Results 841-860 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

National Theatre. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I do not have a problem with that.

National Aquatic Centre. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The National Aquatic Centre is operated by NSCDA (Operations) Limited, a subsidiary company of the National Sports Campus Development Authority. All day-to-day operations of the National Aquatic Centre are a matter for the authority and the operations company. In parallel with overseeing the ongoing operation, in 2008 the authority undertook an international benchmarking exercise comparing...

National Aquatic Centre. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am happy to deal with the issue. The international benchmarking report was prepared by Mazars——

National Aquatic Centre. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I cannot tell the Deputy as I did not hire it. The history of the aquatic centre has been unhappy but I give credit to the chairman, Mr. Dan Flinter, and the group there currently, which has done a remarkable job since it took it over. The numbers have been brought back from approximately 350,000 and the group has addressed a raft of problems in the way the facility was being run. There...

National Aquatic Centre. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I agree that we must maximise this world class facility. We should use it.

Arts Funding. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 57 and 291 together. The State appreciates and values the contribution the arts sector has made to the internationally renowned artistic reputation of this country. Even within the current economic constraints I do not consider investment in the arts, culture and creative sectors as somehow discretionary. As Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, I was...

Arts Funding. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy raised a number of points. I agree with her that the industry is dispersed throughout the country. It percolates down into small communities and villages and the people involved in it get good employment. The industry plays an important role in the heart and spirit of many communities. Unlike many other businesses, it has the capacity to get into areas. Through the Arts...

Arts Funding. (3 Mar 2009)

Martin Cullen: I hope we took the right decision and the early indications are that we did. Rather than people losing their jobs, I expect all the jobs in the film sector will be sustained this year in Ireland because it was indicated in Los Angeles last week that there is €150 million worth of potential projects in the pipeline.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: In the 2009 Estimates, €56m has been provided in my Department's vote to cover payments to be made from the C1 subhead, out of which grants are paid for the provision of sports and recreation facilities. The club in question was allocated €200,000 under the Sports Capital Programme in 2004 for a pitch, security fencing and floodlights and the Department is considering a proposal from the...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: Platitudes.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (25 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The funding of the Gaelic players grant schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2009. In light of the current economic constraints and the reduction in the ISC's allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, I am having discussions with the Council on optimum funding options, in order to maintain its existing programmes while...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: In the calendar years from 2004 to 2008, inclusive, the Department did not produce printed material which was printed abroad. The award of printing contracts, like any other contract awards, is subject to the Department of Finance's public procurement guidelines, with which the Department complies.

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The provision of current funding for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is a matter for the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. No provision was made in my Department's 2009 Abridged Estimates Volume for Capital programme for Comhaltas. However, the question of funding for Comhaltas being provided in my Department's Revised Estimates Volume for 2009 is being finalised in...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 to 299, inclusive, together. The funding of the Gaelic players' grant schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2009. In light of the current economic constraints and the reduction in the ISC's allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, I am having discussions with the Council on optimum...

Written Answers — National Concert Hall: National Concert Hall (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ. 2482/09 on 28th January 2009. The redeveloped National Concert Hall is being procured by means of a Design/Build/Finance/Maintain Public Private Partnership. It is envisaged that payments will be over the 25-year period of the contract. The ownership of the site and facility remains with the State. These will be licensed to the Private Partner for the...

Written Answers — Abbey Theatre: Abbey Theatre (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: A Public Private Partnership contract for the proposed new National Theatre (Abbey) project has not been awarded yet. I would refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No 113 on Wednesday 28 January 2009 for the current position.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The grantee in question was provisionally allocated a grant of €200,000 for the development of an all-weather training pitch in 2006. A provisional grant allocation is subject to the terms and conditions of the Programme, which include the execution of a Deed of Covenant and Charge. A Deed provides, inter alia, for a refund of the grant in the event of the facility not continuing to be...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The position is that following meetings between Galway Co. Co., the Chief State Solicitor's Office and my Department, advice was sought from the Attorney General's Office on issues that were pertinent to the contractual arrangements reached between Galway Co. Co. and a private developer in relation to the project. This advice was conveyed to Galway Co. Co. on 7 November 2008 advising that the...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: The grantee in question was provisionally allocated a grant of €50,000 towards development of a natural playing surface under the 2008 Sports Capital Programme. On November 28th 2008 my Department formally approved the project and now awaits submission of original, valid and paid invoices by the grantees to the Sports Capital section so that the grant can be paid. The club did not submit...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Cullen: There are no civil servants employed in my Department who are also in receipt of a civil service pension.