Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

There is no better golfing venue in Europe. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Michael Smurfit. Were it not for him the Ryder Cup, which is the biggest sporting event ever to be staged in Ireland, would not be held here. He has put a considerable amount of work into it on which he is to be congratulated. I ask the Leader to raise the matter with Fáilte Ireland, which did not condemn the article which criticised the venue. I am very disappointed, especially given that €9 million of taxpayers' money is being spent promoting the Ryder Cup. It begs the question as to whether Fáilte Ireland really believes in what it is backing.