Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire for being here. This is a very important matter, as are all of the matters being raised by the Senators in this House. We appreciate the Minister's time given all the pressures that are on it. We are seeking an update from the Minister and his Department on funding to provide an international centre of excellence for Na Píobairí Uilleann on Henrietta Street in Dublin 1. Na Píobairí Uilleann was founded in 1968 by a group of volunteers who were champions of the uilleann pipes. I can count among them an old neighbour of mine who is now sadly deceased, and also Seán Potts and others. From a voluntary perspective, they established Na Píobairí Uilleann with the simple but ambitious aim of promoting and preserving the uilleann pipes and their music. Since its founding, Na Píobairí Uilleann has grown into a thriving cross-Border, international arts organisation. It is dedicated to sharing, promoting and championing the sound of Ireland which is the uilleann pipes. The organisation offers a wide range of services to pipers but also to uilleann pipe enthusiasts. Its members have not only formal classes for the tuition of piping, but they also teach instrument maintenance, repair and construction. They have published books and released recordings on the uilleann pipes. In addition to its work with the pipers, Na Píobairí Uilleann also promotes the uilleann pipes and Irish music to a wider audience internationally through concerts, festivals and other events. It is an organisation of which we should all be very proud. Its members have played a really key role in the revival of an interest in traditional Irish music which has helped to ensure the continuation of the tradition of the uilleann pipes. Na Píobairí Uilleann now has over 1,500 members in more than 40 countries.It also teaches in Enniskillen and Derry, supports the tuition in Belfast and works with the Armagh Pipers Club. It is a fantastic organisation and has done a great job since 1968. When I was a city councillor myself, it brought forward a proposal with the city council to develop on its site in Henrietta Street - a most beautiful intact Georgian Street in the heart of our capital - an international centre of excellence. That proposal is one for which I want to thank the Minister. He has visited the existing property there on Henrietta Street. It has Part 8 planning permission and I was glad as a city councillor to be able to support Na Píobairí Uileann in securing that. It has heads of agreement with Dublin City Council to develop the site. There has been a cost-benefit analysis and a cost has already been identified for this project in the region of €8 million. It has the support and has engaged with all of the relevant stakeholders, not just with the pipers themselves but also Dublin City Council, the Arts Council, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, as well as with the local community.

This is a fabulous project. It has planning permission and has the support and endorsement of all of the relevant stakeholders. My appeal to the Minister today is to ask him and his Department if it can find the funds within, perhaps, the urban regeneration funding to allow this project to proceed. It is shovel-ready and will be an amazing addition not just, obviously, to my own constituency of Dublin Central but it would be a great addition to Henrietta Street, to the inner city and to our capital city in general. I am hoping that the Minister will be coming to the Chamber with good news and I look forward to his reply.