourism globally as a result of economic conditions. Ireland is actually holding its own or is performing better than some competitor destinations. To assist the tourism sector, an extensive range...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I thank the chairman of the tourism renewal group for the huge efforts he has made. He met the Deputies opposite and almost anybody who has anything to do with the industry. I will publish the group's report once I have presented it to the Government. Everybody will be then aware of its contents. I do not agree with some of the Deputy's assessments. I have worked closely with the...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: When I met many of the international tour operators, this was not an issue for them at all. The issue for them was to sustain marketing and to sustain the campaigns, which has been done.

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I was referring to the airlines. The Deputy is correct about the announcement the other day. I was delighted when the Taoiseach became directly involved because it demonstrates how important the Government and the industry perceive tourism to be. This is the reason I launched jointly with Fáilte Ireland the largest-ever autumn campaign for the market here. This did not fall from the sky...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I apologise. As I noted in my initial reply, I should have the report shortly and I believe it has been completed.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Responsibility for the promotion internationally of our artists is a matter for Culture Ireland. Obviously, I am not involved in the council's operations. I am, however, of the opinion that...

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: No. I believe I know what is going on and I will explain in a moment.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: On that point, we are going into the Estimates process more deeply at present and I understand the Arts Council has given an indication to various organisations regarding the level of funding they could expect for the first quarter of next year. This will be from next year's budget and will not come from this year's budget. The council has tried to give an indication for the future,...

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I do not know. I have no knowledge of anything coming from next year's allocation to fund this year.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Not that I am aware of. That is my understanding of what it did and this may be the area of confusion in this regard. That is the specific answer on that question.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I do. When one deals with such matters, one must deal with facts rather than anecdotal evidence and unfortunately the report used figures for tax forgone that were based on 2006. While I am not even certain they are accurate, let us accept they are. This was before the cap on income was introduced. As Members are aware, the cap came into effect on 1 January 2007, which I believe would...

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I was going to mention this at the end of Question Time and I am happy to do so now. I feel devastated for the Sutherland family, for his parents and two sisters and the entire boxing community. I was privileged to get to know Darren, however briefly, during the Olympic Games. I saw every one of his fights. I remembered the exuberance and excitement he brought and the lift he gave to the...

Sports Capital Programme. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment. Since 1998, through the sports capital programme, the Government has invested over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sporting projects. This investment has transformed the Irish sporting landscape with improved...

Sports Capital Programme. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am absolutely certain all €56 million will be drawn down this year. There is no question about that. The projects that will use the balance exist and this money will be paid out. I will not have a surplus, much as I would like to have one. This amounts to 1,200 projects being approved this year. Clearly there will have to be capital funding for next year because there is a large...