Results 361-380 of 4,368 for speaker:Catherine Martin in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Policy (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I am conscious of the contribution that festivals make to the artistic and cultural life of local communities and how they make destinations more attractive to domestic and international tourists. I recognise also the challenges involved in arranging festivals, often involving significant financial outlay and commitments and a great deal of voluntary activity. Accordingly, my Department and...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, I met last Thursday, 6th July, with the Chair of the RTÉ Board, Siún Ní Raghallaigh, the new Director General of RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst, and the acting Deputy Director General, Adrian Lynch. It was a constructive meeting with a full and frank exchange of views. I made clear at the meeting that I was not satisfied with the way in which...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourist Accommodation (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: As I said in my earlier response to Deputy Munster, my position on the general issue of hotel pricing and indeed the wider value for money proposition within Irish tourism remains unchanged. While Ireland is not a low-cost destination, it is vital that the sector keeps the value for money proposition to the fore across all its segments to ensure that our high quality reputation is maintained...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Land Issues (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that in order to fully assess capital expenditure requirements in the context of changing demands and the transition to a low carbon future, the organisation is assessing its property portfolio in terms of building fabric, sustainability credentials, building layouts, estate infrastructure and future planning, and master plan development...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter in the Dáil today. A Private Members Bill setting out similar proposals was considered at Second Stage in the Seanad last Wednesday, and I had the opportunity to respond to the issue there. As I said in the Seanad, I fully understand the rationale for calls for a cap on remuneration. The public rightly want accountability from senior executives...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: As a public body established by statute, the role of RTÉ is set out in the relevant legislation, the Broadcasting Act 2009. Since its formal establishment through the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960, RTÉ has been dual-funded through the television licence fee and through commercial income, which has historically been pursued through the sale of advertising and sponsorship. The...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Under section 110 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 RTÉ is required to present their Annual Report in respect of the preceding year to the Minister by the 30th of June. Under section 109 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 RTÉ is required to present a copy of its audited accounts to the Board of RTÉ and the Minister no later than 6 months after the end of the financial year, which is the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: State Bodies (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Effective governance oversight and accountability of all the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department has been and will continue to be a priority for both me as Minister and my officials. Within my Department, dedicated business units manage the day-to-day and operational relationship with each respective State Body. This includes agreement of annual Oversight Agreements and, where...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Museum Projects (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I am aware of the interest in the development of a maritime museum which would reflect the history of our island and the surrounding seas. This would possibly include the early voyages of exploration from Ireland, patterns of settlement, the development of our towns and cities, the growth of trade and the role of regional and trans-Atlantic shipping in our national story. Special themes...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Ireland’s film and audio-visual industry has gone from strength to strength in recent years. From my regular and ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders, I know that the key elements underpinning our success are the film sector tax relief, allied to the availability of high quality film studio infrastructure and, critically, skilled crew. I am aware that the Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: On 4 July, the Government approved proposals I brought forward to initiate a root and branch examination of RTÉ comprising two elements: an independent review to examine the governance structures and organisational culture of RTÉ overseen by an Expert Governance Advisory Committee; and,an independent review to examine the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Television Licence Fee (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 makes provision for the administration of the TV licence fee system. Total licence fee receipts are comprised of a contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free licences issued under the Household Benefits Scheme, and receipts from direct sales by An Post, who are the statutory issuing agent for licence fee collection. An Post...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Businesses continue to face significant cost pressures due to inflation and other economic factors. Rising costs however are not unique to the tourism industry and are a challenge for the wider economy. In relation to energy costs, the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme supports qualifying businesses with increases in electricity or natural gas costs. Amendments to help more...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: On Tuesday last, 4 July, Government approved a root and branch examination of RTÉ focused on two independent reviews of, first, the governance structures and organisational culture at RTÉ and, second, the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the fees paid, the use of agents, and other HR matters. The second review will also examine issues in relation to the use of...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: On 6 July, I met with the Chairperson of the RTÉ Board, Ms. Siún Ní Raghallaigh, the Director General of RTÉ, Mr. Kevin Bakhurst, and the now Acting Deputy Director General of RTÉ, Mr. Adrian Lynch. As set out in the statement I issued following that meeting, I made clear that I was not satisfied with the way in which information was been provided to the RTÉ...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Film Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 86, 94 and 99 together. Officials from my Department have engaged with the other Departments that have responsibility for various aspects of the Report of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight including the matter of a stakeholder forum as part of wider discussions in respect of the Section 481 Film Tax Credit. Consideration is being given to...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Promotion (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: The Regional Tourism Development Strategies outline a vision for tourism that sets out a five-year strategic framework for the sustainable development of Fáilte Ireland’s four regional brands. The strategies set a clear path ahead for the development of new and enhanced visitor experiences, building greater capacity and capability in the industry, and providing a clear strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Culture Policy (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: I published the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce in September 2021. It is a Cross-Government Report containing 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-Time Economy, all with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities and encouraging innovation and creativity in the Night-Time Economy in our towns and cities across...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: As I have previously set out, I became aware in late March, through communication from the Chair to my officials that an issue had arisen with regard to a transaction as part of the regular audit of the RTÉ 2022 annual accounts. At the time, the Chair had no insight into the detail or seriousness of the matter. In order to ascertain the facts, the Chair advised that the Audit and Risk...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (13 Jul 2023)

Catherine Martin: Under section 98 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is independent in the pursuance of its objects. However, given the nature and seriousness of the damaging disclosures regarding RTÉ in recent weeks, I decided to launch an independent, root and branch examination of RTÉ. Before finalising the terms of reference of the examination, on 28 June 2023 I met with representatives of...