Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 41: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will take action on foot of the recommendations of the recently published task force report on the 2012 London Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8854/09]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Mitchell, on a point of order.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to take this opportunity to state how pleased I am to see the Minister in the House, safe and sound. I wonder whether his experience has changed his views on decentralisation to Killarney.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am sure the Minister is delighted with the Deputy's good wishes, to which I add my own.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank both the Deputy and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. All I can say is that I am happy to be conversing with the living today.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister is well grounded.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics task force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012. The taskforce included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff within my Department.

The recently published task force report makes a number of recommendations arising from an audit carried out of high quality sports facilities in Ireland and the findings of a report by Indecon International Economic Consultants on the economic evaluation of the benefit to the island of Ireland of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. It highlights the opportunities for Ireland from the London 2012 games in the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors.

In this regard, I understand that Enterprise Ireland has been proactive in ensuring that Irish businesses are aware of the opportunities for benefiting from the business opportunities which London 2012 will provide. A dedicated website has been established to assist Irish business to avail of these opportunities. The tourism agencies have committed themselves to an energetic approach to the marketing of Ireland, particularly in the lead up to and during the games, while the artistic and cultural agencies stand ready to organise events which will showcase Ireland to the world.

On the sporting side, the task force report puts forward proposals for investment in sports facilities that would increase our attractiveness as a training destination for Olympic teams in the lead-up and during the games. However, we must be realistic in this area, particularly given the current economic conditions.

My Department will engage shortly with the relevant sporting, tourism and cultural agencies on how best to promote Ireland internationally in the lead up to the London 2012 games. These discussions will take account of the current economic situation, the findings of the London 2012 task force report and my recent meetings to identify the challenges which must be met in the preparation of our team for the London games.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for his reply. The task force report suggests the potential financial benefit to the State arising from the staging of the 2012 Olympic Games in London may be in the order of €140 million. I am confident it could be far greater provided that we are able to capitalise on all the opportunities that present. It is a one-off event for this generation to have people travelling from every country in the world to a location virtually on our doorstep. The last time the Olympics Games took place so close to us was shortly after the Second World War. We are being presented with a unique opportunity.

Are efforts being made to secure business for the State not only in terms of athletes' preparation for the Games, as originally envisaged, but also in terms of a tourism spin-off? Of the many visitors coming to London, some may be induced to continue on to Ireland. Is there any linking up among hotels? I understand the Minister is engaged in discussions with industry representatives with a view to focusing efforts to promote Ireland as a cultural tourism destination. There is great potential for our tourism industry in the Olympic Games. Are efforts being made to promote Ireland as a cultural tourism destination in the countries from which people are most likely to travel to London in 2012?

The funding which the Minister indicated some time ago might be provided to invest in various facilities is not now available. In any case, the games are getting too close for such initiatives. There was a possibility of something happening at Sports Campus Ireland. The Minister specifically mentioned investigating the possibility of a velodrome. What is the status of that proposal? Has any further investigation taken place and is the project likely to proceed? If so, is it likely to be ready in time for the Olympic Games? We would have to begin marketing such a facility immediately.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On the first point, the Deputy is quite accurate in the breadth of what she said. As I said, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA are very much involved in seeking out the business opportunities that present between now and 2012. A significant number of Irish companies are contracted to undertake some of the construction work. This is positive in itself.

As the Deputy is aware, I had a useful meeting with the chairman of the 2012 Olympic Games organisation in the United Kingdom, Sebastian Coe, at which he suggested a cultural Olympics which would run parallel with the sporting side. I have had discussions with the Arts Council in this regard and bilateral discussions have already taken place. What is envisaged is events being run in Dublin as part of a package with events taking place in the United Kingdom. The objective would be to encourage people to take two or three days out of their stay in the United Kingdom to visit Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford or elsewhere in the State. Offering packages of events running parallel to the games would be an effective way of encouraging such tourism. Work is ongoing in this regard and I am confident we will be able to attract significant numbers of visitors. The evidence suggests that significant numbers of people will go to the Olympic Games for three weeks with their families but will not want to spend every day there. There is a significant cultural opportunity for us. As part of their planning for 2012, the various agencies are in contact with the authorities in the United Kingdom. The latter have been very positive, welcoming and open with us in exploring how Ireland may best reap the rewards of the 2012 Olympic Games.

On the second point, I indicated on a previous occasion that I hoped to provide a range of facilities at Abbottstown. Unfortunately, that is no longer possible, although some smaller-scale facilities may be put in place in time. I do not have the resources to fund a velodrome. It is as simple as that. If there were a possibility of private sector support, that would be explored. However, this is unlikely in the current economic situation.

We should not underestimate what is happening in Limerick. I am astonished at the quality of the international athletes coming into Limerick. It is amazing to see the best athletes in their various fields having connectivity with Limerick both in terms of the physiotherapy and medical side, but also the training side. That centre is going from strength to strength and carving out a tremendous international reputation for Ireland. Likewise, Australian athletes have told us that the aquatic centre is one of the finest Olympic centres they have seen anywhere in the world. Athletes from several countries are considering using it because it has full Olympic diving facilities and warm-up facilities and a full Olympic swimming pool. These facilities are in place and we will be able to capitalise on them.