Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make three points. First, if we want to have respect for the arts, we must finance it. Of the 28 European Union member states, we are second last regarding the money we put into the arts. That is the bottom line and the Department needs to own up to it. Second, Ministers should employ jesters. This used to be done in plays. The jester would always tell a character not to do something or that something would not work. Third, I am not too sure about education and the pillars in Creative Ireland because it is the default position to consider this in the context of tourism or the economy. However, I will reserve that judgment. One thing that could be done in education is that 25 points could be given to those taking music, or another artistic subject that a young person might like to take up, in the leaving certificate in the same way as we are so quick to give it to those taking higher level mathematics.