Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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610. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason Ireland has not nominated two persons to the panel of Judges for the European Capital of Culture designation. [39325/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The selection process for the European Capital of Culture is undertaken by an Expert panel consisting of 10 members. The European institutes and bodies appoint the members and comprise 3 members from each of the following: the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission and one member representing the Committee of the Regions together with a chair from the Commission. Member States have the option to appoint up to 2 members to the Committee. However, this is not a requirement and I decided in the circumstances, and having regard to the nominations from Ireland, not to exercise this discretion on this occasion.