Ms Maria Fleming:

We are looking at a number of issues that affect our members with regard to accessing global audiences. One is the cost of travelling abroad be that to perform or engage with potential partners abroad. In addition, grants that would have been in place previously and would have been perfectly adequate are no longer adequate because we all know the cost of everything in terms of travel, flights and accommodation has sky-rocketed. One thing we need to see is an increase in funding for organisations such as Culture Ireland to allow it to adequately fund artists to travel abroad with their work. We would also like to see an emphasis on more commissioning of Irish artists and ensuring that Irish artists are included in any global works that are being delivered here. One way of doing this is looking at section 481 relief and trying to ensure that not just cast and crew but also Irish creatives are encouraged to be part of any partnerships.