Latest news with #Geoghegan
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Hotel lobby quietly backs introduction of a tourist tax, says Fine Gael TD
Private briefings from the hotel lobby have given quiet backing to the introduction of a tourist tax, a Fine Gael TD has said. James Geoghegan has indicated hotels in Dublin City have provided him with 'off-the-record' briefings, where they have set out their willingness to deal with a hotel room tax if Government can show where the funds will go. 'I've actually had a lot of off-the-record discussions with some of the major hotel sectors in Dublin City and what they say to me off-the-record is that look, 'a couple of euro on a hotel bill [is] fine, but if you show us what the return on that investment is',' Mr Geoghegan said. In recent months, the four local authorities in Dublin have been working on proposals to tax hotel rooms, with a suggestion funds raised could be funneled into amenities and local improvements. It has been estimated as much as €12m could be collected each year through the proposed levy. Mr Geoghegan cited how other countries have introduced a tourist tax, highlighting Edinburgh provides some of the funds back to hotels to deal with the administrative costs of the levy. 'There's lots of ways to ensure that we can bring them to the table. I can understand what they don't want to see is just something happen overnight and there does need to be a process, however frustrating that might be for people out there who want to see things happen quickly. 'This is the process of Government, but I think we're going in the right direction.' Mr Geoghegan said hotels would buy into the hotel levy as money raised would go 'right back into Dublin City' and support tourists travelling to Ireland. 'We see right across Europe, a couple of euros on a hotel bill is a very standard practice,' Mr Geoghegan said. It comes after a group of Dublin-based Fine Gael TDs, including Mr Geoghegan, launched proposals to support the implementation of the Dublin City taskforce report. This includes calling on the Government to examine the introduction of a hotel room tax, which has previously been dismissed by senior Coalition figures — including Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris. Mr Geoghegan said he had engaged in discussions with Fine Gael ministers, including tourism minister Peter Burke, on the matter. 'I do understand the general broader concerns in respect of tourism that he [Mr Burke] might have from an overnight introduction, but I'd be hopeful that he would support an examination,' Mr Geoghegan said. The Fine Gael TD added any examination should be carried out by Fáilte Ireland. On Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated the Government would discuss an implementation report on the taskforce at Cabinet next Tuesday. Mr Geoghegan said he was 'very hopeful' there would be a commitment to examining a hotel tax within the Cabinet memo. Read More Irish universities rank among global 800 for first time
Belfast Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan. SDLP MLA and former Armagh player Justin McNulty was also in the stands.
North Wales Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan. SDLP MLA and former Armagh player Justin McNulty was also in the stands.
Leader Live
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan. SDLP MLA and former Armagh player Justin McNulty was also in the stands.
Powys County Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
DUP minister vows commitment to all sports as he attends first senior GAA game
Stormont minister Gordon Lyons has portrayed his attendance at his first senior GAA game as evidence of his commitment to promoting all sports in Northern Ireland. The DUP Sports Minister was welcomed to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday afternoon for the gaelic football match between All-Ireland champions Armagh and Derry. Mr Lyons did not take his seat in the main stand until after the traditional pre-match singing of the Irish national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann. Arriving at the venue around 40 minutes before throw-in, he was greeted by senior Ulster GAA representatives, president Michael Geoghegan and chief executive officer Brian McAvoy. Mr Geoghegan and Mr McAvoy sat either side of the minister during the game. The DUP minister had faced criticism for not having attending a senior-level GAA match in his first 15 months as Communities Minister – a portfolio that includes responsibilities for sports in Northern Ireland. Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the ground, Mr Lyons said he wanted the focus of his visit to remain on the sporting action. 'Last week, I received an invite from Ulster GAA to come to the match here in Armagh today and I'm pleased to have been able to have accepted that invitation,' he said. 'As minister for sports in Northern Ireland I want to see more people get more active, more often, and I recognise the role that the GAA has to play in us achieving that ambition. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with officials, with players and with staff today, and I hope I am once more demonstrating my commitment to all sport in all areas, at all levels in Northern Ireland, and that's where the focus should be on today – on the sport.' Mr Geoghegan said it was a 'great day' for both the GAA and the minister. 'It's a great day for us, it's a great day for the minister,' he said. 'I believe he's going to see a full house here and going to see a very exciting game in the all-Ireland series. So we're delighted to have him as our guest here today.' Mr McAvoy said while it would have made it 'easier' if Mr Lyons had attended a game earlier in his time as minister, he acknowledged the issues he had coming to events on a Sunday. 'It probably would have been easier for both parties had it happened sooner,' he said. 'But we do understand the minister, that we play a lot of our games on a Sunday, and obviously due to his beliefs he doesn't attend any sporting events on a Sunday, and we respect that. 'So, it's good that we finally managed to synchronise diaries.' Mr Lyons' attendance comes ahead of an expected funding decision on the troubled redevelopment of the derelict GAA ground at Casement Park in west Belfast. Plans for a 34,000-capacity venue at Casement Park remain in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million. The £270 million project has faced years of delay due to disputes over planning and funding. Last September, the UK Government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time. The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million. The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month's UK-wide Spending Review. However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Mr Lyons, who has oversight for the project, has rejected claims he is not prioritising the rebuild, while Mr Benn has also pushed back at suggestions the impasse is the fault of the UK Government. The minister did not comment on the Casement issues as he spoke to the media on Saturday. Mr Geoghegan expressed hope that the UK Government would deliver a funding boost for the Casement rebuild. 'We're hopeful, the GAA public at large are very hopeful that something will be coming our way,' he said. 'Because, as you can see, we have a full stadium here today. We had a full stadium there a fortnight ago in Clones (for the Ulster Senior Football Championship final). 'The crowds are coming and we need better facilities to host our games.' Mr Lyons was not the first DUP politician to go to a GAA match. Former party leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster attended games, and current DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and former communities minister and current Education minister Paul Givan have tried their hands at Gaelic games during visits to GAA clubs. Mr Lyons was also not the only Stormont minister at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday. Sinn Fein Infrastructure minister and Armagh fan Liz Kimmins was at the game, as were several other politicians, including Sinn Fein senator Conor Murphy and party MLA Cathal Boylan.
