Other Questions.
59 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the decline of walking tourism since the 1990s and the fact that Wales, a smaller region, caters for almost seven times as many walking tourists. [31440/04]
View answer89 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he is concerned at the decline in the number of tourists travelling here for the purpose of engaging in hill walking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31475/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 89 together.
The marketing and promotion of niche tourism products such as walking and other holiday activities is carried out by the tourism State agencies, not my Department. Fáilte Ireland has legislative responsibility for supporting the tourism industry in the areas of product development and niche-specialist product marketing, while Tourism Ireland markets the island of Ireland overseas. Fáilte Ireland formulates marketing and promotion campaigns for niche tourism products which Tourism Ireland delivers overseas.
Fáilte Ireland recently published its detailed analysis of the data on the activities in which overseas visitors engaged while in Ireland in 2003. It confirms the downward trend in activity based visits, including walking holidays, evident in recent years. The fact sheets are availableon Fáilte Ireland's corporate website, www.failteireland.ie.
To halt the downward trend requires concerted and complementary actions by the State tourism agencies and a range of stakeholders. The product providers must ensure they know what their consumers want, how their behaviour is changing and that they are in a position to meet changing needs. An environment of evolving consumer choices and needs is here to stay and the Irish tourism industry needs to take cognisance of this.
The changing nature of the British market which provides nearly 60% of our overseas visitors and which was particularly significant for various activity segments presents a particular challenge. Some of the relevant issues are: the preference for shorter, city breaks; the fact that the number of bed nights by British visitors outside Dublin is down significantly; the drop in the own-car segment, making visitors less mobile and more bound to the area around the point of arrival; and the perception of the quality of some of the product offerings.
Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with the industry, has undertaken a major review of the British market with a view to identifying the reasons for the changes in consumer behaviour and the responses needed by the tourism industry to address them and grow this market. I regard the British market as of pivotal importance. It represents approximately 4.75 million of our visitors every year. Therefore, this study is of immense importance.
I understand the first phase of the Tourism Ireland research has been completed and that phase two, currently under way, is the largest qualitative research exercise ever undertaken by a tourism agency of the British consumer. Informed by the results of the research, tangible and relevant responses to shifting demand patterns and other challenges being presented by the British market are being and will continue to be developed by Tourism Ireland with its partners in the tourism industry.
Some of the emerging issues and priorities will be outlined by Tourism Ireland in its marketing strategy and plans for 2005 to be presented to the industry early this month. The increased funding of 14% that I secured in the recent Estimates, to bring the tourism marketing fund to almost €35.8 million in 2005, will allow Tourism Ireland to step forward confidently with its plans to reshape and reinvigorate its marketing and advertising campaigns in the British and other key markets.
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is, via Comhairle na Tuaithe, addressing various issues around access to the countryside. In addition, a Supreme Court ruling is also awaited on the question of the liability of landowners. It may well be that progress on the access issue will have to await the outcome of that crucial judgement.
There is a lot of focus on the access issue, which is understandable, but it would be wrong to think access is the only issue. Even if we had no problems with access — I believe we exaggerate the extent of the problem — we would still have major challenges in the walking and other activity segments. To address the wider challenges, Fáilte Ireland has undertaken a series of case studies on key tourism products some of which should be available early in the new year.
I noted that the Minister was present to vote on the Bill I brought forward in the House yesterday. I hope some of the suggestions made by the Opposition in that debate will be taken on board. What is the Minister's opinion on why the number of overseas visitors who came here on walking holidays declined from approximately 320,000 in 1993 to 170,000 in 2003? Has he any valid reason for this when in the face of the events of 11 September 2001 the rest of the tourism figures held up well? What leadership role will he take in this regard?
