Results 12,081-12,100 of 12,487 for speaker:John O'Donoghue

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together. In line with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997, the role and functions of my special advisor are to provide me with advice, to monitor, facilitate and secure the achievement of Government objectives that relate to my Department and to perform other functions as directed by me. In the performance of his functions,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: The Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 and the Public Service Management Act 1997 set out the legal position of Government Ministers and Departments. Section 3 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 restates the responsibility of Ministers for the performance of functions which are assigned to their Departments. The functions assigned to my Department are covered by Statutory Instruments...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: The total amount of mileage expenses paid by my Department during 2004 was €73,691.25 in respect of claims for a total of 76,615 miles undertaken by employees in the course of official duties. These figures include mileage costs incurred by staff in the National Museum, National Library and National Archives.

Written Answers — National Aquatic Centre: National Aquatic Centre (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Priority Question No. 7 earlier today.

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 248 and 251 together. My Department provides funding for the provision of sporting, recreational, arts and cultural facilities throughout the country. The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the major source of funding available for the provision of sporting facilities for sporting and community...

Written Answers — Access to Sporting Facilities: Access to Sporting Facilities (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: Croke Park has a capacity of 82,300 now that the redevelopment of the stadium has been completed. Lansdowne Road stadium at present has a capacity of 49,000 for rugby matches and 36,000 for UEFA and FIFA soccer matches and 44,100 for friendly international soccer matches. The capacity of Lansdowne Road stadium will increase to 50,000 following its redevelopment and as the Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: Part 2 of the Arts Act, 2003 defines the role and functions of the Minister of the day regarding arts policy.

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: As I mentioned in my reply to a similar question by the Deputy on 17 February 2005, one of my key objectives in 2005 is to see continued progress in the implementation of the actions recommended in the report of the tourism policy review group, New Horizons for Irish Tourism. The implementation group set up to drive forward the New Horizons agenda, has identified ten priority actions which it...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: Cost factors are undoubtedly a significant influence on Ireland's competitive position as a tourist destination. This has been identified as a key issue that needs to be addressed if we are to grow overseas tourist numbers. The impact of high costs on Ireland's competitiveness has been identified through a number of on-going studies, including the major exit surveys conducted by Fáilte...

Tourism Industry. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: It is obvious that tourism is treated extremely seriously by the Government. As this country's largest international indigenous service industry, it is of enormous importance to the economy. When one includes carriage costs, it generates approximately €4.2 billion per annum. The largest number of visitors to visit Ireland in a single year visited Ireland last year. All the sectors and...

National Conference Centre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 17 together. On 17 February 2005, I informed the House that detailed tender documentation for the procurement of a national conference centre in Dublin was issued on 10 December 2004 by the Office of Public Works to each of the three previously short-listed consortia. I said also that one of the three candidate consortia had indicated it would not, in...

National Conference Centre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: While I appreciate the kind comments Deputy Deenihan made towards the end of his contribution, he could have been kinder.

National Conference Centre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: We have made more progress in recent years than was made for many years previously. Deputy Deenihan will be well aware that successive Governments have made several attempts to provide a national conference centre in Dublin without result. Given that we should be in a position sometime in mid-year to declare a preferred candidate, we are doing pretty well. As I have acknowledged at all times,...

National Conference Centre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: When the documentation issued to candidates in December 2004, the date set by the OPW for receipt of tenders was 18 March 2005. The clarification and consultation process engaged in by the national conference centre project team and the candidates has resulted, as expected, in a number of changes to the tender requirements. In other words, Deputy Wall is correct and we have had to be...

National Conference Centre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: I always said it was hoped we would have a national conference centre in place some time during the year 2007. With regard to the procedures being followed, to the best of my knowledge, all of the procedures we are obliged to follow have been followed to date. Every effort has been made to try to ensure there can be no criticism in that regard at the end of the process. It is difficult for me...

National Conference Centre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: As I said, whatever procedures we are required to fulfil will have been fulfilled.

Abbey Theatre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 25 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer to Priority Question No. 4.

Abbey Theatre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: We will have a site for the new national theatre during the lifetime of the Government. Four sites are in play at present. While the existing Abbey Theatre is on a very good site, were we in a position to acquire the necessary footprint, the reality of the position is that the expense of doing that and the possible delays involved do not make it a viable proposition. We ran into difficulty...

Tourism Industry. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: Deputy Kitt may carry on. He is doing well.

Abbey Theatre. (22 Mar 2005)

John O'Donoghue: As I previously informed the House on a number of occasions, I was authorised by Government to invite expressions of interest by way of public invitation from the private sector in participating, on the basis of a PPP, in the capital redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre in and-or around the vicinity of the site of the existing theatre. The accommodation brief for the new theatre, which was...