Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

In his article Mr. Fintan O'Toole recognised that I am the Minister for everything that is important to us. He is probably right in that. What Deputy Upton said about sport is correct. My answer was so long that I did not read it all. Thomond Park, Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium, which will open on 14 May, are three major centres of sport that have the potential to attract a significant number of visitors to the country. I accept that we have not fully capitalised on the employment potential but recent successes in the creative industry, for example, with the Oscars, are drawing attention to Ireland. Successes include the Irish Film Board's attracting of "The Tudors" and "Camelot" to Ireland.

The appointment of Gabriel Byrne as cultural ambassador is another case in point. All these examples serve to market Ireland and challenge us to respond. They challenge the west and every other part of the country to respond to the marketing initiative and the good press we receive. They challenge us to offer good value, which is now available in Ireland, to ensure there is good quality and high standards and to maintain them at this difficult time for the sector. The potential is great and I will be working on the means by which we capitalise on it with all the relevant groups.

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