Ms Orlaith McBride:

The Senator should not forget that 70% is the time spent with organisations, talking to them, understanding them and learning what they are doing. That is where the extraordinary work is happening around the country. That is where people from Donegal to Kerry are participating in the arts, children from nine months of age to people involved in the Bealtaine Festival are participating in arts experiences. By working with organisations we understand how we can make an impact on the lives of people around the country through the arts and culture. It is a balance because they are the people making and creating the work. It is a question of how we work with them and them have thinking time to begin to look to the future.