Results 1,021-1,040 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I have set out the information requested by the Deputy in tabular form as follows: 2003 2004 2005 Total â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ PRSI 528,232.99 618,449.16 644,218.96 1,790,901.11 Superannuation 245,867.63 316,735.53 356,923.71 919,526.87

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: My Department has developed a bullying and harassment policy, details of which have been circulated to all employees. Since its establishment in mid-2002 my Department has settled one legal case and another is outstanding. The enactment of legislation dealing with the issue of bullying is not a matter for my Department.

Written Answers — Civil Service Remuneration: Civil Service Remuneration (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Since 2002, Civil Service posts at the level of assistant secretary are covered by a revised scheme of performance related awards. The operation of the scheme is overseen by the committee for performance awards. The funding for such awards is based on 10% of the payroll for the posts covered by the scheme. Within the overall limit, payments of up to 20% can be made to individuals. The details...

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement: Departmental Procurement (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: My Department plans its annual procurement programme each year in the context of the annual Estimates process to identify the necessary scale of financial provision. Given the scale of the Department and its limited direct purchasing requirements, a formal annual procurement plan is not considered necessary. Most of the Department's procurement is in the area of consultancies, IT and office...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Since its decision to refuse further extension to planning on the site of the Tallaght stadium, my Department has been kept informed by South Dublin County Council of its ongoing efforts to regain ownership of the site. My Department has previously indicated that it is prepared to support South Dublin County Council in putting together a financial package which would ensure the completion of...

Written Answers — Olympic Games: Olympic Games (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The selection of London last July as the host city for the 2012 games offers Ireland an unprecedented opportunity for businesses, tourism and sport. I have met David Hanson, Northern Ireland's Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, for discussions on a number of sports issues, including the opportunities relating to London hosting the 2012 summer Olympic games and paralympic games. The...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Officials of my Department would be pleased to discuss proposals for the improvement of facilities at the club in question with South Dublin County Council. Substantial funding has been provided by my Department towards the development of facilities at the club and the new clubhouse facilities were recently completed. The provision of funding towards the development of modern synthetic...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Annual reports for 2004 have been provided and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in respect of the following bodies under the aegis of my Department: the Irish Sports Council, Horse Racing Ireland, Bord na gCon, Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd, Fáilte Ireland, and Tourism Ireland Ltd. The Irish Film Board's 2004 annual report has been presented to Government and is in the...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I approved the detailed contract documents submitted by Kildare County Council for the proposed swimming pool in Naas in March 2005. Subsequent to this approval, however, Kildare County Council indicated to my Department that it proposed to change the site for the project. The council provided an addendum to the preliminary report relating to the proposed new site and it submitted the revised...

Written Answers — National Sports Stadium: National Sports Stadium (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: On 27 January 2004, the Government decided not to proceed with the development of a national stadium at Abbotstown and, instead, to provide funding of €191 million to the joint IRFU/FAI project for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium. The Lansdowne stadium project has made good progress and the company charged with delivery of the project, Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company,...

Written Answers — Arts Policy: Arts Policy (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council, a State body funded by my Department and independent in its day-to-day operations. As a once-off, exceptional measure and in a cultural tourism context, I made an allocation of €250,000 to the Anna Livia Festival in 2005 from funds that became available from within my...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (25 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003, apply to all public bodies and agencies directly under the aegis of my Department other than Tourism Ireland Ltd. which is not subject to the Freedom of Information Acts. Tourism Ireland Ltd. is a North-South co-operation body accountable to the North-South Ministerial Council and, as is the case with the six North-South implementation bodies...

Tourism Promotion. (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The hosting of the Ryder Cup at the K Club in September is a key event for Irish tourism this year. While the event itself will undoubtedly contribute significantly to overseas tourism revenues in 2006, the principal benefits of the agreement between Ireland and the European tour will flow from the promotional package that is part of the agreement and which has extended in the nine years...

Tourism Promotion. (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: As the House is aware, all broadcasting matters, including the broadcasting of major events, are governed by the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 and the associated Designation of Major Events Order 2003, which fall under the remit of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey. In this regard, I understand the Minister recently...

Tourism Promotion. (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: My understanding is that the closing date for receipt of submissions to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is 27 January. I am not privy to information on the source or contents of these submissions. I have said it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter, pending a review of the submissions by the Minister. I confirm, however,...

Sports Sponsorship. (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: On 22 September 2004, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children launched the second report of the strategic task force on alcohol, which included representatives of my Department and the Irish Sports Council. The report recommends that national sporting bodies, with high youth participation, develop a proactive strategy to find an alternative to alcohol sponsorship. I support this...

Sports Sponsorship. (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Everyone will welcome the code of ethics published by the Irish Sports Council and the fact that sponsorship is not allowed in the GAA where people under the age of 21 are concerned. They will also agree that where sponsorship and advertising occurs, it should be appropriate and proportionate. There should not be an over-sell in this context. The difficulty sports organisations in general...

Tourism Industry. (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I have already stated very clearly in the House, and particularly in response to Question No. 5 on 22 March 2005, my views on the tourism impact of price increases prior to or during major sporting and other events. While excessive profiteering by a small segment of the sector around special events may be legal, it is not helpful to the reputation of any tourism destination. It may be capable...

Tourism Industry. (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I do not consider that legislation is the answer to this problem. The fact that publicans must display their prices is welcome. The Director of Consumer Affairs was highly critical of eight Kilkenny publicans recently, and rightly so. However, she confirmed that the majority of publicans do not increase their prices in the way in which those Kilkenny publicans did. The regulations governing...

Sports Capital Programme. (26 Jan 2006)

John O'Donoghue: All applications for funding received under the 2006 sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, will be considered in accordance with the various requirements and assessment criteria which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. Primary and post-primary schools wishing to be considered for funding under the programme may only apply for...