Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this debate. I commend the Minister on his availing of the opportunity to have this important debate. While coming into the Chamber, I wondered whether those with a poetic bent might feel inclined to pick up their pens on the basis that it has taken the flight of the Taoiseach and ten Ministers of the Cabinet from the country to allow an opportunity for such a debate to take place. That said, given this is my first opportunity to engage with the Minister on a serious matter since my appointment as party spokesperson, I commend the Minister on his long-standing contribution to debates in the House on the issue down through the years. I acknowledge the role he played over many years in highlighting the arts in Irish society, not least during his tenure as Opposition spokesperson during the last Dáil. It is good to see someone with the Minister's genuine interest, having had the opportunity to serve as Minister for the past 19 months. I wish him well in this regard.

See this speech in context