Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the suggestions he made on the arts, sport and tourism commitments in the revised programme for Government which are priority for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37794/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased that a key recognition in the renewed programme for Government is the further potential of the arts, sport and tourism sectors to create employment and economic growth, which is now, more than ever, a critical requirement of the economy. The programme places an added emphasis on the sectoral areas under the Minister's ambit, in particular in the radically changed and challenging fiscal and economic circumstances in which we now find ourselves.

In the arts sector, the renewed programme makes commitments to host major international events, ensure supports provided by the Irish Film Board are maintained, produce a ten-year development strategy for the audio-visual sector and assess the suitability of the GPO complex as a site for the Abbey Theatre as well as promoting the development of an important new Irish arts and business centre in New York.

In the sports sector, the programme makes commitments to complete a new sports facilities strategy, build on the Irish Sports Council's programmes to remove barriers to participation in sport and to continue to deliver on the successes achieved by the high-performance system. In the tourism sector, it makes commitments to develop the potential for food tourism, walking and cycling tourism as well as developing a rural and marine recreational industry. In the period up to 2012, the suite of Discover Ireland websites will be positioned as exemplars of an information, content and reservation tourism system and we will develop tourism business from new emerging growth markets in the Middle and Far East. In addition, in view also of the capacity of the arts, sport and tourism sectors to drive economic and employment prospects, the programme makes commitments to expand community arts schemes and associated physical spaces for artists and community groups, capitalise on the proximity of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and position Dublin as an important centre for conference tourism business and Ireland generally as an important international destination for cultural tourism.

All commitments in the renewed programme for Government will be progressed as speedily as possible. The commitments in the area of this Department are challenging yet realistic, and the Minister is determined to ensure their full implementation to contribute to the achievement of the overall political goals envisaged in the programme.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A number of measures in the new programme for Government relate to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. I wish to inquire about two of these, both of which the Minister of State mentioned. One was the wording of the commitment to the film industry generally. This is an area of interest to the Green Party because it is noted as a contributor to the smart economy. The programme states, "We will ensure that the supports provided by the Film Board are maintained". However, one of the things about which the arts community is concerned is that the Irish Film Board itself be maintained and that the funding should not come from some other Department. It was suggested in the McCarthy report that it would go to Enterprise Ireland.

It would be catastrophic for the film industry if this were to happen. I do not know if the Minister of State is aware that the Minister, Deputy Cullen, is of the same view. Years of experience, expertise, knowledge and international credibility now reside in the film board-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Can we have a question?

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister committed to maintaining the Irish Film Board, as opposed to merely the supports for the film board?

My second question concerns the development of Dublin as a business tourism centre. I recently read reports in the papers that the Convention Centre Dublin is in financial trouble. Apparently Spencer Dock Development Company is having difficulty in accessing finance to finish the job. Has the Minister had meetings with the developer and is it likely it will be able to fulfil the terms of the contract? Have there been any emergency meetings? Can the Minister advise the House on what will actually happen? I understand there are already several bookings for the conference centre but the problem is whether it will be completed. I understand the company is now borrowing from Treasury Holdings, which is itself going into NAMA. There seems to be a difficulty there.

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy about the importance of maintaining the credibility of our film industry and of Ireland as a location for making films. On several occasions in Dáil Éireann the Minister has outlined the benefits accruing to Ireland from having a vibrant film industry and the crucial role of the Irish Film Board. The Minister welcomes and supports the commitment in the renewed programme for Government to the continuation of supports for Irish film making. The Minister has also pointed out that the recommendations of the special group on public sector numbers and expenditure programmes, which call for the abolition of the Irish Film Board, have not been adopted by the Government as policy but rather are proposals for consideration in the context of addressing the current budgetary challenges. My understanding of the passage read out by the Deputy - this is true throughout the programme, whatever the subject - is that care should be taken in general not to pre-empt budgetary and Estimates decisions. As the Deputy knows, one of the starting points for the Estimates process is what is popularly known as the an bord snip nua report; however, while it may start there, it does not end there. I would not read too much into the wording of the report, given what I have outlined.

With regard to the convention centre, good progress is being made. The OPW is heavily involved. The Convention Centre Dublin is well advanced and on schedule to open in September of next year. Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Dublin Convention Bureau are working closely with the operators in marketing the centre and there are already 24 confirmed events, which are expected to have a significant impact on tourism business. Neither in deputising for the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism nor in my own capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW have I been made aware of any difficulties of the type to which the Deputy refers.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am not sure whether I got a "Yes" or a "No" answer with regard to the Irish Film Board. I think the Minister of State is saying we should wait for the budget.

The Minister should inquire into the issue of the convention centre because I am sure the reports in the newspapers are not inaccurate when they say there are financial problems.

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I would make the point that practically every enterprise in the State is to the pin of collar, to a certain degree, in managing the present economic situation.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I appreciate that, but if I had a contract going on for several years - 25 years, I believe - with a body that was in financial trouble, I would be asking questions.

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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As I said, I am not aware of such difficulties.