Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

It is a shame that the national spatial strategy has not been one of the criteria. I had understood all Government spending was supposed to be proofed against its coherence and consistency with the national spatial strategy. I believe that approximately €40 million remains to be spent on such sports facilities. It is essential to avoid a scattergun approach to spending. It is not that spending should not take place in other areas, but it should be of a lesser nature than that allocated to gateways. The argument for cultural centres is identical to the economic arguments for gateways. A critical mass of population is needed for them to be sustainable. The smaller ones in the hubs or other towns in counties are far more likely to thrive because they can be linked to the gateway activities. There will be synergy leading to better value for money for all projects they put on.

Does the Minister agree we need a real focus on the gateways? If they are to mean anything and if we are to have a real spatial strategy this is one area in which we can make our mark and bring vibrancy to the arts in every county rather than dissipate it in a way that results in a proliferation of physical facilities and no vibrancy in the arts.

See this speech in context