Results 941-960 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Tourism Industry. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I do not necessarily agree with the Deputy's overall introductory remarks and assessment. We must understand that we have a responsibility to the market for the messages we send concerning the direction in which tourism is going. The figures do not correspond with the Deputy's comments. The number of tourism visitors in recent years has risen to 8 million per year, which is a phenomenal...

Tourism Industry. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I simply do not accept the Deputy's remarks. I have stated that there are major challenges in 2009 and that the last quarter of 2008 was especially challenging.

Tourism Industry. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I do not. I am aware that the industry takes grave exception to some of the most irresponsible statements made by the Deputy in recent press releases. The Deputy sent out a message internationally that Irish tourism is in meltdown, which is utter rubbish. A previous statement from the Deputy used words such as "catastrophic" to describe the state of the industry.

Tourism Industry. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy's party leader comes to the House talking of the need to be responsible and to make responsible statements regarding Ireland. That is wrong. The Deputy is factually incorrect and is creating a nervousness in the industry which is unwarranted.

Tourism Industry. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy is sending a negative international message about tourism, which is not the case.

Tourism Industry. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I suggest the Deputy temper her language. Either she supports the tourism industry, or she does not.

Departmental Expenditure. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: As Deputies will be aware there has been a serious deterioration in the economic and budgetary situation since the budget for 2009 was presented by my colleague, the Minister for Finance. The much more challenging economic situation has significant implications for the evolution of the public finances. The Government is working on a five-year plan to restore balance with an overriding...

Departmental Expenditure. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Again, the Deputy has presented a figure that is correct but has so done in a distorted manner. Everyone knows that the cost of the Lansdowne Road redevelopment was removed from the budget allocation for 2009, as it was not going to be a repetitive capital cost, and one should be realistic. Moreover, while the Deputy is correct to suggest there have been cuts in some other areas, they have...

Departmental Expenditure. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The swimming pool programme has been rolling out at a fast pace right up to the present week, in which a project in Kilkenny will be opened. A total of 55 swimming pools have been approved under the programme, most of which have been built. While I do not have the precise figures to hand, I understand that approximately 12 remain that either are in construction or are finalising planning....

Tourism Industry. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I met the Irish Tour Operators Association, ITOA, in early December and therefore am well aware of the operators' concerns. I also remain in contact with other key tourism representative bodies, such as the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation and the Irish Hotels Federation. Tourism, as is the case with other industries, is affected by the global economic situation. In 2008, tourism in...

Tourism Industry. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: If issues as Deputy Mitchell highlighted arise — I do not have specific evidence of that but I will take what she states in good faith — they are very unhelpful and unacceptable practices. On the other side of that coin, the number of visitors who went to the cultural institutions last year, many of which are managed by the OPW, for the first time went over 3 million. It is a very...

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: The National Aquatic Centre, NAC, is operated by NSCDA (Operations) Limited, a subsidiary company of the National Sports Campus Development Authority. All day-to-day operations of the NAC are a matter for the authority and the operations company. Following the restoration of the NAC to the then Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited, on 1 December 2006, an extensive capital programme...

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I have just given the up-to-date figure, which is just over €1 million.

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: It is just over €1 million.

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I cannot say. However, I presume not because it would not be a function of my Department to pay rates.

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: If the Deputy wants to know the position which I have given her, last year the subsidy directly from my Department to the National Aquatic Centre was just over €1 million and this year it will be €1 million.

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: I cannot tell. I do not deal with rates and do not know from where that figure arises.

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Maybe the local authority could play its part and make the NAC rates-free. It has the power to do so.

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: Yes, fine——

National Aquatic Centre. (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Cullen: ——if it is a problem.