Written Answers Nos. 379-382
380. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the date that she has commissioned or requested reports, respectively into RTÉ, the purpose of each report and the dates that these have been delivered since January 2023, in tabular form. [16585/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
|
Report |
Date Commissioned |
Purpose |
Delivery |
|
Mazars Interim Report on the examination of the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ |
12 July 2023 |
To examine the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ pursuant to section 109(7) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
25 August 2023 |
|
Mazars Final Report on the examination of the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ |
12 July 2023 |
To examine the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ pursuant to section 109(7) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
Pending |
|
Review of Governance and Culture in RTÉ |
4 July 2023 |
To examine RTÉ's corporate governance framework and provide an assessment of the organisational culture characteristics of RTÉ and make recommendations in that regard. |
Pending |
|
Review of Contractor Fees, Human Resources, and other matters in RTÉ |
4 July 2023 |
To examine matters relating to the engagement of contractors, short-term employment contracts, and employment terms and conditions and make recommendations in that regard. |
Pending |
381. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a meeting she had with an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16600/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBefore the Department and Government commits public moneys to supporting the hosting of a major sports event in Ireland, a significant range of factors needs to be taken into account. These factors include the projected cost to the State, the expected economic benefits accruing to the State, and the proposed event’s capacity to contribute to wider policy objectives, such as increasing physical activity and participation in sport, and aligning with national environmental and sustainability policies.
It is imperative to ensure that whenever Ireland is responsible for the hosting of a major sports event, adequate preparation and engagement with relevant stakeholders, is undertaken. In the majority of instances where Ireland has been selected to host a major sporting event, several years of preparation are needed in advance.
In October 2023, my Department received a formal proposal from Motorsport Ireland, which sought significant public moneys from the State, towards supporting the hosting of rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship. Motorsport Ireland proposed that these rounds commence in 2025 and follow in 2026 and 2027. The receipt of this formal proposal, in October 2023, took place following a meeting I held in the Department, with Motorsport Ireland representatives in June 2023.
In light of the relative immediacy of the proposed start date for hosting the World Rally Championship, commencing as soon as 2025, the Department is unable to commit significant public moneys towards supporting an event starting in 2025, given the need for thorough further assessment.
However, I have advised Motorsport Ireland that the Department is prepared to fund an independent economic analysis and business case assessment should its hosting of the World Rally Championship in later years, beyond 2025, be feasible. It should be noted that the independent economic analysis and business case assessment is separate to the assessment which the Department has already undertaken.
I note that Motorsport Ireland has welcomed this commitment and has advised that it will engage with the event promoter regarding the feasibility of alternative hosting years.
It is important to emphasise that in its assessment, the Department considered the experience in Ireland, and outside of Ireland, in terms of hosting this event in the past. The Department also engaged with key stakeholders, including Fáilte Ireland and Sport Ireland. In undertaking this assessment, the Department identified potential issues regarding Motorsport Ireland’s proposal, including the likely return on investment, the displacement impacts of holding an event in busy tourism months, and capacity concerns. This underlines the need for adequate time to consider any proposal for the hosting of major sporting events.
It is important to note that a Government decision is needed in order to approve the allocation of the significant public moneys that are required for hosting major sports event, like the World Rally Championship, including in areas such as security costs, transport costs and other logistical costs.
My Department is open to further engagement with Motorsport Ireland on this matter should Motorsport Ireland consider the hosting of the World Rally Championship in later years, beyond 2025, to be feasible.
382. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for introducing new regulatory controls requiring short-term and holiday lets to register with Fáilte Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16670/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed Registration of Short Term Tourism Letting (STTL) Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for Short Term Tourist Lets (STTLs) in Ireland, as required under the Housing for All strategy, and will be aligned with the new EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation which was formally adopted by the EU on 10 April 2024.
In this context, this Bill remains the subject of ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535 and with specific regard to alignment between the STTL Bill and EU law, in particular the new STR Regulation.
On 9 February 2024, the Commission responded positively regarding the principles outlined in Ireland’s formal response and my officials met with the Commission on 21 February 2024 to provide further clarifications on the proposed approach. This was a very positive engagement and a conclusion to the TRIS process shortly will allow for the publication of the Bill in the coming months.
Work on a revised General Scheme of the Bill is ongoing and I hope to be in a position to bring this Government soon.
In parallel with this, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is also developing Planning Guidelines concerning the STTL Sector to provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of STTL properties. These Guidelines are to be published no later than the publication of the STTL Bill.
