Michael Noonan
Ceist:83 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received the strategic plan 2008 to 2012 from Horse Racing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18468/08]
Other Questions.
Horseracing Ireland.
I understand that Horse Racing Ireland is currently completing its strategic plan for 2008-12 and I look forward to receiving it in due course.
I thank the Minister for his brief reply.
I raised this issue owing to my ongoing concern at the proportion of the sports budget allocated to Horse Racing Ireland which is more than that allocated to all other sports combined. That is not to suggest Horse Racing Ireland does not need or deserve that funding. The sporting and tourism aspects of the industry make it worth supporting. However, it should be able to support itself. The Minister will have to make a decision on the issue soon as the fund expires this year and legislation will be required to put in place continued support for the industry.
The former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, reduced the tax on off-course betting which in turn funded the sport. He continued to reduce that tax on the basis that the industry needed this help to compete with the on-line bettering sector. The reality is that Paddy Power and others are making huge profits. This would indicate that Charlie McCreevy moved far too soon on this and that huge profits are being made in this area. I read recently that Horse Racing Ireland's dividend to shareholders increased sevenfold last year.
The industry relies heavily on horse racing and the State should be able to capture some of this money. I ask that the Minister agree as quickly as possible with Horse Racing Ireland how the industry is to be funded. Clearly, sport is suffering as a result. I learned through a freedom of information request that the previous Minister believed at least €5 million was needed to support the Olympics, yet not one single penny was allocated this year to the Olympic team. This matter also requires urgent attention.
While my reply was brief, I was simply providing the Deputy with a straight answer to her question. I look forward to receiving the strategic plan soon.
I take the view that horse racing and the horse industry, in its broadest sense, is of enormous importance to this country. While race meetings may be the shop window of an important industry, there is much more to the industry than that. I am not known as a Minister who regularly attends horse racing meetings. However, that is not to suggest that I do not understand or am not hugely committed to fostering and ensuring the standing worldwide of our horse racing industry in all its guises remains in tact and can be and is strengthened as we go forward.
As the Deputy correctly stated, key strategic decisions need to be taken, some of which are up for consideration this year. I will certainly turn my mind to this. I hope the strategic plan being prepared by Horse Racing Ireland will help me and all those concerned with the industry to make the right decisions to enhance it.
Olympic Games.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:84 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if progress has been made in seeking spin-off for Ireland as a result of the geographical proximity of Ireland to the Olympics venue for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18448/08]
A London 2012 task force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012. This task force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff within my Department.
The selection of London as the host city for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games offers opportunities which could be availed of by Ireland in the areas of tourism, business, sport and culture. The task force's focus has been on assessing the quality and suitability of Ireland's sporting and ancillary infrastructure in terms of its appeal to countries and athletes preparing to take part in the London Olympics and Paralympics; completing an economic evaluation of the potential impacts in the sectors of tourism, business and sport arising from Ireland's proximity to the 2012 games; and identifying other beneficial spin-offs from the Olympics and Paralympics.
The task force has submitted its report and I will consider its findings and recommendations. As of yet, I have not read the report.
I understood the previous Minister received it but was not happy with it and asked the Department to re-examine it. A facilities audit was carried out. Has information been passed to the organisers of the London Olympics to make them aware of what is available in Ireland? Has a response been received in this regard? It was also suggested that if we did not have the training facilities for teams or were unable to host any of the events that we might be in a position to host some of the qualifying tournaments and events. Has progress been made in this regard? If it were possible, they would need to be in the pipeline.
I agree. It is the view that the fact that the Olympics will be held in London in 2012 will provide opportunities in a range of areas such as tourism and directly with athletes in terms of facilities. There are also business opportunities. As I stated, the report is in but I have not read it and I do not want to guess at it. An issue that arose was the quality of some of the physical infrastructural facilities available to athletes. They were not up to a standard required to attract countries and their athletes to come here prior to the 2012 Olympics. This is a key issue that must be examined. It is a priority because four years is not that far away.
Is there a possibility of fast-tracking some of the developments in train, such as in Abbottstown? A 200 m track has been proposed. Why do we not go for a long-term strategy and seek a 400 m track and encourage top-class athletes to avail of such a facility? I am interested in fast-tracking the filling of gaps which will be identified and highlighted in the national audit. As the Minister stated, this will provide major economic and sporting opportunities for the country.
Whatever facilities are resourced, I would like to put enough in to maximise the usage of these facilities. If there is an enormous difference between putting resources into a particular sized facility as opposed to a larger facility and one can see the return on it, it is worth considering. I am anxious to be directly involved in the development of Abbottstown and to make decisions on it as soon as we can.
