Results 661-680 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: As part of the Good Friday Agreement, tourism was designated an area for cooperation under the North-South Ministerial Council. In December 1998, the parties to the Agreement decided that a publicly owned limited company would be established by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the then Bord Fáilte Éireann to carry out functions aimed at promoting tourism to the island of Ireland....

Written Answers — Sports Facilities: Sports Facilities (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: The nationwide audit of sports facilities is being carried out in stages to help speed up the availability of information. Phase one, which focuses on national and regional sports facilities, has now been completed within my Department. Phase two of the audit, which is a more complex undertaking to establish a record of existing sports facilities at local level and identifying the need for...

Written Answers — Olympic Games: Olympic Games (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012. The Task Force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff within my Department. The Task Force...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Parliamentary Question No. 76 of today's date. The Supplementary Budget for 2009 was a necessary measure dictated by the current national and global economic position. The Government has taken and will continue to take whatever measures are necessary to restore and renew our economy. These measures include stabilising our public finances and...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together. On 20 April last, I launched the Department's new scheme 2009-2012 pursuant to the Official Languages Act 2003. This scheme, the second successive one of its kind, commits the Department to the provision of a range of services in both Irish and English. In particular, the Department's new scheme continues the delivery of commitments to...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: No primary legislation was so approved in the time period in question. On 9 April 2009, Dáil Éireann approved the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2009, which is secondary legislation of a purely national nature.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 319 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the allocation of the proceeds of the National Lottery is a matter for the Minister for Finance. The elements of my Department's Vote which are part-funded by proceeds of the National Lottery are as follows: Subhead C.1 – Grants for sporting bodies and for the provision of sports and recreational facilities...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 320, 321 and 328 together. Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Since 1998, over €725 million has been allocated to over 7,400 projects...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 322, 323 and 329 together. As I outlined in my reply of 28th January, 2009 last to Question No. 2407/09 Government Policy on the Arts is set out in the Programme for Government and is elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy. My policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: There are currently 37 staff in my Department in receipt of long service increments. The estimated cost per annum of these long service increments is €126,000. In those particular payscales where long service increments are payable, such increments are paid after 3 and 6 years satisfactory service at the maximum of the scales.

Other Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to Priority Question No. 79 which I have answered earlier today.

Other Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: The funding was not specifically ring-fenced. An extra allocation was made if I recall correctly, although I was not responsible for the matter at the time. I am being perfectly frank with the Deputy. We are in very different and difficult circumstances and while I would be very pleased to allocate €3.5 million for the GAA players and would have no difficulty with that, the difficulty is...

Other Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I hope clarity may be brought to the matter as soon as possible. I am simply setting out the parameters and a decision must be made within those parameters. I accept that people do not wish to be in limbo. Grants were paid out at the very end of the season last year. I am unsure of Deputy O'Mahony's view generally speaking rather than on the politics of the issue. He is at the coal face...

Other Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: Perhaps I am not putting it across very well, but the point is there are myriad non-governmental bodies and national sporting bodies which receive small grants which barely keep such organisations going. Such bodies are nonetheless important to try to sustain a given sport. There simply is no room to take money out of such allocations and one would not find €3.5 million in any case. If...

Other Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I would apply that to a range of areas in many different Departments; it is not exclusive to my Department. I understand the bona fides of the point made by the Deputy, but the reality of Government is that one must make choices which are sometimes very difficult. We are also criticised for not reducing public expenditure substantially. One cannot have it both ways. It is either one or...

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 88, 94, 102, 108 and 324 to 327, inclusive, together.

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will permit it.

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I will go through the answer because it is substantial given the magnitude and importance of the question.

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that there was a reduction of 4.3% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for the first two months of 2009 compared with the corresponding period of 2008. Overseas visitor numbers for 2008 as a whole were down by 2.2% on the numbers experienced in 2007. While any reduction in the numbers of overseas visitors is disappointing,...

Tourism Industry. (28 Apr 2009)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy that any actions now to solve the problem this year would be very late. All the decisions with regard to this year have already been taken. There has been significant reorientation within the budgets for marketing expenditure, focusing on the different markets and the type of holidays being promoted. The Deputy is probably familiar with the new campaign on...