Results 3,061-3,080 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: Go raibh míle maith agat a Chathaoirligh. Tá an-áthas orm fáiltiú ar ais roimh an gcoiste chun tosaíochtaí straitéiseacha na Roinne a phlé. The Minister of State and I are delighted to have the opportunity to speak to the committee on strategic priorities for tourism, culture, arts, sport and media. The Joint Committee on the Irish Language,...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Deputy, who has raised a significant, highly topical and current issue. As the committee is aware, there are significant cost inflation pressures for businesses, including tourism, at present but nonetheless, as the Deputy has said, Ireland has well-known attractions, many of which are in the Deputy’s own constituency. I think of the beautiful Carlingford which I go to...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: I am just saying that the hotel sector faces a range of challenges, in common with the wider economy, such as the sizeable increase in the cost of key inputs and the difficulty in recruiting and retaining key skills. These challenges are not unique to Ireland. They are shared by many countries around the world. It is very important that Ireland retains its reputation as a value-for-money...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: There are two parts to that. There is ongoing engagement with the officials. The hospitality and tourism forum that the Tánaiste and I co-chair will be meeting again. That is a good forum to address the issues. There has been engagement already, but my officials will be meeting with the Irish Hotels Federation and the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation tomorrow to consider how...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: There are a number of questions there.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: What I can say on the future of the media commission is that the discussions are ongoing and a number of Ministers are involved in the report. I continue to talk to the Taoiseach about the issue. I would like to see the matter brought to a conclusion shortly.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: With regard to the regional co-operative marketing fund, Tourism Ireland promotes regional air and sea access to Ireland in overseas tourism markets. A total of €3 million has been allocated to Tourism Ireland in 2022 for the regional co-operative marketing fund. This scheme will continue to form a very important part of Tourism Ireland's plan. The Senator's next question is on Airbnb.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: It is on Housing for All.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: The officials are working in consultation with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fáilte Ireland on scoping out the legislative provisions that will be required to underpin the system outlined in Housing for All. This is with a view to bringing forward legislative provisions in this regard later in 2022.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: No decision has been made on what the Cabinet might or might not do. Nothing has been decided on that. The first stage will be to bring it to the Cabinet. I am happy to discuss the publication of the report with members. The Senator has said we will bring forward a set of proposals.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: No such decision has been taken.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: The report covers a wide range. The approach the Cabinet will take has not been decided yet. We are still discussing the report with a small number of Ministers. No decision has been taken on the approach that will be taken.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: I am always happy to discuss any policy matters with the committee. We will see what will happen upon the publication of the report, but I am always available and I hope the committee members see that from the interaction-----

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: I am happy to discuss any policy matters with the committee members. Regarding local media, I am conscious of this matter. Another reason to move ahead with establishing coimisiún na meán concerns the supports needed for local media.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: It is a matter I have been considering for some time, but I received the expert group report just this morning. I will have to give it close consideration. The Senator's question is timely. As the Senator can imagine, it is a substantial report because it is a detailed body of work. I am now going to examine the recommendations in detail. In that context, I will be consulting my Cabinet...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: I intend to publish the report.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: I missed the Senator’s last question. I apologise.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: I will take the question on the Future of Media Commission first, because I have already addressed it. It is our intention to publish that shortly. We are having final meetings about it with the Ministers. As for the basic income for artists scheme, it is the case that I have no statutory function in social welfare means tests. That is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection....

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: As I said, I believe that a portion of the fund from the sale of the land has been ring-fenced by them for the digital and that will include the player.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Departmental Priorities and Legislation: Discussion (1 Jun 2022)

Catherine Martin: We are engaging with it all of the time. There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow between our officials, Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation, IHF, and the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, ITIC. Although the VAT reduction applies to a wide range of businesses, no potential options should be off the table when it comes to protecting our reputation as a value for money...