Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cultural Heritage.

Enda Kenny

Question:

94 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the position in relation to her proposal for the creation of an international agency to promote Irish culture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11514/98]

Enda Kenny

Question:

95 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will consider the appointment of an official of her Department to Ireland House, New York, United States of America for the purpose of the promotion of Ireland's artistic and musical tradition and her Department's programmes in general; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11515/98]

Enda Kenny

Question:

97 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the cultural and promotional contact she undertook in relation to promoting Irish culture abroad at the recently sponsored United Nations international seminar on culture held in Stockholm, Sweden; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11517/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 95 and 97 together.

As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 3 of 7 May 1998 the promotion of Irish culture abroad is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs, through the cultural relations committee of his Department. However, a crucial element of such promotion is a strong vibrant Irish culture and the £26 million secured for the Arts Plan this year will ensure that we have the artists, both individuals and groups in a position to establish a reputation overseas. In addition, an allocation of 1.5m ECU in European Regional Development Fund funds has been secured to enable my Department to engage in overseas marketing of cultural and heritage attractions.