Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have been afforded an opportunity to speak briefly on this important business and I thank Deputy Niamh Smyth for bringing this motion before the House. First, I acknowledge the many constituents who have contacted me and who are quite disillusioned by the effective dilution of the arts as a Cabinet portfolio, many of whom have devoted themselves throughout their lives to promoting the arts both locally and nationally. The dilution of the arts portfolio is a cheap two-fingered salute to those who have devoted so much time and effort to the arts industry. This is not a personal criticism but that said, I compliment the Minister on her role in overseeing the 1916 commemorations nationwide. For a country that once was to the forefront as the leader in the promotion of both the arts and culture internationally, the negative effects from paying insufficient attention and due care to this area can now be seen. However, I am delighted that my party has taken the initiative to improve the situation. I believe the proposals before Members get the balance just about right. The proposal protects the independence of the arts community, while allowing for and enabling full community engagement and benefit from State arts funding.

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