Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date of establishment of Atlantic corridor project; if this body is still in existence; the purpose and role of this body; the number of members of the board of this body; the number of whom are appointed by the his Department; the persons by whom the remaining board members are appointed by; the amount of financial support provided by the Government to this committee for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5329/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Atlantic Corridor project is a transatlantic, cross-border initiative designed to encourage the economic and social advancement of the regions of the participating partners. These are: Atlantic Corridor, USA, Inc, the Niagara Economic and Tourism Corporation, the Atlantic Corridor, Northern Ireland (covering the area of the Lower Bann), and Atlantic Corridor, Ireland (covering the Midlands). The Atlantic Corridor was established by agreement between the four parties in November 2000. Since then Atlantic Corridor Ireland (ACI) has signed two new partnership agreements, with the city of Mesa, Arizona and the Atlanta, Georgia branch of the Irish Chamber of Commerce in the USA.

Atlantic Corridor Ireland has a 10 member Board of Directors. Directors are appointed by an AGM of the Offaly Regeneration Company Ltd, which is the implementing agency for Atlantic Corridor Ireland. It is a registered company, with no share capital. Atlantic Corridor is its sole activity. Government funding to ACI for each of the past five years has been as follows:

Audited accounts are provided to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Since its inception ACI has actively promoted the development of the region in terms of business and education through North –South cooperation and international linkages.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date of establishment of advisory committee on cultural relations; if this body is still in existence; the purpose and role of this body; the number of members of the board of this body; the number of whom are appointed by his Department; the person by whom the remaining board members are appointed; the amount of financial support provided by the Government to this committee for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5375/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Cultural Relations Committee was established in 1949 to advise the Minister for Foreign (then External) Affairs on support for cultural projects, 'with a view to the enhancement of Ireland's image and reputation abroad, and the promotion of friendly relations and of mutual knowledge and understanding with other countries'. In 2001 agreement was reached between the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Minister for Foreign Affairs that responsibility for the Cultural Relations Committee would transfer to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaelteacht and the Islands. In 2002, a Government decision transferred the Committee to the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism. The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism established Culture Ireland in February 2005, replacing the Cultural Relations Committee.