Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

An example of facilitating international and EU relationships and funding would be a network or ecosystem that has been established to increase the number of applications for EU funding being progressed from Galway. That will bring more funding into the city. It will allow learnings and advice, training opportunities and policy updates to be shared to help the success of Galway-based applications, and will build contacts, networks and partnerships. It is about increasing the international links formed through the European City of Culture experience to improve cultural life in Galway. One example of that is EU-Japan Fest. A band with 60 of Japan's finest young wind and brass players spent five days in Galway in September last year. They delivered concerts in schools, met with Galway schoolchildren and participated in their classes. That Galway visit culminated in a free performance, featuring music from Ireland and Japan, in Galway Cathedral in September last year. That is what that is about. I note that the Deputy mentioned the physical infrastructure. I think we had this discussion in February. While Department committed to providing the €15 million in funding to Galway European Capital of Culture, it did not make a provision for capital infrastructure.

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