Vol. 508 No. 1
102 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is a specific section in his Department dealing with the preservation of Irish culture in areas which have strong ethnic links with this country, such as the Canadian maritime provinces, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, along the lines of the Scottish gaelic culture which is being preserved in Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island in Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18083/99]
The cultural section of the Department of Foreign Affairs administers the work of the Cultural Relations Committee (CRC), which considers applications from around the world for assistance towards Irish cultural events abroad. Many applications are received annually in respect of the countries mentioned by the Deputy and the successful ones receive funding from the allocation for cultural relations abroad made to the Department. The size of the allocation in 1999 is £500,000. Its purpose 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.
