Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)

It is a very good question. I had no idea until I became Minister for arts and culture that Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann does not receive any money from the Arts Council. It receives its money directly from the Department, which is a bit of a bonkers situation and points to a very poor relationship. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is a vital cog in the wheel in terms of the intrinsic value of cultural output from a traditional music point of view. I have also said on a number of occasions that I cannot understand why, for instance, comedy, country music, line dancing - whatever it is people want to do - are not regarded as art forms but other things are. I do not accept that just because this is the way we used to do things, it should be the way we do things now. If we do not change, change is foisted upon us. I reserve the right, as a Minister, under the existing legislation, to issue policy direction to the Arts Council. I will not do that until I see what Niamh Brennan's report comes back with. I have not seen the report, and that is why I asked Deputy Ó Snodaigh not to proceed with the comedy Bill. I do not have a problem with the Bill at all. I do not have a problem with any legislation that widens what is and is not regarded as an art form. What I think is a bit premature, though, is to bring forward legislation now, in the absence of knowledge and where I probably will bring forward another Bill in January or February with regard to exactly the same thing. I am prepared to wait another couple of weeks. I believe Deputy Ó Snodaigh to be honest about this and to be passionate about the arts, and I do not believe he has any motive other than trying to see this progressed. He and I agree that Ireland is a nation of storytellers and yarns and people who are well able to add humour. For comedy not to be categorised as an art form I found absolutely bizarre, and it is something I am committed to changing.