Results 341-360 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — International Co-operation: International Co-operation (6 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: I recently met with the Ambassador of Argentina to discuss the possibility of sport cooperation between the two countries. It was an informative and interesting exchange. Officials in my Department are currently examining ways of maintaining and enhancing the sporting links that currently exist between the two countries.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (6 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: During 2008, the Department commissioned four reports from experts and/or consultants. The cost of each report is as set out in tabular form as follows. Title/Purpose of Commissioned Report Cost (€) Review of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund 19,465 Church Records Microfilm and Records Numbers Survey (to identify and provide estimates of the record numbers of non-digitised Church...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (6 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: The organisation in question was provisionally allocated a grant of €200,000 for the development of an all-weather training pitch under the Programme in 2006. A provisional grant allocation is subject to the terms and conditions of the Programme, which include the execution of a Deed of Covenant and Charge. A Deed provides, inter alia, for a refund of the grant in the event of the facility...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 784 together. There were no persons who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in the Department in the years in question. The information as requested by the Deputy in respect of the agencies under the aegis of the Department where early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations occurred is set out in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (6 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Minister's current mobile phone contract is with O2 Communications (Ireland) Limited in. The pricing plan currently in effect is the O2 CORPORAT5 Plan. This pricing plan is subject to regular review to ensure the most cost-effective service is achieved.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: There have been no occasions on which the Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or of any agency under its ambit in the years 2006 to 2008, inclusive.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2009)

Martin Cullen: Over the past five years no civil servants in my Department have been dismissed for misconduct , poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract.

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The Irish film industry is one of our most important industries, providing substantial levels of employment and significant inward investment. In 2007, the value of the audio-visual production sector in Ireland was more than €500 million. It provides direct employment of 6,000 people according to the Irish audio-visual content production...

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy's comments. The economic facts speak for themselves but there has been a very focused effort in recent years to raise the ability of Irish film to a new level, and that has been very successful. We have gone from approximately 1,000 employees in the early 1990s to approximately 6,000 today. These people are recognised worldwide as being very creative and talented,...

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I will address two specific concepts. It is important to see this in context. The report prepared by Mr. Colm McCarthy is excellent and he has looked across all Departments before presenting a menu. Nobody would anticipate that every single line written by him would be taken verbatim and implemented but he has provided important food for thought. I do not want to put this in a space of I,...

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Deputy Upton is right. That is why, when Building Ireland's Smart Economy - A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal 2009 to 2014 was being compiled, I was very strong in my view that the creative sector has a legitimate role to play. This matter is not just the preserve of Intel and similar companies. Many of those who work in the creative industry move among the sectors therein. We...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The number of overseas visitors to Ireland fell by 10.4% in the first seven months of 2009 compared with 2008. This reduction must be seen in context. The current year has been very difficult for tourism globally as a result of economic conditions. Ireland is actually holding its own or is performing better than some competitor destinations. To assist the tourism sector, an extensive range...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I thank the chairman of the tourism renewal group for the huge efforts he has made. He met the Deputies opposite and almost anybody who has anything to do with the industry. I will publish the group's report once I have presented it to the Government. Everybody will be then aware of its contents. I do not agree with some of the Deputy's assessments. I have worked closely with the...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: When I met many of the international tour operators, this was not an issue for them at all. The issue for them was to sustain marketing and to sustain the campaigns, which has been done.

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I was referring to the airlines. The Deputy is correct about the announcement the other day. I was delighted when the Taoiseach became directly involved because it demonstrates how important the Government and the industry perceive tourism to be. This is the reason I launched jointly with Fáilte Ireland the largest-ever autumn campaign for the market here. This did not fall from the sky...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I apologise. As I noted in my initial reply, I should have the report shortly and I believe it has been completed.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Responsibility for the promotion internationally of our artists is a matter for Culture Ireland. Obviously, I am not involved in the council's operations. I am, however, of the opinion that...

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: No. I believe I know what is going on and I will explain in a moment.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: On that point, we are going into the Estimates process more deeply at present and I understand the Arts Council has given an indication to various organisations regarding the level of funding they could expect for the first quarter of next year. This will be from next year's budget and will not come from this year's budget. The council has tried to give an indication for the future,...

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I do not know. I have no knowledge of anything coming from next year's allocation to fund this year.