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

In answer to Senator Moloney's question about Siamsa Tíre, it began in my own village of Finuge with Teach Siamsa where a renovation is currently under way. Siamsa Tíre plans to apply for the status of a national cultural institution. It is the national folklore theatre which reached out in the time before Riverdance and other performers. It toured around the world before these other performers. I agree with the Senator as to the importance of Siamsa Tíre. Most of the summer audiences for Siamsa Tíre are from his own town of Killarney. The company provides a significant cultural service for Killarney and for the rest of Kerry. It has performed in Dublin and in other parts of the country so it wishes to move on being recognised as a national cultural institution. It is a question of making an application and making the case that it is a truly national institution. I suggested to the people in Siamsa Tíre that it might be preferable to apply to the Department with responsibility for the Gaeltacht which would give them a greater spread. There is no question of a cut in their funding but both the Department and myself would like to see more support from the local authority in County Kerry for Siamsa Tíre because it makes such a significant contribution to the local tourist industry. Funding needs to come from the local authority as well as from the Department and philanthropic sources. I am aware that Kerry Group is very supportive of Siamsa Tíre and it is to be hoped this important support will continue and even be increased.

Senator Norris referred to An Taibhdhearc. There was a danger this theatre was to close but the Department ensured it would remain open. I have given assurances that we will support it and provide funding on the expectation that the theatre will provide development plans for the future. This shows that the Department took action in this matter. I do not have to remind Senator Norris that James Joyce is a major global figure. When one meets Japanese and Chinese -----