Given that the Minister holds the record for passing and refusing questions via the Arts Council, the Irish Sports Council or Fáilte Ireland, what leadership role will he play in the light of the Bill that was defeated and of the reality that walking in Ireland is seen as a no-go area among tourism specialists throughout Europe? All the walking magazines in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe advise people to get out of Ireland and go to Scotland and Wales. What is the Minister going to do to address this imbalance in the next five years? Will he, for example, set up a task force separate from Comhairle na Tuaithe to designate new areas for walking, such as County Monaghan, and make Ireland a welcoming, inviting place once again?
I do not believe there is any one reason for the decline in walking holidays in Ireland. I am not so sure that comparisons with Wales are valid because Wales is part of Britain to which people can drive. The bulk of the Welsh walking business is domestically driven, mainly from England which has a population of just under 50 million.
In Ireland the level of domestic participation in walking last year totalled 235,000 while the number of overseas visitors came to 168,000. After historical and cultural activities, walking remains the largest niche area. There is no doubt that access to the countryside presents a difficulty. The Donegal case in which judgment has been reserved by the Supreme Court will prove pivotal in addressing the problem.
The British Government introduced very demanding legislation in regard to legal rights of access for walking activities across Britain. Having looked at the situation, I am strongly of the view that because of the rights to private property in the Constitution, such legislation would not survive constitutional challenge here and that represents a real difficulty. I do not say access is the only problem, but it is certainly one of the problems with which we are faced. Until such time as that is resolved, it is difficult for us to market walking holidays in Ireland in the manner in which we would like.
I compliment my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, for setting up the countryside recreation council, Comhairle na Tuaithe, in January last year. It has established three working groups which are examining the contentious issue of access, but no further progress can be made pending the decision of the Supreme Court appeal in the Donegal case where, as Deputy Gogarty is probably aware, a landowner was held to be 75% negligent in regard to injuries sustained by a walker.
It is the function of Tourism Ireland to market the island of Ireland, including physical activities, on the international stage. Fáilte Ireland, which has responsibility in this jurisdiction, also has a great interest in that. I hope we will be able to make further progress on this important issue following the delivery of the reserve judgment in the Donegal case. We will then be in a position to review the situation with a more optimistic outlook.
I am sure the Minister is aware that more walkers came to Ireland last year than golfers. Some 133,000 golfers came here in 2003 whereas 168,000 walkers came. People do not realise that walking is a great deal more valuable to Ireland than golf. The multiplier is also large. Does the Minister agree that of all leisure activities, walking makes the greatest impact in the regions and rural Ireland? Some 96% of walkers go to rural areas, including the peninsulas of County Kerry, where the Minister and I come from. Tourism numbers have gone down considerably in the regions.
In view of the importance of walking to tourism, should action not be urgently taken by Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the Department? As Deputy Gogarty pointed out, the number of walkers has declined from 325,000 in 1993 to 168,000 last year. This must give rise to concern.
We are concerned at the decline in the number of people coming here on walking holidays. I explained that walking holidays are very much dependent, although not exclusively, on British holidaymakers. I also explained how Fáilte Ireland is engaged in one of the most comprehensive examinations of attitudes among British visitors ever undertaken by any tourism agency with a view to improving business from Britain, which, in turn, and as a matter of consequence would also improve the number of people coming here on walking holidays from Britain. This is something we treat very seriously.
At a time when farming is in decline, rural tourism has become far more important and the focus on rural tourism will become ever greater. That is why I am inclined to ask landowners to carefully reflect on this in terms of excluding people from their lands. I understand why there would be a certain amount of concern among landowners in regard to negligence actions and so on, but I have stated that we expect the Supreme Court to deliver its judgment in the Donegal case relatively soon whereupon matters should become clearer.
In the meantime, the tourism industry remains our best bet in terms of regionalisation. It does not require a deliberate act of decentralisation and in that respect it is important that the best welcome which can be extended is extended to visitors to rural areas who seek to go hill walking.
60 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of race courses which are totally or partly in private ownership with regard to funding for race courses recently announced by him under the capital development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31423/04]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland, HRI, was established as the statutory body with responsibility for the horseracing industry under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. The general functions of HRI, as outlined in the Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994, as amended by the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, include the development and promotion of the Irish horseracing industry, including the development of authorised race courses and the making of grants, loans and other disbursements to authorised race courses.
