Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is not a question, but an observation. I wanted to congratulate Mr. Murray in another way. Some philistines I hang out with, who have never crossed the Abbey door, have been to the Abbey because of the productions that have been staged and they loved it. It is very important to say that we are not here to judge. That is the positive nature of it.

Also I note the forces the theatre is up against. A series like "Breaking Bad" is theatre on television. The forces ranged against live theatre are so enormous, from Netflix to smartphones. Some films are so theatrical and clever the viewer can feel he or she is in the room or at the theatre. It is a huge challenge. The Taoiseach has promised to double arts funding. He said that six months ago. It was a promise to double or to treble funding.