Priority Questions.

Arts Plan.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

61 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the finding of the recent NESF report, The Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion, which showed there are major differences in levels of participation in the arts, reflecting inequalities in society in terms of education, class, income and age; the action his Department or the agencies under his direct responsibility will take to implement the findings of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12114/07]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

I have noted the recommendations made in the National Economic and Social Forum, NESF, report No. 35, The Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion, and have asked my officials to take steps in the first instance to put in place the institutional arrangements to implement those recommendations. The proposed strategy committee with an independent chairperson will have the role of delivering on this implementation. On carrying out appropriate consultations, I will announce the composition of that committee.

The finalisation of the national development plan earlier this year heralded the single largest capital allocation to the arts and culture sector in the history of the State. A total of €904 million in funding in the culture sub-programme has been allocated to projects and institutions under the aegis of my Department. The objectives set out in the sub-programme are entirely consistent with delivering on many of the recommendations of the NESF report.

Until recently, other priority demands on resources in a growing economy, and the resultant pressure on the State's finances, meant that funding allocated to arts and culture, while on a steady upward curve, did not provide the Government with the wherewithal to undertake major investment in the sector. It was not until well into the 1990s that it was possible to commit substantial investment to the national cultural institutions and the millennium wing at the National Gallery was the first landmark project to be realised. The new national development plan provides a platform for greatly increased investment in such institutions, which will ensure the State will have both national cultural institutions of international repute and a network of world class regional facilities.

The NDP includes funding for the development of a new national theatre and a new National Concert Hall on a public private partnership basis. Considerable progress has been made on these projects which, when completed, will provide Ireland with state-of-the-art facilities for the benefit of its people and for its enhancement as a tourist destination.

It also includes funding for major capital developments at the other national cultural institutions. The following key projects will be delivered over the lifetime of the plan: the major extension of the National Library, delivery of a number of projects at the National Gallery in line with the gallery's development control plan and a major programme of works at the National Museum at Collins Barracks involving the development of the new centre block exhibition galleries. A building will also be provided to house the Asgard at Collins Barracks, where it will be conserved and proposals to locate a sports museum at Collins Barracks are under consideration. Such projects represent an ambitious agenda for the next phase in the development of the major national resource that Collins Barracks represents.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

Funding is also included for the enhancement of facilities and the provision of additional exhibition space at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA, investment in upgrading the Crawford Gallery in Cork, which has been designated as a national cultural institution, further enhancement of the Chester Beatty Library, shared off-site storage facilities for the national cultural institutions and the provision of a new headquarters for the National Archives as a public private partnership project.

The Government's policy on universal access to arts and cultural facilities will be furthered through the exploitation of technological developments that will enable it to begin a major digitisation programme for the collections in our national collecting institutions. Digitisation will provide access to the national collections nationwide and from abroad. It is an essential part of broadening access to elements of the national collections and will form the nucleus of public education in arts. For example, it will enable the State to put on-line the collection of the National Library in every school in the country by exploiting the Government's recent investment to bring high-speed broadband to all 4,200 schools nationwide. The digitisation programme will also take account of the North-South dimension. My Department will lead this initiative and will act in partnership with the cultural institutions and the private technology sector to realise this ambition.

The culture sub-programme will also take account of the North-South dimension. There is close collaboration between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council and I look forward to expanding the opportunities for even closer collaboration that should result from resumed political development. The co-operation that is already in place for North-South tourism provides a robust model for what can be achieved.

Funding is included for an enhanced arts and cultural capital enhancement support scheme, ACCESS, programme for grant aid towards the development of arts and culture infrastructure nationwide. A new round of ACCESS will run from 2007 to 2009 and applications for funding under this round have been evaluated by an independent selection committee and I will make an announcement on grant awards shortly. The primary focus of the scheme will be the refurbishment and enhancement of existing arts and culture facilities. The ACCESS programme is a key element of the Government's regional arts strategy.

