Dublin marathon coverage
Senator O'Sullivan urged live RTE coverage of the Dublin marathon, arguing running deserves more attention and the event showcases the city. He then shifted to a separate financial issue, asking the Public Accounts Committee or the Minister for Finance to examine how a tax write-off scheme is valued and who benefits.
The Dublin marathon will take place shortly and I draw the Leader's attention to it. It is a hugely successful event with huge numbers from throughout the country participating, many of them for the benefit of charities. Running as a sport gets nothing like the media coverage it deserves compared with field or contact sports. Will the Leader raise with the relevant Minister the need for RTE to resume live coverage of the marathon? It is a wonderful showpiece and we would love to see aerial coverage of our beautiful Georgian city as people run around it. Most major cities, such as Lisbon and Paris, televise their main city marathon live.
I ask the Leader to draw that to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Ross.
In the past 24 hours I have received a substantial amount of correspondence on foot of my remarks about the long-established practice and great tradition of eminent people donating their archives and papers to the State. I would like to refer to one of the many issues raised with me. I am not talking about any particular case, regardless of how celebrated or eminent that person may be. I am talking in general. It seems that under the Finance Acts, people who give to the State items that are considered, from a treasure or heritage perspective, to be of value may be able to receive significant tax write-offs.
Comment on this
Indeed. It seems that this financial matter should be in the public domain. From what I understand, there will be a clamour for that gathering. I suggest that the Committee of Public Accounts inquire into this matter or that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, come before this House to explain how these tax cutbacks work. Who puts a value on the artefacts, papers and portfolios of individuals? Who benefits from the tax write-off? Does the individual benefit or can there be a wider corporate benefit in some way? I am not casting aspersions on any particular arrangement. The Minister might advise the House on this issue generally. The public would like to know how these things work. As the Taoiseach said once, "Paddy likes to know".