Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I make my proposal, I concur with the remarks made while the joint committee was meeting in private session. This is one of the most important petitions we have had before us on the provision of orchestras in Ireland. The nation has been very well served by the National Symphony Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Those of us who sit in the bowels of RTÉ on a Tuesday or Wednesday night while waiting to appear on "The Late Debate" can hear the orchestras practice and sense that the musicians are skilled men and women, professionals, who require our support. Notwithstanding the conclusions reached in the report which states that, in the national interest, neither of the two orchestras should be closed and understanding the Minister's decision to establish an oversight committee or steering group, it would be timely for the committee to invite the director general of RTÉ to discuss RTÉ's future plans for orchestral provision. We should also be looking at the issue of investment in the arts. Even though there is a commitment by the Government to provide for capital investment in the National Concert Hall, what is a national concert hall if one does not have musicians to perform in it or the ambassadorial representation provided by the two orchestras in travelling around the State and the world? I, therefore, propose that the committee invite the director general to come before it to have that discussion.