Funding has also been allocated for the completion of major development projects at the Gate, the Gaiety, Smock Alley and Wexford theatres and for structural work on the Hunt Museum, Limerick. I am glad to report that the Gaiety and Wexford projects are proceeding apace and are on schedule.

I have served as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism since June 2002. This Government's record in arts, sport and tourism is one of which it can be justifiably proud and I was delighted to garner such significant and unprecedented funding for all three areas in successive Estimates campaigns and in the NDP. In this fast-paced and vibrant economy, it is important to remember that economic indicators alone cannot measure a strong and healthy society. The well-being of Irish society is also dependent on the vitality of its communities. I believe strongly that the arts have a critical role to play in enlivening, invigorating and distinguishing our society, locally, nationally and internationally, and that Ireland's future economic, social and cultural success requires that appropriate priority be given to the nation's creative and artistic constituents.

Mr. Deenihan

I am glad the Minister has given a commitment in the House that he will establish a steering committee or a strategy committee to implement the recommendations of this report. I was delighted to serve on the committee that produced it and am grateful that a number of recommendations I made have been included.

The reason I welcomed the commitment made today by the Minister is that although the Arts Council and the Combat Poverty Agency produced a similar report with many of the same recommendations in the 1990s, they were not implemented. Had they been implemented then, we would not be facing the same problems regarding cultural inclusion and social cohesion that affect our society today. Does the Minister accept that many people are deprived of enjoying the arts to the extent they should because of their class, educational or socio-economic backgrounds or ethnic origins?

Although the Minister has little time remaining to him, will he give a commitment that the Government will pursue a form of spatial strategy regarding the provision of facilities nationwide in order that communities will have access to arts centres and to quality performances? One barrier that emerged strongly in this report concerned the issue of geographical location. Those who live in remote locations have no opportunity to see professional performances because Dublin and the other major centres are simply too distant from them. There must be a commitment to some spatial distribution of arts centres nationwide in order that touring parties can visit such locations to provide quality performances, as can local groups. Moreover, the Arts Council requires a considerable amount of increased funding to enable it to provide funding for more professional touring groups to tour, thus ensuring that people can have access to quality performances. The Minister should respond to these questions.

Mr. O’Donoghue

I extend my thanks to the representatives of all strands of the NESF, that is, the Oireachtas Members, namely, Deputies Deenihan and McManus and Senator Mooney, together with the social partners, Departments and agencies, for their tremendous work in compiling this report. It goes without saying that people have not had equality of access to the arts in Ireland since the foundation of the State. I would go so far as to suggest that sponsorship of the arts is a relatively modern phenomenon and that this may be the first Irish generation with the monetary capacity to engage in meaningful sponsorship of the arts. I strongly believe the arts have a critical role to play in enlivening, invigorating and distinguishing our society, locally, nationally and internationally, and that Ireland's future economic social and cultural success requires that appropriate priority be given to the nation's creative and artistic constituents.

In that respect, I believe the Government has made considerable progress due to increased funding for the arts and that programmes such as ACCESS I have been extremely successful. I recently announced the establishment of ACCESS II and applications are being considered at present. This will permit the continued creation of facilities for the arts nationwide in order that people may give expression to their creative talents.

Digitisation is extremely important and I am pleased the national development plan provides for it as I campaigned for it long and hard. For example, we will be able to make available the treasures in the National Library to every school and pupil in Ireland, thus enabling them to engage with the treasures held in the National Library. Progressive digitisation will enable us to spread the arts across the nation in order that people will be able to participate irrespective of their socio-economic background, which is important.

Continued investment by local authorities in tandem with the Arts Council in local areas is of immense importance. While I do not for a moment pretend that all has been resolved in respect of participation, enormous ground has been made in a relatively short time and I do not doubt that the seeds sown will bear further fruit in years to come.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We will move to Question No. 62.

Mr. Deenihan

May I ask a short question?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy may ask a brief question.

