Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

On the first point, the Deputy is quite accurate in the breadth of what she said. As I said, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA are very much involved in seeking out the business opportunities that present between now and 2012. A significant number of Irish companies are contracted to undertake some of the construction work. This is positive in itself.

As the Deputy is aware, I had a useful meeting with the chairman of the 2012 Olympic Games organisation in the United Kingdom, Sebastian Coe, at which he suggested a cultural Olympics which would run parallel with the sporting side. I have had discussions with the Arts Council in this regard and bilateral discussions have already taken place. What is envisaged is events being run in Dublin as part of a package with events taking place in the United Kingdom. The objective would be to encourage people to take two or three days out of their stay in the United Kingdom to visit Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford or elsewhere in the State. Offering packages of events running parallel to the games would be an effective way of encouraging such tourism. Work is ongoing in this regard and I am confident we will be able to attract significant numbers of visitors. The evidence suggests that significant numbers of people will go to the Olympic Games for three weeks with their families but will not want to spend every day there. There is a significant cultural opportunity for us. As part of their planning for 2012, the various agencies are in contact with the authorities in the United Kingdom. The latter have been very positive, welcoming and open with us in exploring how Ireland may best reap the rewards of the 2012 Olympic Games.

On the second point, I indicated on a previous occasion that I hoped to provide a range of facilities at Abbottstown. Unfortunately, that is no longer possible, although some smaller-scale facilities may be put in place in time. I do not have the resources to fund a velodrome. It is as simple as that. If there were a possibility of private sector support, that would be explored. However, this is unlikely in the current economic situation.

We should not underestimate what is happening in Limerick. I am astonished at the quality of the international athletes coming into Limerick. It is amazing to see the best athletes in their various fields having connectivity with Limerick both in terms of the physiotherapy and medical side, but also the training side. That centre is going from strength to strength and carving out a tremendous international reputation for Ireland. Likewise, Australian athletes have told us that the aquatic centre is one of the finest Olympic centres they have seen anywhere in the world. Athletes from several countries are considering using it because it has full Olympic diving facilities and warm-up facilities and a full Olympic swimming pool. These facilities are in place and we will be able to capitalise on them.

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