Vol. 511 No. 2
11 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps, if any, she will take to facilitate the development of cultural links for Irish traditional music, song, dance and language on a world-wide basis in view of the commitment in the review of An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23692/99]
Overall responsibility for the promotion of Irish culture abroad is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, through the cultural relations committee of his Department. However, it may be noted that my Department provides funding to certain organisations, including the Arts Council and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which, in turn, contribute in various ways to the development of cultural and linguistic links abroad.
With specific regard to the Irish language, my Department is participating in a tripartite project, Iomairt Cholm Cille, which also involves Scotland and Northern Ireland, and is aimed at improving relations between Irish speakers in Ireland and Gaidhlic speakers in Scotland and developing cultural links between the three areas based on a common shared heritage. My Department also provides assistance to an Irish language initiative in Britain and to one on the continent.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. An issue on which I ask him to expound is the fact there seems to be some conflict or tension in relation to cultural tourism and what some people see as a cheapening of it by putting it into a "stage Irishman" mould. Does the Minister believe that is a serious problem in terms of the establishment of cultural links with people in other countries?
On visits to the US in the past year, particularly to Milwaukee where the summerfest took place, one of the things which struck me was the growing interest in every aspect of Irish culture, particularly seannós, traditional Irish dancing, seannós dancing and the Irish language. Contrary to popular opinion, there is now a growing interest worldwide in every aspect of Irish culture, particularly those aspects which would not normally be considered popular.
We will have to look at how this interest can be cultivated, particularly in terms of the Gaeltacht. I have argued for a long time that its role in tourism should serve those niche markets to which they have a product to sell as no other part of the country has a comparable product to sell. There have been developments in that regard in places like Gleann Colum Cille, Áras uí Cadhain and so on, which attract high quality tourism. There is a potential which we should develop.
On an all-party visit to Australia this year, I discovered a scéim labhairt na Gaeilge in the Irish club in Sydney which needs funds. Will the Minister consider assisting this group which is led by a Clare woman with Fianna Fáil antecedents?
Were they sent to Australia?
Would the Minister look favourably on that application if I sent it to him?
That would fall within the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs but I will speak to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on this issue because there is an untapped interest worldwide which should be developed and which has an economic spin-off. A large number of people worldwide are showing an interest in the lrish language and culture and I will speak to the Minister for Foreign Affairs about ways to further develop this area.
There was a proposal in the programme for Government to establish an international agency for the advancement for culture abroad. The old argument about this was that cultural relations was dealt with by the Department of Foreign Affairs with a limited budget and there was not an international agency to build on l'Ima ginaire Irlandais in France or the Frankfurt book fair, for example. How stands that proposal?
The proposal is that we will facilitate the development of cultural links for Irish traditional music, song, dance and language on a worldwide basis and investigate its tourism potential. That is the way forward. Whether we need another agency to do this or whether existing agencies and structures can handle it is a good question. I am not one who believes we should set up more agencies willy-nilly but would like us to use existing agencies and voluntary bodies to see how we can further promote Irish culture worldwide.
Like Deputy Carey, we have all become aware of areas where Irish culture or a similar culture is vibrant. Who would be responsible for drawing up an inventory of those groups? Does the Minister believe it would it be a worthwhile project?
We must proceed to Question No. 12.
