Results 1,861-1,880 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue
- Tourism Industry. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: The hotel is entitled to notify the maximum rack rent and sets the rack rent itself.
- Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: The horse and greyhound racing fund was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 for the purpose of giving support to both racing industries. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, 80% and 20% of the moneys paid into the fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon, respectively. In 2005, the total allocation from the Horse and...
- Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: We must accept that horse and greyhound racing are not just sports, they are industries and they support, directly and indirectly, approximately 15,500 people.
- Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: The Irish horseracing industry has the most successful record internationally of any sport in which we are involved. This has been proved at various race meetings across the globe. We also have an enviable greyhound industry; I would venture to say that it is the finest in the world. When an examination of the horseracing industry was undertaken, it was established that the thoroughbred...
- Drugs in Sport. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: Ireland's national anti-doping programme is administered by the Irish Sports Council, which is the statutory body responsible for the promotion and development of sport in Ireland. The programme, which was introduced in 1999, provides a high quality service which achieves its objectives of providing a fair and ethical sporting environment in Ireland through three primary approaches, namely,...
- Drugs in Sport. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: Despite earlier difficulties, I am satisfied that we have achieved a degree of co-operation in respect of our doping laws and rules from sporting organisations throughout the country. This is best evidenced by the number of tests that have taken place in the past year. In 2005, 962 tests, an increase of 44 on the figure for 2004, were carried out. These included 147 user-pay tests....
- Greyhound Racing Industry. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: In June this year, I met with Ms Maria Eagle, the Northern Ireland Minister with responsibility for culture, arts and leisure, to discuss a number of issues common to both Departments, including pursuing opportunities for all-island co-operation in the development of the horse and greyhound racing sectors. Previous meetings have also been held at both official and ministerial level in recent...
- Greyhound Racing Industry. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: When I met the Minister I explained to her that the greyhound racing sector in Northern Ireland was facing a number of hurdles, if I may be forgiven the pun. I suggested to her that because there was a division of responsibility for horseracing across a number of Departments and a general lack of funding, there could be no proper development of greyhound racing in the North. I sympathise...
- Greyhound Racing Industry. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: I understand that two of them are operational.
- Greyhound Racing Industry. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: While Bord na gCon's laboratory testing services are available to them, the uptake thus far has been disappointing. It is true that a significant number of dogs from the North race in the South and they pick up approximately 15% of the prize money every year. The breeding of greyhounds is regulated by the Irish Coursing Club for all of Ireland, although there has been a lack of...
- Greyhound Racing Industry. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: If the political mechanisms are put in place in the North, it should be possible for us to have discussions with the new Northern Ireland Executive about developing the horse and greyhound racing industry in Northern Ireland. Tourism Ireland has proved to be a really important template in this respect as it has been very successful. As a Kerryman from the deep south, nothing would give me...
- Greyhound Racing Industry. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: We have been trying to develop the issue. The Secretary General of my Department, Mr. Phil Furlong, had a recent meeting with Mr. Pat Toal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland on the possibility of identifying structures which could be created to achieve a joint approach through horse and greyhound racing. We are continuing with our discussions, but the...
- Decentralisation Programme. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: As the Deputy is aware, my Department was designated by the decentralisation implementation group as one of the "early mover" Departments. The tender process for the permanent building was completed some months ago and OPW selected the preferred bidder â PJ Hegarty & Sons. Planning permission has been granted. I am advised by the OPW that construction of the new building is expected to...
- Decentralisation Programme. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: I am not familiar with the detail of the accommodation available. All I know is that it is very comfortable and very fit for the purpose required by the Department. I have received no complaint.
- National Concert Hall. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: On Thursday 13 April 2006, I announced that the Government had designated the Earlsfort Terrace site as the location of the new National Concert Hall. The Government also conveyed approval to finalise the purchase of the site from the UCD authorities as soon as possible. Contracts for the purchase of the interest of University College Dublin in the Earlsfort Terrace site were executed on 20...
- National Concert Hall. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: I agree with Deputy Deenihan that the PPP process is a complex one and this proved to be the case with regard to the national conference centre. We are reaching the finishing line in so far as the national conference centre is concerned. Subject to certain details being agreed, it may well be possible to go on site in the not too distant future with a view to constructing the new national...
- National Concert Hall. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: Deputy Deenihan will be aware that it is not possible for me to give any commitment because it is a matter for the board of the National Concert Hall. However, I will bring his comments to the attention of the chairperson and members of the board of the National Concert Hall and communicate their views to the Deputy.
- Sports Capital Programme. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: Since 1998, â¬900 million has been expended on sport both in the development of sports facilities and in funding sports programmes, which include supports for funding our elite sportspersons. This funding has ensured that Ireland no longer lags behind other countries in the facilities and supports provided for elite athletes. The ongoing significant investment in sport by the Government...
- Sports Capital Programme. (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: In 2006 the Government provided â¬1 million to establish the institute. In 2007, its first full year of operation, the institute will have a budget of â¬3.5 million. The London task force is comprised of individuals who have an involvement with the Institute of Sport and the Irish Sports Council. For example, Mr. Seán Kelly, who is the executive chairman of the Institute of Sport will...
- Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (26 Oct 2006)
John O'Donoghue: On 24th July last, I announced a new scheme to support investment in arts and culture infrastructure. This new scheme, called ACCESS II, or the Arts and Culture Enhancement Support Scheme II, will run from 2007 to 2009. The scheme is intended to provide a further impetus to the refurbishment and development of arts and culture facilities â thereby enhancing the quality of life for our...