John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 2, which I answered a short time ago. In that reply, I outlined in considerable detail the 2007 Estimates allocations and priorities of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. I will illustrate the significant financial support the Government has given the arts, sport and tourism sectors. In 2003, which was the first full year of operation of the new Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Department's current and capital provisions were €278.781 million and €120.73 million, respectively. Following significant increases in the intervening years, the figures for 2007 are €399.759 million and €298.842 million, respectively, representing increases of 43.4% and 147.5% on the 2003 figures. I will cite some significant examples of the Government's financial support for the sectors under my remit. The total funding given to the Arts Council will increase by 52% in just four years, from €52.5 million in 2004 to €80 million in 2007. The total funding given to the Irish Sports Council in 2000, which was its first full year of operation, was €13.5 million, whereas its total budget for 2007 will be more than €49 million. The tourism marketing fund, which amounted to €18 million in 2000, now stands at €40 million and will increase further to €45 million in 2007.

I propose to draw Deputy Durkan's attention to some examples of the Government's investment in capital projects and programmes. It has provided €191 million towards the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium. It has offered financial support for the development of local, regional and national sports facilities, including public swimming pools, which have been allocated over €430 million between 2003 and 2007. The Government has decided to proceed with the construction of a national conference centre, through a public private partnership process. The National Concert Hall and the national theatre are being redeveloped. The Government has committed €119 million towards the provision of the sports campus at Abbotstown. Members will agree that these figures, which speak for themselves, demonstrate beyond doubt the Government's immense support for these sectors.

See this speech in context