Mr. Deenihan

Because the report is so important I wish to ask the Minister whether particular emphasis will be placed on access for young people to the arts when the Department establishes the strategy committee, which I hope will be within the next couple of weeks. The report identifies barriers against young people fully participating in the arts and exploiting or capitalising on their latent talent. The new Irish, particularly the African-Irish, have particular expertise in music and dance. Will the Minister ensure particular attention is paid to them and that particular recommendations are made and actions taken to include these groups in any future strategy?

Mr. O’Donoghue

That will be done. The implementation group will be established at the earliest possible date after consultations have taken place. I am conscious of the need to involve young people, which is why we established the arts and education committee last year. This committee had the task of formulating a policy to enable us to ensure the education sector became more involved as regards the involvement of children in the arts. The report to be furnished to me in the not too distant future will give expression to this.

Lansdowne Road Stadium.

Jack Wall

Question:

62 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the new Lansdowne Road stadium; the timetable for the construction of the new stadium; his views on whether it will be completed by the 2009 target date; if he anticipates further challenges, legal or otherwise, to be made in objection to the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11960/07]

Mr. O’Donoghue

As the House is aware, in January 2004 the Government agreed to provide funding of €191 million towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium as a 50,000 capacity all-seater state-of-the-art facility. The recent decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the project cleared the way for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road to commence.

This is an enormously important decision for sport in Ireland. The new Lansdowne Road stadium will meet the needs of the IRFU and the FAI for hosting rugby and soccer matches, while also providing a platform to showcase the talent of our international teams to the world. I congratulate the IRFU, the FAI and the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company for their vision, painstaking preparatory work and commitment to ensuring the proposed facility reached the present milestone. I am informed by the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company that it envisages construction getting under way this May, all going well, and with an estimated construction period of 29 months the facility should be ready in late 2009 or early 2010.

Last week's decision also means we can begin to engage seriously with UEFA on its announcement last year that it was prepared to host either a Champions League or UEFA Cup final in the stadium when completed. The development of Lansdowne Road is hugely significant in economic terms and the new stadium will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in attracting an increased number of supporters and visitors to Dublin when major games are played. Reports commissioned by the IRFU estimated that a rugby international against England could generate in the region of €52 million for the economy.

With regard to the Deputy's reference to possible further challenges, legal or otherwise, Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company engaged in a sustained consultative process with local residents and other bodies in the course of which it worked hard to fully understand and take on board real concerns to the greatest extent possible. I am confident this positive framework of consultation and constructive engagement will continue as the project moves into the construction and completion phases.

In concluding my response to these questions I would like to reflect for one moment on the cultural significance of what is about to commence at Lansdowne Road. The stadium has been part of Dublin history for 135 years, beginning in 1872 as a multi-sports venue for athletics, cricket, croquet, football, archery and lawn tennis and a little later hosting its first international rugby fixture in 1878. Many great sporting moments are associated with the stadium and successive generations of Dubliners and others have their own particular memories of great victories and dramatic defeats, whether in international rugby, soccer or the many other sports events held there throughout the decades. It is a matter of great satisfaction that this element of Dublin has survived from the heyday of Charles Stewart Parnell and will host fixtures that will enthrall Irish sports fans long into the 21st century.

Mr. Deenihan

It is amazing that the Taoiseach wanted to move it from there.

Mr. Wall

I thank the Minister for his documentative reply. This side of the House agrees with and fully supports the development of Lansdowne Road. I have a number of questions and would appreciate it if the Minister answered them. In recent days we saw the findings of a number of surveys which stated alcohol was associated with sport to too high a degree. The new Lansdowne Road stadium will have a total of 2,410 sq. m of bar and licensed restaurant facilities. Croke Park also has such facilities. Is the Minister concerned that once again we must associate alcohol with the development of our national stadia? Must they go hand in hand or can we get the maximum benefit from them without the influence of alcohol? Is alcohol a major player in attracting attendances on the day? Is it fair to state we should ensure the strict criteria which I am sure are in place are adhered to with regard to opening hours for the sale of alcohol in such stadia?

Statements were made with regard to the Dodder and the fact that Dublin City Council must determine the sale of a strip of land adjacent to river to the development company to allow it ensure development of the stadium. Will the Minister comment on this?

