- The new Expert Advisory Committee for the Culture Ireland programme of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht held its inaugural meeting in Dublin today.Under the Public Service Reform Plan, the work of the Culture Ireland programme is being aligned more closely with the work internationally of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the IDA, and Tourism Ireland. Minister Deenihan commented:
"One of the aims of the Public Service Reform Plan within my Department is to contribute to the broader reform agenda of Government. In this regard, I want to ensure that the Culture Ireland programme of my Department works more closely with other organisations which are focussed on driving investment into Ireland and rebuilding our reputation overseas."
The new Expert Advisory Committee has representation from the arts and culture community but also includes representation from of a range of state and other agencies including Tourism Ireland, the IDA, the Ireland Funds and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Minister said his purpose in selecting the Expert Committee is to ensure that "the Committee brings a focus not only in the promotion of Irish arts abroad, leading to further career opportunities for Irish artists, but also delivers wider benefits of tourism and enhanced global reputation for Ireland as a centre of creativity and innovation. There are many shared interests around the table who will now be working together to achieve a shared goal."
The Chair of the Expert Advisory Committee, Mícheál O Súilleabháin, said
"I am delighted that the work of the new Expert Advisory Committee has commenced with an invigorating and successful initial meeting. I am truly hopeful that the new Committee, working closely with the talented and hard working executive, will be able to build on the excellence of both former Boards, and of the achievements of the executive to date. I am especially pleased at the Minister’s decision to expand the new Committee to include representatives of the working community of artists in Ireland."
The members of the Expert Advisory Committee are: Mícheál O Súilleabháin (Chair), Caitriona O’Kennedy (IDA), Catriona Fottrell (Ireland Funds), Colm O’Floinn (Department of Foreign Affairs ), James Hickey (Irish Film Board), John Costigan, Maureen Kennelly, Mary McCarthy (National Sculpture Factory), Niall Gibbons (Tourism Ireland), Orlaith McBride (Arts Council), Niall Ó Donnchú (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht).
Minister Deenihan commended the work of the Culture Ireland programme over the past eight years:
"The new Expert Committee will ensure the continued successful promotion of Ireland's world class artistic imagination across the world whilst also working in tandem with other organisations that are active for Ireland on the global stage."
Ends/
Note to Editors:
1. Micheal O’Súilleabháin is a composer and professor of Music at UL
2. Niall Gibbons is CEO Tourism Ireland
3. Orlaith McBride is Director of the Arts Council
4. Colm O’Floinn is Director General, Trade and Promotion Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
5. James Hickey is Chief Executive of the Irish Film Board
6. Mary McCarthy is Director of the National Sculpture Factory
7. John Costigan is a former Executive Director of the Gaiety Theatre
8. Maureen Kennelly is a freelance arts producer and programmer and she is currently Project Manager with the Crafts Council of Ireland for Year of Craft
9. Caitriona O’Kennedy is Manager, Marketing, IDA Ireland
10. Caitriona Fottrell is Vice President and Director Ireland, The Ireland Funds
11. Niall O’Donnchú is Assistant Secretary with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht