Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We should certainly write to the relevant Ministers so that they can engage with their relevant Cabinet colleagues about looking at musical theatre as an art form along with theatre, drama and music. The restricted funding streams for the sector have been highlighted here. I am dealing with Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society. I tabled a few parliamentary questions about this issue. Thankfully, Ms Masterson addressed them in her opening statement. Bridging that gap to put on these high-quality shows and allowing both the cast and staging crew to have insurance cover for materials cannot all be absorbed by ticket sales and the generosity of local businesses. It needs State support.

I have another question that Mr. Donnelly might answer about the feasibility of establishing cross-jurisdiction partnerships with the West End and the relevant theatres here in Ireland. Has that been explored to ensure that our talent has equal opportunity and people can raise their own profile?