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Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Ceisteanna (38)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

38. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Moscow or Tehran which are in receipt of State funding or support; and his views on whether it would be distasteful in view of those two countries' involvement in the ongoing atrocities in Ghouta. [12266/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to make clear my total condemnation of the ongoing bombardment of Eastern Ghouta. The attacks being directed at the civilian and humanitarian population are disproportionate. Ireland does not recognise the legitimacy of the 2014 Syrian Presidential Elections and has ceased all diplomatic or political contacts with the Assad regime. Ireland remains engaged through the EU in the International Syria Support Group and continues to support efforts to find a political resolution to the Syrian conflict.

St. Patrick’s Day provides Ireland with an unparalleled opportunity to promote our interests abroad. I believe that it is important to maintain dialogue and people-to-people contact, particularly in the cultural field, with countries with whom we do not always agree.

There is a small but well-established Irish community in Russia and St. Patrick’s Day is an important event in the Irish calendar. My Department and Culture Ireland provide funding for a number of events to mark the occasion in Moscow – an Irish Film Festival, a Day and Night Music Festival, a Dance Irish show and the St Patrick’s Day Parade. St Patrick’s Day receptions were held in Moscow and St Petersburg and Bord Bia ran a trade event at the Embassy. The Embassy also supported St. Patrick’s Day cultural events at the Russian State Library of Foreign Literature and the Russian State Children’s Library.

Ireland does not have an Embassy in Tehran. No St. Patrick’s Day events take place funded or otherwise supported by my Department.

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