Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire fosta le linn an díospóireacht seo ar chúrsaí cultúrtha. Tá sé i bhfad níos leithne ná sin. Táimid ag caint faoi institiúidí cultúrtha ach tá gach gné de shaol na hÉireann fite fuaite leis an gcultúr, anseo i mBaile Cliath agus ar fud na tíre, na Gaeltachtaí ina measc.

This is a wide-ranging and broad debate. Culture does not stop at the boundaries of the Pale but extends to every part of Ireland, as I will explain presently. Ireland is traditionally a land of the baile fearainn or townland. We have a rich cultural identity and heritage which extends across the globe. Our diaspora plays a key role in the development of Irish culture abroad just by being Irish.

As a realist, I appreciate that the downturn in the economy affected all institutions of State, including the cultural institutions. It is important that the fruits of recovery are spread across all State institutions and Departments, including elements of our cultural heritage such as galleries, museums, arts centres and theatres. As the Minister indicated, however, culture extends much wider than institutions. I listened to her contribution in my office and noted her comment that funding will be made available for the provision of additional services for the National Archives. This is a welcome step, as Senator Eamonn Coghlan noted. Protecting our archives by providing adequate facilities for them is pivotal because they provide a rich source of vital information on the Ireland of yesteryear.

As we approach the centenary of the 1916 Rising and the events that led to the formation of the State, we face a major opportunity and challenge. The Minister must face this challenge head on. We have a great opportunity to place Ireland in a positive light at the centre of the global stage. We can do this by recognising the country's past and shared traditions and developing a country that looks outward and forward. The Minister alluded briefly to the centenary celebrations and may have more to add on the progress made in plans to mark the centenary of the Rising.

Heritage does not belong to any institution or organisation but to citizens. As we mark the centenary next year, it is important to share our heritage, culture and national language, an teanga Gaeilge, with the future generation, the children in every school, whether in inside or outside the Gaeltacht areas. While work may be taking place in this area, the Department must work with the Department of Education and Skills to create a stream of cultural identity within the primary school curriculum. At present, it is very much up to teachers to promote and develop this issue, which should be examined.

I note Senator Eamonn Coghlan's keen interest in sport in school. It is also necessary to create a wider curriculum offering for the Irish language. I do not share the Fine Gael Party's philosophy on Irish. Dancing, story telling and other traditions need to be embedded in the curriculum in a way that makes the Irish language and culture interesting subjects for children as they grow up. This issue should be addressed as part of the centenary celebrations.

The development of Irish language colleges in the Gaeltacht areas could be a great expression of our identity. The Department, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills, is responsible for the funding of Irish language colleges. Let us celebrate next year by promoting the Irish language in a manner that allows children from underprivileged backgrounds to visit the Gaeltacht on scholarship schemes. While schemes are available this year, let us do something radical next year by affording many more children an opportunity to visit Irish speaking areas to learn the Irish language. I am sure Senator Ó Clochartaigh will agree with my proposal, fear de chuid Chonamara.

Senator Ó Murchú referred to the issue of community. Heritage needs to be developed through community funding. I welcome the allocation of €500,000 to the Heritage Council this year. Members meet weekly with representatives of various heritage groups which would like to develop local projects. It would be great if the small amount of funding available to such groups were to increase next year.

The Minister referred to the issue of biodiversity. While special areas of conservation, SACs, and special protection areas, SPAs, may not be directly related to this debate, they are referred to in the motion. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, may have spoken to the Minister about an area of 5,000 ha. in County Donegal which was designated a special protection area without prior consultation. The current approach to this issue needs to be reviewed. The decision in respect of the area in Donegal was taken by the Minister's predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan. Instead of designating good farming land as special protection areas without proper or meaningful consultation with landowners, we should adopt the approach taken by Portugal, Spain and France to implementing the same European directives. The authorities in these countries engage in meaningful public consultation with landowners and if they fail to secure their agreement on designation, they designate other areas, specifically areas of commonage. This approach should be adopted here because it is wrong to prevent a farmer who has been cutting silage for 30 years from continuing to do so. Farmers must feed their animals in winter. A common sense is approach is needed.

I am grateful for an opportunity to speak to this wide-ranging and timely motion, especially as the centenary celebrations approach.