Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the European flag; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14838/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Genealogical Office of Ireland is an integral part of the National Library of Ireland. The Deputy will be aware that the library was incorporated as a statutory body on 3 May 2005 and that I appointed a statutory board to administer the library's own affairs. I will invite the new board to consider how the anniversary of the adoption of this flag by the Council of Europe could be appropriately acknowledged.

In this connection, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the achievement of the then Chief Herald of Ireland, the late Mr. Gerard Slevin, in having his design concept for a European flag adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in December 1955. This flag, comprising twelve golden stars on a blue background, was subsequently adopted by the European Community in the 1980s and is the emblem of the European Union.