Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As Minister for culture and the arts, I have no specific role in relation to the proposal that there should be an Oireachtas poet laureate. I recognise the remit of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in this regard.

I am aware that other parliaments, as the Deputy has said, have made such appointments. I am aware also of the very positive contribution that access to and participation in the arts can bring in different contexts, including in the workplace, in terms of individual and collective well-being and bringing fresh perspectives. Therefore, while it is not a matter for me to decide, I am hopeful and confident on a personal level that the matter will receive appropriate consideration because it is a wonderful suggestion.

My Department provides support for the arts through the Arts Council. Poetry Ireland is the organisation dedicated to developing, supporting and promoting poetry on the island of Ireland and is funded by the Arts Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It has partnerships with arts centres, festivals, schools, colleges and bookshops at home and abroad and is committed to creating performance and publication opportunities for poets at all stages of their careers, and securing a future for Irish poetry. Further information on this is available on Poetry Ireland's website.

Poetry Day Ireland is an island-wide celebration of poetry which involves inviting people to read, write or share a poem. It is one of most high-profile events aimed at promoting poetry on the island of Ireland. It is organised by Poetry Ireland and it took place on 27 April 2023, when more than 100 events took place with the theme "Message in a Bottle".

Culture Ireland provides substantial support for the promotion of Irish poetry worldwide, for example by supporting Irish poets in bringing their work to international audiences and by building on our strong global reputation for poetry. The Creative Ireland programme is a culture-based initiative designed to promote individual, community and national well-being. This programme has supported thousands of largely culture-based events exploring issues of identity, community, culture, heritage and citizenship, including projects on poetry. County Cork is, of course, home to a wealth of culture and heritage. The Deputy will find details of several projects in his constituency on Creative Ireland’s website under the heading "Creative Communities".

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