Results 5,681-5,700 of 10,556 for speaker:Niamh Smyth

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on Irish Dance Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Ms Ní Bhriain. I am sure there is a lot of enthusiasm in this room for the arguments she has made on behalf of Irish dance. The same can be said for other dance genres. I know of Born 2 Perform, for example, a contemporary jazz and hip-hop dance company that operates in a number of counties. I would make the point that there are other dance genres that are in the same...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on Irish Dance Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: Ms Carberry is absolutely right. Covid has brought a new appreciation for the simple things in life, such as school.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on Irish Dance Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: Dr. Ní Bhriain would probably like to come in on that too. I am mindful that we have ten minutes left and have got through only three members. I suggest that for the last ten minutes we allow the three members remaining to be called to ask their questions within two minutes. The ladies can take notes on the questions. I want to give Mr. Boylan an opportunity to engage with the...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on Irish Dance Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: I am sure Deputy McGrath will show that to Deputy O'Sullivan, no problem at all. He will hardly be shy about it.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on Irish Dance Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: At this point, I will give Mr. Boylan an opportunity to contribute. He has been waiting patiently and listening very attentively. I am sure he has some suggestions to make from hearing the views of members. I will bring him in at this point if he is willing.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on Irish Dance Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Mr. Boylan. Without being too hard on the ladies, we have three minutes to conclude, so I ask them to take just two minutes each to wrap up in response to the questions as best they can.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on Irish Dance Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: Mr. Boylan and Dr. Ní Bhriain have made a very strong and convincing case. It would be remiss of me not to mention Gavan Quigley, who is a dance teacher. His students wrote hundreds of letters and some of what was in those letters was very reflective of what the witnesses said today. Mr. Quigley teaches hip-hop, jazz and contemporary dance. The letters say that the performing arts...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Arts Council: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: I welcome, from the Arts Council, Professor Kevin Rafter and Ms Maureen Kennelly. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Professor Rafter to make his opening statement, which will be followed by questions from members of the committee. As the witnesses are aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on the website following the meeting. I would like them to note...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Arts Council: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: I thank Professor Rafter. I invite Ms Kennelly to make her opening statement.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Arts Council: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: That is fine.

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Arts Council: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: When Covid-19 first hit, the arts were left flummoxed as to what to do. Performing professional artists depend so much on live events, bums on seats and audience participation, whatever it might be. For that to suddenly disappear overnight was absolutely devastating. There has been a massive emphasis on online and virtual events and that is wonderful but I never want us to lose sight of...

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Arts Council: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: There was an array of comments, questions and observations. Who would like to respond?

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: Impact of Covid-19 on the Arts Council: Discussion (25 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: That brings us to a natural conclusion. I thank both witnesses for being here today and giving such insightful insight into their work. I hope they know their work is very much valued by the members of this committee and beyond throughout this very difficult time for our artists who have kept us all going and kept our spirits lifted. Go raibh míle maith agaibh to both witnesses for...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Commercial Rates (24 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: 99. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way in which local authorities in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath will be supported financially going forward to carry out their respective works plans in 2021 in view of the loss of income from the commercial rates waiver for businesses in order to survive during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Septic Tanks (24 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: 116. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to review the septic tank grant guidelines which are implemented by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37236/20]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Shared Island Unit (24 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: 134. To ask the Taoiseach the projects in counties Cavan and Monaghan which have been announced as part of the Shared Island Fund to date. [37551/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (24 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: 174. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a meeting will be arranged with his Department and council officials (details supplied) to discuss the North South Interconnector project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38232/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Correspondence (24 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: 184. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if correspondence from a group (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38021/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Warmer Homes Scheme (24 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: 199. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the delay in the provision of the warmer home grants due to increased demand; his views on whether this increased demand is due to a change in criteria; if he will allocate funding to meet the additional demand; if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) and expedite...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Authority Funding (24 Nov 2020)

Niamh Smyth: 207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; if his attention has been drawn to losses of vital funding to local authorities; his plans to review the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38344/20]