Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Deputy. Following the first Farmleigh meeting, we created the post of cultural ambassador to America, and I would like to recognise the work that Gabriel Byrne is doing on behalf of this country in America. He is certainly making a major impact. Imagine Ireland has also had a major impact in America. For example, over 1,200 artists have participated in the programme this year, with 500 events in 40 states. Over half a million people saw live performances of traditional Irish music. Druid Theatre toured America with The Cripple of Inishmaan, leveraged about €1.2 million from an investment of €200,000 and made a major impact across the country. Imagine Ireland and the cultural ambassador have been two very effective initiatives.

Another successful initiative has been the heritage certificate. It was presented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to one of the families affected by the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. Former President Clinton was also presented with a heritage certificate at Dublin Castle. This has encouraged major interest from America. Fexco, which has the contract to roll out the heritage certificate, has employed between 50 and 60 people to do that job. These are very tangible results. I totally agree with the Deputy that unless there are tangible results and unless we can show something for the efforts of these people, then obviously they will get frustrated.

There is a proposal in the programme for Government to examine the possibility of a second cultural night. I will be answering a question on that shortly. Rather than having a second cultural night, we could have a culture day or culture week and we could build this around St. Patrick's Day, when we get huge attention across the world. We should look seriously at promoting Irish culture through the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, given that it is the focus of attention all over the world.

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