Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming into the House to deal with this matter. It is not always possible for Ministers who are directly responsible for the matter put down to come to the House.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Clare Association in New York. The Clare Association is one of the more prestigious Irish associations in New York and has played a significant role in promoting County Clare and Ireland in New York and throughout the United States. As part of its celebrations and given that this is the millennial anniversary of the death of Brian Boru who, as the Minister is aware, had significant connections with east Clare, the Clare Association has invited the Tulla pipe band, which is rich in culture and tradition.

The Tulla area of County Clare is representative of the quality of traditional music and music in general in this country. As well as the Tulla Pipe Band, the Minister might also be familiar with the Tulla Céilí Band. The Tulla Pipe Band was honoured and delighted to accept the invitation to lead the St. Patrick's Day parade. This is taking place in the same year as the millennium Brian Ború celebrations and the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Clare Association.

The reality, however, is that there is a significant cost - an estimated minimum of €50,000 - involved in taking a pipe band to New York. As the Minister is well aware, pipe bands do not have that type of money. Clare County Council, under the personal direction of Councillor Joe Arkins, who is doing a fine job as Mayor of Clare and who reflects traditional culture and values in his own voluntary contributions to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and to Irish music in general, together with his colleague councillors from east Clare, has made between €10,000 and €15,000 available from a very tight budget to facilitate this trip. The Clare Association is also making a contribution, as are the members of the band themselves. However, these combined contributions will fall somewhat short of the €50,000 that is required to allow the band to travel to New York.

This is a golden opportunity for partnership. Given the very difficult experience Clare has had in recent weeks as a consequence of the inclement weather and the job of repair that remains to be done, it would be an excellent partnership gesture from the Minister and from Culture Ireland were the latter to make a small financial contribution towards the cost of the Tulla Pipe Band going to New York for St. Patrick's Day. The band's participation would showcase what is good about our country and its culture and help to promote Ireland and Clare by showing the people of New York, the United States and the world the quality of music emanating from our shores. We in Clare have had a difficult three weeks and have received telephone calls and expressions of goodwill from all over the world. I ask the Minister to encourage Culture Ireland to make a financial contribution to enable the Tulla Pipe Band to make its trip to New York. That gesture of support would be well appreciated by all involved.