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

Notwithstanding the Minister's response, does she envisage her Department reaching some form of an agreement with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that would at least encourage greater airplay for the music of young and emerging artists?

Another recommendation made by the Deloitte report commissioned by the Irish Music Rights Organisation was to establish a music industry task force. Does the Minister have any views on that proposal?

The Minister did not answer my question on establishing a music Ireland office.

Another issue to emerge recently has been the idea of providing additional training for music professionals, not least in business. We have seen the value of successful artists to the country and its promotion abroad. I will never forget, in the aftermath of the Riverdance performance, a meeting I had with senior executives from Hewlett Packard at which they indicated to me that the dynamism and ingenuity evident in the Riverdance experience had prompted them to decide that Ireland must be a wonderful country in which to operate.

See this speech in context