Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 722: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views and policy in regard to an opera-music festival for Dublin along the lines of the Anna Livia Festival; if he has a particular preference in this area for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2546/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council, a State body funded by my Department and independent in its day-to-day operations. As a once-off, exceptional measure and in a cultural tourism context, I made an allocation of €250,000 to the Anna Livia Festival in 2005 from funds that became available from within my Department's provision. Future support for such festivals is a matter for the Arts Council or Fáilte Ireland. Fáilte Ireland allocates funding to assist festivals-cultural events through its festivals and cultural events initiative. Further details on the initiative are available on the Fáilte Ireland website, www.ireland.ie.