Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. The Gathering has the potential to be a very significant attractor for tourism and other inward investment in the coming years. However, there is a requirement for an action plan. As with many initiatives, there are good ideas, but unless they are progressed in a very comprehensive way, based on an action plan and with somebody taking charge, they tend to wither on the vine. What new moneys have been allocated to this initiative? Has a working group been established that will report to the Minister on progress made? Will the Minister confirm that no existing programmes funded by his Department such as for small festivals and other initiatives, whether in the arts or otherwise, will lose funding as a result of the investment made in the Gathering?

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