Results 361-380 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Not that I am aware of. That is my understanding of what it did and this may be the area of confusion in this regard. That is the specific answer on that question.

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I do. When one deals with such matters, one must deal with facts rather than anecdotal evidence and unfortunately the report used figures for tax forgone that were based on 2006. While I am not even certain they are accurate, let us accept they are. This was before the cap on income was introduced. As Members are aware, the cap came into effect on 1 January 2007, which I believe would...

Arts Policy. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I was going to mention this at the end of Question Time and I am happy to do so now. I feel devastated for the Sutherland family, for his parents and two sisters and the entire boxing community. I was privileged to get to know Darren, however briefly, during the Olympic Games. I saw every one of his fights. I remembered the exuberance and excitement he brought and the lift he gave to the...

Sports Capital Programme. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment. Since 1998, through the sports capital programme, the Government has invested over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sporting projects. This investment has transformed the Irish sporting landscape with improved...

Sports Capital Programme. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am absolutely certain all €56 million will be drawn down this year. There is no question about that. The projects that will use the balance exist and this money will be paid out. I will not have a surplus, much as I would like to have one. This amounts to 1,200 projects being approved this year. Clearly there will have to be capital funding for next year because there is a large...

Sports Capital Programme. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Sometimes issues are picked up because of timing but not long ago I articulated a similar and strong view on sport. When we discuss sport we must understand the huge impact that can be made at a very young level by the money invested by sporting bodies throughout the country in training and facilities and the access children are given to sport. The Deputy is fully aware that the quality of...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 16, 23, 25 and 34 together. In response to Parliamentary Question No. 3, I outlined the tourism performance so far this year. There is no doubt that the period to date in 2009 has been very difficult for tourism globally which has been reflected in overseas visitor numbers to Ireland. There have been significant declines in GDP, personal spending and...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I agree with the Deputy on this point. I introduced a Valuation Bill a number of years ago and I have always believed that rates should be based on current market conditions and real value and income levels and not a notional level based on the size of the property. One could have a very large property with no activity taking place in it. It is open to local authorities to make themselves...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of the problem. I have had some interaction with the Irish Hotels Federation on this issue and it has made that point clear to me. I do not believe it is widespread but the Deputy was right that there are instances where hotels are literally sustaining themselves. They are turning money but are not profitable and are not even covering their costs because of certain protections...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: It needs somebody with a very particular level of skills given the complexity of this area. I am anxious that the quality of that board is unassailable in terms of the depth and breadth of its knowledge, as is the Minister for Finance. I believe the Minister for Finance has said to the Deputies' party leaders that if they have particular people in mind, they should talk to him. I am in the...

Tourism Industry. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The National Asset Management Agency has traction. There are issues to be resolved and the Minister for Finance is open to that on Committee Stage. Our discussion demonstrates the complexity and the pitfalls for various sectors. I am glad we are all alert to them and are working to try to ensure we do not create even more problems for ourselves. There will be good people on the National...

Film Industry Development. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 1 of today.

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Within the remit of the Department, the National Development Plan 2007-13 makes provision for allocations to the culture sub-programme, the sports sub-programme and the tourism programme. The Department's role in the culture sub-programme relates to the development of Ireland's cultural infrastructure. The aim is to protect and showcase our cultural heritage, to support the Government's...

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Is the Deputy referring to the product development fund?

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I saw a fantastic television programme on TG4 recently, more by accident than design, on surfing in the west. It is extraordinary that some of the big names in world surfing have only now discovered the west.

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: That did not seem to bother them. These were high-end surfers and they were blown away by the quality of waves. Recently, I opened Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum in Inistioge, County Kilkenny. They reminded me of the Mount Congreve Gardens, Kilmeaden, County Waterford, which are world famous, but there is no coherence in marketing their tourism potential. Many bodies working in similar...

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: A substantial amount of funding has already been spent under the national development plan. Clearly, the economic circumstances that have not just hit Ireland but the rest of the world have been beyond anyone's expectations. The national development plan will still be in place. However, the economic downturn and the lack of resources will change the timeframe to deliver some of these...

Departmental Funding. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I have had several discussions with the family at Birr Castle. I am aware of what they have achieved. The Office of Public Works has been effective in assisting in some of their efforts. The Deputy is correct that we cannot allow that investment to die away. For the next year, we will try to find the resources to sustain, even at a minimal level, many of these facilities and not allow...

National History Museum. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 42 together. A programme of works for the Natural History Museum, agreed between the National Museum of Ireland, the Office of Public Works and my Department, is under way. It is designed to facilitate the reopening of the museum in as short a timeframe as possible, having regard to the need to meet key health and safety concerns. The programme includes...

National History Museum. (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The type of refurbishment the staff and others wanted is going ahead and should be completed in another month. Ironically, the exhibition in Collins Barracks has been successful with many school tours booked in for this exhibition. As a result, the museum does not want to move before Christmas. It is believed the best time to move was February. Visitor numbers are up for the museum...