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

I agree with the Deputy. I remember paying my own way to Silicon Valley and coming here when I was in opposition, at a time when Ministers were not going there, and saying I agreed totally that they should go there. When they did go somewhere, they were criticised from the Opposition benches. It is very important that they do go there. We are attracting a large number of the Irish Diaspora through the business diaspora and the Global Irish Economic Forum. If they come to Ireland, they do not charge us and they ask why we cannot go to them when we have this great opportunity. There is no other country that gets as much attention as Ireland on St. Patrick's Day because other countries do not have comparable festivals. That makes it very important for us. For that reason, despite the fact that funding for Culture Ireland was reduced somewhat this year because we wanted to spend the money on local organisations and events, we still have provided a sum of €250,000. There will be people going to 18 countries, some of whom will be performing in different places. Therefore, there is an appreciation and realisation that this is a great opportunity. Nonetheless, I take the Deputy's point that we could do better.

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