Vol. 406 No. 3
5 Mr. Garland asked the Taoiseach whether he plans any particular event to mark Dublin's position as cultural capital of Europe; the budget which has been set aside for these festivities; whether he envisages any outlay on restoration works on buildings with cultural connotations during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As the House knows, the Government entrusted the task of organising the celebration of Dublin as cultural capital of Europe in 1991 to Dublin Promotions Organisations Ltd. They have prepared a brochure setting out an impressive programme of events planned for the year. I have arranged for the brochure to be circulated to Deputies.
Restoration works with cultural connotations are being carried out primarily by the Office of Public Works and these are described in a brochure prepared by that office which I have also arranged to have circulated to Deputies. In addition, the Irish Museum of Modern Art will be opened in May in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham and, of course, the College of Science complex restored as Government Buildings was recently opened as the first in this series of restoration projects for Dublin 1991.
As I have already reported to the House, most recently on 27 February, the Temple Bar area will be developed as a Government flagship project as part of the city of culture programme. The property holdings of CIE and Dublin Corporation in the Temple Bar area will be acquired. Loan financing of £5 million has been provided for the development of the area by the European Investment Bank and the European Community has made a grant of £3.6 million for certain aspects of the development. The Government will shortly consider tax and other incentives related specifically to the development.
Dublin Corporation are reopening the refurbished Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square after a substantial restoration project to which the Government have also contributed £100,000. Nearby in Parnell Square, the Writers' Centre and the Writers' Museum will shortly open. This project is being funded by the Government, Dublin Tourism and the European Regional Development Fund at a cost of £1.8 million.
In addition, I allocated £1.25 million to the Dublin Promotions Organisation for their various activities. They have raised considerably more than this in sponsorship and in contributions from the cultural institutes of various embassies. The European Commission has given a grant in the region of £130,000.
At the National Museum and National Library, further works of improvement will be carried out this year, including the provision of an exhibition room at the National Library and work to facilitate the mounting of special exhibitions during the year. The National Concert Hall will inaugurate a new concert organ and will be the venue for concerts in celebration of the year. Many of the bodies and groups funded by the Arts Council will also participate in events throughout the year.
I am satisfied that the overall result will be a very vibrant celebration in 1991 of Dublin as a worthy cultural capital coupled with the long term benefits of continuing cultural renewal from the restoration and reconstruction projects which we have undertaken.
I thank the Taoiseach for his very long and detailed reply, indeed the list of things he intends to do is very impressive. Nevertheless, there is one other project to which he should give serious consideration, the restoration of St. Catherine's Church, Thomas Street, one of Dublin's most historic churches built in the mid-18th century. It would be a very suitable project, especially as it is at present owned by Dublin Corporation and is up for sale. I suggest to the Taoiseach that this would be an excellent, and lasting, project to commemorate our year as the cultural capital of Europe and the anniversary of 1916 because of the church's direct connection with another patriotic Irishman, Robert Emmet, who was beheaded outside the church in 1803. I note that the General Post Office in O'Connell Street is being restored with the use of lottery funds and perhaps the Taoiseach might consider this as a suitable vehicle for renovating this historic building.
I welcome the Deputy's interest in that part of our Dublin heritage but, as he pointed out, the church is in the possession of Dublin Corporation so it is primarily a matter for them to initiate some action in regard to it. I am sure what the Deputy said will be taken note of.
In respect of St. Catherine's Church, will the Taoiseach not agree his reply indicates that, in a sense, there is nobody in overall charge of the Dublin preparation for the cultural year? The Taoiseach has had to admit that it is for someone else — maybe Dublin Corporation — to deal with this problem. Will he agree that this indicates a lack of central direction in local government generally in the Dublin area? Will the Taoiseach indicate whether there is any proposal to invite the Cultural and Education Committee of the Council of Europe, the joint sponsors of the cities of culture projects in Europe, to meet in Dublin as they did in Glasgow during its term as the European City of Culture?
I do not agree with what the Deputy said about the general approach to the organisation of cultural capital year. There is a central body specifically in charge, as I outlined in answer to the question. I am merely pointing out to Deputy Garland that St. Catherine's Church, is owned by and in the possession of Dublin Corporation and if anything was to be done about it it would be primarily a matter for Dublin Corporation.
The year will be launched on 16 March and the EC Ministers of Culture will be here for that launch. I will consider the question of inviting the cultural committee here but the first item on the agenda is the attendance of the Ministers of Culture at the launch on 16 March.
