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Sport and Recreational Development.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2004

Tuesday, 25 May 2004

Questions (223, 224, 225, 226, 227)

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

240 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the present position regarding the new Stadium at Lansdowne Road; and ifhe will make a statement on the matter. [15398/04]

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Written answers

As I outlined in response to parliamentary questions on this matter earlier today, the preparatory work leading to the construction of a new stadium at Lansdowne Road is already under way. Since the Government's decision of 27 January to support a joint IRFU-FAI proposal to redevelop Lansdowne Road Stadium as a 50,000 all seated stadium, my Department has been working with both the IRFU and FAI to plan for and progress the implementation of the decision. A steering group has been established to advance the project and regular contact is maintained with both organisations.

The Lansdowne stadium project steering group has held a number of meetings. Chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, its membership comprises representatives of the IRFU, FAI, my Department and OPW. A priority for the group is to ensure that all the legal, financial, planning and procurement requirements are met in an efficient and timely manner so that actual construction work can get under way at the earliest possible date.

The delivery of the project will be the joint responsibility of the IRFU and the FAI through a special purpose vehicle, the establishment of which is nearing completion. The appointment of a project director is imminent. A formal grant agreement, between my Department on the one hand, and the IRFU and FAI on the other, is currently being finalised. The indicative timeframe for the project includes a period of 11 months to complete the planning process. The construction phase is expected to take 29 months and is scheduled to commence in mid 2006 and to be completed by the end of 2008.

Tony Gregory

Question:

241 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if State funding made available to Bord na gCon is specifically for the use of that body; if no portion of it is redirected to the Irish Coursing Club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15733/04]

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Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 Bord na gCon is the statutory agency responsible for the promotion and development of greyhound racing in Ireland. All State funding allocated under section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 to Bord na gCon is specifically for the use by the board in the performance of its functions.

Section 16(c) of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 sets out the activities, which can be funded by Bord na gCon. Under this section it may provide funding to the Irish Coursing Club, ICC, for the preservation of hares in connection with authorised coursing meetings and assisting the club in the performance of its functions or contributing to the cost of schemes operated by the club for the improvement and development of greyhound breeding and coursing.

I have been informed by Bord na gCon that the ICC recently submitted a proposal to it requesting financial assistance. While the proposal has not been accepted by Bord na gCon it has approved in principle a finance package to support the Irish Coursing Club in the improvement of integrity and animal welfare issues. However, no funding has yet been paid in respect of this support and Bord na gCon is awaiting a specific proposal from the ICC in respect of the utilisation of the proposed funding for animal welfare and integrity issues.

Fógraíocht Ranna.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

242 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta an bhfuil comórtas i gceist i roghnú an nuachtáin náisiúnta Gaeilge ina gcuirfear fógraí Stáit ón Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta. [15140/04]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

243 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta conas a chinntear fógraí Stáit óna Roinn a chur i nuachtán amháin thar nuachtán eile; an raibh an nuachtán Lá san áireamh sa liosta nuachtán náisiúnta Gaeilge as ar roghnaíodh Foinse le haghaidh fógraí. [15155/04]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

244 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta cad é luach na bhfógraí Stáit a cuireadh sa nuachtán Foinse in 2003. [15170/04]

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Tá sé i gceist agam Ceisteanna Uimh. 242, 243 agus 244 a thógáil le chéile.

Ní eagraíonn mo Roinnse comórtais chun nuachtáin a roghnú lena fhógraí preas a fhoilsiú. Tá na socruithe ar fad a dhéantar i dtaca le fógraí preas bunaithe ar an aidhm go mbeidh siad le feiceáil ag an oiread den phobal agus is féidir. Rinneadh an cinneadh fógraí preas a chur ibhFoinse ar an mbunús go bhfuil scaipeachán cuimsitheach ag an nuachtán sin. Ach an méid sin ráite, beidh mo Roinn sásta breathnú mar is cóir ar Lá i dtaca le fógraí preas a chur ann amach anseo, de réir mar is cuí. Chuir mo Roinn dhá fhógra preas i bhFoinse in 2003 ar chostas iomlán de €1,305.

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