Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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5. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of its roots in pre-Christian Ireland, if she will consider expanding on Hallowe'en-Samhain celebrations in a manner similar to Culture Night. [40047/14]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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In view of its roots in pre-Christian Ireland, will the Minister consider expanding on Hallowe'en-Samhain celebrations in a manner similar to Culture Night?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has no plans to become involved in or fund Hallowe'en or Samhain celebrations in a manner similar to Culture Night. Most families already celebrate Hallowe'en. Every house has trick or treat and one makes every effort to be at home when children call and to have something to give them. Gardaí organise fireworks displays also and there are a great many things going on at Hallowe'en.

I am, however, pleased to advise the Deputy of a joint initiative between the National Museum of Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Poetry Ireland and supported by the and . The initiative is entitled "Samhain: shadows, sounds and stories" and has received funding from my Department in co-operation with the Northern Ireland funding scheme. It consists of a multimedia exhibition of photographs and creative-writing with an accompanying soundscape and it will be on display at the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street from 20 November to 7 December. Entry will be free of charge. The work has been produced by groups of older people in Belfast, Dublin and Mayo who created photographic, musical and written responses to the Celtic festival of Samhain.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister for her answer. When considering the origins of Hallowe'en, one must look to the festival of Samhain in Ireland's Celtic past and its importance as a festival that marked the end of summer and the start of winter. Our Celtic ancestors celebrated Hallowe'en as Samhain - all Hallowtide - the feast of the dead that brought people together and which we could learn from. Hallowe'en is an event in our calendar that we should look forward too. It should be a time of celebration and a fun night for communities and our young people in particular. In my home town, Youghal, we hold a festival called "Youghaloween Spooktacular", which is very successful.

Regrettably, however, 31 October has become synonymous in many places across the State with anti-social behaviour, vandalism and drunken attacks on our emergency services. In the lead-up to Hallowe'en and on the night itself many of our most vulnerable citizens are left fearful in their own homes, becoming victims of the type of loutishness that on occasion can have serious consequences. We must change how we celebrate Hallowe'en. One way to achieve this is to learn from the traditional Celtic rituals that made the feast of Samhain an event that was uniquely Irish, like one of the initiatives to which the Minister referred. I ask the Minister to consider promoting initiatives and providing funding in her Department.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am reluctant to do anything that would dilute the success of Culture Night which has grown from a relatively small cultural event staged only in Dublin in 2006 to a significant national cultural event with approximately 350,000 people visiting museums, galleries, historic houses, artists studios and cultural centres across the State. Funding totalling €230,000 was allocated to the 2014 event and that is broadly in line with the funding provided in 2013. Access to all Culture Night events is free. Culture Night most recently took place on Friday, 19 September 2014 when more than 36 locations across the island participated in Ireland's most popular cultural extravaganza. A diverse mix of more than 1,400 indoor and outdoor events took place with something to suit every age and interest from live music and street performances to interactive tours and workshops. Culture Night is very successful. I attended events in Dublin and then attended one in Clones in my own county of Monaghan. This year was the first in which a Culture Night event took place in Clones and it was a great success.

I understand the Deputy's point about Hallowe'en. Currently, there are many organisations involved at local level. I am happy to talk to the Deputy at a later stage to see if there is anything we can do to support something. Local authorities get involved and the Garda Síochána puts on fireworks displays.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I agree with the Minister that Culture Night is extremely important but it is also important to build on it. If we are serious about ensuring a safe and enjoyable Hallowe'en , the Minister must provide the type of leadership that can ensure this important festival is celebrated in a way that is both safe and enjoyable. This means working with local community groups in urban and rural settings in a planned and managed way. I commend to the Minister an initiative that has proved very successful North of the Border where in recent years County Down's local authority has provided funding for eco-friendly bonfire beacons. These are steel pyramids built on sand and filled with willow woodchips. The beacons burn fiercely but safely for up to two hours significantly reducing clean-up costs and causing no environmental damage. Bonfire beacons have greatly reduced the negative impact of bonfires on local communities and proven hugely popular in towns and villages across County Down and beyond. Will the Minister consider looking at this initiative?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Gardaí have been very proactive nationally in organising fireworks displays and such things and must be commended for their great work. They have taken the initiative over many years and organised this. It is a great night in many towns which many attend. One sees skies lit up by fireworks around the country but rather than to have that, gardaí organise a safe environment. We must give them great credit. In terms of the Deputy's points, I am open to suggestions, but I do not wish to encroach on the good work being done by other organisations. I will talk to the Deputy.

I would not like to encroach on the good work that is being done by other organisations, but I will talk to the Deputy about it.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Question No. 6 is in the name of Deputy Gerry Adams. Deputy Adams has sent his apologies as he cannot be present. We will now proceed to Question No. 7. I call Deputy Kitt.