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

That is comforting. The doubling of current expenditure is where it is at for artists and the National Campaign for the Arts. The Minister alluded to the Arts Council which we know plays a pivotal role in delivering funding to artists. There is a good working relationship between artists and the Arts Council. That autonomy and the arm's length principle the Arts Council has established and maintains with artists across the country are important. For that reason, the National Campaign for the Arts has asked that in the upcoming budget increased funding of €13.2 million be made available to the Arts Council to bring back to its spend in 2008, €82 million. It is important that we remain focused on the council. There is a good working relationship and good faith between it and artists. It is important that it be maintained and that the Government has faith to ensure the Arts Council will receive the money it needs to do its job.

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