Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all support the idea of what has happened. This is retrospective legislation. If I was unfair, I could probably make a complaint about that but that would probably be a stretch. We all like the idea that the NSO will be situated within the NCH. I quite like the idea of the three associated choirs feeding into each other. I suppose that is something that needs to happen with regard to the orchestra.

It is similar to what Deputy Ó Snodaigh said. The Minister has dealt with the issues of pay, conditions, pensions and all those necessary parts and has provided the capital expenditure necessary to ensure an orchestra that is fit for purpose and that nobody is wanting for the sake of having the correct instruments and everything else necessary to do business.

It is great to be here among the cultural boffins in Leinster House. I probably should make a slight claim myself: I made it to grade 5 piano. My mother had great notions for me but it did not quite work out.

I will follow up on what Deputy Ó Snodaigh said on the importance of music communities that have been well removed from classical music experiencing increased engagement. We have the possibility to do that on a regional basis. We have the prospect of virtual performances, alongside being able to visit. There would be no harm in making the journey to the Táin theatre in Dundalk, or the Oriel Centre in what was Dundalk jail. That would be welcomed by many. It is necessary that we make those connections and make this normal, as Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, for communities that were removed from it. We need to make that happen. It is a benefit for all of us throughout society. It is an easy ask that we can deliver on. It is a matter of making sure the resourcing follows the basic plan.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh spoke about the difficulty for artists in making money. He spoke about Spotify and the new ways by which musicians are paid. That has created certain difficulties. It would be remiss not to deal with the issue in front of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight yesterday regarding section 481 funding for films and TV. There was support for it but there is a need to examine it. There are questions as to who owns the intellectual property and issues regarding pay and working conditions. The State has put €4 billion in and we need to know where that investment is, from the point of view of ensuring we have a viable film industry to continue into the future that offers quality employment. There are still question marks about a situation where a producer pulls down the money and the money goes into a designated activity company, DAC. That DAC does its business and afterwards some intellectual property may exist and we are not entirely sure who owns it. The Minister needs to examine that.

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