Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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302. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans and vision for the utilisation of Ireland's culture as an international brand with consequent economic benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20497/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is a country that has demonstrated a capacity to make a global impact at a scale beyond our size and our culture plays a central role in achieving this impact. Cultural connections have an important value in and of themselves but in a world of increasing global competition for investment, tourism and export markets, they also help to identify Ireland and to open doors in a welcoming and encouraging way.

Culture Ireland, a Division of my Department operates on a cross-Government basis with the Expert Advisory Committee comprised of representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, IDA and Tourism Ireland as well as representatives of the sector. Culture Ireland supports Irish artists at 500 events in about 60 different countries every year and in 2017, Culture Ireland supported activities reached an audience of more than 3.5 million people and over 7 million online/radio/tv viewers, introducing Irish arts and the strength of Ireland's creativity culture to new and disparate audiences.

Throughout 2018, Culture Ireland is promoting a special year long programme which is planned to celebrate and renew the unique cultural relationship which exists between Ireland and Great Britain. The GB18 programme aims to showcase Irish artistic excellence in partnership with UK institutions, venues and festivals and expand the reach of Irish culture to new audiences. The programme aims to build on existing relationships as well as forge new connections to be further developed in future years and ensure ongoing cultural connectivity at this time of critical change with Ireland's closest neighbour.

Overall the Creative Ireland Programme – a collaboration between central and local government, between culture and industry places a special emphasis on unifying Ireland's Global reputation. Pillar 5 of the Programme, Unifying Our Global Reputation,is about presenting a coherent representation of Ireland as a creative people to the world. It aims to create a compelling proposition about Ireland, based on our culture and creativity, so as to enhance our international reputation and increase our influence in the world.