I was taken aback by comments made by Gabriel Byrne over the weekend on the commitment of the Government to the arts. He has not held back in the past in criticising the Government for its policies, not least when it came to The Gathering.

He got that one wrong.

He did get it wrong and seems to be wrong in this instance also.

I concur with the figures mentioned by Senator Terry Brennan and that the CSO released today which indicate that there was a 14% increase in the number of visitors to this country from North America, a 5.6% increase from the United Kingdom and a 15% increase from other long-haul markets. Clearly, as the Senator said, the retaining of the 9% VAT rate which was Government policy helped in this regard. The abolition of the travel tax was also significant. The many tourism initiatives being promoted are also significant such as the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the world's best driving experiences. Events such as the Giro d'Italia which is to start in Ireland will greatly help our tourism product.

I was genuinely taken aback by Mr. Byrne's comments in questioning our commitment to the arts when one considers that in 2014 more than €2.3 million will be invested in arts, cultural and film projects. Additional funding of €17 million has been announced for the Limerick National City of Culture 2014 initiative, the decade of commemorations, 1912 to 1922, and works on heritage buildings. Provision has also been made for the restoration of the historic National Gallery of Ireland which will result in the creation of 300 jobs. We have introduced a new regime for film tax relief to 2015. It is remarkable that Mr. Byrne has said Culture Ireland has been disbanded summarily, given that it continues to exist with a permanent staff of nine and that its expert advisory committee is chaired by Professor Míchaél Ó Súilleabháin and its director is Ms Christine Sisk. Recently it had three funding rounds and spearheaded one of Ireland's-----

Is the Senator seeking a debate on the issue?

I am, but I ask the Cathaoirleach to bear with me for one moment. It spearheaded one of Ireland's most successful stints at the Venice Biennale. Last year it funded almost 500 artists to represent Ireland abroad, including the United States, while Irish theatre companies had their most successful year ever in Edinburgh.

The Senator is over time.

I am, but I am nearly finished. This year it has a budget that is just short of €3 million.

These are points that can be made during the debate.

I will conclude by requesting a debate on the arts. The Minister is more than willing to come in to illustrate the amount of work that has been done. The Government has a sincere and ongoing commitment to sustainable arts funding. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.