Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

It is welcome that the Minister is considering taking this idea on board. We have spoken before in previous Dáil question about expanding Culture Night. At the time I outlined my reservations in having St. Patrick's Day designated as a second day of culture. We should use Culture Night in September to complement the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. We received positive worldwide coverage on 17 March. In September, therefore, we should use Culture Night as an expanded cultural event. Culture Night started off in Dublin and was later extended the length and breadth of the country. We should now establish a panel of experts to consider the opening of our embassies throughout the world, including the Far East and Africa. We receive great tourist numbers from America, England and elsewhere in Europe, but we need to expand further afield. We should, therefore, look to the Far East, India and China to attract additional visitor numbers. We all know cultural visitors spend more than regular tourists and tend to stay longer. It is welcome that the Minister is seeking to expand the initiative. Can we have more concrete confirmation that a panel will consider doing as I suggest in September 2012 to coincide with Culture Night?

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