John O'Donoghue T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism today welcomed the decision by Culture Ireland to appoint the Irish Architecture Foundation as Commissioner for the 2006 Venice Architecture Biennale, which will take place from September to November next year. This is the first time that Ireland's Commissioner will be an organisation rather than an individual. The decision is intended to stimulate the development of greater interest in Ireland's participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale.

Minister O'Donoghue said: "I am delighted that the Irish Architecture Foundation is being appointed as Commissioner for the 2006 Venice Architecture Biennale. I believe that the Foundation is well placed to build on Ireland's successful experience of participation at this prestigious event, which is the world's premier showcase for contemporary architecture, and I wish it every success."

The Irish Architecture Foundation, established by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in June, has as its primary aim the increase in understanding and impact of contemporary architecture in Ireland and to excite a wider public to its aesthetic and cultural value. Architect and critic Shane O'Toole, who is the Architecture Foundation's Curator, was Ireland's Commissioner for the 2004 Venice Architecture Biennale.

The Irish Architecture Foundation today launched an open competition to find and appoint Ireland's Curator for the 2006 Biennale. This is the first time there has been a competition of this sort in Ireland. The Foundation intends to select the best curatorial idea and work closely with the winner in developing and presenting Ireland's entry in Venice next year. Individuals and groups are invited to present their ideas and concepts for Ireland's entry to the Biennale. Concepts should respond to the overall theme, which is "Meta-Cities".

Mr O'Toole explained: "Meta-Cities are the conurbations of the 21st century. They bear little relationship in either form or concept to the traditional city. Changing rapidly in terms of their physical boundaries, population composition and working habits, they throw up new issues for both governance and architecture. The theme of the 2006 Biennale is particularly pertinent for Ireland and for Dublin, which finds itself in the middle of such a process of rapid transformation."