Results 901-920 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (29 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a 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. Accordingly, the provision of...

Written Answers — National Museum: National Museum (29 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Questions Nos. 2379/09 and 2257/09 on Wednesday 28th January 2009 relating to this issue.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 118 and 214 together. I would like to advise the House that the National Archives, the National Library of Ireland, and the Irish Manuscripts Commission are distinct institutions, established under various legislative acts. Accordingly, the merger of these organisations will require primary legislation. As I stated in my reply to Questions Nos. 76, 77 and...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme, which was introduced in section 29 of the Finance Act 2007 and launched in June 2008, provides tax incentives for investment in tourism attractions and facilities in the designated Mid-Shannon Corridor. The Mid-Shannon Tourism Investment Board, selected by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, in consultation with the Minister for...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 116 together. 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...

Written Answers — Departmental Capital Projects: Departmental Capital Projects (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 212 together. A number of landmark capital projects under the aegis of the Department are currently at various stages of development, from the pre-contract stage to the phase of nearing completion. National Theatre The Abbey Theatre is to be redeveloped by way of a public-private partnership on a site at George's Dock. This site was chosen following...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to the response given to Deputy Upton in respect of Priority Question Number 95 (reference 2480/09) of today's date. The National Aquatic Centre (NAC) is operated by NSCDA (Operations) Ltd., a subsidiary company of the National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA). All day-to-day operations of the NAC are a matter for the Authority and the operations company....

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

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 19th November 2008 last to question 41832/08. As I outlined in that reply, under measures introduced in the 2009 budget, all Government Departments and State Agencies are to achieve a range of reductions and savings in 2009, both on pay and non-pay expenditure, and the Arts Council is no exception. These include a 3% reduction in the level of their 2008...

Written Answers — Beijing Olympic Games: Beijing Olympic Games (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has statutory responsibility for encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive sport and the achievement of excellence in competitive sport. In this regard the ISC works in partnership with the Irish Institute of Sport, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Paralympic Council of Ireland and the relevant...

Written Answers — Abbey Theatre: Abbey Theatre (28 Jan 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 — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 218 and 220 together. As I outlined in my reply of 19th November 2008 last to Question No. 41808/08, 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 — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy is aware; it is primarily a matter for my colleague, Brendan Smith, T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to negotiate the new Fisheries Control System, which is scheduled to come into effect on 1st January 2010. There is no doubt that the proposal as it is currently framed — to count catches of fish taken through recreational fishing against the relevant quotas...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 125 together. I informed the House yesterday by way of written answer that the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism had asked Fáilte Ireland to arrange an objective and independent study of the feasibility of a Regional Conference Centre in the Shannon/Limerick area. Indecon Consultants were engaged to carry out the feasibility study, the report of...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The tax relief on donations to certain sports bodies scheme, established under section 847a of the Taxes Consolidation Act came into effect from 1st May 2002. It allows for tax relief on donations made to approved sports bodies for the funding of sports capital projects. This scheme applies to donations of over €250 made towards expenses incurred by an approved sports body in relation to a...

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

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question 44676 of 9th December 2008. As outlined in that reply, the Per Cent for Art scheme, when launched, was accompanied by a set of Guidelines to assist with its implementation. The Guidelines included a commitment to review the scheme and this process is now underway. The review of the working and implementation of the Per Cent for Art Guidelines has...

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

Martin Cullen: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Since 1998 the Government has allocated over €725m in sports capital funding to over 7,400 sports projects across the country. This investment has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland have an excellent working relationship and engage in a number of joint initiatives, such as the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport, the All Island Sports Development Conference and programmes such as Youth Sport West. The high level All Island Planning Group, which includes the Chairperson and Chief...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Pursuant to its Statement of Strategy 2008-2010, one of the Department's high-level goals is to promote close co-operation between the arts/culture, sport and tourism sectors in order to enhance their shared contribution to the social and economic well being of the country. I am actively realising this goal in the following manner. Tourism is a key driver of the Irish economy, and world...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 134 together. At the end of last year, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published its thematic report "Tourism Trends 2007", which brings together tourism statistics from a variety of sources to provide a useful reference source to those interested in the tourism sector. This report shows clearly the progress of tourism in recent years,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: In 2006, the Government approved the establishment of the Irish Institute of Sport. The Institute has been working with the national governing bodies of sport and the elite athletes in ensuring that they have available to them the most up-to-date supports as they prepare to represent Ireland at international events and the Olympic Games. As Deputies will be aware, the Executive Chairperson,...