Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

No matter how the Minister tries to dress it up the reduction is 10%. The total reduction is approximately €9 million.

The Minister indicated he is awaiting a report from the Arts Council. To all intents and purposes there is not an Arts Council at the moment because since August it has been operating at half strength. The Minister is aware that five members are needed to form a quorum and it is not always possible to get five people together. Even if it were, it is unreasonable to expect five or six people to make decisions of that magnitude. The cuts will cost jobs to individual artists and perhaps result in the closure or temporary closure of venues at weekends or on week days. There will be a great reduction in activity right around the country as a result of the cuts. It is unreasonable of the Minister not to have nominated a new chairperson and other members to the council. Will the Minister indicate when the appointments will be made and whether the Arts Council has been in communication with him in respect of the allocation to the Abbey Theatre, for example?

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