Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is lovely to see Professor Rafter and Ms McBride, and I thank them for attending to discuss the Arts Council.

I will ask Professor Rafter two questions. He may not be able to expand on them but we will give them a shot anyway. Being frank and honest, does he see any duplication in or conflict between the roles and work of Creative Ireland and the Arts Council? If so, does that distract or take away from what the Arts Council is trying to do?

My second question relates to the Arts in Education Charter. Does Professor Rafter intend to follow up the proposals in that document regarding the local arts and education partnerships? Is he an advocate of such partnerships and does he intend to deliver on them and the marriage, as it were, of the Arts Council, the ETBs and the local authorities?