Results 101-120 of 7,346 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Absolutely and I stand by that. We had to wait for the expert advisory committee reports to land and they were delayed. This is the only reason. It has absolutely nothing to do with the local or European elections. I am absolutely determined to take the decision we made at Cabinet, with a recommendation from the Government, before the summer recess because public service media is critical...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The Deputy asked when the expert advisory committee reports will be published. They were published at the beginning of May. I brought them to Cabinet-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: As I said in reply to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Munster, when I brought the reports to Cabinet, RTÉ accepted all of the recommendations in principle. We as a Government accepted in principle the recommendations that relate to the Government or the Oireachtas joint committee. I announced that within six weeks an implementation plan would be brought to the Government. RTÉ is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: I want to state very clearly that all of us who own a TV are obliged to pay a TV licence. It is the law of the land. People should continue to purchase or renew their licence so that RTÉ and others who benefit from the broadcasting fund can continue to provide us with quality public service content. The public reaction to the controversy may be understandable but the licence fee...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and communities in every corner of Ireland is well understood. It is recognised that the use of tourist accommodation to support the Government's response to the humanitarian crisis has impacted the sector. In budget 2024, the Government allocated a total of €216 million in funding for the sector, which will allow for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The sports capital announcement of €250 million is the largest ever investment in sporting facilities nationwide. It represents a 50% increase on the previous round. As the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and I stated yesterday, it means that all applications for valid projects will receive positive news. We expect that to happen in the early autumn. That is really a signal...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: We have the recommendations from the expert advisory committees, EACs, but we are waiting for the implementation plan. RTÉ committed on the day the recommendations were published to accept all of them in principle, but I do want to see the implementation plan. I gave six weeks for that. It is to be available towards the last week of June. I just need to see that. The discussions...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Yes. I allowed a period of six weeks.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party work collaboratively and have done so for the past four years, so there is-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: There is no issue at Cabinet level. There is no dictatorship and we work collaboratively on this. We are absolutely united in taking this decision before the summer. The Deputy asked about the implementation plan. We gave six weeks. We need those concerned to outline how the recommendations in the plan will be actioned. There are some recommendations for the Government itself, so I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The decision will follow shortly thereafter. We are not waiting for the Cabinet meeting to keep the discussions going. As discussions are ongoing, I hope to move as quickly as possible, with a decision no later than the summer recess.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tourism Promotion (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Meath and Louth are included in the Ireland's Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023–2027 launched by Fáilte Ireland in May 2023. This roadmap for the tourism industry and all stakeholders involved in tourism in the region will help to navigate through the current challenges and steer a course towards a sustainable recovery and continued success. The plan sets...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: I am well aware of the challenges facing artists, and many other people, in accessing affordable accommodation in Ireland. Improving housing supply and improving affordability is a priority of the Government as set out in the Government’s housing policy Housing for All as led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This multi-annual, multibillion euro plan aims to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Some of the statistics quoted by Deputy Ó Snodaigh are on foot of the research for the basic income for the arts pilot scheme. This shows its value. As I have said, the research element of it was of equal importance as the actual payment itself because we are gathering information on the real lived experience of artists. As I said at the conference, it seems that the issues that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Artists' Remuneration (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Deputy. I referred earlier to the increasing resources for the arts sector. These have really been in part a recognition of the increase in the costs, including the increase in the costs of accommodation. It is also worth noting in this regard that increases in support for these measures in my time as Minister has actually greatly outpaced inflation and represents a significant...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: I thank Deputy Munster. Public service media are a key pillar of our society and, in particular, of our democracy. This has never been more apparent than over the past number of years from maintaining cultural, educational and social engagement during Covid restrictions to countering disinformation through trusted content. They must, however, be supported with adequate resources through a...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Funding (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: The total funding allocated to the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, is as follows: 2019 - €173.9 million 2020 – €182.6 million 2021 – €219.1 million 2022 - €287.4 million 2023 - €228.2 million It is important to note that neither my Department nor Fáilte Ireland allocate funding on a county-by-county...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Culture Policy (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: I am pleased to be able to say that this Government has done more than any other in our history to support culture, the arts, artists and creatives. The levels of funding we've provided, the breadth of our stakeholder consultations and our response to the needs of the sector demonstrate the Government's understanding of the contribution arts and culture make to enhancing all of our lives. ...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Council (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: Section 2 of the Arts Act 2003 states that “Arts” means any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes, in particular, visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus and architecture, and includes any medium when used for those purposes. This legislative definition indicates a recognition...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Centres (30 May 2024)

Catherine Martin: There is a network of cultural infrastructure spread across the State with most in the ownership of local authorities. Annual current funding for operational costs and programming is provided to arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. Arts Centres are where artists and audiences meet and represents a key part of the Arts Council strategy to invest in public engagement. ...