Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 171: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his contacts with the community games organisation regarding plans for the 2005 national games, particularly noting the restricted availability of Mosney holiday centre; if he will acknowledge the great work of the community games over the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5179/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have not received any submissions from the National Community Games relating to the 2005 national games. During 2004, I and officials of my Department had a number of meetings and contacts with representatives of the National Community Games to discuss issues relating to the costing of the annual community games finals in Mosney.

Those discussions led to a situation where my Department, the reception and integration agency of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the National Community Games confirmed their willingness to help ensure that the facilities in Mosney continue to be available to host the games.

The community games representatives expressed their satisfaction with the range and quality of the facilities and services available at Mosney and their suitability for future national events. They also confirmed that there is no other venue in Ireland with the scale and variety of facilities required for their national events as currently structured and also that any question of providing a special, dedicated venue on the scale required, which would be used only a few times a year, would be completely unrealistic.

I am pleased to say that the RIA has confirmed that for as long as the agency continues to use Mosney, the community games can avail of the facilities there. I can confirm that a new contract was signed between Mosney Irish Holidays Ltd and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 18 November 2004.