John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

Irrespective of when I went to Hollywood, it feels as if I never left it.

During the St. Patrick's Day festivities and over the course of that week many Ministers travel to different parts of the world. It affords us an opportunity to advertise Ireland on the world stage. As a small nation on the periphery of Europe, we must take advantage of it. No other country of comparable size is afforded the publicity Ireland receives on that day. The ministerial visits have been a catalyst for economic growth and development on this island. It is possible that one of my colleagues will be in Los Angeles, one of the designated cities, during the week. I will ask my colleague to promote the Irish film industry. Since I became the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism it has been traditional to brief each of my colleagues visiting a foreign location on the advantages that may accrue from tourism. They act as ambassadors, bringing visitors back to the country.

We have a permanent film ambassador in Los Angeles whose job it is to liaise with the major studios to attract film production to the country. I will ask whichever colleague goes to Los Angeles to see if it is possible for him or her to meet the representative and liaise with Hollywood production companies with a view to attracting film productions to Ireland.

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