Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that. I also make the point that it is unprecedented that a second five-year term would not have been offered. As was indicated when the Arts Council was here before us, the board of the Arts Council – and the Minister could say they would say that – expressed confidence. It seems to be on the basis of this single incident that the Minister took the decision not to renew. Let us be clear. He took this decision and he consulted but he did not take advice from people within the arts community or officials in his Department; it was the Minister’s decision.