Results 1,561-1,580 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Museum Projects (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I am aware of the interest in the development of a maritime museum which would reflect the history of our island and the surrounding seas. This would possibly include the early voyages of exploration from Ireland, patterns of settlement, the development of our towns and cities, the growth of trade and the role of regional and trans-Atlantic shipping in our national story. Special themes...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Ireland’s film and audio-visual industry has gone from strength to strength in recent years. From my regular and ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders, I know that the key elements underpinning our success are the film sector tax relief, allied to the availability of high quality film studio infrastructure and, critically, skilled crew. I am aware that the Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: On 4 July, the Government approved proposals I brought forward to initiate a root and branch examination of RTÉ comprising two elements: an independent review to examine the governance structures and organisational culture of RTÉ overseen by an Expert Governance Advisory Committee; and,an independent review to examine the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Television Licence Fee (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 makes provision for the administration of the TV licence fee system. Total licence fee receipts are comprised of a contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free licences issued under the Household Benefits Scheme, and receipts from direct sales by An Post, who are the statutory issuing agent for licence fee collection. An Post...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Businesses continue to face significant cost pressures due to inflation and other economic factors. Rising costs however are not unique to the tourism industry and are a challenge for the wider economy. In relation to energy costs, the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme supports qualifying businesses with increases in electricity or natural gas costs. Amendments to help more...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: On Tuesday last, 4 July, Government approved a root and branch examination of RTÉ focused on two independent reviews of, first, the governance structures and organisational culture at RTÉ and, second, the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the fees paid, the use of agents, and other HR matters. The second review will also examine issues in relation to the use of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: On 6 July, I met with the Chairperson of the RTÉ Board, Ms. Siún Ní Raghallaigh, the Director General of RTÉ, Mr. Kevin Bakhurst, and the now Acting Deputy Director General of RTÉ, Mr. Adrian Lynch. As set out in the statement I issued following that meeting, I made clear that I was not satisfied with the way in which information was been provided to the RTÉ...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 86, 94 and 99 together. Officials from my Department have engaged with the other Departments that have responsibility for various aspects of the Report of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight including the matter of a stakeholder forum as part of wider discussions in respect of the Section 481 Film Tax Credit. Consideration is being given to...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Promotion (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: The Regional Tourism Development Strategies outline a vision for tourism that sets out a five-year strategic framework for the sustainable development of Fáilte Ireland’s four regional brands. The strategies set a clear path ahead for the development of new and enhanced visitor experiences, building greater capacity and capability in the industry, and providing a clear strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Culture Policy (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I published the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce in September 2021. It is a Cross-Government Report containing 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-Time Economy, all with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities and encouraging innovation and creativity in the Night-Time Economy in our towns and cities across...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: As I have previously set out, I became aware in late March, through communication from the Chair to my officials that an issue had arisen with regard to a transaction as part of the regular audit of the RTÉ 2022 annual accounts. At the time, the Chair had no insight into the detail or seriousness of the matter. In order to ascertain the facts, the Chair advised that the Audit and Risk...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Under section 98 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is independent in the pursuance of its objects. However, given the nature and seriousness of the damaging disclosures regarding RTÉ in recent weeks, I decided to launch an independent, root and branch examination of RTÉ. Before finalising the terms of reference of the examination, on 28 June 2023 I met with representatives of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: My position on the general issue of hotel pricing and indeed the wider value for money proposition within Irish tourism remains unchanged. While Ireland is not a low-cost destination, it is vital that the sector keeps the value for money proposition to the fore across all its segments to ensure that our high quality reputation is maintained and that new and repeat visitors continue to come...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Promotion (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to them for direct response to the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 104 together. A trusted public service broadcaster is a vital part of our democracy. Given the recent failings in RTÉ that have come to light, that trust must be restored. This can only be accomplished through a wide-ranging and comprehensive examination of the failings in RTÉ and by putting in place new ways of doing business to prevent their...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Northern Ireland (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I refer the Deputy to his earlier Parliamentary Question No. 82 of June 28 last when the matter of the UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme was discussed. Since 2021, the Irish Government has raised concerns about the ETA proposals with the UK Government and Governmental engagement on this issue has been primarily led by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourist Accommodation (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, is currently working on Accommodation Audits to establish a baseline on existing capacity and to provide gap analysis in each destination and region. As part of the roll out of all Destination Experience Development Plans, Fáilte Ireland will audit and map out current accommodation stock. This will include a quality and gap...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Broadcasting Sector (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Public service broadcasting is of vital importance to our society as a whole, and in particular to the functioning of our democracy. The Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the statutory basis for the governance and funding of public service broadcasting in Ireland, and provides for two statutory public service broadcasters, TG4 and RTÉ. Since taking office in 2020, I have secured an...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Since the issues relating to the understatement of the remuneration of a contractor in RTÉ first came to light on 22 June last, I have met twice with the Chair of the RTÉ Board and spoken with her by phone on several occasions. I met with the Chair on 24 June and after that meeting I announced that there would be an independent examination of RTÉ. The second meeting with the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Budgets (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: In 2019, Vote 33 was comprised of four programme areas - Culture; Heritage; Irish Language, Gaeltacht & the Islands; and North/South Cooperation. The overall gross outturn of that Vote in 2019 was €335,343,000 - of this, Culture accounted for €183,470,000 (gross) and Irish Language Gaeltacht & the Islands accounted for €55,361,000 (gross). Vote 33 was...