Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

Galway has capitalised on culture to build a vibrant economy. Shortly after the recent Volvo Ocean Race festival, we had the opening of the Galway Film Fleadh, which has been followed by the Galway Arts Festival and in a couple of weeks the city will host the Galway Races. Galway is an example of a city that has used the arts and culture as a platform to rejuvenate itself and create a vibrant economy. This vibrancy was in evidence throughout the city and not only in the city centre when I visited Galway last week for the film fleadh.

As regards the Solas project to which the Deputy referred, my Department has committed a large sum of money to the initiative and its commitment will be honoured. Unfortunately, we do not have any further resources to allocate to the project. A shortfall of €1.1 million in funding must be provided before Solas can proceed. I appeal to the business sector and people in Galway to get behind the project. They will ultimately benefit from the proposed new facility as they will be able to watch films in the three cinemas that will make up the project. Moreover, the visitors who will be attracted to the city as a result will stay in hotels and guesthouses, which will benefit businesses. Given the absence of further funding for the project, I hope local people will take up the challenge and buy into the project to ensure it is completed, as I am certain it will be. Thus far, local businesses have not made any contribution to Solas, which is a large project worth more than €6 million, although I am aware that efforts are under way in this regard. Any town or city would be delighted to have a project that has received funding of more than €6 million. I appeal to people in Galway, especially in the city, to get behind the project.

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