Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and thank them for all the work they have done, especially during and since Covid, in trying to support artists. The industry stopped during Covid. It did get a great deal of funding, but, unfortunately, that did not filter down to the artists in many cases.

Senator Warfield stated that what we were talking about was a different Ireland than the one found in Dublin. Our area of Tipperary has a rich cultural heritage. Mr. Seán Ó Sé comes up from Deputy Griffin’s area to sing at Brú Ború Heritage Centre. We have a wonderful concertina player, Mr. Bobby Gardiner. We know them all. Ms Mary Kelly, a harpist, plays here regularly for us. This music needs to be supported. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann does great work. We have a plethora of country music artists, for example, Ms Louise Morrissey, Ms Trudi Lalor, Mr. Fran Curry and Ms Muriel O’Connor. You name it. There was also the late, great Mr. Dom O’Driscoll from Bantry. He had many wonderful records. Country musicians also need to be supported. They do not want much support, only fair play. Fair play is fine play with me, but they are not getting fair play. I do not know why or where the blockage is. Is it in the Department? Deputy Cannon stated that he did not want to take the stick approach. We do not. Mr. Willie Penrose made an effort, on which I supported him gallantly, but it did not happen. Why is Irish country music not getting airtime? What can musicians do to get airtime?

We have two great local stations, one of which is Tipp FM. Mr. Curry is its manager and has a wonderful programme himself. It plays many artists, for example, Mr. Tony Brooke. Tipp Mid West Radio is forever playing these artists. The stations are playing them because they love them. The stations go way down to County Waterford for them, for example, Mr. Paddy O’Brien in Cappoquin over the hill.

These are wonderful people. Why are they not getting support? Why is it taking so long to solve these issues? Jackie spoke about being back here in ten years’ time. He probably will be. There needs to be a seismic shift in support of these people. Someone might say I am name dropping, but we have the likes of Mr. Paul Lafford and the wonderful Rebel Hearts in Clonoulty in Tipperary. They all cater for different age groups and people. They pack out the halls and venues where they play. They play the music the people love. There are a few dancers as well. We cannot forget the Irish dancers or all the other dancers.

My question might be repetitive, but what do the witnesses believe we can do immediately?