James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the opportunity to contribute on the arts and the impact Covid-19 has had on the sector. I welcome the arts recovery task force that has been established to provide a detailed report on the issues facing arts in Ireland and wish it well in its goal of adopting a solution-focused approach. I welcome that it will seek input from across the arts community recognising the diverse range of stakeholders within this area. I hope this approach will best allow the arts sector to adapt to the environment we now find ourselves in and that no parts of the arts community will be left behind.

The arts has been an enjoyable part of my life and has added immensely to the make-up of my community. I have fond memories of learning music in my community in Youghal at our local Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch of Bru na Sí. Organisations such as this are an integral part of the fabric of our society and we must always look at ways to allow them to operate in a safe manner during times of Covid-19. Letting organisations such as this go will not only damage the organisations but the fabric of communities across the country.

Study after study has shown that culture has an impact on how people perform within a society. Individual cultural preferences shape how people respond to certain situations. How much trust people have in these institutions of the State, how a person views the outside world and how open he or she is to change are only a few examples of the impact culture has on society. Culture is hugely influenced by the arts and we cannot allow our society to become closed off from the rest of world or for it to be simply all work and no play. Life without any sort of pleasure and enjoyment would be a dull life indeed and if we want or people to remain dynamic, open and trusting of the State we must sure the arts can continue to as great an extent as possible. If we do not, it will make it much more difficult to be able to work together to overcome the challenges we face in light of Covid-19. We must ensure that cultural aspects of our society are not lost indefinitely because of the pandemic. The arts are an escape from the hassle of everyday life and are even more important in times of Covid-19.

I spoke in this Chamber many times about the need to protect our mental health in times of Covid-19. We need to look at the great work groups such as the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra can do to provide some uplift to people across country. Boosting morale at times like this is hugely important and ensures there is public buy-in for measures that are in place. We need to give people a sense of optimism that while today may be difficult, tomorrow will be better.

I look forward to working with the Minister and her Department in achieving these goals and congratulate her on her appointment to Cabinet with responsibility for a Department in which I have much interest. I look forward to working with her and helping people in my constituency who work and participate in the arts.

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