Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 February 2004
363 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the plans his Department has to promote Ireland's EU Presidency with the Irish public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraApart from providing input into the centralised publicity and information dissemination arrangements for the EU Presidency, such as the Presidency website, my Department is publicising its Presidency programme though regular press releases and up-dates on the events we are organising. We are also in the process of establishing a dedicated area on the Department's website for Presidency-related activities.
Specific public relations arrangements are also in place to publicise the events being supported by the Presidency cultural programme, including the 1 May enlargement celebrations. These will include media coverage of events happening locally, nationally and internationally with discussions already in place with RTE, including Lyric FM, overseas television and radio stations and main national and international print media to confirm such coverage.
The Deputy will be aware of the extensive media publicity arising from the Europe-wide launch of the European year of education through Sport 2004 which took place in Dublin on 29 and 30 January 2004 as part of Ireland's EU Presidency programme. This included a special television programme to highlight the year which was broadcast on RTE television on 1 February 2004. I will continue to publicise activities and events as they arise during the course of the Presidency.
