Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

Perhaps the Minister can forward those details to me as well. I am aware of many groups that are interested in Culture Night. Many of them participated in previous Culture Night events and met their expenses from their own resources. They did not get any funding from the State. What level of funding is available for this year's Culture Night, which will take place on 23 September?

The Minister spoke in his reply about the possibility of "making Culture Night a twice yearly event", as proposed in the programme for Government. It will depend on the availability of funding, as the Minister said. I was a little worried to hear him indicate that St. Patrick's Day could be adopted as a second cultural day, as opposed to an actual Culture Night. I would not see that as the ideal situation. St. Patrick's Day, which is all about being Irish, is our national patron's day and a public holiday and has been for a long time. We do not need to identify it as a cultural day. I would be inclined to say we should have a second specific Culture Night that is designated for promoting cultural awareness and driving economic activity in the culture and arts sector.

See this speech in context