Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)

I do not get many opportunities to speak in the House.

I thank Deputy Finian McGrath for sharing his time with me so that I may speak on this important motion. I am fortunate to represent an area in which the arts have deep roots. In the late 1990s, Galway city was the fastest expanding city in Europe and key to this expansion was the appetite for exploration of the arts. Reputations were built and businesses blossomed. Figures show that the Galway Arts Festival is worth in excess of €20 million to the city and county. Over 150,000 people attend the festival, with more than 50% being visitors from outside Galway. The Galway Film Fleadh has the same capacity to draw in excess of 20,000 people to the city and it is worth in excess of €5 million to the city every year. The Galway races attract more than 170,000 people to our city and it is worth in excess of €60 million. This year, the final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race will finish in Galway, and it will bring in excess of €70 million to the city. I thank John Killeen, the president of the Volvo Ocean Race committee, and Enda Ó Coinnean the chief executive officer, for their tremendous work. I hope Deputies, Ministers and the Taoiseach will visit the city during the event.

Top productions are being staged in Galway theatres. Last year the Town Hall theatre and the Druid Theatre Company benefited to the tune of €150,000 from the Arts Council. I acknowledge the support given by both the previous Government and this Government to the Arts Council and also to the Volvo Ocean Race. The list of events is endless. Galway City Council also provides support to the arts and culture by means of the allocation of funding to the many projects which have helped to create a solid reputation for Galway city and county and which is recognised nationwide and throughout the world.

Galway has excellent third-level facilities. Earlier this year, NUI Galway announced an investment of €75 million in the creation of three world-class research buildings, including the arts, humanities and social services research building. An extension costing €8 million is being developed for the Millennium building. The vice president in charge of capital projects at NUI Galway, Ken Warnock, noted in January that the university was currently investing €750,000 per year in Galway.

If Galway is to be the postcard for the west of Ireland then it is vital that this postcard does not become a collector's item. It is our responsibility as public representatives to do everything possible to allow the arts, culture and heritage sector to flourish.

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