Does the Minister still stand over the statement that the maximum funding to be provided by the Department is €190 million? Why will that money be paid upfront rather than in stages? Was it a request from the IRFU and the FAI or did the Government decide to make the payment upfront and allow the two associations to develop the project? What was the idea behind it?

Mr. O’Donoghue

The provision of bar facilities at the new Lansdowne Road stadium is part of the plan. It should be remembered that often modern stadia are not used solely for the purposes of sport. Croke Park is often used for major conferences. In the same way, I anticipate meetings and smaller conferences will take place at Lansdowne Road. Therefore, I anticipate a need for restaurant and bar facilities and it is only natural that these facilities would form part of the plans. It is not the intention of the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company nor mine to promote the sale of drink, far from it.

Regarding the Dodder river walkway, an international sized rugby pitch will be provided at the rear of the East Stand to be used by Wanderers and Lansdowne rugby clubs. This development requires a small strip of land along the Dodder river walkway. Dublin City Council was approached with this request and is fully aware of what is involved. Discussions are continuing. In return, land along the Dodder river just outside the stadium will be upgraded and improved in order that there will continue to be a Dodder walkway from Lansdowne Road to Bath Avenue. The existing amenity will not be removed.

Engagement with other statutory agencies will be necessary as we progress with construction. There will be a necessity to have talks and reach agreement with Iarnród Éireann.

The entire cost is €365 million, of which the Exchequer will provide €191 million. Expenditure to date is approximately €23 million which was spent on matters such as design. The Department's Vote this year made provision for expenditure of €56 million in anticipation of An Bord Pleanála granting planning permission. I am glad to state it did so. In the circumstances, it is clear that Exchequer funding to be provided in the period from now to the end of construction will be staggered. It is true that the FAI and IRFU will come in at a later stage with their contributions. The reason is that to a large extent, their funds will be raised by way of selling corporate box advance tickets. They are confident they will each raise the required share of funding in accordance with the agreement.

It is the Government's intention to provide €191 million, which has been the aim since the beginning. It remains the position that the Government is committed to the provision of €191 million and no more. As of now, we hope to see construction commence in May this year, with construction of the new stadium completed by the end of 2009. This would mean we have met every single deadline since the commencement of the project.

Arts Funding.

Paudge Connolly

Question:

63 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his proposals to progress a new theatre in Monaghan town, which would be an invaluable asset to tourism in the county; the timeframe he envisages for the project; the funding that he will make available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11823/07]

Mr. O’Donoghue

An application for funding was received from this project under the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme II, better known as ACCESS II. This is the successor to the highly successful ACCESS I scheme, introduced in August 2001, which allocated funding of almost €43 million to 40 projects nationwide.

ACCESS has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of high quality arts and culture infrastructure around the country. Under the new scheme, 70% of the funds will be directed towards the enhancement and refurbishment of existing facilities, with 30% available for new facilities.

An independent selection committee has just completed the assessment of the applications and has, in recent days, completed its report for my consideration. I am currently examining this report and hope to make an announcement regarding the successful applicants shortly.

Mr. Connolly

I note that ACCESS I was successful but I understand the ACCESS II programme of €23 million included 25%, or approximately €6 million, specifically for new theatres. I understand there was to be an announcement before the end of March, so when will the Minister make the announcement? The Minister has stated he is considering the report but will his announcement come before the end of March, as was originally promised?

Is the Minister aware of the success of the local Garage Theatre in Monaghan over the past 14 years? Excellent work has been done by the CEO of the VEC, Mr. Larry McCluskey, and his staff at the theatre there. There were many sceptics at the beginning but it has worked out and the facility is very successful.

Does the Minister consider the facilities in the Garage Theatre to be totally inadequate for professional artists and local audiences? That is no fault of the theatre staff and administrators, who are dedicated and hard working. Is the Minister also aware that despite the shortcomings, the theatre has enjoyed notable success in fostering individual artistic talent, not just at local level but also at the national level?

