Results 1,421-1,440 of 3,053 for speaker:Mary Upton

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (9 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Question 15: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position following the rejection of the Lisbon reform treaty; the decisions the Government has reached regarding future consultation with the Irish people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34184/08]

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (9 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Question 25: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting with Foreign Secretary Miliband during his recent visit to Dublin; the matters which were discussed during their interview; if matters related to Northern Ireland and the Lisbon reform treaty were touched on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34185/08]

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Question 272: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of joint applications that were made by schools and sports clubs under the 2008 sports capital programme; the number of these applications that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33796/08]

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Question 273: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of joint applications that were made by two or more sports clubs under the 2008 sports capital programme; the number of these applications that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33797/08]

Unemployment: Motion (Resumed) (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Following last week's Government intervention on behalf of the banks, it is time to ask whether the Government will now show the same determination to bail out the Irish families who are about to lose their homes. The need for this intervention was highlighted last night. I re-emphasise the need for this intervention to save victims of the banks' greed, now that unemployment has hit these...

Cultural Events. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: It is nice for the Opposition spokesperson to be able to say congratulations and well done to everybody involved in culture night. I attended, but the problem I had was there was too much to do. There were too many options, but that is not really a criticism. The event was excellent and should be flagged. Many people I know had nothing to do with cultural events prior to that, but they...

Departmental Expenditure. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: The Minister mentioned capital for some of the cultural programmes, some of which are very important. We would like to know which ones will be targeted. From what the Minister said, he will not elaborate much further. However, the issue is important. There is also a more general point about the capital programme. Although I have mentioned that we have duplication, for example, in some...

Sports Funding. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: The Minister referred to the point I was intending to raise, the dropping out of over 16s from team sports. This is particularly significant in more socially deprived areas where the alternatives are often unattractive and undesirable such as anti-social behaviour. I wonder what specific initiatives can be taken to ensure young people who might be vulnerable are encouraged to remain in or...

Sports Funding. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: That is true; I agree with the Minister. Nobody could do anything about those attractions, nor would they want to change them. However, there may be a significant factor that needs to be addressed; for example, in socially deprived areas we must ensure the facilities are in place to keep young people involved in sport.

Appointments to State Boards. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: I am surprised and shocked to hear that someone over 70 may not be a member of the board.

Appointments to State Boards. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: I appreciate that, but it is food for thought and is something we should consider. It is ageist. In the context of arts and culture, there are so many excellent people over 70 in the arts world who would be excellent in that role. We should do it as a precedent to at least shake up the legislation in that area.

Arts Funding. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Perhaps I can ask the same question: can we look forward to seeing additional funding? I was one of those lucky enough to obtain tickets for "Waiting for Godot" and it was superb. Earlier we spoke about the culture night concept being extended around the country. Clearly, there is a hunger for the arts, not just in Dublin, as the Minister has pointed out. It is important that the...

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Question 120: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the research which calls for reform of the sports capital programme and that calls for reform are based on a number of different problems identified within the sports capital programme; if he will announce a review of the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. ...

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: In tabling my question I had in mind a number of ESRI reports which suggest a shift in focus from capital to current expenditure. I raise this issue against the background of the duplication of resources in certain areas, for example, in the case of clubs seeking to build club houses in areas which have an excellent sports facility. When will the national audit of sports facilities to which...

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: In regard to the county by county aspect of facilities, an interesting commentary in a report by John Considine of the department of economics, University College Cork, published recently, relates to the per capita allocation of the national lottery grant. County Kerry had the highest per capita allocation in 2003-07. I wonder if this is merely a coincidence. Perhaps the Minister will...

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Perhaps it is a follow-up coincidence that in the from 1999 to 2002 County Donegal had the highest per capita allocation in this respect.

Swimming Pool Projects. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Question 122: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if it is intended to complete the remaining 21 swimming pools which were granted funding under the initial local authority swimming pool programme in 2000; when the next stage of the programme will be launched; if he will give a commitment that the funding for the next round of this programme will be available as promised under...

Swimming Pool Projects. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: The swimming pool programme is crucial to many communities. A slowdown appears to have occurred in respect of the 21 swimming pools that were meant to be part of that programme. The Minister stated that the challenge now is to work with the relevant local authorities in completing the remaining 21 pools. I hope this will happen sooner rather than later. There is no timeframe in respect of...

Swimming Pool Projects. (8 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: At present, Ireland has one pool per 58,000 people. In Northern Ireland it is one per 32,000 and in Scotland it is one per 15,000. Our objective is to have one pool per 50,000 by 2011. Will that objective be achieved?

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (7 Oct 2008)

Mary Upton: Question 146: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposed timeframe for the implementation of the 20 year strategy on the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33523/08]