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

I announced the designation in 2012 and requested that a cultural programme be drawn up. I requested that it be inclusive and include the local community as much as possible, especially in places like Moyross, South Hill and Galvone and other parts of Limerick. I also requested that it include all arts organisations in Limerick, the university, Mary Immaculate College and Limerick Institute of Technology and other educational institutions. The process has happened and there is now an exciting programme in place.

No funds are available to the European City of Culture from Europe; it is the brand that counts. This is giving Limerick an ideal opportunity to brand itself in a positive way. There is a very rich historic culture in Limerick dating back a thousand years or more, and this gives them an opportunity to display all that is good about Limerick.

In the context of funding, I am a pragmatist. I realise that it is impossible to put together a real international programme without funding, and an announcement will be made about funding when we complete our deliberations in the Estimates. Funding without commitment from the local community will not have the effect I want. I have pointed this out clearly to the people of Limerick on several occasions when I was asked about funding. This is about buy-in, about pride, about commitment and about people getting involved. If they lose this chance then it will be a real lost opportunity for Limerick.

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