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

I will certainly convey the Deputy's suggestions to the Arts Council and the local authorities. A good example of where the Department really got involved in the past two years was in respect of the Light House Cinema, which was closed. It is now up and running again and doing very well. I am delighted to say I was there on a few occasions recently, including for the opening of a film festival and to see a film made in County Kerry on rural isolation. I was delighted to see the level of activity in the cinema. This is an example of where there was intervention. Perhaps this type of intervention might be useful in other cases. I will certainly take the Deputy's point on board. Perhaps there is merit in staff from the Arts Council sitting around a table with us and representatives of the local authorities. This occurred recently with regard to three projects that were being challenged in certain ways. We could work in this manner on a more extensive basis. I thank the Deputy for his suggestion.

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