Ms Maureen Kennelly:

I believe we have a huge challenge in trying to do that. Certainly, I absolutely understand people's distress and anger at this. I have spent 32 years running small organisations and I know about the daily grind of trying to make budgets work, so I absolutely appreciate the frustration and anger at this.

We have spent a lot of time since the publication of the annual report talking to our constituents. We regard them more as partners than clients. They are people whom I, personally, and the Arts Council hold in the highest regard. They are incredible professionals. It is an absolutely brilliant sector. It is a hugely important part of life in Ireland and we would not want to see it impacted. We will work really hard to restore that confidence.