Despite being a time of economic restraint, the Government must commit to supporting Galway being chosen to again host the Volvo Ocean Race stopover.
This is the view of Labour party president Michael D Higgins. He said support for the project was a ‘win-win’ situation for all concerned as “there are very few projects which are guaranteed to give such a high return within such a short period of time”.
Dep Higgins said last year’s event was a “a spectacular success with an enormous participation, not only from Galway but from all over the country and from abroad” and “great credit” was due to all who organised it and worked to get Galway chosen.
“The fact that there was such a significant cultural component was a further endorsement of the possibilities of the city,” he said.
“With proper planning and respect for creativity, the event constitutes an example of what the future can bring, not just in commercial terms but in the sense of participation and community involvement.”