HRI receives a guaranteed level of funding from the horse and greyhound racing fund which is based on accrued excise duty on off-course betting, subject to a minimum level based on the 2000 level adjusted for inflation. Any shortfall in the amount generated by excise duty is made up by direct Exchequer subvention. The Government has decided to increase the limits of the horse and greyhound racing fund to €550 million to continue the fund for a further four years to 2008. By the end of 2004, Horse Racing Ireland will have received €206.4 million from the fund.
The new race course capital development fund that HRI has put in place provides a matching funding scheme for Irish race courses to substantially upgrade their facilities over the next five years. The total investment by race courses and HRI combined will be almost €200 million over the period. HRI will provide up to €110 million of the money in grant aid and the race courses will finance the balance from their own resources.
There are 25 race courses in operation in the State, of which 23 are totally or partly in private ownership. At present, the HRI owns Leopardstown and Navan, as well as holding a 78% share in Tipperary and owning the lands at Cork race course. HRI is in the process of acquiring a 50% share in Punchestown.
HRI proposes to allocate 55% grant aid to any privately owned race course which can contribute the remaining 45% towards the cost of any capital development undertaken. All projects will be thoroughly evaluated by HRI prior to the allocation of grant aid and the appropriate security will be taken by HRI over those race course lands and assets.
It was reported in the media and elsewhere that an all-weather track could be sited at Abbotstown. I assume this race course would come under the auspices of Horse Racing Ireland. As so many courses are privately owned, does the Minister consider it would be to the advantage of Horse Racing Ireland to acquire a controlling interest in more race courses than it has at present? Why was it decided to invest in Punchestown as opposed to any other privately owned race course? In future, is it intended that Horse Racing Ireland will take a controlling interest in more race courses?
Are we any closer to a decision on the location of an all-weather track and will it be located at Abbotstown or Dundalk? Has the position advanced further than what the Minister stated during Question Time on the last occasion?
If Deputy Wall will excuse the terminology, at this point Abbotstown is a non-runner. We are examining the question of whether Dundalk will be in a position to proceed with the all-weather track. HRI has made clear at this stage that it is in favour of an all-weather track, as am I. In Horse Racing Ireland's strategy statement, having an all-weather track in the country is one of the set objectives. Dundalk is in all probability the most suitable location for an all-weather track for a number of reasons, not least of which is that the course appears to be suitable for it in terms of length and has the added advantage that a greyhound racing facility is already in place. Moreover, its proximity to the North of Ireland is of importance because more than a few punters of consequence happen to live there.
That aside, Horse Racing Ireland is willing to put up 55% of the cost of an all-weather track. However, it does not believe that the specifications that were pursued in the case of Dundalk would be adequate and has suggested that such a development would cost €18 million to €20 million. In that context, it has sought confirmation from the Dundalk executive that it would be in a position to put up €8 million with HRI putting up the remainder.
Deputy Wall asked about the position on Punchestown, in regard to which he knows there were difficulties in recent years. These are being resolved. One of the principle reasons HRI would be interested in acquiring a significant shareholding in Punchestown is that it is one of our flagship tracks. To many people, it is the Cheltenham of Ireland, particularly to followers of national hunt racing. It is desirable for HRI to pursue the acquiring of interests in the remainder of the racecourses.However, realistically it is constrained by the amount of capital available to it as well as the reluctance of owners of privately-owned tracks to sell. In that connection, it would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the contribution and interest which has always been shown by the private owners of such courses.
61 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if invitations to tender have been issued to the three pre-qualified candidates for the national conference centre; when it is expected that an announcement will be made on the successful bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31451/04]
View answer90 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism whether administrative practices within his Department are impacting on the development of a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29977/04]
View answer99 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he would provide an update on the provision of a new national conference centre; the number of interested parties at this stage; the likely timescale for the project at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31434/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 90 and 99 together.
