Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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737.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department is providing any supports to Palestinian artists or cultural institutions in light of the severe restrictions on cultural expression and the destruction of Palestinian historical sites and cultural institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34877/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Annual schemes operated by my Department support a diverse range of creative and cultural activities organised at community level by individuals and groups. These have occasionally included festivals reflecting an ethnic or national identity by communities in Ireland.

Applications for support in this regard could be made under my Department's annual Scheme for Small Events and Festivals. The Scheme has closed for 2024 but will be open again for applications early in 2025.

In relation to direct supports to Palestine, Ireland's response to the conflict is led in the first instance by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. As such, it would not be feasible for my Department to initiate a scheme to support Palestinian artists in a theatre of conflict, displacement and destruction nor indeed that any sectoral needs should distract from the priority of emergency humanitarian response for those left without homes, sustenance and essential care.

As a member of the Irish Government, I do take every opportunity to address the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to advocate for an immediate ceasefire in war-torn Gaza. During a trade mission as part of the Government’s 2024 St Patrick's Day Programme, I spoke at a panel discussion on the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, which included members of the arts and music sectors. One of panellists was a Palestinian American, Shafeka Hashash, the Associate Director of Guaranteed Income, who also spoke and used the platform to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. I also called on US leaders to join the Irish Government in this pursuit of peace. I used my platform to call for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza.