asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the situation whereby Ireland has formed cultural agreements with only two countries, Norway and France, entered into in December 1964 and 1967, respectively, and if it is intended to negotiate further cultural agreements with other countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cultural Agreements.
20.
Ireland has cultural agreements with two countries, with Norway since 1964 and with France since 1967. The Government are not satisfied with this situation and we have, therefore, recently negotiated agreements with four other European countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece and Spain—which will be signed very shortly.
During Chancellor Schmidt's official visit to Dublin in October 1979, he and the former Taoiseach announced the intention to conclude a cultural agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and Ireland and negotiations are proceeding. The question of a cultural agreement with Italy is also under consideration. Several other countries have expressed a desire to have cultural agreements with us and it is our intention to proceed with these also as soon as resources permit.