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

The Arts Council is no different from any other body spending substantial amounts of public money. At this point, the public needs reassurance. I suspect it will be forthcoming but a review by the Arts Council of its own procedures is certainly not adequate. External analysis of what has occurred within the council is essential because of the importance of transparency and accountability in public bodies generally. In so far as there has been speculation about a conflict of interest - I believe it is no more than speculation - is the Minister prepared to take steps to ensure objective analysis of the procedures that have been employed by the council to disperse funds?

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