Aengus Ó Snodaigh

This question is prompted by the situation the Ireland women's national basketball team found itself in because it was forced to play against an aggressor nation team, namely, Israel. The question relates to the details of the engagement the Department had with Basketball Ireland over the past six months while this topic was being discussed.

I presume the Minister of State would have been aware, or at least Basketball Ireland would have made him aware, of the predicament it was in and what it was facing in terms of playing an international fixture and that it was being threatened with fines up to €180,000 if it did not go ahead with such a match. This is despite the fact the international governing body for the sport, FIBA, had taken …

We can have a discussion about Israel and genocide but that is not the purpose of this. International fixtures against genocidal nations is not a matter for the national sporting bodies alone. If Ireland had taken a stronger stance, and if the sporting body had gone ahead with a fixture against the Government's position then, I think, the Minister of State would have a different approach here. How…

3. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason the projected costs of the refurbishment of the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork city are now calculated at over three times the original estimate of €28 million in 2020 to now being estimated at nearly €94 million, and with a completion date of late 2028 at the earliest; and if he will make a statement on …

This question relates to the estimated costs for the welcome redevelopment of Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, one of the highlights for tourists visiting the city. The cost has increased substantially since the original forecast. Will the Minister outline the changes in design that have caused the increase?

Initially, the contractor was supposed to have been selected at the start of this year. What is the delay? Is the contractor signed, sealed and guaranteed to start work now that the gallery is closed? The Obelisk of Bronze by Michael Warren was removed recently, which signalled the closure of the gallery for three years. As the Minister said, in 2020 the estimated cost was €28 million. What is the…

Perhaps we will address the fact that it is the only cultural institution outside of Dublin in the future and can examine how to make sure there are other national institutions outside of Dublin rather than concentrate all of them in one city. Costs have increased substantially. The gallery renovation will add an extra 50% in terms of space for exhibitions and so on. A lot of work will be done to …

5. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the breakdown of the projected spend of €93 million by the State in hosting seven games of the Euro 2028 soccer tournament; and if additional funding will be given to local soccer clubs to increase participation in the sport and improve facilities in advance of the tournament. [64625/25]

I seek a breakdown of the projected State expenditure of €93 million on hosting the Euro 2028 soccer games. It is a welcome investment that will result, I hope, in greater investment in the sport. I am interested in what the breakdown is and how soccer clubs and communities around the country will benefit.

As I said, this investment is welcome, and also welcome is the fact it will generate a return of €400 million-plus. I recognise that a huge amount of money must be spent on security, Dublin City Council, etc. Out of the full €93 million, the €6 million on the legacy plan seems paltry. I encourage the Government to invest more or a greater portion of the allocation in that. In the past, the FAI and…

I concur with everything the Minister of State said. Troy Parrott is an example to us all that if there is investment in sports, especially in areas that are disadvantaged, it can bring about huge changes in people's lives. That is why I am encouraging greater investment in the facilities programme of the FAI and the League of Ireland to ensure we get the best out of our youths and we do not end u…

An extra €10 million or €20 million would not go astray.

I have a question down on this issue, but for some reason it has not been grouped with these questions even though it is on the exact same matter. How long will the new cohort be on the basic income scheme? Maybe the Minister has not worked that out. I think he said that €18 million has been set aside for next year. That indicates that this scheme will not start until June if it is the same fundin…

72. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Dublin and neighbouring local authorities to ensure that the city, neighbouring towns, communities and soccer clubs can welcome and host fans of the various international teams competing in the Euro 2028 soccer tournament; the soc…

I did not think we would get to this question but some of it has been discussed with the Minister of State in the context of investment in sport and where we finished off discussing Euro 2028. I am asking whether the city, neighbouring towns and communities and sports clubs can host fans and the international teams and create events similar to what happen during the Special Olympics in 2003.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. We have an opportunity. While €93 million has been committed it is 2028 so there is an opportunity to add to that. The Government has committed to the €93 million. We know what the return is but between now and 2028 greater investment can be put into local clubs and communities to ensure we get the greatest benefit for Dublin and outside the city as well becaus…

We have a once-in-a-lifetime - though maybe not in a lifetime - opportunity to enhance Ireland's reputation. In one small area of Dublin city, the north inner city, which has had bad press in recent times, Troy Parrott, Kellie Harrington and people like them have shown that, even when conditions are adverse, sports can shine through. The more we invest in sports and in those communities, the more…

We previously had a regional uplift under the section 481 scheme, which was very successful in encouraging film outside of the east coast or the Dublin-Wicklow region. That was interrupted by the Covid pandemic. Has that been looked at again? Has a Gaeltacht uplift been considered in light of the great films that have been created in those regions, where investment has paid off?

Baineann an cheist atá agam leis an ngá le tacaíocht bhreise a thabhairt do Ghaelscoil Lir i mBaile Átha Cliath 24. Is ceist phráinneach í seo toisc an ualaigh mhillteanaigh atá ar an scoil bheag seo, ar fhoireann na scoile agus ar thuismitheoirí agus pobal na scoile, atá faoi stró as cuimse. Níl aitheantas tugtha do na dúshláin atá rompu agus níl na hacmhainní ná an cúnamh cuí chun tabhairt faoi …

Tá fadhb bhunúsach leis an bhfreagra a thug an tAire Stáit. Ní scoil DEIS í. Níl stádas DEIS ag an scoil seo mar bunaíodh í tar éis an dáta. Is í sin an fhadhb bhunúsach. Ní féidir leis an scoil an t-airgead, an maoiniú ná na hacmhainní breise a fháil toisc nach bhfuil aon bhealach aici an stádas seo a bhaint amach in ainneoin go bhfuil sí ag cloí le beagnach gach uile chuid. Tá beagnach 25% de na…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Tá Aire Stáit na Saincheisteanna Tráthúla anseo inniu. Tá fáilte roimhe. Níl a fhios agam an bhfuil an tAire, an Teachta O’Donovan, ag teacht isteach. Is mór an trua é nach bhfuil sé anseo ar dtús báire. B’fhéidir go dtiocfaidh sé. Chonaic mé go raibh sé anseo níos luaithe sa lá. Ag déileáil leis an gceist seo, is ceist ríthábhachtach í do dhrea…

I will address the last point first. There is absolutely nothing in the Bill that requires a delay. The Minister has the Brennan report from the Arts Council. It will appear and require a study and perhaps legislation. There is no reason this Bill and the other cannot progress when needs be. There is nothing stopping us from having two arts Bills in the same Dáil term. This is quite simple. A dela…

What did Ivan Yates say?

Gabh mo leithscéal, a Theachta.

Glaoim ar an Teachta Ó Laoghaire. Duine amháin ag caint.