Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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238. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to a commitment made by his predecessor that she would pursue with Culture Ireland alternative showcasing opportunities for Irish performers who refused to take part in the 2024 SXSW festival, the action taken to fulfil this commitment; if any action is forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52942/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Culture Ireland unit of my Department and First Music Contact, who present the SXSW showcase with funding from Culture Ireland, liaised with the artists originally programmed to perform and honoured their commitment to provide funding towards travel and related costs.

To support continued international engagement, these artists were subsequently offered the opportunity to attend A2IM Indie Week in New York in June 2024. Indie Week is an annual gathering of the global independent music community, offering networking and professional development opportunities for labels, distributors, and artists from across the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, and beyond. Five representatives from the ten artists originally programmed for SXSW 2024 accepted this opportunity and received support for travel and registration costs.

Additionally, although SXSW typically does not re-invite artists to showcase in consecutive years, Music from Ireland successfully negotiated return invitations for three of the original artists to perform at SXSW 2025. These artists, who prioritised returning to SXSW for its unique opportunities, again received financial support towards their travel costs.