Results 181-200 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Tourism Industry. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I have noted the report, Overcapacity in the Irish Hotel Industry and Required Elements of a Recovery Programme, by Peter Bacon & Associates, which was published very recently. Its main conclusion is that between 12,300 and 15,300 hotel rooms need to be removed from the market if an appropriate balance is to be achieved that would allow the sector to recover to a stage where it can provide...

Tourism Industry. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: In the first instance, I am very much aware of the issue, as is the Government and the Minister for Finance. There is an issue here for NAMA because undoubtedly there is distortion. Some properties are clearly not viable, without mentioning any specifically, but we all know where they are. They are distorting the market and are simply being kept open to turn some money over, which is...

Tourism Industry. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: As the Deputy is aware, I have met regularly with the Irish Hotels Federation and other representative groups.

Tourism Industry. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: The top line message from the Irish Hotels Federation and all involved in the tourism industry in recent months is for the tourism sector and agencies to maintain their budgets.

Tourism Industry. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am telling the Deputy what was their primary message. We have dealt with that because it is within my capacity to try to increase demand. I agree with the Deputy that we have an over-capacity and I quoted the Bacon report in that respect. I am not arguing about whether the figures are a bit high or low, but there is an over-capacity issue. There is no doubt that some of the hotels that...

Tourism Industry. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: We will have to deal with this issue in the near future.

Tourism Industry. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: It is not even predatory pricing on the basis that these companies are going to survive, because they will not.

Restaurant Sector. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: The restaurant sector, like all businesses in tourism and hospitality, has had a very challenging year in 2009. Prior to the budget, the Restaurants Association of Ireland launched a ten-point plan to protect employment, create new jobs and ensure the viability of the sector. In September last, I met the president and the chief executive of the association and discussed key issues of...

Restaurant Sector. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: In fairness, I have outlined a substantial range of actions that are being undertaken. I know they are appreciated. We are a lot of the costs for for the sector also. In addition, we will carry much of the cost to allow them to promote abroad, including attending some trade shows. I acknowledge the direct role played by the Tánaiste on Sunday trading, after much discussion with myself....

Restaurant Sector. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: Like the Deputy, I have acknowledged that forward movement has been made. I think we both agree that it must become normal working hours. I will keep the pressure on to do that. I have spoken to my colleagues in Cabinet to try to keep the issue moving, particularly now that we find ourselves very challenged. I am not surprised that many businesses, including restaurants, are extremely...

Sports Capital Programme. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: We all appreciate the important role that sport plays in our society in promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of identity and belonging and in channelling energy in rewarding activity and bringing people together. I assure the Deputy the Government is committed to sport and believes in the contribution it can make to our society, for individuals and for communities. Thus the...

Sports Capital Programme. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: It is Christmas. Keep it going.

Sports Capital Programme. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I thank Deputy O'Mahony for his kind comments. We had difficult choices to make when considering the economic situation, but we managed quite well. I am pleased by that. We did not manage badly for the right reasons. There is an overhang still, of approximately €120 million, on the sports capital programme. We estimate that what we will need in 2010 is €48 million to complete the...

Sports Capital Programme. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: That is an important question and the Deputy is correct. Some €2.5 million came from the dormant accounts fund, from the Department of my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I have spoken to the Sports Council about this issue and it will maintain the funding for the disability officers. We believe in them. It is difficult and challenging for us to...

Policy of Inclusion. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 17 together. Special funding of €2.5 million was allocated from the dormant accounts fund for the appointment of 20 sports inclusion development officers, SIDOs, in local sports partnerships, LSPs, in 2008. The SIDOs were appointed on two-year contracts to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to participate in sport and physical...

Policy of Inclusion. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Irish Sports Council has an allocation and must make choices. I happen to agree with the Deputy and have made my views clear to the council that the programme needs to be continued. I cannot speak for the council but I understand it is minded in that direction. It must consider the total budget and determine where savings can be made in other areas so the resources can be allocated....

Policy of Inclusion. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: We are now in different times but one advantage of this is that we are achieving far better value for the money we are spending. We can almost realise the same value as we did some years ago, although the budgets have decreased somewhat in recent years. We want to maintain as much activity as we can. I have gone about this in the correct way. There were choices to be made on some of the...

Policy of Inclusion. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am not trying to hide behind anything in saying the Irish Sports Council is independent of political interference; it is as simple as that. I can make my views clear-----

Policy of Inclusion. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am not disagreeing with the Deputy. I have been more than forthcoming and the Deputies present know that. I want to see the programme maintained in 2010 and my understanding and position is that it will be.

Policy of Inclusion. (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Cullen: I must use careful language.