Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I note that contingency planning is being done. I refer to artists' mobility and how the possible loss of British visitors will have an impact on audience numbers. I also refer to cross-border mobility with respect to co-productions and co-funding arrangements, as well as whether EU bodies may refuse to fund such co-productions.

Artists and performers regularly travel to the UK and work with the British industry. Travel may also be more costly and there could be changes to VAT. A weaker sterling may also have an impact on Irish artists performing and touring around Britain. It would be wise for us to diversify audiences to take account of a lower number of British visitors, as have already been recorded. I have a note on data protection regulations and the sharing of personal data with non-EU countries, which could make collaboration difficult. Has the Department sought clarity on the future of Creative Europe funding when British subventions cease? What impact would that have on Irish artists applying for Creative Europe funding? The Arts Council also asked the Minister to lobby Europe in 2017 on this. Does the Minister of State have any comments on mobility, the possibility of lower audience numbers, co-funding arrangements and whether the EU will refuse to continue funding? There is also the data protection issue and whether the Department has done any work on Creative Europe funding.