Ms Katherine Licken:

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and referring to Cork when it was a successful bidder for the European Capital of Culture. Of course we learn from previous capitals of culture. We had a national capital of culture in Limerick in 2014. There was a review of that which fed into Galway 2020. We had very robust governance arrangements and significant consultation in the run-up to Galway 2020.

The European Commission runs a compendium of all of the findings of the various European cities of culture in order to inform whichever country is doing it at a given time. The title comes around maybe once every 15 years so it is important that is done. This time, for the first year ever, the Commission has looked for member states to do a review immediately afterwards. We have a review of Galway city of culture, which is nearing completion. That will be very important to input, not just for us, but for other member states.

What really went wrong with Galway city of culture was Covid and, notwithstanding that, it produced an astounding array of events. Many artists and artistic workers pivoted online and reached huge audiences worldwide that they might not have otherwise reached.

They were some benefits to it. I will ask Mr. Falvey to come in with more detail. What proceeded, proceeded really well. People will be familiar with some of the larger events such as DruidGregory, the Galway International Arts Festival and Macnas.