Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

I attended it and it was a very nice event and the public reciprocated accordingly.

I acknowledge the very fine work of the arts officers throughout the country who work with local authorities through the county and city arts committees. Some of the work they do is largely unknown and it is opportune that we mention it in the Dáil. I will give an example of what is done by the arts officer and arts committee in Limerick. They work in the hospitals, particularly in the children's unit of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital. They go in and shine a light in the lives of young children who are severely sick and who are long-stay patients. They use the arts to bring a degree of relief and happiness to those sick and suffering pain. Very fine work is also done by the arts officers in the antenatal unit of the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital.

It is noteworthy the County Limerick Youth Theatre receives huge support as does the County Limerick Youth Choir. We all speak about the promotion of sport, and it is a major part of our culture and heritage. Those involved in the arts have a significant programme which they roll out right around my county of Limerick. They participate and get involved in 85 of the 115 primary schools across the city and county of Limerick. That is hugely beneficial to our younger people, many of whom do not engage in sport because it does not turn them on. It has to be recognised in this House that artistic and cultural activities offer a worthwhile and fulfilling pastime to such people.

The festival outreach programmes that our arts officers engage in up and down the country are hugely important. Now that we are in the summer season, fleadhanna cheoil and traditional music festivals are kicking off up and down the country. We often talk about the economic spin-off of such events, which are of significant importance to our small towns and villages. The support that festivals receive from arts officers is immense.

There has been some unwarranted criticism of the role of the arts in major infrastructural projects. I have heard people in this House ridicule some of the roadside art that was installed when the motorway programme was being rolled out and roadway schemes were being finished. That is very regrettable because we should all appreciate these important features of our road network. I will give an example in my own constituency. A fine piece of art on the Croom bypass, which is part of the main road from Limerick to Cork, depicts the mill wheel on the River Maigue and a leaping salmon, which are synonymous with the town of Croom in County Limerick. It is important to give people an appreciation of the culture and heritage of our towns that are being bypassed. The criticism of this very positive programme has been undue and unwarranted.

Many of our debates focus on funding, but the support given to the performing arts in our theatres has to continue. There are less well-known theatres in every county, such as the Friars' Gate theatre in Kilmallock and the Honey Fitz theatre in Lough Gur, both of which are in County Limerick. A former Church of Ireland church - St. John's church in Knockainey - has also been taken over for these purposes. All of these theatres are important. They have to receive State support where possible.

The connection between our museums and our heritage has not been mentioned to any great extent during this debate. There are hugely important medieval sites in County Limerick towns like Adare, Kilmallock and Askeaton. It is right that such sites are used by those involved in the performing arts to hold summer festivals or put on summer productions. The continuing support that is being rolled out by the Office of Public Works has to be mentioned. The OPW has done immense work to restore these sites and make them accessible to the public.

I would like to mention some of the museums in County Limerick. When one thinks about museums in the county, one tends to focus on better-known museums like the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. It is a huge testament to the community in Foynes that the museum has received millions of euro in State investment. The Hunt Museum is another example of a high-profile museum. I remind the House of the existence of less well-known museums like Limerick City Museum. It is also worth mentioning that one of the flagship artefacts on display in the National Museum in Dublin - the Ardagh Chalice - was found in County Limerick.

I would like to conclude by suggesting that the Government made a mistake when it separated tourism from arts, culture and heritage, all of which previously comprised a single Department. I accept that tourism is a much larger portfolio. The link with tourism is a vital part of the funding of arts, culture and heritage projects across the country. If I were to criticise the direction that is being taken, I would say that the links that were in place previously might need to be restored. I recognise the commitment of the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, to this area. We need more debates of this nature to allow us to recognise the fine work, much of which is offered on a voluntary basis, that is being done by people associated with the arts throughout the country.

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