Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to further develop all-Ireland co-operation in the area of touring arts; his views on the scope for greater efficiencies in delivering performances by visiting and touring groups on an all-island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21799/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment that the Government will encourage the Arts Council to continue to dedicate resources to touring in order to protect the State's investment in regional arts infrastructure and to bring cultural tourism opportunities to towns and villages across the country. Under the section 24 of the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is independent in its decisions on funding, including the selection of initiatives and the level of funding. I intend, however, to convey the commitment on touring to the Arts Council in a manner which is appropriate to our respective statutory remits.