Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Official Engagements

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 664: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 8 December 2009, if he will provide further information on the new landmark Irish arts centre in New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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One of the main themes to emerge from the attendees at the Global Irish Economic Forum, which took place at Farmleigh last September, was the importance of Irish culture in promoting a positive image of this country abroad. This was also an important conclusion of the Strategic Review of Ireland US Relations, published by the Taoiseach in March 2009.

The construction of a new state of the art Irish Arts Centre in New York was identified as a priority in the revised Programme for Government. I was pleased to approve €2.3M in funding to the Centre in December of last year. The allocation of such significant funding is a clear demonstration of the Government's strong commitment to the project which enjoys the strong support and continued engagement of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and Culture Ireland.

The funding, which was drawn from the 2009 Emigrant Support Programme budget, was in response to the extraordinary gesture of the City of New York who made a site, valued at $12M available for the project, along with a further $8M in capital funding. In addition to this strong support from the New York City authorities, the new Centre is also backed by the Irish community in New York, including those involved in the arts and in business.

The new Centre will project a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America across the US; it will facilitate extensive Irish-related cultural, business and community programmes; will showcase quality contemporary Irish theatre and art; and will also provide an invaluable resource for the Irish emigrant community in the US.

Government support for this project demonstrates that despite the difficult budgetary situation, we are determined to continue investing in our unique resource- the Irish Diaspora and its cultural heritage. A number of government Departments, including my own, continue to actively progress projects and initiatives which will build on the positive momentum created by the forum at Farmleigh and develop the ideas generated therein, increasing and deepening our engagement with Irish communities abroad.

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