Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way the proposed merger of Culture Ireland into his Department will affect the function and role of Culture Ireland; the way he intends to ensure the continued promotion of Irish arts internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36576/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government, as part of the Public Service Reform Plan, recently announced a radical streamlining of State bodies, including in respect of certain bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group. This includes decisions to combine or merge a number of such bodies. In addition, decisions have been taken to critically review, by June 2012, the streamlining and shared services agenda in respect of a number of other bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, including in relation to the merging of the functions of Culture Ireland into my Department. More details in this regard can be accessed on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website at www.per.gov.ie.

The Deputy will be aware that it is recognised, most recently at the Global Irish Economic Forum last month, that arts and culture are Ireland's global calling card and one of our world-class, distinctive strengths as a nation. The international promotion of Irish arts through my Department's Culture Ireland programme has made a signficant impact - especially in the US this year with the Imagine Ireland programme - in restoring our global reputation at a critical time and expanding international markets and audiences for Irish artists. Equally, in the coming years, the promotion of Irish cultural and creative excellence in Europe and in key growth markets, such as China, offers vital opportunities for the country, working in tandem with the promotion of trade, investment, tourism, food and science. In particular, our EU Presidency in 2013 will present a platform to strengthen our cultural links with key European partners, such as Germany and France.

I am committed to ensuring that we will be able to continue to deliver the functions of Culture Ireland effectively in the future. The critical review requested by Government is already under way in my Department and I expect to be in a position shortly to take definitive decisions on the matter.