I have a similar question as I also thought of Abbottstown. Apart from the aquatic centre, a 25,000 seater stadium was promised for field sports and athletics. Is there any prospect that this will be completed by 2012? Is it a facility we could offer to the London organisers?
Abbottstown has many positive aspects. I would like to bring clarity to what we will do with regard to the development of a sports campus at Abbottstown. I have been a strong supporter from the beginning and I will engage soon with the various stakeholders involved to see what is the best way forward to give the best return to our athletes and sport in general. If doing this attracts other countries to use our facilities, it is all to the good.
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:85 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if it is his intention or the intention of other members of the Government to attend the summer 2008 Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18392/08]
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:103 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he expects a Government decision will be made on attending the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17667/08]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:112 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will attend the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14619/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 103 and 112 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 78 earlier today which dealt with this subject.
I am happy to accept that answer. There is nothing further to be said until we know for sure what is happening.
It is important that whatever happens sporting interests are protected. We should have no intervention that would hamper our athlete's opportunities for success. Has the Minister met Mr. Pat Hickey of the IOC? Perhaps he has not had an opportunity to do so since taking up his new portfolio. It would be important to speak to him and representatives of the athletes.
I accept the Minister's answer to the previous question with regard to attendance at the opening ceremony.
Meetings are being organised with representatives of the Irish Olympic Council and all the sporting bodies. I want to do this as quickly as possible because urgent matters are raised with regard to the Olympic Games which are about to take place. I understand a meeting between Mr. Hickey and me has been arranged. I believe he is away at present.
I agree with Deputy Upton that whatever we do, we should not in any way interfere with the sporting element. Governments have many opportunities to make political points. Most athletes only get one chance at the Olympic Games as they take place only every four years. I do not believe there is a suggestion that we will interfere with them but I wish to state that I am against it.
We are all in agreement on that.
Arts Plan.
Tom Sheahan
Ceist:86 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received the mid-term review of Partnership for the Arts from the Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18481/08]
I have not received the mid-term review of Partnership for the Arts as it has not yet been completed. The formal mid-term review of the strategy has been under way since January 2008. It is centred on Partnership for the Arts: In Practice 2006 — 2008, the strategy document guiding current Arts Council policy and provision. The outcomes of the mid-term review will be considered by the Arts Council in June and will inform policy and provision for the second period of the strategy from 2009 to 2010. Once the review has been completed the Arts Council will formally submit it to the Department and I look forward to receiving it and discussing it with the Arts Council.
I am a little confused and possibly people in the arts are also confused because many plans are produced. Partnership for the Arts was the second plan of the Arts Council — the first plan it tried to produce was rejected by a former Minister. Partnership for the Arts was accepted and this year the previous Minister produced an arts and culture plan for 2008. He also introduced an arts and culture business plan for 2008.
What aspects of the Partnership for the Arts plan were not acceptable to the Minister? What changes is he trying to bring about in terms of policy? There must be some confusion about the mixed messages coming from the Department among those funded by the Arts Council. The touring experiment was lauded in the business plan and the previous Minister stated he was supportive of it. However, it received no funding beyond the initial commitment. It was quite clear that if it was to continue, a serious increase in funding would be necessary. Has the Minister formed a view about which plan will be implemented? Is there a meeting of minds between him and the Arts Council?
I have not formally met the Arts Council. As the Deputy will appreciate, I am anxious to do what I outlined regarding those meetings as quickly as possible. She is correct about the number of plans. I want to get my head around whether I am supposed to deal with one plan or an amalgam. My approach will be to select a plan and deliver it as I do not want more plans. The review has been under way since January and the Arts Council will have it completed next month. Once that is done, it will be time to agree with the council and those generally involved what we will do and to agree a specific strategy.
I broadly agree clarity is needed because of the confusion surrounding the plans. These various slightly contradictory reports are not doing the arts any favours as they are generating confusion and a lack of clarity. I welcome the Minister's proposal that we move forward and agree on a plan.
I refer to the touring experiment, which was a point of contention. It requires funding and I hope, given that the Minister is not from Dublin, he will realise the necessity to fund this experiment in order that maximum usage of the many new facilities provided around the country will be achieved. Many are lying idle and cannot put on the performances that could be made available through additional investment.
I have no hesitation in agreeing with the Deputy. I fully agree touring the arts is absolutely crucial. Many different elements could be toured that otherwise would not be. I have a strong view about the value of the arts in general. It is of huge value to all generations, particularly our youth. It is not exclusive to the large cities, particularly Dublin, even though many of the major facilities are located here. That does not take away from the fact that everybody should be involved throughout the country. The Deputy is correct that we have invested in new facilities and we have restored and renovated facilities. I would like to maximise their usage and I will seek to put resources into them — the Deputy mentioned touring — to make sure we achieve that value.
The Arts Council will be delighted with the Minister.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.