Ms Angela Dorgan:

That issue of the amount relates to the copyright directive being implemented by June. There was a scare from Facebook about what people could and could not perform, but I think that has been somewhat clarified and it is back to where we were. During the early months of the pandemic, the Ireland Performs events - I am thinking of Mick Flannery - were great and had huge audiences. We have to keep in mind that not all performances translate digitally and, for example, while a dance performance can be viewed digitally, it is in person that we get the magic. As the Deputy said, even though it is good to have music digitally, it is always better to be there.

I was spoiled in that we run Ireland Music Week, which is the annual showcase of new music, and we had four days of pre-filming in September and it then went out behind a paywall last week. To hear that first note and that first “One, two” in the room, and then to see 50 people perform and have that filmed, was magic. It is something we are all missing and that digital experience will not replace it.

On the broader conversation, I agree with Deputy Mattie McGrath that the best scenario is if we are all in a room and people can get back to making a living. Until we get there, the support of the individual is going to be paramount, as well as the Arts Council getting enough funding to support the sector to survive and to be ready to thrive at the other end, and the venues also being in receipt of funding. We need to have all of those together. However, we have to lead on that and we have to be better for our citizens who work in that sector.