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

Some weeks ago the Deputy and others were arguing for an arm's length approach between the Minister and the Arts Council to be preserved to ensure the Minister would not have a direct say in how arts funding was spent. I remind the Deputy that I allocated €63 million to the council to look after groups such as the one in question. It makes its decision on funding, while I have to retain the arm's length approach. I advise the Deputy and the organisation in question which does a good job to go directly to the council.

In defence of the council, last year it spent €3.1 million across all genres of dance. It has a positive approach towards dance. I would be delighted to give the organisation in question advice. I work with various arts groups every day. At 8 a.m. I met one such group with a very good proposal. However, it is the council which is the funding agency and it is protected by this House. As it is re-emphasised that it must be independent and at arm's length, I cannot direct it in cases involving funding. Doing so would be against the law, as this approach is now enshrined in the Constitution. I can meet the group in question to advise it. The Deputy should take a direct approach with the council and put forward the group's case.

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