Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

If the Deputy is suggesting there should be a further ownership incentive in terms of reward for the activities they undertake, I would not disagree with her. That is why, to some degree, there might be better structures working in the private sector. I do not know the possibilities of this. I can mention it to my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works.

The Deputy is correct in the fundamental point that close co-operation is vital to maximise all the activity. As she said almost in exasperation at the beginning, and I can empathise with her, there are so many bodies we wonder at times are we doing the right thing. It is clear there is much enthusiasm but we could maximise the benefit much more than we are doing.

The value to Ireland of the awards that are being won internationally, be it by actors, museums or otherwise, is incredible. We could not buy the coverage this gives to the country in terms of promoting Ireland as a first-class tourism destination. Our cultural institutions contain people who operate in the broad cultural areas, such as drama, the visual arts and so on, and they are invaluable in delivering tourists into this country. We must recognise and sustain that.

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