Brennan defends £30m millennium programme

The Government's £30 million millennium programme was strongly defended by the Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, who is in charge of the project.

He said the programme being finalised was designed to reach out to everybody, drawing on Ireland's past heritage, culture and experience, while at the same time reflecting the modern, vibrant State preparing to step into the 21st century.

"We could have lost the run of ourselves and channelled the entire £30 million into one non-stop party, spent millions on a national fireworks display or even blown it all on a wheel of fortune in the middle of O'Connell Street. Instead, we have struck what I confidently believe is an acceptable balance between the celebrations and other events and projects designed to reflect the enormous significance of this milestone in history."

The Labour deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, suggested that most of the events and initiatives simply augmented funding which was already ongoing through National Lottery grants and from a variety of Departments. Mr Brennan said the millennium committee had received about 800 ideas and submissions. "We did not get proposals to build domes, big wheels or such items. We got many proposals to help the homeless, and we have done that."

Mr Brennan said that the committee had identified three major flagship projects: the last light ceremony, built around the final sunset of the millennium; the millennium family tree, which would see more than 1 million native Irish oak trees planted in forests and woods throughout the State; a children's hour fund-raising initiative whereby everyone in the workforce was being asked to contribute their last hour's pay to raise funds for children's causes.

Funding had been agreed for 48 national projects, which would rise to at least 60 in the coming months, he said. To date, 106 community projects had been selected for funding and this would rise to at least 150. Three separate award initiatives had been set up, which would result in direct support for more than 1,200 locally-based events and projects.

Asked by Mr Jimmy Deenihan (FG, Kerry North) about a possible joint celebration with the British government, Mr Brennan said that there was a number of North-South projects. The committee had awarded £1 million to the Irish Centre in Manchester, a flagship project which had also received the support of the British government and the Manchester council.

There would also be a Dublin-Belfast ecumenical service and a number of art exhibitions and theatrical performances.

Replying to Mr John Gormley (Green Party, Dublin South East), he said there was no question of free public transport on the eve of the millennium. But he had asked CIE to do something special to facilitate people.