Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will pass on the Senator's comments to her. She does a number of speaking engagements and, as I noted in my opening remarks, she spoke at the Brexit event in Belfast recently in regard to the contribution of culture and creativity to our overall social and economic well-being. She spoke in London at the recent Barbican event and at the Global Ireland 2025 conference in Dublin Castle, she recently announced new cultural ambassadors and she was recently in New York as well. At all stages she promotes the relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom, which is very important. As the Senator said, whatever politics goes on, the arts has always been able to transcend political difficulties. There is an artistic family on each island and they both work very closely together. The overall importance of the sector is clearly evident in the work that has been done and the continued co-operation in terms of cultural exchanges and different forms of culture and heritage value.

In regard to the language, An Foras Teanga, which includes Ulster Scots and the Irish language, will still function on both sides of the Border. As I said, the common travel area will ensure the workers who may work on either side of the Border are able to continue to work and live on either side of the Border. Some of these bodies have offices both North and South and, therefore, staff will be moving between Belfast or Derry and parts of Donegal or Dublin, which is important.

The Minister attempts at all times to get the message out there about continued co-operation across the islands in regard to the Creative Ireland programme and all that goes with it. She has at all times put a focus on that. I will certainly ask her to read back on the Senator's contribution to see if there is anything else she can add. She might be able to respond to the Senator directly.