Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

It is appropriate that the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, is taking this matter because some of my remarks pertain to his Department.

The world building of the year award, which was given for the first time this year, represents a major achievement. It is the equivalent of the Nobel prize. This is the first year in which it was awarded and it was won by a middle sized Irish architectural practice, Grafton Architects, of which Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell are the two principals. Eight major architectural awards are awarded at present, six of which are given to individuals for lifetime achievements by institutes such as the RIBA in London. The remaining two awards are for specific buildings. The world building of the year award has the most rigorous and demanding criteria and adjudication process. Yvonne Farrell and Shelly McNamara are like Olympic gold medallists. That is the status and standing of their achievement. This should be publicly celebrated and recognised by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. In response to a parliamentary question I tabled, he advised that he had sent a private letter congratulating them, which is simply not sufficient.

We should use this achievement to promote Irish art and culture abroad and I will make some suggestions for consideration. Every Irish Embassy abroad should showcase it in collaboration with the various State agencies and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland. It would be a golden opportunity to showcase an achievement of excellence on a global scale by Irish architects. IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland should also promote it. Ireland has 4% of the global market for services, which is an incredible achievement. At present, those involved in the Irish construction industry must be encouraged to find work abroad owing to the downturn in our economy. For example, 30% of people employed in architectural practices have been given notice or made redundant in recent months and more will follow.

We need joined up thinking in Departments in this regard. The Departments involved are the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Arts, Sport and Tourism, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A co-ordinated promotion and sales drive with the Construction Industry Federation and all of the building professions is now required. They should unashamedly use the excuse of the achievement of the award of world building of the year. They won in two categories. There are approximately five categories relating to building type and there is an overall award. In both cases they won that award. What has happened is well known across the world of architectural services and design.

I invite the Minister of State and his colleagues to be active and celebrate this achievement and to communicate, promote, export and sell our expertise globally. This is a unique opportunity to do so. There should be a public reception or other event to celebrate the achievement here. It is simply not sufficiently well known. If it was a sports or a literary achievement, it would be acknowledged in a much more profound and celebratory way than simply sending a private letter of congratulations.

See this speech in context