Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

The Galway partnership is connected with Mayo, Sligo and Clare. It does reach out. When I launched the partnership I asked that very question and met people with film interests in the different counties. This is a good example of what Creative West could do. The west has unique characteristics and attractions for film producers. It is a directors' and producers' dream. One does not need to create anything. It is already there. One does not have to create effects because one can get them from nature.

I thank Senators for their contributions. I know other Senators who are present would like to have made a contribution. It is for the Cathaoirleach to say whether they will have a chance to speak.

I would like to come back to the House to speak about the decade of commemorations, which Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú mentioned. I hope our decade of commemorations will challenge our attitudes, the way we treat each other and our creativity. I hope the decade will be a cultural event and that we can celebrate the commemorations in a more mature fashion than we could have done 50, 30 or even 20 years ago. We have developed as a nation. Senator Ó Murchú is aware of a concert I was involved in last Saturday night in the Ulster Hall in Belfast, with performers from south and north of the Border. I was there with my counterpart in Northern Ireland, Carál Ní Chuilín, MLA, and it was a very successful event. However, ten years ago one would not have been able to do this because it would have posed a security risk. It was just like being at an event in the National Concert Hall. People have changed their attitude towards each other and matured a great deal. We can now have a mature debate on the issue of commemorations. I am really looking forward to it because it will challenge us as a country. However, it will give us a great opportunity to break down barriers and challenge old suspicions. It will also provide us with a platform from which we can build a new Ireland, a new republic. We could have a very interesting debate on the issue. That is the reason I would like to return to the Seanad to provide all Members with an opportunity to express their views on what they believe should be commemorated. In one day in this House I am sure I could pick up a number of good ideas to set the agenda for a period of ten years. I again thank Members and look forward to having that opportunity.