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

I accept the Minister's response and I realise she is new in her position. It will be very interesting to hear her feedback on her engagement with the Arts Council. It is important where substantial sums of public money are involved that the agencies charged with its dispersal be challenged to ensure their procedures are always transparent and that there is always public accountability.

What is the Minister's position, or instinct, regarding the work of the Arts Council with disadvantaged communities throughout the country? Is she satisfied from her preliminary examination of what the council has been involved in that sufficient work is being done to ensure arts pursuits are not regarded as elitist and that every effort possible is made to bring the arts into all communities in the State, not least disadvantaged communities?

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