Vol. 482 No. 8
227 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of meetings she has had with the Arts Council to date in 1997; the matters discussed at these meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19623/97]
I have had a number of meetings with members and officials of An Chomhairle Ealaíon since my appointment as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
The first occasion was shortly following my appointment when I visited many of the national cultural institutions and statutory agencies under the aegis of my Department, including An Chomhhairle Ealaíon. More recently, on 28 October, I visited the Offices of An Chomhairle Ealaíon to launch three bilingual documents which have been recently published by an chomhairle, providing comprehensive information on how an comhairle operates and setting out guidelines for individuals and groups seeking grants. I have also had the opportunity of meeting many members and officials of An Comhairle Ealaíon during the course of my work and the Director of an chomhairle accompanied me for part of a visit to the US in October to explore, inter alia, the growing participation in the arts by people with disabilities.
