Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his questions. Considerable work was put into the report Utilising the Arts to Combat Disadvantage. It is in my Department now and we will work with the relevant stakeholders in that regard.

I agree with the Deputy that local authority arts officers play a major role in making the arts more accessible to everyone. They do a really good job. Last Monday week I met them and the heritage officers. It was very good to hear their views on the issues they had to raise. That is a great role that we have with the local arts officers.

I have constantly said that I want the 1916 centenary commemorations to be inclusive, respectful and appropriate. Last Wednesday week we launched an overarching plan that will allow for consultation over the next three months. I really want people to engage with this, because it is about the people. We want people to visit our website, where they can log their interests and add their views. I also want to hear the suggestions and views of members of this committee. I very much want this to be inclusive. The period of consultation is three months and I fully intend to engage with the Oireachtas group - Deputy Catherine Murphy is a member of that committee - and with the expert panel.

The Deputy mentioned the video that was a backdrop on the night. There have been some comments on it. It was one of a number of displays on the evening of the launch. It was part of a suite of materials, including the booklet, the outline programme and the information sheets on the capital projects, which were made available by the project team for the launch of the Ireland 2016 programme. The material also supplemented official speeches delivered by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, and me. So it was only one part of a bigger package.

I have said what I said about Moore Street. My role is to protect the national monument as it is laid out now. It was very disappointing, but I am happy to do what I can and work with whoever wants to try to progress this. I was down there with the traders. It would be very nice if this project could be ready for 2016. If something is not done, the buildings will continue to fall into disrepair. It would be a huge boost to the area if this project could be developed. I saw the video, and the proposed layout, including an interpretive centre, is very impressive. I hope something can be done to move this on.

Members of the Arts Council are being remunerated because new members get the same as the old members. If we want to change that, the legislation must change.

The Deputy mentioned the issue regarding a member of staff and a grant payment. The staff member was not involved in a payment situation. The matter was fully investigated and addressed by the council. The application in question was withdrawn. There was no adverse finding and no resources were at issue in that regard.