Does the Minister agree the existing arts infrastructure in Monaghan, which has centred on the Garage Theatre, is in serious need of an upgrade by means of a new theatre? The Garage Theatre has seen much use in the past 12 months, producing 106 shows, or over two shows per week. That is a notable achievement in a town like Monaghan. Does the Minister agree the theatre project is deserving of funding, particularly with regard to the excellent record it has had over the previous 14 years?

Does the Minister agree the provision of a new theatre in Monaghan would be a major asset to the town and the county in general? It would attract quite a number of people in the development of the arts and culture-based tourism. We attract a number of people from the Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh area, and I am sure the Minister would agree there is a good buzz about cross-Border projects etc. This new theatre would be ideally located in Monaghan.

Mr. O’Donoghue

I had the pleasure of visiting the Garage Theatre and I am aware of the difficulties under which the people running it and performing there operate. Under the new ACCESS scheme, 70% of funds will be directed to the enhancement or refurbishment of existing facilities, with 30% available for new facilities. We received 155 applications from right across the country up to the closing date. An independent selection committee has been assessing the applications and I do not anticipate an announcement prior to the end of this month.

An application was received from the Garage Theatre in Monaghan to build a new theatre in the town. The project has an estimated cost somewhere in the order of €10 million, with the project promoters seeking funding in the order of €6 million. There is a difficulty with that in the context of the amount of funding available under the scheme for new build and the amount of funding available generally.

As I have stated, the matter is under consideration and an announcement in respect of theatres, as well as art and exhibition centres across the country, can be expected in due course.

Mr. Connolly

The Minister has stated the new project in Monaghan is costed at €10 million and €6 million is being allocated for new theatres. Does the Minister not consider the amount to be inadequate?

Mr. O’Donoghue

Irrespective of how much money a Minister may have, he or she may regard it as inadequate. The reality is I have a certain fund which I have negotiated to the best of my ability and it must be administered to the best of my ability with regard to promoting arts in the country, taking into account geographical demands.

Tourism Promotion.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

64 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will request Tourism Ireland to launch a major marketing plan for the Shannon and western region following the bilateral open skies agreement between the USA and Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12115/07]

Mr. O’Donoghue

I welcome the advent of the open skies agreement, which has long been an objective of Irish tourism policy. Following on the open skies deal, Aer Lingus has announced new services to San Francisco, Orlando and Washington Dulles. These additional routes have the potential to benefit Irish tourism and business links across the country. The new open skies regime will, of course, see the phasing out of the Shannon stopover policy. This is a challenge for Shannon but it is also an opportunity. If Shannon is to successfully rise to that challenge, a number of issues will need to be addressed.

The cost base of the airport is too high and if it is not tackled, Shannon will not be able to meet the challenge or exploit the opportunities presented by open skies. In that context, it is encouraging to note recent positive developments on a severance and flexibility package for staff.

The airport will need to look beyond the north Atlantic and look at the opportunities presented by routes to Britain and mainland Europe, building on recent positive experience in that regard. It is critical that visitors to the Shannon catchment area are provided with accessible routes and transport options. From a tourism perspective, it is essential that local interests work to enhance the range and quality of tourism product in the region, having regard to Fáilte Ireland's new product development strategies.

Tourism marketing will have optimum impact when the above elements are in place. A key aim of any tourism marketing campaign would be an integrated regional response with a particular focus on maintaining good flows of off-peak business. There have been demands for a special tourism marketing fund for Shannon but these must be tempered by realism. The House should note that the total tourism marketing fund for 2007 is €45 million and that Tourism Ireland would have spent less than €8 million in direct marketing in the USA during 2006 for the whole island.

My Department has considered the impact of open skies and has been in touch with the tourism agencies which are committed to working closely with Shannon development and the industry in delivering a response, and the Deputy can take it that there will be a response.

Any tourism marketing response must, in my view, be delivered by Tourism Ireland, focus on the wider Shannon catchment area, have regard to the new super regions marketing framework introduced in 2006 and, in so far as North America is concerned, conform to Tourism Ireland's new North American strategy.

