Vol. 490 No. 6
29 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has to promote cross-Border cultural activities; and the views, if any, she has conveyed on this to her British Government counterpart. [10819/98]
The level of cross-Border co-operation in relation to cultural activities is already significant. An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Northern Ireland Arts Council have held annual joint meetings since the mid 1970. In addition, the two councils have established a joint committee comprising the chairmen, 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. Furthermore, meetings now take place between the directors of the Arts Councils and the British Councils in Ireland North and South, Scotland, Wales and England. The purpose of these meetings 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. A forum consisting of the directors of the main cultural collecting institutions, North and South, is also in place since 1994 and this meets from time to time to discuss matters of common interest.
