Results 10,621-10,640 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue

Greyhound Racing Industry. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: If the political mechanisms are put in place in the North, it should be possible for us to have discussions with the new Northern Ireland Executive about developing the horse and greyhound racing industry in Northern Ireland. Tourism Ireland has proved to be a really important template in this respect as it has been very successful. As a Kerryman from the deep south, nothing would give me...

Greyhound Racing Industry. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: We have been trying to develop the issue. The Secretary General of my Department, Mr. Phil Furlong, had a recent meeting with Mr. Pat Toal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland on the possibility of identifying structures which could be created to achieve a joint approach through horse and greyhound racing. We are continuing with our discussions, but the...

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: As the Deputy is aware, my Department was designated by the decentralisation implementation group as one of the "early mover" Departments. The tender process for the permanent building was completed some months ago and OPW selected the preferred bidder — PJ Hegarty & Sons. Planning permission has been granted. I am advised by the OPW that construction of the new building is expected to...

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I am not familiar with the detail of the accommodation available. All I know is that it is very comfortable and very fit for the purpose required by the Department. I have received no complaint.

National Concert Hall. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: On Thursday 13 April 2006, I announced that the Government had designated the Earlsfort Terrace site as the location of the new National Concert Hall. The Government also conveyed approval to finalise the purchase of the site from the UCD authorities as soon as possible. Contracts for the purchase of the interest of University College Dublin in the Earlsfort Terrace site were executed on 20...

National Concert Hall. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: I agree with Deputy Deenihan that the PPP process is a complex one and this proved to be the case with regard to the national conference centre. We are reaching the finishing line in so far as the national conference centre is concerned. Subject to certain details being agreed, it may well be possible to go on site in the not too distant future with a view to constructing the new national...

National Concert Hall. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Deputy Deenihan will be aware that it is not possible for me to give any commitment because it is a matter for the board of the National Concert Hall. However, I will bring his comments to the attention of the chairperson and members of the board of the National Concert Hall and communicate their views to the Deputy.

Sports Capital Programme. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Since 1998, €900 million has been expended on sport both in the development of sports facilities and in funding sports programmes, which include supports for funding our elite sportspersons. This funding has ensured that Ireland no longer lags behind other countries in the facilities and supports provided for elite athletes. The ongoing significant investment in sport by the Government...

Sports Capital Programme. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: In 2006 the Government provided €1 million to establish the institute. In 2007, its first full year of operation, the institute will have a budget of €3.5 million. The London task force is comprised of individuals who have an involvement with the Institute of Sport and the Irish Sports Council. For example, Mr. Seán Kelly, who is the executive chairman of the Institute of Sport will...

Sports Capital Programme. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The sports capital programme administered by my Department allocates funding to sporting and community organisations, local authorities and, in certain circumstances, schools and colleges, throughout the country. Priority is given to projects essential to improve sports performance or participation and, of these, the highest priority is given to projects in disadvantaged areas. The...

Sports Capital Programme. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: It is open to any school to make an application under the sports capital programme jointly with a club or clubs. As Deputy Deenihan will be aware, our concern is to ensure sufficient facilities in communities for use by everyone in the community. We have been successful in this respect to date. Since 1998, more than €470 million has been spent on facilities across the country and 5,721...

Sports Capital Programme. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: There is a good programme in operation in schools across the country, namely, the Buntús programme under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council. Our primary objective is to ensure sports facilities are made available and improved for all members of the community. Children in schools are as much at liberty to utilise community facilities as anyone else. I am conscious that an appropriate...

Art Collections. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Following my intervention with the Dublin Airport Authority, the Great Southern Hotel group returned all the works in its possession to the OPW last month. This followed a period of research by the visual arts consultant appointed by the Arts Council, who made visits to each of the Great Southern Hotels to codify the works. The Arts Council is confident that all works in Great Southern...

Art Collections. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: Arrangements are entered into with local authorities by the national cultural institutions from time to time to ensure items go on display in the regions and I encourage this. The Dublin Airport Authority returned 91 works from the Great Southern Hotel Group to the State and they are now in its possession. Arrangements are being made for their exhibition. We are still pursuing the remainder...

Tourism Industry. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The New Horizons report of the tourism policy review group found widespread acceptance of the importance of good management practices in maintaining and enhancing the attractiveness of both the built and natural environments. However, rapid growth has resulted in pressures on the environment, including congestion, some inappropriate development and waste management systems that may not be...

Tourism Industry. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Department is responsible for national tourism policy and in its work it seeks to influence the policies of other key Departments and agencies on matters that impact on the tourism agenda. It has little or no involvement in direct regulation of tourism. On the tourism side, it works through its agencies as far as environmental issues are concerned; the key agency is Fáilte Ireland. As...

Tourism Industry. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Deputy presents an unduly dismal picture of tourism performance in recent years and I am glad to have the opportunity to put the position in context. In 1996, 4.7 million people visited Ireland and foreign earnings from these visitors amounted to €1.79 billion, excluding passenger fare receipts. In 2005, we hosted almost 7 million visitors who generated foreign earnings of more than...

Tourism Industry. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: There is no denying that tourism is a good news story. The number of visitors has doubled since the 1990s, a development which most people will strongly welcome. I anticipate that this year will be the best year for tourism since the foundation of the State. Growth levels are expected to be very strong. We know that traffic from the United States, whose visitors, as Deputy Deenihan...

Tourism Industry. (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: The Deputy will be aware that issues of taxation are a matter for the Minister for Finance and that I am not at liberty to discuss the possible contents of the next budget. Ireland has a distinct model of economic development. A key part of this model is a low direct tax take on income which is balanced by a higher tax take on consumption. This approach has proven very successful and I...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31 (26 Oct 2006)

John O'Donoghue: But of course.