Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to establish a panel of experts and interested parties to open up our embassies, consulates and ambassadors' residences across the world for Culture Night 2012 to make it a global event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29907/11]

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

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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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?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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It can certainly be explored. As I said, it is already happening. This year we included Belfast and Derry and the initiative was very successful. It should be possible to extend Culture Night all over the world, where appropriate. We can consider this and I will certainly suggest it.

Culture Night was very successful this year. Over 200,000 people took part at 30 locations nationwide. It has been a real success. I recognise the work of Temple Bar Cultural Trust in initiating the project and bringing it to its current position. Approximately 1,500 people visited the Oireachtas on Culture Night this year and I happened to be present. There was a great atmosphere and people were delighted to be able to visit the Oireachtas.

I accept the Deputy's point that Culture Night has been successful here. It was proved that it could be successful in Belfast and Derry also and has been rolled out in other parts of the world. There is a distinct possibility that it will be rolled out further. Wherever embassies and consulates can help in rolling it out, they should do so.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Do we have confirmation that the Minister will engage with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to consider extending the concept to our embassies and consulates throughout the world?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. I mentioned this in my reply. There are two possibilities: expanding Culture Night and having a culture week or culture day connected with St. Patrick's Day. Both are under very active consideration because of the success of Culture Night. It is an obvious initiative on which to expand.