Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome my colleague and friend, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Josepha Madigan. Having served with her on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, I know something of her enormous commitment to and passion for the arts and culture. I am delighted with her appointment and wish her every success in her role. I also wish her well with the Creative Ireland programme, which is an imaginative and important initiative.

We are discussing today a good news story. I congratulate all those who made this happen, including business people and members of the local authorities in Galway as well as departmental officials. It is in everyone's interests, including business and the arts community, that this capital of culture year is a success.

The benefits of subsidies and sponsorship for the arts cannot always be quantified. The arts are a key part of who we are as Irish people and we should be proud of them. When promoting the arts, it is important to recognise theatre, arts, literature and food. Irish people are good at celebrating and it is important that we recognise that we are now a multicultural nation of people with diverse views and beliefs and none. Everyone must be made welcome to the table and the great party and celebration of our multiculturalism.

I was pleased to hear the Minister describe Galway's designation as European capital of culture as a national and European celebration. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, of which I was a member for many years, led in this area by hosting a world festival of culture for some years. The festival became so large it had to be scaled back because it was taking too much time to organise. One of the great aspects of this was that it made people feel accepted and they shared their traditions, heritage and culture. People dipped in to the degree with which they felt comfortable. Through music, art and literature, we open up and break down barriers and celebrate diversity and multiculturalism, which is extremely positive.

I understand the reasons people in Galway are proud. Galwegians have always been proud and one always feel welcome in the city. While it is described as a city, I always feel Galway is a town.

Reading through A Programme for a Partnership Government, I note the short section on arts and culture. Perhaps the Minister will return to the House in a few months to discuss progress on achieving the key objectives set out in the programme for Government in the areas of arts, heritage and culture. I wish the Minister well in her portfolio. She is the right person at the right time in the right place and I congratulate her.