On 7 July last, I announced that three of the four candidates who had submitted expressions of interest in the provision of a national conference centre in the Dublin area had been short-listed to proceed to the next stage of the competition. As required, each short-listed consortium proposed an acceptable site in the Dublin area.
As I have explained to the House in response to similar questions, most recently on 20 October last, the Government decided that procurement of the national conference centre should be in the form of a public private partnership. The procedures involved are complex and are set out in the Department of Finance's interim guidelines for the provision of infrastructure and capital investments through public private partnerships but are designed to ensure a transparent process. The key elements, such as the determination of public sector benchmark, an affordability cap and an economic evaluation of the project, are largely in place. The preparation of detailed project contract documentation has been very demanding and time-consuming but this is also close to completion.
Subject to final consideration of these matters by the NCC steering group next week, the Office of Public Works, which is managing the procurement process, expects to be in a position to issue invitations to tender to the three pre-qualified candidates on 10 December next. Assuming this is the case and allowing several months for engagement with the selected tenders, it is to be hoped that a preferred bidder could be selected by mid-2005.
As I have said before, my personal priority and that of the Government is to have this project brought to a conclusion at the earliest possible date while ensuring that the relevant procedures and guidelines pertaining to the process are closely observed and that nothing is done that might jeopardise its successful conclusion.
I call Deputy Deenihan.
On a point of order, the question was from a member of the Technical Group, therefore, a member of that group should have priority.
The first question here is Question No. 61, which is in the name of Deputy Deenihan.
Given that international business tourism is worth approximately €40 billion and that every city in Europe now has a dedicated conference centre and Barcelona, for example, has four, will the Minister ensure there are no further delays in processing the contract documents and moving this project to tender?
I also understand that Fáilte Ireland has established a business unit to attract business tourism into Ireland and is therefore ready at this stage. I welcome the progress which has been made but it is important that further progress is made as soon as possible following the receipt of the contract documents when they are returned. It may not be the responsibility of the Minister, but I ask him to make representations to the Minister for Finance to allow the VAT paid on business tourism to be refunded. It is a major issue which was raised by the Irish Hotels Federation before this budget. If the Minister for Finance will not deliver in this budget, I would appreciate it if the Minister made strong representations to him to consider it in the Finance Bill or the next budget.
It is my intention to try to ensure that the saga of the national conference centre is brought to a close. There have been many unsuccessful efforts over 20 years to deliver a national conference centre in Ireland and, on this occasion, I am determined that we will be successful. As Deputy Deenihan stated, it is of considerable importance that we succeed. There is no doubt that conference business would increase substantially and some estimates put the gain to the economy, in particular in the Dublin area, at between €30 million and €50 million. This is the estimated yield from a conference centre with a capacity of 2,000 people.
I have written to the Minister for Finance, outlining my views on the IHF's recommendations in its budget submission, including its views on business tourism. I welcome the establishment of the business tourism group as it can only be beneficial. I greatly look forward to the next stage of improving business tourism in Dublin.
Given the strategic importance of establishing this long-awaited national conference centre, has the Cabinet discussed any measures in regard to public transport as part of the tendering process? If the public private partnership route is being followed, the Minister will acknowledge that promises of a Luas in five years' time are insufficient and that if one wants a national conference which will allow overseas business visitors to access it easily without being clogged up in the M50 ring road, it is important to ensure that the location of such a conference centre is close to all forms of public transport, whether they are bus and taxi lanes or a rail link of some description. Will this issue form part of the questions which will be asked of those companies? We know about the EU aspects of the tendering process, but will any questions be asked about whether the concerns involved will be able to guarantee that incoming business people will be able to get from A to B? The N7 is in total gridlock. We do not want business people to get a bad impression of Ireland because a conference centre is built in the suburbs where there is no transport access.
