Since the development and maintenance of bilateral cultural relations with other countries is a primary function of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the cultural relations committee operates to policy guidelines of an administrative nature laid down by the Department. The Department of Finance stipulates the conditions and accounting systems under which the allocation for cultural relations may be spent.
The purpose of the allocation is to enable the Department to carry out, or to give financial support to, Irish cultural projects of a high artistic standard with a view to enhancing Ireland's image and reputation abroad, and the promotion of friendly relations and mutual knowledge and understanding with other countries. It is expended at the decision of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, guided to a large extent by the recommendations of the CRC.
The committee assesses eligible applications on their merits, follows its established guidelines and makes independent recommendations as regards the artistic and cultural projects to be assisted. The Embassy of Ireland to the country for which an event is proposed is asked for its observations. The committee takes these into account in its recommendations. Decision on the making of a grant rests with the Minister.
The CRC operates in a way which complements the work of the Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands and specifically the work of An Chomhairle Ealaíon/Arts Council. In this connection it should be noted that the director of the Arts Council is by practice appointed to serve on the CRC. The Department of Foreign Affairs through its cultural section is also responsible for cultural agreements with other countries and, in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, draws up work programmes for their implementation.
The purpose of the grants recommended by the CRC is to give support in other countries to Irish cultural activities of excellence. In deciding on the activities to be assisted, attention is also given to their potential to promote tourism and investment from abroad. This is a primary reason all applications are circulated to the Irish mission in the relevant country, so as — among other things — to assess the potential which the project might have to influence foreign earnings whether from tourism, trade or inward investment.
One of the advantages of the opening of an Ireland House is the ease of access by the Embassy to the views of the other State offices in the country concerned, including Bord Fáilte.
