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

When I announced the city of culture designation, it was indicated that it would be up to the city council to decide on all personnel issues and the artistic director to decide on programming issues. Obviously, I was aware there were tensions but as I said on a radio interview, I was not aware at the time of the resignation of the artistic director. I am happy to state in the House that since then the city of culture has taken off and the events to date have been very well attended and have received a very positive response.

I was at Riverdance, which was a spectacular event. I opened the Hasselbeck exhibition, which was a resounding success and had a full house. The Michael Warren exhibition received critical acclaim in The Irish Timeslast Saturday. Overall, it has been positive. I was in Limerick on Monday evening and the Irish Technology Leadership Group, ITLG, in Silicon Valley attended. It showed how technology and culture can come together to create jobs and creativity, which is so needed in technology, in Limerick city. It has gotten off to a great start and I am confident despite the initial difficulties and challenges. These are not new to the city of culture programme and the same problems existed in Derry and Liverpool and Cork.

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