Results 581-600 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Arts Funding. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I made the point earlier that I am committed to examining how we can move in that direction in the context of particular areas within the remit of the Arts Council.

Heraldry and Genealogy. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I have no statutory function for the matters referred to by the Deputy. The issuing of coats of arms and the administration of the Genealogical Office and Office of the Chief Herald are both the responsibility of the statutory board of the National Library of Ireland under sections 12 and 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. I have been advised that the board of the National...

Heraldry and Genealogy. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I advise anyone planning to pull down their coat of arms over their mantelpiece, as well as the shotgun, to hold off for a while.

Heraldry and Genealogy. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Action is on the way. It is not necessary to destroy one's coat of arms yet or take it off one's gate——

Heraldry and Genealogy. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: ——even if they are electric gates nowadays.

Heraldry and Genealogy. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Between 1949 and 2005 there was probably no power to grant the coats of arms that were being granted at the time by the Genealogical Office under the Chief Herald. In 1997, legislation passed by these Houses effectively legalised or regularised the post of Chief Herald. The legislation provides that "The Board shall, from time to time as occasion requires, designate a member of its staff to...

Heraldry and Genealogy. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: On a serious note, there is a tourism aspect to this issue which has been useful for the country and I would like to build on that. With the large number of our people throughout the world, this country requires a good professional genealogical service, which I believe we have.

National Stadium. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 57 together. The Government has provided €149 million in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 for the development of a national sports campus at Abbotstown. The Government, in November 2005, already approved the development of facilities under phase one of a development control plan prepared by Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited, the...

National Stadium. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The list I laid before the House includes projects for phase 1. In so far as we may move on to another phase I have asked the board to examine what might be included in future phases. The first project is the national field sports training centre, catering for rugby, soccer, Gaelic games and hockey. The indoor training centre accommodation, a sports science medical facility and an...

National Stadium. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It was not the size of the pitch that was the problem. I will ensure the pitches are of the required size as we develop them.

Tourism Promotion. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 10 and 44 together. Under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, the individual actions and measures relating to tourism promotion or development at regional level are day-to-day functions of the State tourism agencies, as is the promotion of individual product segments such as rural tourism. The Government has taken a number of steps to...

Tourism Promotion. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Deputy underlines the importance of the tourism industry, with almost 240,000 workers. If one takes a broad definition of hospitality it is arguably the largest employer in the State. It faces many challenges, including energy costs and wages. I have had many meetings with members of the industry. Remaining competitive is a major challenge for an industry of that size. A new challenge...

Tourism Promotion. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: On the issue of self-catering, I am aware that Fáilte Ireland took the decision to which the Deputy referred but then discussions took place between the self-catering organisations and Fáilte Ireland. I am not sure if the decision has been implemented as yet but I will check and revert to the Deputy. I am aware that the parties entered into a round of discussions as to how they might...

Arts Plan. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 22 together. The Arts Council has presented me with a copy of the report and I have studied its contents. As this report has not yet been published it would be inappropriate to comment on its recommendations at this stage. In advance of my considering the proposals further and discussing them with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science,...

Arts Plan. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I wish to thank the members of the arts in education committee who worked hard to present this report to the Arts Council and then to the Department. We have not yet completed our examination of the report but some of the recommendations must be discussed with the Department of Education and Science and the Arts Council before we would be in a position to publish the report. Some issues are...

Health Services. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I am pleased to deal with this issue on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Health Service Executive has informed the Department of Health and Children that the person referred to by the Deputy has transferred today, as the Deputy said, from the National Rehabilitation Hospital to the Hamilton Park Care Facility at Balrothery, Balbriggan. In the context of its...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The emissions trading scheme and the question of the inclusion of aviation is primarily a matter for my colleagues, the Ministers for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Transport. Accordingly, detailed questions on the issue would be more appropriately addressed to them. On the particular issue raised by the Deputy, I understand that final agreement on the proposal for a...

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I offer my best wishes to Deputy Mitchell on her appointment to the Fine Gael front bench as spokesperson on the important area of arts, sport and tourism. It is significant that south Dublin seems to have attracted similar portfolios. I am sure it is to the benefit of arts, sport and tourism.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I cannot say too much on these matters in the presence of the Ceann Comhairle. Technology will bring significant changes in this area. There is a dilemma in our arguing at European level to reduce aviation emissions because by doing so we create a disincentive to travel by air. However, one can square the circle somewhat. Experts say that modern technology permits larger aircraft built...

Sports Funding. (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I also wish Deputy Upton well in her new post, playing centre forward for the Labour Party in this important brief. I met the Gaelic Players Association, GPA, and the GAA on 11 and 17 October respectively at which the issue of player grants was discussed. These meetings were positive and useful in identifying the challenges which must be overcome in this issue. As I have previously...