Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

I thank the Minister. I believe this question was answered, more or less, in the answer to the first priority question. I emphasise that I do not, in any way, question the importance of the arts in terms of the number of people working to support them. My key question remains the same regarding accountability and policy formulation. If I may reflect on the previous question, it relates to the number of organisations and the various quangos set up over the years. I acknowledge that the Arts Council is the one substantial and significant body relating to the arts. It is very important that the arts are protected but, at the same time, when I see a figure such as 48 full-time equivalents of a staff of 154 working in the arts, I must question the value for money in terms of accountability.

See this speech in context