Results 541-560 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Anti-Doping Measures: Anti-Doping Measures (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: On the completion of an independent assessment of certain corporate governance and doping issues affecting Bord na gCon, conducted by Mr. Tim Dalton, the Government approved a number of specific actions to be taken. A number of the recommendations require an amendment of existing legislation and work is ongoing on the legislation to implement these recommendations. Bord na gCon is the...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Report of the Tourism Policy Review Group, New Horizons for Irish Tourism: An Agenda for Action, was published in September 2003. It set out a 10 year Strategy for the tourism sector and laid down ambitious targets for the industry namely, 10 million visitors per annum and €6 billion in foreign revenue earnings by 2012. Following publication of the New Horizons Report, a high level...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Crime and measures to prevent and combat it are, as the Deputy is aware, matters for the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform and An Garda Síochána, with whom my Department liaises on a number of issues of common concern, as they arise. At the outset, I want to take this opportunity to extend, on my own behalf, on behalf of the Irish tourism sector and, I am sure, on behalf of all...

Written Answers — Arts Policy: Arts Policy (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I am pleased that under successive recent Governments, the Arts have moved from the periphery of Government policies to its core. I am committed to ensuring that they remain at the very heart of Government policy and central to our nation's well-being. I am also committed to growing the Arts and Cultural communities and, in doing so, to highlight, in particular, their significant...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As the Deputy is aware, in January 2004, the Government agreed to provide funding of €191 m towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Stadium as a 50,000-capacity all-seater state-of-the-art facility. It has been agreed with the IRFU and FAI who are jointly leading the project that they are to provide the balance of the funding. I am informed that the IRFU and FAI are providing their...

Written Answers — Film Industry Development: Film Industry Development (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The operation and performance of this office is a day-to-day matter for the Irish Film Board. It is a matter in which I have no statutory function. I will request the Irish Film Board to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: On 24th April last, allocations to the value of €32million were made to the promoters of 67 projects nationwide under the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme II (ACCESS II 2007-2009). The ACCESS scheme is designed to assist the provision of high standard arts and culture infrastructure, thereby enhancing access to the arts throughout the country. This is the successor to...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As far as I am aware, there is no proposal to re-brand Tourism Ireland. The Deputy may be thinking of the current review of Tourism Brand Ireland which is nearing completion. Tourism Ireland is a jointly-funded North South body. The resourcing of Tourism Ireland and its Corporate and Business Plans are subject to the agreement of the North-South Ministerial Council. There are, therefore,...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of providing funding to sporting clubs, voluntary and community organisations towards the provision of sporting facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. All applications received are evaluated against the programme's...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Advisory Group report on the Church pre-1900 Birth, Marriage and Death Records Computerisation Project was approved by my Department in August of this year. The Report concluded with a number of recommendations and included best practice guidelines for Irish genealogical websites. The Report recommended that Irish Genealogy Limited (IGL) should operate with a revised role as, primarily,...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The importance of transport access to and from our major airports is clearly identified as a key element in the Government's strategies for the development of tourism. Of course, planning and investment in transport infrastructure in a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport and the agencies under the aegis of his Department. The report of the Tourism Policy Review Group, New...

Written Answers — Sports and Recreational Development: Sports and Recreational Development (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Government recognises that the response to the issue of obesity must address the various complex causes, including diet, lifestyle and environmental issues. As part of this response, we are aware that investment in sport can yield vary tangible returns in improved fitness and health for individuals, which can help combat obesity and result in a consequent reduction in the demand on...

Written Answers — Museum Projects: Museum Projects (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: My Department is responsible for the provision of funding to the National Cultural Institutions, which include the following museums and galleries: National Library of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Chester Beatty Library, and the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that it is Government policy to...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: 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 organisation in question has been allocated €90,000 under the programme in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Of this, €66,500 has been drawn down to date. I understand that the organisation were also...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The High Level Strategy of my Department in relation to Tourism is "To support the sustainable growth of the tourism industry and to help it address the competitive challenge through the development, implementation and influencing of a range of policy actions and programmes which optimise the economic and social benefits of the sector". Under the influence of the Government's Sustainable...

Written Answers — Swimming Pool Projects: Swimming Pool Projects (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: My Department is completing a Value for Money and Policy Review Report of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at present. The Report is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. The grant level for swimming pools is also examined in the report. Thereafter, following...

Written Answers — National Conference Centre: National Conference Centre (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: On 5 April last, the contract for the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin was awarded to Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin Ltd. Under the public private partnership arrangement, Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin Ltd, is required to design, build and finance the National Conference Centre and to operate and maintain it for a period of 25 years, after which the facility...

Written Answers — National Aquatic Centre: National Aquatic Centre (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Deputies will be aware that the National Sports Campus Development Authority has taken over the role and function of CSID since 1 January 2007. A fully owned subsidiary of the Authority, NSCDA (Operations) Ltd., is now operating the National Aquatic Centre. A full "health check" has been carried out on the National Aquatic Centre since it came back into the possession of CSID on 1 December...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: In my reply to PQ 19344/07 on 5 July last, I outlined my priorities for the development and promotion of sport, which are set out in the Programme for Government. I am currently in the process of formulating policies and objectives, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders to achieve the delivery of these priorities, which will be articulated further in my Department's new Statement of...

Written Answers — Arts Promotion: Arts Promotion (25 Oct 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The National Economic and Social Forum (NESF)'s Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion report sets out actions to support broader participation in the arts and makes recommendations on creating a more inclusive and cohesive society. This is a timely document, as it presents an evaluation of the current status of the sector and its role in the changing and varying social and cultural...