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

As I said, as Minister for arts and culture, I see how that investment in the cultural infrastructure is of fundamental importance.

We see other areas of regeneration through investment in culture, such as The Abbey, as I have checked, which is a driver of renewal for the area. That is what is really exciting about investment in culture, but also, definitely, there are benefits when we do this for tourism. The Deputy mentioned the GPO. The benefits for tourism from attractions such as that cannot be underestimated. The State's investment in this building was hugely significant.

It is also the case that cultural investment is a support for tourism and our NCIs are amongst the most visited free attractions for tourists every year. Dublin is the city of Joyce, U2, St. Patrick's Festival and associated cultural programmes. However, as I said, the development of a project such as that described by the Deputy is a matter for Dublin City Council and it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, to comment further. National monuments are a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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