Ms Sin?ad O'Reilly:

I wish to add a point in regard to supporting local musical societies, choral groups and town bands. We are already having conversations both between ourselves internally and with government colleagues and finding new systems of support. There are conversations under way and we would be happy to report back on them. It is really important. When we talk about local and community, those community groups, societies, town bands and choral groups are often people’s very first encounter with the arts, often at a young age, and they can often grow up through them. We must not forget, of course, the professional musicianship that actually goes to support those groups to perform at a high standard. Often, some of our shining stars come through that system of supports, such as Jessie Buckley from Kerry who was involved in musical societies in the county. It is an important sector to support.