Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to update Deputy Troy. The portfolio established by the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, has been reassigned by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to myself.

Deputies Naughton and Troy are right concerning funding by local authorities. This was why I asked for a review of funding for the St. Patrick's Day festival in Dublin. There is a greater opportunity in Dublin to raise such commercial revenues while, in addition, Dublin local authorities benefit through commercial rates. The load needs to be widened, particularly in Dublin where there is a greater opportunity for people to put more effort into raising revenue from the commercial sector.

Other parts of the country, such as Cork, Limerick, Galway and elsewhere, should have an opportunity to apply for State funding via Fáile Ireland, and I would encourage them to do so.

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