Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide details of his recent visit to London for the St. Patrick's Day 2007 parade and celebrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11728/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I represented the Government at a number of events on 17 and 18 March as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in London. St. Patrick's Day has traditionally signalled the start of the tourism season in Ireland and the international celebrations at this time afford a unique opportunity to promote tourism to the island of Ireland.

Great Britain remains Ireland's most important overseas tourism market and at the invitation of the Mayor of London, Mr. Ken Livingstone, I attended the St. Patrick's Festival Dinner as Guest of Honour on the 17th March in the Savoy Hotel. On 18 March, I attended mass at the London Irish Centre following which I watched the London St. Patrick's Day Parade from the Trafalgar Square stage in the company of the Mayor of London. I also attended the Ireland Holiday Pavilion organised by Tourism Ireland at Trafalgar Square on 18 March.

I am also pleased to inform the House that Culture Ireland provided €35,000 to Buí Bolg to participate in two London parades and a further €15,000 to the Greater London Authority for a programme of Irish events at Leicester Square.