I feel sure that the assessment panel will take all relevant factors into account, including the question of its strategic location of the site. However, Deputy Gogarty will appreciate that it is of immense importance that the Government maintains an arm's length principle in terms of the selection process. Therefore, I will leave it to the good sense of those involved to ensure that the site which is chosen is suitable in as many respects as possible.
62 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if progress has been made in filling the position of Chief Herald of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31435/04]
View answerSections 12 and 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 deal with the responsibility of the board of the National Library of Ireland for genealogy and heraldry and for the appointment of a chief herald. It is my intention to bring into effect the provisions of the 1997 Act giving the autonomy to the National Library as soon as discussions between officials at my Department, the Department of Finance and staff of the museum, now nearing finality, are bought to a conclusion. I expect to move on this over the next few weeks. I am satisfied that the best course is to await the appointment of the new board of the National Library and allow it appoint a chief herald as it is required to do under the Act.
63 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the sites that are being considered for the location of a new national theatre building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31473/04]
View answer82 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, in the event of a new site for the national theatre being chosen, a decision has been made with regard to the use of the current building on Abbey Street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31472/04]
View answer94 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a decision will be made on the development of a new national theatre building in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31471/04]
View answer98 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the relocation of the Abbey Theatre; when he will make a decision on the matter; the timescale involved as he foresees it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31426/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 82, 94 and 98 together.
I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 58 earlier this afternoon.
We had a lengthy debate on this issue earlier. Will a public announcement be made on 10 December after the Minister takes the matter to Cabinet?
Clearly, that is dependent on the Government reaching a decision on that date. The announcement will be made, if possible, this year. That is what I promised.
64 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the plans there are to provide a swimming pool for the Lucan area following the increase in budget for swimming pools in the Estimates for 2005. [31441/04]
View answerThere are 55 projects that have been or are being dealt with in the current phase of the local authority swimming pool programme which closed to applicants on 31 July 2000. Thus far, 14 projects have been completed, a further eight are under construction and 33 more are at various stages of the preparatory process. The current programme does not include the provision of a swimming pool in Lucan as South Dublin County Council, which at that time proposed to provide a pool in Lucan on the basis of a public private partnership arrangement, did not submit an application by the closing date.
Although the local authority swimming pool programme remains closed, an expenditure review of the programme, which will assist in the formulation of policy for future programmes, is under way. This review is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date, the benefits which have accrued to the areas where pools have been built through the existing programme and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. The potential contribution of options such as private sector involvement in the provision of swimming pool facilities will also be evaluated. The expenditure review is scheduled to be completed during the first half of 2005.
I apologise for being somewhat parochial and constituency orientated in this question. Is the Minister aware of the reason for the lack of a swimming pool in the Lucan area? South Dublin County Council was advised by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism that it could not make a submission for a public private partnership swimming pool until guidelines were published by the Department. In response to a question I tabled to the Minister about this, I was informed that, in general, swimming pools are not necessarily public private partnership concerns in the first instance. As a result of the two year delay, Lucan was late putting in an application through South Dublin County Council and it appears that it will not have a swimming pool for at least five years.
Lucan is the fastest growing town in Ireland. It has been badly planned, badly built and has no facilities. While towns such as Birr and Navan have swimming pools, Lucan is left behind. It must be made a special priority. Given the bureaucratic wrangling that took place and that a mess was made of a swimming pool application, will the Minister give a commitment to fast-track the swimming pool for Lucan in the next two or three years?
While the Deputy should, in my hard experience, always apologise for being general locally, he should never apologise for being local generally.
That is generally true.
There is no proposal for a swimming pool for Lucan with the Department at present. To set the record straight, early in 2000 South Dublin County Council wrote to the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, as it was then known, about developing swimming pool projects and to advise it of its intention to evolve an overall county council water leisure strategy. In response, the Department advised the council of the expanded new local authority swimming pool programme and that under no circumstances should a local authority proceed with a PPP proposal without prior approval from the Department. A pool project for Lucan was not indicated at that time and no application was made in respect of Lucan by South Dublin County Council before 31 July 2000, which was the deadline for receipt of applications under the programme.
