Results 301-320 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Industry (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and our communities is well understood. Drogheda is a key part of the ancient destination experience development plan, which is the Fáilte Ireland roadmap for the development of tourism in Louth and Meath, including the Boyne Valley and environs. In budget 2024, I secured total funding of €216 million for the tourism...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Industry (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: I have already mentioned the importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and specifically to Drogheda. The Deputy mentioned the €10 million but in budget 2024, there is a total of €216 million in funding for the sector, which would allow for continued support for tourism development in Ireland for local and overseas visitors. Within that €216 million, we had...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sports Funding (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: I am answering this question on behalf of the Minister of State, who has to leave for another commitment. On Friday, 3 May 2024, the participation nation outdoor fund was launched for the purchase and installation of barrier-free permanent sport equipment that can be placed on public land for community use. A portion of that fund, under the heading amuigh faoin spéir, is earmarked...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Programme for Government (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The meanwhile use of the buildings has also arisen during the discussions of the implementation group on the night-time economy task force. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is leading on this policy area and will be keeping the implementation group informed on progress. That Department will be key to delivery on these two areas, including the agents of change. It is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadcasting Sector (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Regarding the Sound and Vision scheme, a grant was made in recent weeks to a radio station based in Cork. An allocation of €65,000 was made last November. Some €80,000 went to Cork 96FM and C103 under the commercial radio round, and an award of €31,000 was made this April to Community Radio Youghal under the social benefit round. Coimisiún na Meán operates...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadcasting Sector (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: It is also important to remember that RTÉ has an obligation to provide a broad range of programmes for the benefit and enjoyment of the entire community.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadcasting Sector (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Absolutely, as I stated earlier, value is derived from the service being provided by local radio stations. I welcome the insights the report provides into the revenue, costs and profits in the sector in recent years. It might be of interest to the Deputy as well that I will meet representatives of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI, group tomorrow to discuss the challenges and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Programme for Government (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The programme for Government contains a number of commitments relating to creative and cultural infrastructure. First, with regard to national development plan investment in our national cultural institutions, the Department is working closely with the OPW and the national cultural institutions to progress delivery of major capital redevelopment projects through the infrastructure...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Programme for Government (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The agent of change principle could really impact not only on developing and sustaining our night-time economy but also on the broader plans for more sustainable urban communities. There is much discussion on how night-time venues can co-exist with residential development in our cities and urban areas. Finding ways to address these challenges is essential to establishing and maintaining...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadcasting Sector (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Radio continues to play a key role in our society, as evidenced by the latest JNLR report showing 80% of adults in Ireland tuning in daily. Radio news is a vital and trusted source of information for the public, particularly for local and regional services. Given the importance of the radio sector, at my request Coimisiún na Meán have prepared a report into the economic viability...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Absolutely and I stand by that. We had to wait for the expert advisory committee reports to land and they were delayed. This is the only reason. It has absolutely nothing to do with the local or European elections. I am absolutely determined to take the decision we made at Cabinet, with a recommendation from the Government, before the summer recess because public service media is critical...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The Deputy asked when the expert advisory committee reports will be published. They were published at the beginning of May. I brought them to Cabinet-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: As I said in reply to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Munster, when I brought the reports to Cabinet, RTÉ accepted all of the recommendations in principle. We as a Government accepted in principle the recommendations that relate to the Government or the Oireachtas joint committee. I announced that within six weeks an implementation plan would be brought to the Government. RTÉ is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: I want to state very clearly that all of us who own a TV are obliged to pay a TV licence. It is the law of the land. People should continue to purchase or renew their licence so that RTÉ and others who benefit from the broadcasting fund can continue to provide us with quality public service content. The public reaction to the controversy may be understandable but the licence fee...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and communities in every corner of Ireland is well understood. It is recognised that the use of tourist accommodation to support the Government's response to the humanitarian crisis has impacted the sector. In budget 2024, the Government allocated a total of €216 million in funding for the sector, which will allow for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The sports capital announcement of €250 million is the largest ever investment in sporting facilities nationwide. It represents a 50% increase on the previous round. As the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and I stated yesterday, it means that all applications for valid projects will receive positive news. We expect that to happen in the early autumn. That is really a signal...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: We have the recommendations from the expert advisory committees, EACs, but we are waiting for the implementation plan. RTÉ committed on the day the recommendations were published to accept all of them in principle, but I do want to see the implementation plan. I gave six weeks for that. It is to be available towards the last week of June. I just need to see that. The discussions...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Yes. I allowed a period of six weeks.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party work collaboratively and have done so for the past four years, so there is-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: There is no issue at Cabinet level. There is no dictatorship and we work collaboratively on this. We are absolutely united in taking this decision before the summer. The Deputy asked about the implementation plan. We gave six weeks. We need those concerned to outline how the recommendations in the plan will be actioned. There are some recommendations for the Government itself, so I...