Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister whom I have known for some years. As a councillor during the previous Seanad, she demonstrated her expertise in mediation by assisting me in drafting a motion on mediation, which was passed unanimously in the House. The motion was an important prerequisite in creating the narrative around mediation that the country needed. Mediation can be used in many ways to solve many issues. Ministers sometimes find it difficult to bring everyone together and I have no doubt the mediation role she played before her election to the Oireachtas will assist the Minister in her current role.

The new Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is a great Ministry because it is creative, different and allows various initiatives and programmes to be fostered and developed. Ireland is a nation of culture, artists and creators. It is fitting, therefore, that Galway has been selected as the European capital of culture. Limerick undertook a valiant campaign to secure the title and it is interesting that the two cities are located at either side of County Clare.

We have developed many types of cultures in this country and we have a rich heritage. I hope the experience Galway is about to enjoy will benefit surrounding regions. On Galway Bay, we have the Burren with its food trail. Traditional music permeates County Clare, especially the north of the county around Lisdoonvarna, Kilfenora, with its famous céilí band, and the Burren. Ennis also had the good fortune of hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann for the past two years. Traditional music is deep-rooted and goes back many generations in north County Clare, specifically Ballyvaughan, New Quay and Bellharbour. Bellharbour was made famous by the late Seamus Heaney, the Nobel laureate for literature, when he spoke about the Flaggy Shore. All of this can be found on Galway Bay.

I sincerely hope those charged with developing the programme for Galway's year as European capital of culture will extend it to the city's hinterland which is rich in heritage and culture. This would immensely increase the value and lived experience of the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people who I hope will come to Galway. Their stay will be enriched, enhanced and developed if they experience the culture north County Clare has to offer. The programme for the city of culture is great. There is a lot happening. It is very energetic and powerful. Culture has played a significant part of our economic recovery. The right person is at the helm of Galway 2020 and will drive the programme. I look forward to great things and I know that we all will experience great things as a result.