Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. However, the question I asked - and which she failed to answer - relates to whether any of the working musicians or others in the orchestras are represented on the working group or the oversight group. The Minister waxed lyrical in reply to previous questions from Fine Gael backbenchers. The orchestras are a great national cultural treasure for Ireland. Musicians in the orchestras are paid at living wage and union wage rates. Earlier, I asked the Minister about the many people in the arts who are on very low rates of pay - below the minimum wage - and who are unable to afford housing due to the meagre remuneration they receive. The orchestras are very important in terms of the calibre of their artistic merit and the fact that they provide regular, secure employment that is paid at a good rate. Are any of the musicians represented on either of the groups?

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