The Government declined to provide any state funding for the proposed National Diaspora Centre, plans for which were axed last month. Following a Freedom of Information request by the 'Irish Examiner', it was revealed that the Centre plan was discontinued by Tiourism Miniser Paschal Donohoe after he was told that no State funding would be available.

Failte Ireland had said in a report to the Government that the proposed Centre would be viable, self-fundng and a major tourism attraction.

Several developers expressed interest in building the Centre but all said that their plan was contingent on a measure of Government support.