In 2002, in response to a query about a possible Lucan project, the Department advised that any guidelines relating to the involvement of local authorities in a public private partnership approach for the procurement of swimming pools would be finalised in the context of launching a new programme. Local authorities would be advised by the Department when the new programme would be initiated. However, no such new programme was launched. If and when such a programme is launched, Lucan will be sympathetically considered at that point.
65 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount allocated by his Department in national lottery funding for 2004; if he will transfer responsibility for the allocation of this funding to an independent authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31466/04]
View answerThe national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Under the 2004 sports capital programme, €61 million was allocated in respect of 738 projects. An amount of €100,000 was also allocated this year towards the renovation of the accommodation at Mosney, which is used to house the participants in the national finals of the Community Games.
I have no plans to transfer responsibility for the allocation of this funding to an independent authority. The current arrangements for administering the sports capital programme, which have been applied by successive Governments over many years, have been extremely successful in ensuring that the programme is responsive to local needs.
It is entirely appropriate that the Minister with responsibility for sport should be in a position to use this important instrument of sporting policy to achieve objectives such as supporting projects of particular local or regional significance or encouraging the development of as many sports as possible. Over the six year period, 1999 to 2004 inclusive, €323.3 million was allocated to 4,026 projects. This massive investment in the creation of a sporting infrastructure is now yielding benefits both in terms of local community developments and increased participation in sport. The scheme is administered in accordance with predetermined eligibility criteria, all of which must be satisfied before projects may access funding allocated to them.
As Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, I am directly accountable to Dáil Éireann for the operation of the sports capital programme. This accountability is ongoing and finds expression, for example, through parliamentary questions, adjournment debates, Estimates debates and engagement with Oireachtas committees. This is a feature which would be notably absent were the administration of the sports capital programme to be made the responsibility of an independent board.
Apart from the obvious issue of how one determines independence, experience elsewhere has shown that decisions by independent boards do not always receive universal acceptance. Where a grant scheme attracts a level of applications well in excess of available funding, as is the case with the sports capital programme, unsuccessful applicants will always experience an understandable sense of disappointment whatever the decision making process.
Would the Minister not consider the Irish Sports Council, through the local sports partnership, a more appropriate agency to allocate the national lottery funds? This method of allocation would be less political, less contentious and controversial and, perhaps, more transparent. Surely the Minister would trust the Irish Sports Council to allocate the funding on a fair basis.
Yes, and I sincerely hope the Irish Sports Council has trust in me. I am confident that the administration of the scheme as it exists at present is transparent and accountable. I am required to come to the House and answer questions from Deputy Deenihan and others about the administration of the fund. It is working extremely well. There has been an emphasis on areas of disadvantage, CLÁR areas and areas in RAPID regions. This is to the benefit of people who are more vulnerable and it has resulted in an increase in participation in the regions concerned.
I sincerely hope we can continue with the programme in future years and that we can build the type of infrastructure to which most people in the country with an interest in sport aspire.
Regardless of the validity of the accusations, the Government will always be open to accusations of geographical bias in the allocation of national lottery funds. This does not reflect well on the Government, regardless of how egalitarian it attempts to be in weighing the competing demands of sports organisations. Does the Minister not agree that the local sports partnerships mentioned by Deputy Deenihan would be a fairer and more transparent vehicle for the allocation of funds, given that they are in place in a number of counties?
Were the Minister to plan over a three year period to go down the local sports partnership route, it would create an impetus to have a local sports partnership in every county. The process involving the latter has stalled in recent years.
How many applications have been successful in being granted funding? In a number of instances, local groups, despite the quality of their applications, have not been able to raise funding. No one could be critical of the officials in the Department who deal with this matter because they are more than helpful on all occasions. However, will the Minister consider if there are possibilities for funding for local groups with good, positive proposals that would be of benefit to their areas? Would there be a possibility, for example, of their being given more time to acquire funding? The legislation states they must have matching funding but there have been cases where local groups were caught out in that regard. As a result, many good proposals have not been proceeded with.
