Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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106. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the Arthur's Day event in view of attempts by a company (details supplied) to market it as a tourist event and an expression of Irish culture. [40877/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department's role in relation to tourism is primarily concerned with national policy and the State Tourism agencies, under the aegis of the Department, deal with the operation and administration of that policy. In common with thousands of other events taking place in Ireland this year, it is listed on the Discover Ireland websites but the State tourism agencies have confirmed that they have no involvement in "Arthur's Day".  However in light of the considerable public comment on it in light of public order and health concerns, I decided to attend a number of events associated with it in Dublin in a personal capacity. Based on my experience it was much the same as any Saturday night in Dublin and was enjoyed by many thousands of people, be they local or tourists. As with any such event, the vast majority of people enjoy themselves without causing harm and I do not believe that it is appropriate that the majority should be penalised or have aspersions cast on them because of the bad behaviour of a few.