Mr. Labhrás Ó Murchú:

I thank Senator O'Donnell for her very generous comments. It was a privilege to serve in Seanad Éireann and it was also an education. Sometimes it is probably misunderstood outside the Oireachtas that our public representatives are committed to the same things we are committed to. It is trying to harvest that commitment and link it back to the official world which is often the difficulty. Everyone today made the point about the necessity for a policy. Of course, without a policy one does not have a road map. The one thing I hope we avoid are reports. In fairness, no matter how well intentioned, we are gone beyond that stage.

How does one impress visiting dignitaries most? Our music impresses them and it works. We were asked to entertain the Chinese leader in Dublin Castle and we were given a very strict protocol briefing beforehand. We were given a time limit of 18 minutes and were asked to ensure that we did not go over time. All the good people were present on the night and as we were nearing the end of our time, an official came up to us and said to keep going. The officials were watching the body language and the Chinese leader was enjoying it. We kept going and the Chinese leader left his seat, came up to where we were performing, got a bodhrán and started to beat it. In political or diplomatic terms, that is more powerful than all the speeches that we make. We travelled abroad with former President McAleese and performed for the Sultan of Oman at a private party. We had a briefing beforehand and were told the girl dancers could not wear short skirts. We had to create pantaloons for the girls as a result of the religious aspect. However, on the night they played for the Sultan. There is our asset. There is no need for reports. What is needed is a response to this wonderful cultural asset that we have.

The question of engaging with the Department of Education and Skills was raised. The main relationship of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I could not leave today without praising the officials from that Department. They are accessible at all times to listen to ideas and views. They are generous with finance and if we are able to prove ourselves with plans, as we did with the five year development plan, they are very generously funded. There was a question about how that Department can deal with us so well and so openly and respond if something is worth responding to and yet the Department of Education and Skills is so static in responding. One reason is that if one does not put music into the timetable, what will happen is that one will be on the back-burner all the time. It is only policy that can dictate the time allocation. These are fundamental issues. It is not rocket science. All the witnesses today, like ourselves, wonder why the decision-makers in the Department of Education and Skills do not see what we have in Ireland, which is exclusive to ourselves in many ways.

I hope there will be an outcome from today's meeting because we seem to have common ground, which is to expose young children to our music and give them a chance of embracing and practising it. There is no doubt about its impact; it is character building. There is no doubt that it gives them confidence, a focus and a vision in life. That is not overstating it. We understand the reason for academic examinations and so on, but this is a vital part of a young person's life. It is also a vital part of our nation. I hope that from today's meeting this could be brought forward for a direct discussion with the Department.