Ms Liz Meaney:

The Arts Council absolutely understands that, while the arts are complementary, the arts are at the core of the function of our society and are of value in and of themselves. We strive continually not only to resource and support the arts in education but all of the arts. Our artists should have meaningful and working lives. The infrastructure which we support is critical. It is the infrastructure which these children and young people are growing up to engage with. Alternatively, they may be artists themselves. The committee's overall support to the arts, the Arts Council or many of the other agencies which resource and support the arts is critical. It is also critical to our civic life.