Ms Sheila Pratschke:

I am not taking that job. As I am coming to the end of my period as chairperson of the Arts Council, I would like to make a valedictory statement that we desperately need the politicians present to support us, speak up for us, unite in the Dáil, the Seanad and everywhere else. They should not just do so once a year at budget time but on a continuous basis because when one speaks up for the arts in Ireland, one ends up being isolated. Please do not leave us isolated but join us in making these arguments.