Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the members of the arts community who are in the Gallery tonight. I am delighted to wrap up this debate. I thank every Deputy from all parties and none who contributed to it. Many Deputies spoke in favour of the motion. The speakers on the Government side who seemed to castigate us for introducing this motion agreed that our cultural institutions need to have autonomy and independence. I reiterate what my party leader said last night. Although the previous Government indicated that it intended to produce a Bill to provide for amalgamation, it never happened. The general scheme of the Bill had not been approved by the time Fianna Fáil left office. The previous Government did not agree any changes in this regard. I do not think we should apologise for the policy we are espousing tonight, having consulted the arts community. I am a Front Bench spokesman for my party, but I was not a member of the previous Government. I do not feel ashamed about introducing this motion, which supports the arts sector and the retention of the independence of our cultural institutions.

Fianna Fáil has a proud record with regard to the arts. We introduced the artists' exemption and the tax relief for the film industry. We invested in many venues throughout the country. We opened the arts to the wider community. If I was to speak about the policy changes that have been made by this Government since last year's general election, I would use most of the time available to me. The Government promised that not another red cent would be given to the banks. It said that student fees would not be increased. It promised to abolish upward-only rent reviews. On the specific motion before the House this evening, in its election manifesto Fine Gael committed to the arm's length principle, which has been upheld by successive Governments over 60 years. A great deal of legislation has been introduced over the years to enshrine in law the principle of the independence of our cultural institutions.

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