Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Míle buíochas faoi sin. Bhí sé an-suimiúil freisin. Má tá smaointí ag na cathaoirligh ainmnithe ar na tionscadal ar a bhfuil siad ag obair, is féidir leo iad a sheoladh chuig an gcoiste agus cuirfimid isteach inár gcuid pleananna iad. If they have any information or wish to make a submission which they feel needs to be part of our thinking we would be very receptive to that.

In many ways, institutions such as these are the jewels in the cultural crown of the country and are something of which most people are immensely proud. It is a really big day when one visits one of these two institutions, and consuming the wonderful output of the film industry in Ireland is also extremely important. They are very high-profile elements of what we are about. They have a transformative effect on society in general, both in the way it consumes them and in the way they give people an opportunity to reach their potential in particular sectors.

It is very important that governance is of the very highest level. I appreciate the great detail given to the committee by the witnesses and wish them good luck with their work.

I wish to start with a number of general questions, which can be addressed to each of the different sectors. The Waking the Feminists campaign was very important in terms of bringing the issue of gender diversity in the arts to the fore. Another very important issue is socioeconomic diversity. When I was appointed as my party spokesperson for this area, I tabled several parliamentary questions to try to get a good understanding of the delivery of our services or at least, the opportunity to consume them or be part of them, for people at all socioeconomic levels. I ask the witnesses to speak to that issue as it relates to their areas. How do they ensure they are proofed in that regard?

Regional development is one of the core objectives of this committee. Unfortunately, when one looks at the spend, it always seems to be concentrated in Dublin, partly because some of the institutions are physically located in the capital. In that context, I am very interested in the outreach programmes to which the witnesses referred earlier. I know, for example, that in the Solstice Theatre in Navan there is a wonderful exhibition that includes four or five items on loan from the National Museum and which turns the space into a different type of experience. I ask the witnesses to explain how best we can get into the nooks and crannies, not just with the Galway and Cork film fleadhs and so on, but further afield.

It is very hard to estimate the value of an item without engaging in some sort of comparative work. I am thankful the witnesses made reference to various institutions abroad and the work they are doing. What is international best practice, particularly in the European sphere, in terms of outputs in the different areas? How do the Irish institutions measure up? What elements of that best practice do they expect to bring into their own spheres?

I ask the witnesses to respond to those three general questions first and then we can move on.