Vol. 482 No. 2
63 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the establishment of an all-Ireland committee on the arts in Ireland; if her Department has been in contact with the British Department for Arts in this regard; the plans, if any, she has to meet with her counterpart in the British Government to discuss this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17341/97]
An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Northern Ireland Arts Council have held annual joint meetings since the mid-1970s. In addition, the two councils have also established a joint committee comprising the chairman, two ordinary members and the two directors. This committee meets two or three times a year in addition to the annual joint meeting of the two councils to consider areas in which co-operation can be increased. Next month sees the first meeting between the directors of the arts councils and the British councils in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The purpose of that meeting is to discuss the full range of cultural matters which are of common or mutual interest to them as policy bodies concerned with the arts and culture in these islands.
The Deputy should also be aware that my Department is represented on the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Council Education and Culture Working Group. The agreed objective for the AIIC was that it would provide an overall framework for intergovernmental consultation on all matters of common interest and concern, with particular reference to the improvement of relations between the two countries. It is my understanding that arrangements are being made for the next meeting of the committee which is scheduled to be held in Dublin before the end of the year.
In addition, culture and heritage is one of the areas which the Framework Document envisages could come under a North-South body. Co-operation in the arts may well arise in discussion under Strand II of the multi-party negotiations currently taking place in Belfast.
I am very much in favour, if possible, of increasing further the considerable links which already exist between arts organisations North and South and to this end I will be taking the first possible opportunity to discuss the matter with my counterpart in Northern Ireland.