I will reply to Deputy Wall's question first. No funding can be released under the programme until the criteria have been adhered to. Unless the local funding is forthcoming, the simple truth is that the Department will not be in a position to provide matching funds. It cannot pay out anything unless all of the criteria to which the grants are subject are adhered to. Extensions are given on occasion — following representations etc. — to enable groups gather the necessary resources. If anything, the Department has been relatively liberal in that regard, particularly in entertaining representations from all Members of the House.
Deputy Gogarty suggested that we should proceed to have the money distributed through the sports partnerships. Such partnerships are in their infancy. The knowledge to be gleaned from their experience will be of considerable help in years to come. As of now, they have not spread to every county. There are 16 such partnerships. It is hoped to expand this number in the coming years to ensure there is one in every county. A closer examination of the current distribution will show a remarkably even spread, particularly if one takes into account the length of time the programme has been in place.
66 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has made contact with the GAA on the matter of opening Croke Park to a greater variety and number of sports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31469/04]
View answer91 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on recent comments (details supplied) that any decision to open up Croke Park to other sports would depend on further funding from Government; if he has had any discussions with the association in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31418/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 91 together.
It has always been my position that the use of Croke Park is a matter for the GAA. Accordingly, at no stage have I sought to dictate to the association as to how it ought conduct its business. It would be counterproductive were I to attempt to do so. Nevertheless, I am encouraged by the recent statement by the president of the GAA which make it clear that it is the intention of the association to deliberate in a responsible and mature manner on the complex issues involved.
I am also pleased to confirm that the Government will before the end of the current financial year release the further payment of €40 million promised to the GAA to alleviate the debt burden associated with the redevelopment of Croke Park. It will bring the level of the Exchequer contribution for the development of Croke Park to €110 million. I reiterate that there are no side conditions relating to the opening up of Croke Park attached to this grant.
It is fascinating to hear the Minister state he would not, in any way, become involved in internal GAA matters——
Throw the ball in.
——when he has advised the FAI on how to appoint a chief executive. Will he explain the difference between the GAA and the FAI? Are they both autonomous bodies——
There is no offside in the GAA.
——or is the Government running the FAI? I remind Deputy Cassidy that I am addressing my comments to the Minister who appears intent on appointing the chief executive of the FAI or telling that organisation how it should proceed in that regard. At the same time, however, he has repeatedly stated in the House that he will not become involved in deciding what will happen in respect of Croke Park. There is a contradiction in that regard. I am sure the Minister will join me in supporting the president of the GAA in his public statement that he favours the opening up of Croke Park to other sports.
Does the Deputy have a question for the Minister? This is Question Time.
Will the Minister join me in supporting our fellow countyman in calling for the opening up of Croke Park?
As regards Deputy Deenihan's first question about the difference between the FAI and the GAA, I am not sure whether he posed it from a theological or philosophical perspective. Either way, I will not attempt to answer it.
Are they two autonomous bodies? Does Fianna Fáil own the FAI? The Minister is behaving as if he owns it. In fairness to the GAA——
Order, please.
There are people in the FAI who believe the Minister owns the association. Has he bought it out?
Fianna Fáil exercises no ownership rights over the FAI and I am certain the association exercises no ownership rights over my party either. It is not a question of people dictating to the FAI but of the association adhering to a report compiled after the most recent World Cup. The recommendations set out in that report have not yet been but must be implemented. The simple answer to the question as to whether this would arise in respect of the GAA is that such a situation has not arisen in respect of that organisation. I am merely asking the FAI to implement the Genesis report. That is perfectly reasonable and I do not believe anyone in the House, including the Deputy, will disagree with me.
I have outlined my position on Croke Park on several occasions. The question as to whether the venue should be opened up to other sports remains, in the final analysis, one to be answered by the GAA congress. The GAA must make a decision in accordance with its rules and I will allow it to do so.