I understand that my colleague the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, will be bringing his draft economic and tourism development plan for Shannon to Cabinet very soon. That will provide an opportunity for Cabinet to discuss the nature of any response and the need for additional resources, if any.

Mr. Deenihan

I am sure the Minister agrees that Shannon Airport is critical to the future of both the Shannon region and the western seaboard. The Minister is aware that 70% of all transatlantic traffic drops off in Shannon. It is estimated by the Shannon marketing group that Shannon will lose at least 100,000 transatlantic tourists per year and I do not have to remind the Minister that at least 68% of all tourists disembarking from Shannon end up in County Kerry. The issue has major implications for that county as well.

Some 50% of US companies and investment is located in the Shannon region and the Shannon free zone has one of the biggest industrial parks in the country. One of the reasons US companies located in and around Shannon was the airport. There is a distinct possibility that we could lose this type of investment, which would be another major blow to the region. We could lose tourists and jobs.

The Minister is aware of the case of Prestwick Airport in Scotland. It was a refuelling stop, but due to improvements in airline technology, that stop became unnecessary. The airport is under significant pressure to survive and I hope the same does not occur at Shannon Airport.

Between 1999 and 2003, tourism lost approximately 3 million bed-nights along the western seaboard. As the Minister knows, there have been a number of closures. Unless more visitors go the area, there will be further closures. The Minister mentioned a few plans. The three reports in the past three years on Shannon Airport with which I am familiar suggested that if the bilateral agreement came about, a plan should be put in place immediately so that Tourism Ireland or another body could enter the source market to ensure business is found for the airport. On the same day Aer Lingus announced its commitment to retain its 400,000 seats, it announced three new American destinations — Orlando, Detroit and Washington — from Dublin.

This is an important issue. The Minister does not agree with the Irish Hotels Federation that a major marketing plan must be put in place, but I will warn him that this matter will have significant implications for our county, the western seaboard and the Shannon region. Will he be more specific concerning what strategy is in place to ensure the survival of Shannon Airport?

Mr. O’Donoghue

Last year was the best in the history of Irish tourism, as 7.7 million people visited the country and generated almost €4.5 billion in revenue. It was an extraordinary performance and is indicative of the resilience of the tourism industry. I anticipate that we will exceed those figures this year, surpassing the 8 million visitor mark for the first time.

This is a small island on Europe's periphery and visitors arriving in such numbers will benefit every part of it. Last year, there was a substantial increase on the previous year in the number of visitors to the western seaboard. I forecast another substantial increase this year. It is not true to say last year was a poor tourism season.

Mr. Deenihan

I did not say that. I asked about the Minister's plan for Shannon Airport.

Mr. O’Donoghue

Regarding the open skies arrangement, it is anticipated by the chief executives of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, the officials in my Department and the Department of Transport and the Government in general that open skies will lead to a revolution in Irish tourism. The number of visitors from the United States of America will increase considerably in the coming years.

When we speak of open skies and the Shannon stopover, let it be remembered that there was quid pro quo, namely, our national airline could not fly from more than four gateway cities in the USA. It was restricted in terms of its growth and, therefore, the number of people it could bring here from the USA. That quid pro quo is gone, indicative of which is Aer Lingus’s announcement on the night of the agreement being made that it will fly from three more gateway cities.

Mr. Deenihan

None of those flights will go to Shannon Airport.

Mr. O’Donoghue

Tourism Ireland has identified 15 major cities in the USA where we can expect substantial growth under open skies. This will mean that we can anticipate a large increase in the number of American visitors.

The Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, has an implementation document regarding the future of Shannon Airport. I have examined the document and stated that the demand for €44 million is unrealistic. However, my Department is considering our marketing of the region. It must be remembered that the number of visitors passing through Shannon Airport last year increased by 23% on the previous year. Given the pessimism expressed in some quarters, this was a tremendous performance. Inasmuch as the number of American visitors will increase under open skies, Shannon Airport will also grow. If it grasps the opportunities outlined in my original reply, I do not doubt that it will continue to benefit the mid west, west, south west and north west as it has always done, albeit in an enhanced way.

