Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

Anyway, reform was clearly on the agenda, but that is conveniently forgotten now, for reasons of political expediency. Nonetheless, I will continue with the process which is under way to examine all reform options before me that are part of the public service reform plan. I cannot accept the idea that examining the possibilities here amounts to an attack on the cultural infrastructure of the nation, as suggested by some. The idea that any organisation or institution should be above examination for reform is a recipe for a bad deal for the taxpayer who funds it.

As I said at the outset, the periodic examination of organisations, especially those receiving money from the taxpayer, is a healthy and necessary exercise. The national cultural institutions perform a very important role and manage, on our behalf, a resource which is literally priceless. I want to ensure that they can work in the most effective and efficient way possible and that they can cope with the challenges they will face in the future. It is my intention that our cultural institutions emerge stronger into a more certain future following this process, so that for the coming generations they can continue to preserve our past and inform our future.

Mention was made of the Government's commitment to the arts. The Taoiseach appointed two people who are here this evening, Senator Fiach Mac Conghail and Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell. Obviously, they organised all those in the Visitors Gallery to attend this debate. It shows how magnanimous the Government is that it appointed these two people as representatives of the arts.

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