Ms Maura McGrath:

On the damage that has been done, we are explaining it and there is nothing hidden. It is all out there. Honesty is the best policy in all of those matters. Yes, judgments and errors were made. We must admit that. We have got to learn from that. As my colleague from the Department has said, there is a major series of recommendations. Already, a number of them are implemented.

When I came in as chair, I asked that we be given the opportunity to do a review because I knew that areas needed to be strengthened. That will happen when the external review is over. The Department supported me on that. I absolutely agree with the Deputy. There is rigour, honesty and absolute accountability required. That is the only way you restore confidence and that is what we are doing. I believe we will do it.

It is important to note that throughout the arts community at the moment there is still an enormous groundswell of support for the Arts Council. I do not think anybody has seen anything commented on otherwise and that is a testimony to what has happened in the past.