Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important topic. I refer to the recent resignation from a Government high level co-ordinating group of the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland, Mr. Pat Hickey. The group was established to find ways in which Ireland could capitalise on the fact that next year's Olympic Games are being held in London. In particular, it was charged with identifying and pursuing business and tourism opportunities. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, when I say I am disappointed that the Minister of State with line responsibility for this area is not in the House. When this endeavour was instigated, the Government indicated that senior Ministers and Ministers of State with line responsibility would be in the House on a daily basis. That seems to have slipped. It is unhelpful to this process, which is about giving Opposition Deputies an opportunity to question the relevant Minister in some detail about specific matters. With the greatest respect to the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, who is very competent and well-versed in his own area, it is clear that he cannot be expected to respond to me in the kind of detail I am seeking today. I am not making a negative reference to the Minister of State when I make that point.

I am extremely concerned about some of the comments made by Mr. Hickey in the letter of resignation he sent to the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Ring. He said he was "disillusioned" with the level of progress being made by the London 2012 co-ordinating group. He referred to the group as a "toothless talking shop". He said it has achieved nothing, in essence, over the past two years. That is a damning indictment of the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Ring, and the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport, Deputy Varadkar. We were all happy when a senior official like Mr. Hickey, who has considerable experience, took a position on the co-ordinating group. He brought with him his network of contacts around the world. We had high hopes when this group was established by the former Minister, John O'Donoghue, to co-ordinate the roles of sport and tourism in assisting the promotion of Ireland's efforts and endeavours in this regard.

During statements on sport in the Seanad in early October, the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, said he was chairing a high level co-ordinating group which is identifying opportunities for Ireland across the sports, tourism, cultural and enterprise sectors from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Minister of State mentioned that tourism opportunities were being pursued. The president of the Olympic Council of Ireland, Mr. Pat Hickey, seemed to be suggesting the opposite when he said - I do not want to be repetitive - that it is a "toothless talking shop". The previous Government was accused of establishing various quangos that had little or no effect and no capacity to intervene in important areas. This country's proximity to the host country of the 2012 Olympic Games should be a startling opportunity. However, we seem to be failing miserably to capitalise on it. My understanding is that many national delegations have already made arrangements for their teams. Various incentives have been offered by England. These countries are taking up opportunities in the host country. It seems ludicrous that we have failed in a real way to capitalise on that and thereby benefit the country from a long-term perspective.

We need urgent clarity from the Government on the progress of the high level London 2012 co-ordinating group. We want the Minister of State to clarify or outline the number of Irish cultural events, for example, that will take place in London next year. Can he give details of the different measures that will be taken to promote Ireland as a destination for those attending the Olympic Games? I do not expect the Minister of State to be able to answer my questions but I will pose them anyway. Have the Minister of State with responsibility for sport and the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, been in contact with any of the delegations? Has face-to-face contact been made with the delegations from around the world that will attend the Olympic Games in London? Have the Minister or the Minister of State contacted the relevant sports ministers in other countries and jurisdictions by telephone or in person? Has the Government taken a hands-on approach to encouraging teams to base themselves in Ireland and thereby benefit this country during the important phase I have mentioned?

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