Mr. Edward Hayden:

Of course, Kilmeen drama group is widely respected on the amateur drama scene and hosted the 2019 all-Ireland finals down in the beautiful theatre in Rossmore. I pick up on the point that none of us are here in competition with each other but our needs are different. We see ourselves as a significant contributor and provider of the programming for some of the art centres and theatres around the country. Obviously, if they are suitably and adequately funded, then that means access to those venues would not be precluded by cost.

Of the 600 groups we represent in the Drama League of Ireland, we must think of the creativity the people involved therein are exercising in the community. There is such community generosity shown in terms of rehearsal spaces from schools, community halls, etc. This is that sense of being a community. We would love to have the option of exploring having development officers who would be able to mobilise themselves and go around the country to support, advise and, perhaps, set up endeavours. I refer to looking at where there is an extremely good facility and setting up a drama operation around it.

We bring out a biannual magazine. In the last edition, we had an interview with the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, who spoke about her time in the drama group in Mountbellew. The contents of that story ended up in Róisín Ingle's article in The Irish Times, whereby it was suggested that the Minister of State might consider setting up a drama group here in Leinster House, with several of the protagonists involved.