Ms Kim O'Callaghan:

I thank Senator Murphy for the question and for referencing the artists. I assure him that all levels of artist are always at the forefront of everything we are looking at as well. We completely understand and appreciate the importance of small clubs in fostering the next generation of talent. My own sister is a musician and I am very aware of what is involved as I watch her create her career. I have very close friends who are musicians. We are by no means just looking at a certain area of the industry. We are very conscious across the board.

In EPIC we have included within our working group members of the live venue collective. They are on the committee with us and we get feedback from them on trying to address the lack of venues across the entire country. They represent venues all around the country and not just in Dublin. We are very keen on looking at all levels and we did not mean it to come across that they are being excluded in any way because they are definitely not.