Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but it does not give a blank cheque. More than €60 million of public moneys is being delivered to the Arts Council so for the Minister to say she has no mandate contradicts the provision that "The Minister may, in relation to the performance by the Council of its functions ... give a direction in writing to the Council requiring it to comply with such policies of the Minister or the Government as are specified in the direction." The section provides that "The Council shall comply with a direction under this section." Therefore, it is problematic for the Minister to be saying-----