Results 521-540 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Ministerial Appointments. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Deputy for her questions. She is right to suggest I should consider all these issues in the context of the new appointments. I hope I will have an opportunity to bring better coherence to the relationship between the Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland. I do not have any say in the composition of the Olympic Council of Ireland. Neither the Government nor...

Ministerial Appointments. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: Other people have a role in that. The only direct role I have relates to the Irish Sports Council. When I met representatives of both bodies, I was fairly blunt and straight in my assessment of the relationship between them. There have been further meetings between some of the people on both sides in recent days and weeks. Every time they meet, I am told everything is wonderful. Like the...

Ministerial Appointments. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: There is a range of options. I am trying to think outside the box in terms of what can be done. There are strong personalities involved. No matter what one does in terms of structure at times, it may not have an effect in regard to personal relationships. That is at the core of some of the issues. I have examined the options and there are upsides to some of them but, unfortunately, they...

Sports Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: The funding of the Gaelic players grant schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2009. In the agreement reached in November 2007 with the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association, provision was made for the introduction of two schemes through the ISC to recognise the outstanding contribution of senior Gaelic inter-county players to...

Sports Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I told both bodies I would meet them. I have met the GAA and I will meet GPA.

Sports Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: It was an additional sum of money. That is where the core problem arises.

Sports Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am sure we would all agree that the contribution that Gaelic players make to sport in this country, particularly the sports in which they participate, is significant. The difficulty is that the €3.5 million which was given was over and above the funding provided; it came from a different pot and was simply given to the Irish Sports Council to pay out. The problem I have is that this...

Sports Funding. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: That is what I said in my reply to the Deputy. I am trying to resolve this issue in the context of the overall budget I have. That is not easy because I am not being given much assistance by anybody in terms of their funding allocations to assist in this process. All the messages to me from all involved has been clear. They do not see or would not accept in any way that their funding...

Natural History Museum. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: The position, as stated in my reply to parliamentary question, reference number 16464/09, on 28 April 2009, is that a programme of works for the Natural History Museum has been agreed between the National Museum of Ireland, the Office of Public Works and my Department. This programme of works is designed to facilitate the reopening of the museum in September of this year and includes work to...

Natural History Museum. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: This is the first summer in which I have had direct responsibility for the Natural History Museum, and I am glad to say a major exhibition is open in Collins Barracks and is going very well. I opened it myself and it is quite significant. It is better than nothing.

Natural History Museum. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I would not consider what the National Museum does as pathetic in any way. All its exhibitions are fairly good.

Natural History Museum. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I did not say it was a substitute. I was rebutting the point that there is nothing happening and nothing available to the public. The opposite is the case. Many people who are committed to the Natural History Museum have put much work into making it happen. The Deputy is right in saying that the major project has not started. I do not want to wait around until it happens, so I moved the...

Natural History Museum. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: The information I have is that a ramp is being added to the front door to facilitate the people to whom the Deputy refers. I do not have the information the Deputy requires before me but I will try to get it.

National Theatre. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: Progress is ongoing on the new national theatre project. The project is complex and, as the Deputy knows, there is a myriad of technical, procedural and legal factors to be addressed. The successful delivery of this project is a priority for the Department and the Government in the programme for Government and the national development plan. Arising from the original Government decision, an...

National Theatre. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I would not agree with the Deputy. The project will get off the blocks. It is a PPP project and there is commitment to it. The Deputy may be aware that there have been enormous technical problems with regard to the site and issues have arisen with regard to the type, shape, style and engineering of the building on the site that has been offered. There has been constant reconfiguration and...

National Theatre. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: It will be a build, finance and maintain project.

National Theatre. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: To give an honest assessment, it will probably be a four-year project.

National Theatre. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: Yes. I hope that will be possible. From the project's point of view that is a good thing because it gives it an excellent chance of actually proceeding.

National Theatre. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: If it were to start tomorrow there might be pressure but because the project will not be completed for a few years it is to be hoped we will be well out of our economic difficulties by then.

National Theatre. (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Cullen: I assure the Deputy that is not the case. It has been more to do with technical problems.