Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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463. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is a process whereby artists and sculptors here can be facilitated in having their work exhibited in places such as the UN building in New York and EU buildings in Brussels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37178/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s Culture Ireland programme promotes Irish arts worldwide by creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. Culture Ireland has arranged exhibitions in the European Commission buildings, most notably when Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of the EU, and has also supported exhibitions in the European Parliament.

I understand that according to the rules governing cultural events and exhibitions on the premises of the European Parliament, art exhibitions are permitted but have to be sponsored by an MEP or, exceptionally, by the Institution itself - for example, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The sponsoring MEP would normally launch the request with the Parliament's Services and be responsible for the conduct of the exhibition. I understand that each MEP is entitled to host up to 2 (or 3 on request) exhibitions per parliamentary mandate.

Responsibility for exhibitions in European Commission buildings in Brussels rests with the Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels. In the Commission's political headquarters, the Berlaymont Building, only the Members of the European Commission are entitled to propose exhibitions.

I understand that in relation to proposals to exhibit in the UN building in New York, the decisions are made by the UN Exhibits Committee, a standing body established by the Secretary-General to review and approve exhibits proposed for display in publicly accessible areas at UN Headquarters.  It is a condition that all exhibits must be compatible with the aims, purposes and principles of the United Nations, in both content and presentation. The themes of exhibits must be specific to the work and activities of the organizations of the United Nations system and must be international or universal in character. Exhibit proposals focusing only on a specific individual, country, non-UN entity or religion, or originating from a single artist, are not permitted. The guidelines setting out the process and the criteria against which proposals are considered are available on