Results 781-800 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Natural History Museum: Natural History Museum (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: As stated in my reply to Question Nos. 102 and 11, on 28th January 2009, an extensive refurbishment and redevelopment plan has been drawn up for the Natural History Museum at an estimated cost outside the scope and capacity of current budgets. This plan included work to the fabric of the building as well as environmental controls and a new glass extension to facilitate disabled access and to...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 59 together. Because of the current budgetary constraints, it is not intended to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at this time. The matter will be reviewed again later this year. A total of 57 applications were received under the current round of the Programme, of which 40 projects have been completed and opened to the...

Written Answers — Visitor Attractions: Visitor Attractions (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: On 13 January, the Secretary General of my Department, accompanied by the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Tourism, met with the Chairman of the Commissioners of Public Works, and the Commissioner responsible for the management of visitor attractions in the care of the OPW. During this meeting, the officials of my Department reaffirmed the importance of the OPW attractions to our...

Written Answers — Sports Museum: Sports Museum (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: As I stated in my reply to Questions. Nos. 822 to 847 of 27 January 2009, the position is that progress on these two commitments and the other commitments in the Programme for Government is being sustained commensurate with available resources. A steering committee chaired by my Department has been established to oversee the Museum of Irish Literature project and work on the drafting of...

Written Answers — Sports Promotion: Sports Promotion (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: In my Department's Statement of Strategy 2008 — 2010, under the section relating to the five-year Programme for Government a series of commitments, in respect of sport, for achievement in the period to 2012, are included. I am pleased to say that action is being taken in a progressive manner in these areas to ensure that these targets are met. As Deputies will be aware many of the...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: On 2 December last, I announced the establishment of the Tourism Renewal Group. The Group met for the first time on 18 December 2008 and has already met on two occasions since, on 27 January and on 24 February 2009. I understand that the Group has agreed a calendar of regular meetings in the coming months. This high-level Group, which is chaired by Maurice Pratt and comprises...

Written Answers — Philanthropic Support: Philanthropic Support (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 77 together. The Department pro-actively engages in a range of supports to facilitate philanthropy and sponsorship in the arts, culture and sport. Tax Relief Scheme — Arts/Culture Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, as amended, is a scheme of tax relief for the donation of heritage items to the National Collections. The scheme allows...

Written Answers — National Museum: National Museum (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 73 together. The next phase of the development of the National Museum at Collins Barracks is the provision of the new Centre Block building. The development of the Centre Block has not been cancelled. Progress on the project is at an advanced stage and the Office of Public Works is currently finalising tender documents, which should be ready by April....

Written Answers — National Library: National Library (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The amalgamation of the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission into the National Library of Ireland is proceeding. An implementation group comprising officials of my Department and the Directors and Chair of the three bodies involved has been formed and has met to plan the way forward. It will be necessary to prepare legislation to give effect to the amalgamation and to have...

Written Answers — Asgard I Conservation: Asgard I Conservation (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The conservation of the Asgard is a unique project to protect in the long term a vessel of both National and international importance for future generations to view and appreciate. The Asgard is an archaeological object as defined in the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. It is fitting therefore that it should find a home in the National Museum in close proximity to the related military...

Written Answers — Sports Participation: Sports Participation (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive sport and for increasing participation in recreational sport. The ISC, under its research remit, is striving to develop a profound understanding of sport in Ireland that can inform policy and investment over the coming years. The ISC...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: In 2006 the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre by way of a public private partnership on a site at George's Dock, on a build, finance and maintain basis. This site was chosen following an extensive search exercise conducted by the Office of Public Works that involved the examination of a number of options. This PPP project is now being progressed on the...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: All of the agencies under my Department's remit with overseas responsibilities are aware of the need to promote a positive image of Ireland overseas and cooperate with other State agencies in this regard as appropriate. Tourism Ireland, as the organisation with responsibility for the overseas marketing of Ireland as a tourist destination, has a key role in ensuring that our overseas image...

Written Answers — Local Government Charges: Local Government Charges (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy is aware, the levying of rates and service charges is an independent function of the Local Authorities. I am acutely conscious of the impact of the various local authority charges on the hotel and hospitality sector and indeed the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group raised the issue in its June 2008 report to me. I am also aware that the Commission on Taxation is also...

Written Answers — World Boxing Championships: World Boxing Championships (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a day to day matter for Fáilte Ireland to encourage, promote and support either inside or outside the State (a) the development of Tourism traffic within and to the state and (b) the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State. In that context...

Written Answers — National Stadium: National Stadium (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: At the outset it is necessary to describe the background to the concept of a sports campus at Abbotstown. The concept emerged from the 1999 PricewaterhouseCoopers feasibility study "A Stadium for a New Century." In January 2000 the Government adopted the study and decided to proceed with the development of Sports Campus Ireland at Abbotstown with Stadium Ireland as its centrepiece. At this...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together. The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 for the purpose of giving support to both racing industries. Under the provisions of the Act, the Fund has, from 2001 to 2008, received a guaranteed level of finance each year. This was based on excise duty on off-course betting in the...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 80 together. I would refer the Deputies to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 108 and 212 of 28 January 2009. A number of landmark capital projects under the aegis of the Department are currently at various stages of progression, including the redevelopments of the National Theatre and the National Concert Hall, the development of the National...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Agreed Programme for Government commits to the roll out of the Local Sports Partnership programme on a nationwide basis to provide for the development of sport at local level. The Irish Sports Council has a statutory role in the promotion and development of sport, including initiatives such as the Local Sports Partnership network, through which sports initiatives at local level are...

Written Answers — Sports Facilities: Sports Facilities (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 76 together. 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...