Results 9,861-9,880 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 10 together. Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided under the horse and greyhound racing fund, which was established under section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. Section 12(6) of the Act specifies that, of the moneys paid into the fund each year, 80% shall be paid to Horse Racing Ireland and 20%...

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I will be presenting my proposals on that in January to the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I had to fight very hard to get the amount for this fund. Everyone accepts the Exchequer cannot continue to put the resources that it has already. We all accept it is not just a sport, but a hugely important and significant industry. The Minister for Finance is directly involved in examining the taxation issues surrounding the industry, which I welcome. I am deeply frustrated with the...

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I wish the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Ceann Comhairle, the staff and all my colleagues on the Front Bench of Fine Gael and Labour and their families a peaceful and happy Christmas. We have had a good year working together and I am sure we will again next year.

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I meant everyone on all sides of the House, back, front, no matter where.

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I believe that Ireland should have its own National Opera Company. In this regard, it is my intention to establish a National Opera Company based in the capital. I intend that over the coming months my Department, supported by the Arts Council, Opera Theatre Company and Opera Ireland, will drive the process which will culminate in the formation of this new national company. Plans for the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 18, 21, 23 and 214 together. The abolition of the air travel tax was just one of a range of measures recommended in the Report of the Tourism Renewal Group as part of a Framework for Action for the period to 2013. I refer the Deputy to my earlier answer to Priority Question No. 47909/09 in respect of progress on the Survival Actions in the Framework....

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: No decision has been taken on the timing of a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. The matter will be reviewed in 2010. A total of 57 applications were received under the current round of the Programme, of which 45 projects have been completed and opened to the public. The priority now is to work with the relevant local authorities in completing the remaining 12 pool...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I have not received representations regarding the assignment of causeway coast status to Donegal's northern peninsulas. Furthermore the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has been informed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland, who have responsibility for Tourism that they are unaware of any such representations by the National Trust or the Department of...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions is a matter for the Irish Film Board (IFB). This agency is funded through my Department and is independent of the Department in its operations. My Department's primary operational role in supporting the film sector relates to the administration of...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: Planning permission has been obtained for Phase One of the National Sports Campus. The planning permission includes provision for · a multi-sport National Indoor Training Centre to provide world-class training facilities for more than 20 sports; · Sports Science and Medical facilities; · accommodation for sportsmen and women; · all-weather synthetic pitches for community recreational...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: In regard to the Galleries, I believe, having examined the matter now in great detail, that the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery should remain stand alone entities and that the Crawford can be amalgamated with the National Gallery. I will formalise the matter in the New Year. Meantime, substantive progress is being made on the Heads of Bill in relation to the amalgamation...

Written Answers — Arts Council: Arts Council (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: As Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism I am committed to securing the best possible funding deal for the Arts Council and the arts sector generally. In recent years, allocations to the Arts Council have represented significant amounts of taxpayer's money in any context and have effectively transformed the arts, by facilitating increased access to and participation in the full spectrum of...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my answer earlier today to Priority PQ number 3 on the same topic.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: A draft National Sports Facilities Strategy 2010-2015 has now been completed within my Department and has been circulated to a number of Government Departments and other relevant bodies for observations. Following receipt of these comments I intend to submit the strategy to the Government for its consideration and publication. The aim of the National Sports Facilities strategy is to provide...

Written Answers — National Concert Hall: National Concert Hall (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Annual allocation for 2010 to the National Concert Hall is included in Subhead D3 of the Vote for my Department. The National Concert Hall has been allocated €3,316,000. The breakdown is current €3,072,000 (of which pay is €874,000 and non-pay is €2,198,000) and capital €244,000. The payroll and related adjustment arising from the Budget announcements will be allocated in the...

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (17 Dec 2009)

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 our national life. For 2010, I have secured €167m for the arts, culture and film sectors, a 6% adjustment on 2010. Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: We all appreciate the important role that sport plays in our society in promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of identity and belonging, channeling energy in rewarding activity and bringing people together. I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to sport and believes in the contribution it can make to our society, for individuals and for communities. Thus the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: In his Financial Statement on Budget 2010 made last week, my colleague, Mr Brian Lenihan TD, Minister for Finance, announced that Iarnród Éireann has agreed to participate in a new scheme, to be developed by Fáilte Ireland, as an imaginative initiative to increase tourism numbers next year. The scheme, which is to be aimed at senior citizens visiting Ireland from abroad, will offer...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: On 1 January 2009, there were 180 individual members of staff employed in the Department, which includes the National Archives of Ireland. (The Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) figure was 173.97). On 10 December 2009, there were 163 members of staff employed in the Department. (The WTE is 157.32).