Liam Burke
Ceist:6 D'fhiafraigh Mr. L. Burke den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán ar thug sí cuairt ar Dhún na nGall go fóill agus an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici sin a dhéanamh go luath. [14492/98]
Other Questions. - Official Engagements.
I had made arrangements on two occasions to visit Donegal but I had to cancel them due to illness. It is my intention, however, to visit the county in the near future. I was well represented on these occasions by the Minister of State who did an excellent job.
When the Minister visits Donegal I am sure she will be very welcome. A visit by her is overdue because it is almost 20 years since her last visit when she gave a famous speech in Letterkenny that will go down in Republican annals like Emmet's speech from the dock. That was in 1980 when Jack Lynch was Taoiseach. I am sure the Minister remembers it very well. There are many centres of interest for the Minister to visit when she visits Donegal including Glenveagh National Park, the county museum in Letterkenny, one of the best in the country, and the Glebe Gallery in Church Hill. Such a visit might result in her coming up with ideas on greater co-operation between Northern Ireland and Donegal. More co-operation could be established between such centres on both sides of the Border. The Minister of State, Deputy Ó Cuív, visited these centres on many occasions and has always been welcome.
That is the first time I have been associated with the name of Robert Emmet.
The speech is still remembered.
It was a good choice of venue.
I must correct the Deputy. I am glad to say I have been in Donegal a number of times since then, not least during the by-election in which Cecilia Keaveney was successful. I would like the opportunity to return to Donegal and I intend to do so. I thank Deputy McGinley for the promise of a warm welcome, I look forward to that. I agree with him that there are many opportunities to create greater cross-Border co-operation between Donegal and the Six Counties, something I would fully support.
I tabled this question because I was interested in the Minister's list of public engagements until the end of July. There are 26 engagements in all — 12 in Clare, ten in Dublin, two in Limerick, one in Sligo and one in Kilkenny. As the Minister is Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, does she intend to visit the other parts of the Republic? I hope she is completely recovered from her illness and that she will visit the other counties where there is a great deal of initiative in the arts world. I am sure the Minister would get a very warm welcome in all these areas.
I must warn the Deputy that I intend to visit Mayo soon. It is a pity the Deputy did not see the full list of my public engagements because I have had an opportunity to visit a number of other counties and, my diary permitting, I intend to visit even more.