Results 881-900 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Broadcasting Sector (21 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: The local media sector, which the Deputy refers to in his question, plays an essential role in sharing reliable and relevant news and bringing communities together. The wider media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. This is in part due to the increased digitalisation of news and media content generally and the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (20 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland who manage the register of hotels for the country. I am advised...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Media Sector (20 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: The local media sector plays an essential role in sharing reliable and relevant news and bringing communities together. The wider media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. This is in part due to the increased digitalisation of news and media content generally and the associated decline in advertising revenue as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: With the greatest respect, I did not speak over Deputy Gould. This is to be expected with an issue of such importance. It is to be welcomed that these different views are expressed and teased out to ensure we get to the right decision. I am not afraid. I am the Minister with responsibility for media and I will take this decision and make a recommendation to the Government. There is no...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gaeltacht Policy (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: My Department works to support language networks right across the island of Ireland, including through the work of Foras na Gaeilge. In particular, the language planning process as set out under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 provides for the formal recognition of Gaeltacht service towns and Irish language networks as identified under the Act. Gaeltacht service towns are towns in, or adjacent...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gaeltacht Policy (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: You do not have to be fluent in the Irish language to love our native tongue. I commend the Deputy for showing that love of the language and trying to support it here. We should never be fearful of stumbling, getting grammar wrong or forgetting our séimhiús. It is about using and promoting the language, even if it is through putting questions in English, which is fantastic. It...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gaeltacht Policy (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: My Department has a scheme to develop Irish language centres and there might be potential to do something in Cork in that regard. I will follow up with my officials and get back to the Deputy. There is a scheme to develop Irish language centres and I believe there is potential for doing something in Cork in this regard given the desire for the promotion of and support for the Irish language.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: Public service media is critical to our society, our distinct culture and language and our democracy. It requires and deserves a stable and sustainable funding model. I am strongly committed to securing a Government decision in that regard no later than the summer. There are a number of options through which this aim can be delivered. It should be noted that I have not stated that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: As I said earlier in the week in this Chamber, it will be before the summer, but the sooner the better as far as I am concerned. However, as the Deputy pointed out, the controversy has pointed to the fact that reform needs to go hand in glove with the decision on the funding model. That is why I am waiting for the two expert committee reports on culture and governance and on HR matters....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: Absolutely. I emphasise-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: A number of issues were raised. The Government is clear in its commitment to the reform of the TV licence. I said in recent weeks that I am certainly not fearful of making that decision ahead of the European elections. What is of paramount importance is that a decision is made. I respectfully suggest that it is certainly not Government parties that are playing politics with RTÉ. Of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: Monaghan, in particular, is one of the strong contenders for Irish language network status. Upon achievement of that status, groups are provided with an additional financial allocation of €96,000 annually from my Department's Vote in the South and that of Foras na Gaeilge in the North. We are consulting Foras na Gaeilge and I understand Monaghan is one of the strong contenders. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Industry (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: I warmly welcome the restoration of the Assembly and Executive. I look forward to working closely with my counterpart in the Executive and to the early convening of the North–South Ministerial Council. In fact, I have already made contact with the office of the minister, Conor Murphy, to set up a call at the earliest opportunity. The North–South Ministerial Council will play...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Industry (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: Tourism Ireland is one of the most successful legacies of the Good Friday Agreement. I see it in action all the time. The wonderful all-island co-operation and the promotion of the island of Ireland and the all-island economy are so good for all communities across the island. The Shannon Pot and Cavan Burren Park discovery centre project is fantastic. We were there together at its...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tourism Industry (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: I am in absolute agreement with the Deputy, and that is why I so warmly welcome the restoration of the Assembly and Executive. I am really looking forward to working with my counterpart in the Executive and to the early convening of the North–South Ministerial Council. I have made contact with the office of the minister, Conor Murphy, and am looking forward to setting up a call at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: There is great support there for the arts sector and details of projects funded are available on the website of Galway Culture Company. These include previous projects such as Dear PrEUdence, an art exhibition with themes around mental health, and the PULSE drums programme. Ongoing projects and open calls include an artist bursary open call that provides support for artists from or living...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: The Deputy raised the issue of physical infrastructure as part of the legacy. The bid book for Galway 2020, on which it was awarded the designation of 2020 European Capital of Culture, set out that any new capital infrastructure to be delivered is part of Galway's cultural strategy 2016 to 2025, Everybody Matters, which is developed and managed by the local authorities. The bid book also...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: Foras na Gaeilge, an agency of the North-South language body, is charged with the promotion of the Irish language on an all-island basis. In carrying out its legislative mandate, Foras na Gaeilge provides support, advice and financial assistance to many groups who promote the language. An scéim forbartha lionraí Gaeilge is Foras na Gaeilge's multi-annual scheme to promote,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: As I said, more than €2.8 million has been provided to groups, North and South, under the scheme for 2022 and 2023. Now that the Northern Ireland Executive is up and running, officials in my Department will continue to work with the officials in the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland and the North-South language body, co-sponsored by my Department. I hope progress can be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Údarás na Gaeltachta (15 Feb 2024)

Catherine Martin: Tá formhór de na foirgnimh folamh ón tréimhse idir 2018 agus 2023 ach tá eisceachtaí ann freisin. Tá foirgnimh ann atá folamh le os cionn deich mbliana. Ní rud neamhghnáth é go mbeadh foirgnimh folmha ag áisíneachtaí forbartha eacnamaíochta leithéidí Údarás na Gaeltachta le punann mhaoine chomh...