Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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I thank the witnesses for coming to the committee again. I wish to discuss the relationship between the Department and the Arts Council. A lot of people from the arts community have come to me expressing concern about the change of name, which to some people might seem a small piece, but for a lot of people it is symbolic. That, combined with what seems now to be quite a public row, conflict or difference of opinion - whatever one might call it - has caused a concern that a long overdue boost to the arts sector over the past number of years will be pulled back or at least allowed to plateau. What reassurances can the Department give and what can we as a committee give to the people who work professionally and on a voluntary capacity in the arts and consume and produce the arts for us? What can the Department give to us to say that is not going to be the case?