Enda Kenny
Question:1 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the events planned by her Department to celebrate year 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23846/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Millennium Celebrations.
The Deputy is aware that a National Millennium Committee, under the chairmanship of the Minister of State, Deputy Séamus Brennan, has been advising the Government on appropriate projects and initiatives to celebrate the millennium. However, as I stated in reply to Question No. 38 of 7 October 1999, a number of events to mark the millennium are being planned and organised within my Department.
For example, I have provided financial support to a project, led by Poetry Ireland, for the publication of an anthology of Irish poetry from the 20th century to be entitled "Watching the River Flow". This is an appropriate cultural project to celebrate the literary achievements of the 20th century and will highlight the vitality and the continued relevance of Irish poetry as we approach the beginning of a new millennium.
The "Ceoil Reoite: Frozen Music" millennium project has also been launched by me. This involves the commissioning of a number of distinguished Irish musicians to compose a signature tune for a selected list of national monuments and historic properties. I am glad to say that this has been a very successful initiative with 11 commissions completed to date.
With the interim reports of the interdepartmental working group and the report of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the proposed academy for the performing arts, significant background work has been carried out. My colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, and I will bring forward definitive proposals for the establishment of an Irish academy for the performing arts in the millennium year. This new institution, when created will have profound and beneficial effects on teaching and performance of the performing arts across many strata of society.
The winter solstice at Newgrange passage tomb on 21 December, heralding the start of the new year and new millennium will be marked by a live television transmission from Newgrange by RTE in association with my Department.
A number of additional programmes and events to mark the millennium are being planned by the national cultural institutions and other bodies which come within the remit of my Department.
I did not catch the Minister's response in respect of poetry.
This was the first issue to which I referred. I have provided financial support to a project led by Poetry Ireland for the publication of an anthology of Irish poetry from the 20th century which will be entitled "Watching the River Flow". This is an appropriate cultural project to celebrate the literary achievements of the millennium.
It is confusing that a question dealing with poetry tabled by Deputy Carey in respect of a poetry ceremony as an annual calendar event could not have been dealt with in the answer.
The Arts Council kicked it aside.
Are any of these to be perpetual? Will they continue after the millennium? I notice the millennium committee has given an award of £500,000 for restoration of the facade of the Gaiety Theatre. That is being backed by another £500,000 from the new owners as part of a £3.5 million restoration project. Does the Minister have any plans to do with the outstanding money required to complete the restoration at South King Street? What areas of the arts are planning a millennium ceremony?
The Deputy is aware that it is not for me to decide what questions will be accepted for consideration in the Dáil.
It came from the Minister's office.
The Poetry Ireland project is worthwhile. It will give a taste of the 20th century in Ireland with regard to poetry. It demonstrates the relevance of Irish poetry as we approach the new millennium. That is just one of the many projects which have been looked at in the Department. It should be remembered that it is not just a question of the Department showing an interest, but the number of bodies under the aegis of my Department, for example, the national institutions – the National Museum, the National Library, the National Archives, the Chester Beatty Library, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Concert Hall, the National Gallery, the Heritage Council and Bord Scannáin na hÉireann.
There is no initiative from the Minister.
All of these bodies have excellent projects for the millennium. I have outlined my own initiatives, such as the Ceoil Reoite project, the performing arts project and the Poetry Ireland project. I agree with the Deputy that it is important that the millennium celebration endures and can be appreciated and not just have short-term benefits. That is why we have become involved in the projects to which I referred in my reply.
In reply to the Deputy's questions regarding the millennium committee and millennium fund I should like to state that that is a matter for the Government Chief Whip, Deputy Brennan, who is the chairman of the millennium committee. It is a separate committee and I am not responsible for its decisions on how it will spend money. A number of arts projects have been supported by the committee, which, of course, I welcome, support and appreciate. However, these projects are in addition to those undertaken by my Department and each national institution.
What progress has been made on the centre for performing arts? How far down the road are discussions with UCD in terms of acquisition, etc.? Are there definite plans? Will the cen tre become a reality during the lifetime of the Government?
The answer to the last question is "yes". Later today I will reply to two questions which have been tabled specifically about the performing arts centre.