Will the Minister join me in supporting the president of the GAA?
There are two issues here, namely, first, the opening up of Croke Park and, second, what will happen as regards international soccer matches during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. I fully support the opening up of Croke Park during the period in which Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped. I will support the Minister in any action he takes in asking the GAA to ensure Croke Park is opened up during the period in question. I do not believe it is within our remit, or that of the Minister, to tell the GAA what to do. That organisation will do what it wants to do when the congress is held in April.
I ask the Minister to continue to make representations to the GAA. Has he engaged in any further meetings with the association in recent days, particularly in view of the fact that, instead of being given in the form of two payments, the €40 million in funding will now be given in one tranche? Has he had any further meetings with the president of the GAA, Seán Kelly, in respect of this matter or has there been any change in the Government's attitude towards the association in respect of the opening up of Croke Park during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road?
Deputy Wall has identified an important point regarding the position of the FAI and the IRFU during the period, mid-2006 to approximately the end of 2008, in which Lansdowne Road will inevitably be closed. It would be a great pity if international rugby and soccer matches were played outside the country. I sincerely hope — as a matter of national dignity, if nothing else — this will not happen. Deputy Wall's comments were, as always, sensible. The GAA will take whatever decision it sees fit in its own time. The Deputy and I have been in agreement about this for a long period. I see no reason to change that view at this stage. Let us hope the issue can be resolved. I suggest we await developments in that regard.
The Minister is obviously aware that he has shown a certain nuance in his dealings with the various bodies. Diplomacy is always one method of getting one's way in the end. Will the Minister acknowledge, given the importance of maintaining a ground in Ireland for the forthcoming international matches, that this is an urgent matter? The president of the GAA has spoken in favour of Croke Park as a venue for other sports and many GAA members are of this opinion. The Minister will be aware that to treat the GAA in a heavy-handed manner would be to risk uproar. I congratulate him for not doing so. Will he acknowledge that a positive statement from him stating he would welcome a once-off gesture from the GAA regarding the forthcoming international matches may help to support those GAA clubs in my constituency and around the country which are pushing to have Croke Park opened up to gain additional revenue for the GAA? It would be a positive rather than a negative development if the Minister made a public statement but in a non-confrontational manner.
My personal position is well known. While I favour the opening up of Croke Park by the GAA to other games on specified occasions, I have always qualified this by stating it is a matter for the GAA in the final analysis. I advise the Deputy that I was chairperson of my local GAA club, a great club, for a number of years and that I like to think I understand the GAA. In fact, I will go further and say that in a two year period as chairman of my local club I think I made more enemies than in 17 years in national politics.
Is the Minister sure of that?
That might give the Deputy some indication of the difficulty in which the GAA might find itself.
I will leave it to its own devices. They are grown adults, know what the situation is and what the requirements are. Perhaps they know what the public's wish is but it is an independent organisation and I will let it make its own decision.
67 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of new floodlit playing pitches, constructed since 2002, aided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31459/04]
View answer73 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of new gymnasia, constructed in 2002, aided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31462/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 73 together.
Under the national lottery funded sports capital programme administered by my Department, funding is allocated to projects which provide sports and recreational facilities at local, regional and national level. Since June 2002 a total of €117.46 million has been allocated to 1,367 projects under the 2003 and 2004 sports capital programmes.
The projects funded through the programme form the backbone of sporting infrastructure in the country and provide the means for greater public participation in sports activities. These projects include facilities such as the development of natural playing surfaces, synthetic and all-weather surfaces, floodlighting, indoor sports halls, gymnasia, changing facilities and a vast range of sports equipment.
It must be bad news because we cannot hear the Minister.
The nature of the data created in respect of the sports capital programme does not lend itself to easy identification of the type of facility referred to by the Deputy. Commitments relating to the provision of sports facilities are outlined in An Agreed Programme for Government and being implemented nationwide.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
