Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I will start in a positive sense by acknowledging the commitment of the Government, Minister and Minister of State to the arts and sport. I am happy with what the Minister has been saying about the basic income for artists. He is on the record saying it is a top priority. The Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, outlined the very significant increase in sports capital, and we need another round of the LSSIF. I also note to the commitment to the high-performance unit. I wish to talk about the development of an arts capital programme. If we get a second round of questioning, I will come to those.

I will focus on a number of specific areas. The Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, took a decision recently with regard to the director of the Arts Council to not renew her contract for a five-year period. I think he is on the record saying that he felt it was in the best interest of the Arts Council and the artistic community, if I am correct. When his Secretary General was before our committee, he indicated that was entirely the Minister’s decision and that he, as Minister, took that decision on his own. Is that correct?