28 Beal 2014, 17:20
The role of the arts and culture in enhancing reconciliation will be considered by the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement tomorrow morning.
28 May 2014
Representatives from a number of groups in the Northwest will present to the Committee including Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, the Londonderry Bands Forum; The Sollus Centre in Bready and Blue Eagle Productions. The formal meeting follows a successful Committee outreach visit to Derry earlier in the year.
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD says: “Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to hear from a variety of voices in the arts world in Northern Ireland on the cross community dimension to their work. In February, our Committee visited Derry and heard of the lasting positive legacy on community relations in the city as a result of the hosting of Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann in 2013. Fleadh organisers outlined how the event embraced all traditions in the city, providing a number of the Derry's Protestant bands with a platform to contribute to the musical festival.
“Our delegation was hosted in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, a purpose built Irish language arts and cultural centre, in which the play ‘Pride’ showcased the activities of Protestant bands as part of the Fleadh programme. That a PSNI band was also very well received by a local audience demonstrates how much the city has moved on and is now a model for many areas of Northern Ireland.Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to further explore the broader work of these cultural organisations in cross community relations.”
Separately, the Committee will meet with representatives from the East Belfast Partnership on their ongoing efforts at Regeneration and development in East Belfast. The organisation describes itself as a broad based social partnership with community, statutory, political and business members who are dedicated to the regeneration of East Belfast.
Deputy McHugh continues: “Our Committee has visited East Belfast on a number of occasions and has engaged first hand with a wide range of community representatives. We have listened to stories about the deprivation and alienation being experienced by many in East Belfast, and have been particularly concerned at the challenges for younger people in educational attainment. We look forward to hearing from representatives of the East Belfast Partnership on their tireless work to make their communities a shared, welcoming, peaceful and more prosperous place. Reflecting the discussions of the earlier session, the role of the arts and literature in this transformation will also be outlined. ”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Thursday 29 May at 10:15 am in Committee Room 4, LH 2000 and can be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies: Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White