Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I had submitted this question before the Minister's announcement on 9 November in which she said she intends to introduce measures to address harassment and abuse of power in the arts and the cultural sector. This is important, and I acknowledge that the Government appeared to go to some lengths to distance itself from the controversies that erupted around the Gate Theatre and the National Museum of Ireland. Cultural institutions and our other national institutions must have that oversight from the Minister and her Department. It would be most helpful to have measures in place in this regard because, as Deputy Burton quite rightly pointed out, if there is no way to support the board and if the facility is not in place for those affected to address these matters, there is nowhere for people to go or speak out. It is such a pity that a young woman had to go on social media before her voice was heard and acted on.

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