Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Arts Act 2003 to recognise the art of comedy.

Tá comedy ar siúl anseo i gcónaí i slí amháin nó i slí eile. Uaireanta, bíonn muid ródháiríre faoi rudaí agus bíonn gá le bheith beagáinín gealgháireach. The purpose of this Bill is to amend the arts Act to specifically or explicitly recognise the art of comedy as an art form within the arts. We should not need this Bill to do that. It should not be necessary. However, the current law allows for comedians to be recognised as artists either under the umbrella of theatre or as a form of art not explicitly mentioned in the legislation. That is the problem. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has admitted as much. In fact, the Arts Council could address this issue quite quickly by deciding to broaden its interpretation and acting to end the exclusion of comedians from the funding opportunities and resources that are available for other artists. Even in the five minutes I have, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, could issue a policy directive to the Arts Council to broaden its interpretation to cover comedy. That is her right under section 5 of the Arts Act 2003. While it has been suggested to the Minister and the Arts Council what actions they should take, the problem is that, in the absence of those actions, it falls on us, as legislators, to make the law clearer to ensure there is no exclusion or any doubt in respect of comedy as a form of art and comedians as artists.

We could say this is a laughing matter and make various puns. We have all watched and listened to comedians and enjoyed it. When times are dark, sometimes that is the best form of medicine. However, unless we are willing to give them their proper due, respect and access to funding, it just makes it more difficult, especially for up-and-coming artists. It is great to see a number of comedians in the Gallery who came to listen. They should be preparing for their next improv, sketch, stand-up or whatever rather than being in here dealing with policy in this format.

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