Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will clarify his comments at the recent launch of Imagine Ireland's new cultural programme when he said that there was a major onus on the arts to repair the damage done to Ireland's reputation. [16611/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Rebuilding Ireland's reputation in key territories around the world has been one of this Government's top priorities from its first day in office. In this context, I believe that the arts is one of our strongest assets in restoring our international profile and recapturing the goodwill that is clearly out there for Ireland, and culture needs to be at the heart of this promotional strategy. The Imagine Ireland initiative referred to by the Deputy is a great example of the creative energy, the ambition and the can-do spirit of the Irish arts and culture community in presenting the best of Ireland to the world at a critical time for the country.