Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the issue of special visas for artists coming here; the progress his Department has made, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, towards ensuing special visas will be obtained by visiting artists more promptly than is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33776/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to "create a new combined Cultural Visa and Work Permit that simplifies and speeds up entry by incoming artists and groups to Ireland". Discussions regarding the practical implementation of this commitment are ongoing with the other relevant Departments — Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform and Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment — and further progress is expected over the coming months.