Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Pillar 5 of the Creative Ireland programme aims to unify our global message to the world. The Deputy will appreciate that during the 1916 commemorations in 2016 there was huge engagement in our culture right across our embassies - right across the world, actually. Many different events were held in our embassies and attended by many among our diaspora and indeed others who wanted to engage in Irish culture. Culture Ireland will receive an extra €500,000 next year, which will enable an enhanced culture programme to be presented across Great Britain in 2018. This will build on the unique cultural relationship between the two countries and expand the reach of Irish culture to new audiences. It will also build on Pillar 5 of the Creative Ireland programme, which hinges on extending our cultural footprint globally and highlighting our culture as a unique national strength. This is very important because the IDA says culture is the best calling card it has and that it opens doors for the IDA. It is therefore very important we send out a good message internationally about how rich is our culture. It is a good news story.

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