Departmental Programmes.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

65 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the policies, guidelines or regulations in place regarding his Department’s involvement, or the involvement of agencies under his remit, in initiatives involving commercial promotions in the area of arts, sport or tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12000/07]

Mr. O’Donoghue

My Department operates a range of promotional programmes and initiatives in the arts, sport and tourism sectors directly or through the many bodies under its remit. The overall policy framework governing the work of the Department is set out in our statement of strategy 2005-07 and regular annual reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library or on the Department's website.

The terms, guidelines and procedures governing individual schemes and programmes operated directly by the Department, such as the sports capital programme, the local authority swimming pool programme and the arts and culture capital enhancement scheme, are posted on the Department's website or are available on request, while details of initiatives operated by the State bodies are available from the bodies themselves. Some of the beneficiaries of the programmes and initiatives referred to engage in commercial promotions as part of their operations, while others are purely voluntary or not-for-profit organisations.

In general, I welcome commercial support and sponsorship for the arts and sport, as such support complements State support and facilitates enhanced facilities, for example, additional or improved exhibitions or assistance for the developmental activities of the governing bodies of sport or individual athletes.

The Irish Sports Council's code of ethics and good practice for children's sport encourages sports leaders to refrain from seeking sponsorship from the alcohol and tobacco industries. Adherence to the code is overseen by the Irish Sports Council. Given the general nature of the Deputy's question, it is not clear as to what precise information he is seeking, but if he wishes to clarify the matter in a separate question or questions, I would be happy to provide an appropriate reply.

Mr. Gogarty

The guidelines are woefully inadequate. Does the Minister not know that children are being exploited with the approval of an agency under his remit? He knows of issues I have raised with the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, regarding the morality and sensibility of allowing commercial businesses to peddle their wares in schools, but the Minister's Department has taken it one step further.

I refer to the Irish Sports Council's involvement in the Kids in Action scheme with Supervalu, the logo of which is in the scheme's advertisements. I welcome that since 2004, Supervalu has supported Buntús, a non-commercial scheme, but Kids in Action is different. It is an incentive scheme involving children collecting bundles of €10 vouchers to get equipment. For example, their purchases must amount to almost €4,000 for a Gaelic football worth less than €20, a basketball coaching bag requires €70,000 worth of purchasing and a so-called free indoor hurley needs €3,800 worth of shopping. Unfortunately, this blatant commercialism and cynical use of children and teachers is legal and made more attractive by the lack of real investment in schools' physical education equipment.

Does the Minister agree with the sports council endorsing a commercial scheme overtly? Is it not a morally bankrupt and corrupt practice and what will the Minister do about it?

Mr. O’Donoghue

The Sports Council is neither morally bankrupt nor corrupt. The council is involved in so far as it can be in increasing children's participation in sport. It operates Buntús, which is assisted by the commercial sector, as the Deputy pointed out. I do not know the modalities or methodologies of the situation, but the Buntús programme has been successful.

We are trying to increase the number of children participating in sport because society has a problem in terms of obesity and its health-related difficulties. While we use as much of our funding as we can, we are involved with the commercial sector where feasible through the sports council to achieve higher participation rates. Not for a moment do I believe the council would become involved in any corrupt or immoral practice.

Mr. Gogarty

With all due respect, is the Minister a pimp? Is he trying to keep kids healthy by allowing a body under his remit to prostitute itself in providing equipment for them? That is what is happening. The reality is that the Irish Sports Council is endorsing Super Valu, a commercial company with commercial interests, by allowing its logo to be used in Super Valu's advertisements. Is that an immoral practice, if not a corrupt one? Is it right that a body under the remit of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is endorsing a company? Is the Minister saying he endorses Super Valu because it gives a person a GAA ball worth €18 if he or she spends €4,000 in its shops?

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 28 Mar 2007