Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Deputy is correct and we have been lucky thus far. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has been working with Irish companies in building facilities for the Olympic Games. In this context, projects worth €300 million have been secured. Moreover, Enterprise Ireland is confident that more will be gained in this regard. Tourism Ireland is working hard to avail of cultural and tourism opportunities. It is in discussions with agents and encouraging people visiting Britain to travel to Ireland. In particular, on foot of the introduction of the new visa arrangement, people who intend to attend the Olympic Games are being encouraged to visit Ireland for a few days. In addition, a number of agencies are working to try to arrange cultural events in Ireland to encourage people to leave London. As that city will be very busy during the Olympic Games, the hope is people will decide it is too busy and travel to Ireland. They are being encouraged to visit any part of the island they wish. Everyone is working hard in this regard.

This important event constitutes a great opportunity for Ireland. In particular, I compliment Enterprise Ireland because of its hard work with Irish companies which has yielded the great total of €300 million in revenue and I hope more will be achieved. The major obstacle to getting groups to visit this country is that the British Government and cities within Britain are offering £25,000 and more to encourage teams to use their facilities. We lack the resources and the money to do this and as such, have done well to attract four teams. Nevertheless, we have ideas to try to encourage other teams to come to Ireland in the remaining months. The Government is working hard on this issue.

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