Results 3,461-3,480 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Policies (1 Mar 2022)

Catherine Martin: While my Department has no specific policy in relation to specific accommodation types in the tourism sector, Fáilte Ireland operates the National Quality Assurance Framework which aims to provide consumers with easily identifiable and understood symbols and standards of service of accommodation and to ensure that those standards meet consumer expectations. Glamping...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Industry (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: There is much to address there. As I outlined earlier, there has been that increased funding in the form of the €35 million increase in the tourism marketing fund, as well the €36.5 million in capital funding for tourism product development. The Deputy will be aware the largest-ever investment announced last year by Fáilte Ireland in Westport, Dublin, Donegal and Cavan....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Industry (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: In budget 2022, the Government allocated €67.6 million in additional funding for tourism, thereby bringing the overall tourism services budget to €288 million. This funding will enable the tourism agencies to assist in the recovery of the sector. The funding allocated to the tourism agencies in 2022 includes €50 million for further business continuity support for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadcasting Sector (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: Disinformation is a significant and complex issue, as Deputy Murnane O'Connor has said, and requires a distinct and targeted response. The EU is currently reviewing the code of practice on disinformation in order to strengthen it and to link it to the forthcoming Digital Services Act, which will set out the standards for platforms in dealing with the issue. The code of practice is a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadcasting Sector (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: I want to address the previous issues that I did not get to conclude. I have provided €5.5 million to commence recruitment of staff. The aim is to pass the Bill by the summer. With regard to recruitment, officials are engaging with the PAS and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I expect to advertise for the key commissioner posts in coimisiún na meán in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: The tourism development authority is acting in line with its statutory functions under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003. Fáilte Ireland's remit does not extend to jurisdictions outside the State. From my engagement with Tourism Ireland, I am aware that it does an amazing job in promoting the entire island. Since the establishment of the North-South Ministerial...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: The three tourism agencies operate within a balanced ecosystem within the remit of the enabling legislation. Fáilte Ireland supports tourism enterprises in the Republic of Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland supports enterprises in Northern Ireland, while Tourism Ireland provides opportunities and support for enterprises across the whole island to promote their businesses overseas. As...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadcasting Sector (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 13 together. The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 will, when enacted, formally dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, and establish a new regulator, coimisiún na meán, which will be responsible for overseeing the regulation of broadcasting and video on-demand services and the new regulatory framework for online...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: As the national tourism development authority, in line with its statutory functions as set out in section 8(1)(a) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, Fáilte Ireland's role is to support the long-term sustainable growth of tourism in Ireland. Its remit does not extend to jurisdictions outside the State, such as Northern Ireland. Tourism Northern Ireland, which is a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Deputy. I cannot comment on the recommendations of the report until it comes to the Cabinet. As I said, I discussed the matter with the Taoiseach and with Cabinet colleagues quite recently, even this week. I expect it will be brought to all of Cabinet in the coming weeks. My ambition, as well as that of the Taoiseach, is to publish that report as soon as possible. None of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Policy (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: I am determined to ensure the voices of artists and art workers are heard in the development and delivery of supports to the sector. In terms of the basic income for the arts pilot scheme, as the Deputy will know, this recommendation arose from the recommendation from the arts and culture recovery task force and is subject to ongoing consultation. I believe the whole process must be based...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Policy (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Deputy. I am seeking to bring this to a conclusion and hope to be able to launch it shortly. As I said, however, it is such a groundbreaking initiative and a game changer. My focus is on getting it right and on the consultation with the very voices the Deputy said must be heard. It will be a three-year pilot, as promised. I am determined to get it right and that the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: A healthy, independent and well-functioning media system is critical to our democracy, providing a platform for diverse opinion, challenge and debate. It is also of key importance for our cultural vibrancy and development, not least in supporting Irish content in a globalised marketplace. Recognising this vital role played by the wider media sector in our society and the fact the media...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: To clarify, the commission completed its work and, last September, the detailed report was submitted the Taoiseach and me. It contains recommendations on a wide range of issues. I am not going to comment on the content of that report until it comes to Cabinet, but I will say there are far-reaching recommendations that require we give them appropriate consideration. They cannot be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Arts Policy (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: Before I answer, I acknowledge the devastating developments overnight in Ukraine. As the Minister, Deputy Coveney, said earlier, we utterly condemn this act of unjustifiable war and our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. The basic income for the arts pilot scheme will run over a three-year period and the intention is to research the impact a basic income would have on...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Schemes (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: The Basic Income for the Arts Pilot scheme will run over a three year period and the intention is to research the impact a basic income would have on artists and creatives work patterns by providing the opportunity to participants to focus on their practice, and to minimise the loss of skills from the arts as a result of the pandemic. Stakeholder engagement has been core to the policy...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: There are six vacancies existing on the Board of the Arts Council at present. These vacancies arose from the mid-term resignation of one member at the end of 2020 and with the expiry of five members' terms at the end of 2021. Under the Arts Act 2003, there is a Chair and 12 ordinary members on the Board of the Arts Council, all appointed by the Minister for a period of five years. The...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Broadcasting Sector (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: A vibrant, diverse and independent media sector is vital for not only our democracy but our cultural development. However, it is a sector that is undergoing fundamental change and faces significant challenges. Acknowledging both the importance of the sector and the rapidly changing landscape in which it operates, the Programme for Government committed to the establishment of the Future of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Online Safety (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: One of the most important aspects of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill is that it establishes a new, powerful regulator to enforce accountability in the sector. Coimisiún na Meán will include an Online Safety Commissioner to enforce not just this legislation, but also additional legislation and measures that will be brought forward at European level in the coming years....

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Policy (24 Feb 2022)

Catherine Martin: As our economy and society begins to open up post COVID-19, we have an opportunity to address sustainable development and management more meaningfully within the tourism ecosystem. Central to developing a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector will be an increased focus on the promotion and development of sustainable tourism practices such as ecotourism. Late last year, I brought a...