Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)

The joint committee recently had protracted discussions with local authorities on arts funding. In advance of engaging with other member states before a new tranche of funding is announced - despite having sat through many committee hearings on the arts, this funding was new to me - will the Minister encourage local authorities, through their twinning arrangements with local authorities in other European Union member states, to produce initiatives in this area? As the Minister is aware, local arts officers in towns and counties are at the coalface of the arts. If they have developed relationships with organisations in other member states, they may be able to bring something to the table to assist the Minister in his efforts.

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