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

Discussions are ongoing on the most appropriate way to build on the success and popularity of Culture Night. One of the commitments in the programme for the Government is to expand the Culture Night concept and I have already set the wheels in motion in this regard. One idea under consideration as a way of achieving this objective is the designation of the week of St Patrick's Day as international week of Irish culture to build on the solid foundations already in place. The primary aim of this objective would be to showcase to the world the rich and varied Irish cultural heritage and promote Ireland as a destination for cultural tourists.

The existing Culture Night model already has an international element. Temple Bar Cultural Trust which is responsible for organising Culture Night has been taking steps in recent years to connect Culture Night with the Irish Diaspora through the network of Irish cultural centres and institutions overseas. Since 2010 Culture Night has been celebrated at the Irish Arts Centre in New York, the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe and the office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels. Temple Bar Cultural Trust is also in discussions with Barcelona and Berlin, among others, to extend this network.

I have asked officials of my Department to consider practical ways by which we advance the concept of an international week of Irish culture both here at home and abroad. As part of such an initiative, I am ready to explore with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the potential for and possibility of hosting events in suitable Irish Embassy and consulate premises across the world, taking into account the existing demands of the week of St. Patrick's Day and the extensive promotion of Irish culture which already takes place during that period. Any proposals made must, of course, have regard to the resources available to my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as to the many competing demands on these resources.

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