Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas le Fianna Fáil as ucht an rún seo a chur chun cinn. Táim fíorbhuíoch as ucht an deis labhairt ar an rún atá os comhair na Dála ar ábhar tábhachtach atá cóngarach do mo chroí. The arts, despite their contribution to society and our national identity, have faced substantial budget cuts and a lack of commitment to their development in recent years. We see the outworkings of that in the recent decision to downgrade the arts in the reconfiguration of Departments. That is not the Minister's fault and I am sure she will do her best in all of this, but we do need a dedicated arts Minister or Minister of State to drive their development. Tá an Stát tar éis ár n-ealaíontóirí is fearr agus ár n-oidhreacht is fearr a thaispeáint mar chuid de chomóradh an chéid, sa bhliain ina bhfuil muid ag ceiliúradh Éirí Amach 1916.

Mar a dúirt an Teachta Tóibín, the arts bring us enjoyment and calmness, they allow us to be excited, they uplift us and they should be supported. However, they are more than that intrinsic thing. They can also be a social, cultural and creative outlet and an economic driver. Those who visit Ireland come to enjoy our heritage and historical sites. They go on a night out, they go to the theatre, a book reading, a ballad session or a concert. The film industry here, even though it is from a very small catchment area, is now winning prizes internationally.

Last Wednesday and Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting with local artists from my constituency, including Paul Hayes, Bríd McBride, Laurence McKeown, Patricia Duffy and Colette McGahon. They are all involved in the National Campaign for the Arts. I fully support their calls for a dedicated Minister for the arts and for an increase in funding for the sector.

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