I propose to take Parliamentary Questions Nos. 58 and 184 together.
One of my Department's high-level goals — as set out in its current Statement of Strategy — is to promote close co-operation between the arts and culture, sport and tourism sectors in order to enhance their shared contribution to the social and economic well being of the country. Significant progress has been made in achieving this goal, as set out in the Department's Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Dáil Library and on the Department's corporate website. I can assure the Deputy that the further development and strengthening of the synergies between the areas under the remit of my Department will be a key element of the new Strategy Statement for my Department due for completion later this year.
In order to further progress this objective I will encourage closer co-operation between Departmental agencies in promoting the image of Ireland abroad. I will seek to exploit further the tourism development opportunities associated with hosting major sporting events in Ireland and further develop and exploit the tourism potential of our cultural heritage.
In turn, this will involve, inter alia, initiating greater co-operation between the Irish Sports Council and the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the tourism agencies in planning and marketing major sporting events. It will also involve developing closer co-operation between the cultural and related institutions and tourism agencies in promoting and developing special cultural and commemorative events, as well as enhancing access to cultural collections and institutions.
Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 54.