Vol. 528 No. 3
8 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will report on the recent meeting of the EU's Culture Council; the items discussed at the meeting; the decisions made and their impact in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29913/00]
I attended a formal meeting of the EU Culture Council in Brussels on 23 November last. The main items on the agenda relating to audio-visual matters were the adoption of a common position on the proposed training programme for professionals in the European audio-visual programme industry, otherwise known as MEDIA-training, and securing political agreement on the proposed MEDIA Plus programme to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audio-visual works. My concern in the negotiations was the achievement of a satisfactory allocation of resources to the development section of the MEDIA Plus programme and I am satisfied we achieved this objective.
There was also an important political discussion on the future of public broadcasting in the course of which member states confirmed the importance that is attached to this system in the current environment.
On the agenda relating to culture affairs, there was a number of important items for discussion. The Council discussed and adopted a resolution on architectural quality in urban and rural environments. The resolution encourages member states to improve the knowledge and promotion of architecture and urban design and to make contracting authorities and the general public more aware of and better trained in appreciation of architectural, urban and cultural landscape.
The Council also adopted a resolution on fixed book pricing which is operated by a number of EU member states. The Council agreed the two Council members for the expert panel for the capital of Europe in 2005 which is the year that Ireland has the right to make nominations for the designation.
I am pleased the MEDIA Plus programme has been finalised. Will the Minister give an indication of the funding that will be available to this valuable programme? I would be supportive of its continuation. I read in the media that Commissioner Monti said the amount of advertising allowed on public service broadcasting networks could be restricted.
The Deputy is correct in saying the MEDIA Plus programme is very useful. Because of the Irish stance on this proposal it was possible to secure agreement on this programme and bring the issue to a satisfactory conclusion. My particular concern in the negotiations was the achievement of a satisfactory allocation of resources to the development section of the MEDIA Plus programme. I was satisfied that we achieved the objective. The initial response by the Commission of an allocation of 64 million ecu was increased to 70 million ecu. I put forward a proposal that the repayment of loans for development under MEDIA II estimated at some 6 million ecu to 9 million ecu would be allocated, having regard to the needs of the class of operations which generated these returns. This compromise in the form of a Commission declaration was accepted and on this basis the programme was agreed. Given that the matter was being negotiated for a long time I was pleased to be able to bring this about. I wanted to put the emphasis on the importance of the development section and that was agreed.
On the issue of public service broadcasting, member states voiced their concerns—
The Minister has exceeded the one minute time limit for the reply.
With regard to public service broadcasting there is a protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty which points out the importance of public service broadcasting. That is a philosophy we would all share.
