Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has stressed her commitment to the development of the arts in Ireland. I am at a slight loss at the Minister's references to Creative Ireland. Is Creative Ireland now effectively an oversight body that picks up all the elements of the arts in Ireland? Separately, what is the strategy relating to the Arts Council, with which huge numbers of living, working artists have a connection through funding and other supports? Second, the Minister again referred to Creative Ireland with regard to the Irish Film Board. What is her vision for the Irish Film Board, given that it is hugely responsible for the image Ireland has in the modern world both in terms of the good films that have been coming from Ireland and the image of Ireland conveyed to the wider world? This country will face many difficulties post Brexit. Arts and culture are our main calling point. I understand that Creative Ireland is going around the country and promoting the Government's presence in the arts in each county. However, these are institutions that deal with the work of artists, Ireland's performance in the arts and what we say to the wider world. I wish to know about that aspect.

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