Announcement at the Crawford Gallery
It gives me great pleasure to be here today with the Government to mark the occasion of Cork's recognition as European Capital of Culture 2005.
Where better to acknowledge the City's cultural position within the country that at the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery. This fine building itself forms an integral part of the architecture and social history of Cork City. Its civic use, from its foundation as the city's Custom House in the 18th Century, through to its adaptation as a municipal art gallery in the last Century, spans four centuries. This is indeed a long and rich history for any building.
Today this venue plays host to many fine pieces of work, which highlights the important cultural position it holds in the life of this city.
I am pleased to be able to announce today that the Government, on the recommendation of my colleague Mr. John O'Donoghue TD, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and with the agreement of Ms Mary Hanafin, Minister for Education & Science has decided to move responsibility for the Gallery from City of Cork VEC which established and has provided for this fine gallery to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. This will allow for the Gallery to receive the necessary funding, into the future, for it to continue to play a central role in the cultural life of this city.
The details of this transfer are being discussed further between the relevant Ministers and their Department over the coming weeks with a view to having the new arrangements up and running from 1 January next.
Furthermore, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism is favourably disposed towards any request that the gallery may make seeking "approved body" status, to facilitate the donation of a major artwork to the gallery with the benefit of tax relief to the donor.
ENDS
June 8 2005