Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

We all have a role to play in the way we debate the retention of the Seanad and its reform. There is probably not a single person in this room who does not agree that we need to reform the way we do business and the way we are elected. We all have an individual responsibility towards that. I have organised a debate on this issue which will take place next Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. in the European Parliament office. I have invited former politicians only on the grounds that they at least have experience and knowledge of how the Houses of the Oireachtas actually operate. Speakers will include Gemma Hussey and Mary O'Rourke, both former Leaders of this House and former Ministers, as well as a former leader of the Progressive Democrats and former Minister, Des O'Malley. I am trying to allow an opportunity for those people who have real experience over many years and in many different ways to give their forthright but mixed views on the value of the Seanad and the need for political reform.

I wish to address a question to the Leader. It was wonderful in Sligo and Leitrim this summer to see the area effectively turned into a film set with the last film being made by the renowned film-maker, Ken Loach, with many local people being involved in the way he makes films. He loves to invite local people who have no history of acting to be involved. It was wonderful to see that. The reason I am raising this matter is to thank him for choosing Ireland to make his last film. Many Members will know his film "The Wind that Shakes the Barley". It was wonderful that he saw in Leitrim a story that he thought was worth telling. I would like to have a debate on the value of the creative sector, particularly in the west. An initiative, the Creative Edge, is currently being operated by the Western Development Commission. Anybody who has a interest in creative businesses in the west has two days remaining to apply for a talent voucher worth €2,000 to assist them with their business. This is an initiative of which some creative businesses may still not be aware. It is a cross-Border initiative and it is being run in conjunction with Finland and Sweden. Given that it has a cross-Border element, it is being run in a peripheral region and has an international dimension, I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the value of the creative industries in the west and in the Ireland as a whole. It would be a valuable exercise as there are many unexploited opportunities.