Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which he expects to be in a position to enhance the national image throughout the EU through the medium of the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4812/13]
View answerFrom the Government’s point of view, the EU Presidency is seen as an important opportunity to make a very direct and positive contribution to developments within the EU and to demonstrate our capabilities on the European stage. The Presidency provides the opportunity to fully engage with the EU agenda and to rebuild Ireland’s reputation, both in Europe and internationally. Given our current economic situation, it is also critical that the Presidency is both cost-effective and well-run. It is widely recognised that an efficient Presidency will generate positive short-term benefits, but will also influence longer-term perceptions about the State and promote goodwill towards Ireland.
In addition to the wide-ranging policy agenda that will be addressed during the Presidency, it is the practice for the country holding the Presidency to mount a programme of cultural events. The presentation of a Cultural Programme offers a unique opportunity to project a strong image of Ireland to audiences within the EU and beyond. It also offers a platform to engage with people at home concerning Ireland’s place in the EU and to review, after 40 years of membership, how we see that relationship further developing.
Clearly, given the wealth of our historic cultural engagement with Europe and our contemporary artistic strengths, there are a host of different approaches that could be taken to developing the Programme. In line with the overall approach to Presidency planning, it is critical, however, that the Programme is run as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible, making best uses of the resources available to us, whilst also showcasing the best of Ireland.
Key objectives of Ireland's Culture Programme include the following:
- To showcase the strength and diversity of Irish culture and enhance further Ireland’s reputation for cultural excellence.
- To present a range of Irish events of high quality across a diverse range of art forms to the widest possible audience across the European Union.
- To complement the overall programme for Ireland’s EU Presidency.
- To programme events across three key locations (Brussels/Belgium, Paris, Berlin) and each EU Member State.
- To engage with European institutions and culture networks to allow for professional development of Irish artists and cultural institutions.
- To use the EU Presidency Culture Programme as an opportunity to engage with “third” countries or key territories outside the European Union.
- To achieve maximum visibility and impact for the Irish cultural sector and Ireland, in general, through a communications and promotion strategy.
Ireland's Culture Connects Programme is a wide and varied programme which involves the engagement of Irish artists in Europe and beyond, as well as European artists in Ireland. It is a key element in Ireland's plans to celebrate our Presidency of the EU in the first six months of 2013. For many centuries Ireland has had strong historic cultural connections to Europe and our Presidency offers an opportunity to celebrate and build on those connections. There is a great diversity in the culture of the Member States of the EU but there is also a common thread which runs through our culture and which allows us to understand each other and to work closely together to achieve our wider aims.
Through the many events planned across all Member States, Irish artists will present and highlight the unique quality of Irish culture. It is a culture of which we are proud and which has gained us an international reputation for excellence. This programme includes many high profile artists from Beckett, Bacon and Eileen Gray to Anne Enright, Seán Scully and Altan. Irish artists will present work in all Member States, with a special focus on Brussels, Paris and Berlin. A copy of the programme is available in the Oireachtas Library.
