Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is grand. I have some questions for Ms Banotti and Mr. Kelly. It is wonderful to see Creative Ireland represented at the committee.

A number of people involved in the arts, entertainment, culture and heritage in my constituency, which is Longford and Westmeath, have raised concerns about the threat to the arts and entertainment sector. If there is a loss of skills in that sector, will there be a knock-on effect on the likes of the Creative Schools and Creative Ireland programmes? I was heartened to hear Ms Banotti raise the place of libraries in this recovery and as we came through the pandemic. She is right to give them due credit for the work they have done but also from the local authority point of view outside of the much-needed, and what needs to be guaranteed, income into the arts, entertainment and culture sector.

Local authorities play another role, that is, providing space for exhibitions. In my area we have a regular turnover of some very talented people utilising that space to showcase their wares. Also, because of its close link geographically with the library, being in the same building, the first exposure to creativity for very young members of our community is often in the library, not necessarily through books but through the events that are held in the library. That sector needs to be given kudos for the work it has done.

On a side note, in my home town we had a wonderful initiative called Mullingar Rocks, which was a play on the musical achievements of Mullingar but involved people painting actual physical rocks. When restrictions were at their most severe, those rocks were left around a 2 km radius and it cheered us up. That shows the resilience, willingness and ability to change and to bring out that creative nature in people when we are facing the darkest of times. Specifically, has Ms Banotti had any feedback on the use of atriums for developing artists? Has there been any talk around the area of that being restricted, delayed or is it likely to come back as soon as we come out of any of the restrictions?