Results 1,661-1,680 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The 2008 programme was advertised in the national press on 13th and 14th of January and the deadline for receipt of applications was 29th February for paper-based applications and 7th March for...

Written Answers — Road Signage: Road Signage (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: The provision of road signs generally, whether directional or providing other information, regulatory or warning, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA), in relation to National Roads, and the relevant local authority in relation to Non-National Roads. The provision of funding in this regard is a matter for the Department of Transport and the responsible authorities in the first...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Department supports the provision of new arts facilities around the country through the Arts and Cultural Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS). The ACCESS scheme is a key element in the Government's regional arts strategy and has greatly improved participation in the arts for large numbers of people, nationwide. The scheme has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together. Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The 2008 programme was advertised on 13th and 14th of January and the deadline for receipt of...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: A London 2012 task force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012. This task force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff within my Department. The selection of London as the host...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I agree. It is the view that the fact that the Olympics will be held in London in 2012 will provide opportunities in a range of areas such as tourism and directly with athletes in terms of facilities. There are also business opportunities. As I stated, the report is in but I have not read it and I do not want to guess at it. An issue that arose was the quality of some of the physical...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: Whatever facilities are resourced, I would like to put enough in to maximise the usage of these facilities. If there is an enormous difference between putting resources into a particular sized facility as opposed to a larger facility and one can see the return on it, it is worth considering. I am anxious to be directly involved in the development of Abbottstown and to make decisions on it...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: Abbottstown has many positive aspects. I would like to bring clarity to what we will do with regard to the development of a sports campus at Abbottstown. I have been a strong supporter from the beginning and I will engage soon with the various stakeholders involved to see what is the best way forward to give the best return to our athletes and sport in general. If doing this attracts other...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 103 and 112 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 78 earlier today which dealt with this subject.

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: Meetings are being organised with representatives of the Irish Olympic Council and all the sporting bodies. I want to do this as quickly as possible because urgent matters are raised with regard to the Olympic Games which are about to take place. I understand a meeting between Mr. Hickey and me has been arranged. I believe he is away at present.

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: We are all in agreement on that.

Arts Plan. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I have not received the mid-term review of Partnership for the Arts as it has not yet been completed. The formal mid-term review of the strategy has been under way since January 2008. It is centred on Partnership for the Arts: In Practice 2006 — 2008, the strategy document guiding current Arts Council policy and provision. The outcomes of the mid-term review will be considered by the...

Arts Plan. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I have not formally met the Arts Council. As the Deputy will appreciate, I am anxious to do what I outlined regarding those meetings as quickly as possible. She is correct about the number of plans. I want to get my head around whether I am supposed to deal with one plan or an amalgam. My approach will be to select a plan and deliver it as I do not want more plans. The review has been...

Arts Plan. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I have no hesitation in agreeing with the Deputy. I fully agree touring the arts is absolutely crucial. Many different elements could be toured that otherwise would not be. I have a strong view about the value of the arts in general. It is of huge value to all generations, particularly our youth. It is not exclusive to the large cities, particularly Dublin, even though many of the major...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Government has been invited by the Olympic Council of Ireland to be represented at the Beijing Olympic Games but at this stage no decision has been taken on the question of Government representation. The European Parliament recently passed a resolution calling for a common EU position with regard to the attendance at the Olympic Games opening ceremony of the Heads of Government, Heads of...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: That would be a great pleasure.

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. He has summed up the position extremely well. We are not isolated on this issue. As he can see from the indications I have given in the reply, discussions are taking place within the EU as well, and that is good. There have been some discussions among Foreign Ministers. There does not seem to be any mood to boycott the games in any way, and I would...

Olympic Games. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: I do not want to pre-empt what may come out of the talks. As I stated, there has been a meeting and we welcome that. The indications are that there will be one further meeting at least. Obviously, our wish would be that at that meeting the outstanding matters could be resolved. It is prudent to await the outcome of those talks before we make any further pronouncements on the issue....

Legislative Programme. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Irish Sports Council (amendment) Bill will enable the Irish Sports Council to establish subsidiary companies such as the Irish Institute of Sport. A number of policy issues have arisen during the course of the drafting of this legislation, which are under discussion between my Department, the Department of Finance, the Irish Sports Council and the Attorney General's office. As soon as...

Legislative Programme. (13 May 2008)

Martin Cullen: That is a fair question. I am looking at the issue at the moment. There are other issues that have been put on the table and that need to be resolved. I do not necessarily take the view that the continued creation of new independent bodies is the way to go every time. I am not referring specifically to this case, but I want the Deputy to realise that I intend to look at the issue. I will...