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

No. I would be the worst person in the world to give gags to because I would not carry them well. There are certain people in our world who can carry gags better. The art of comedy has been recognised since the ancient Greeks. They recognised drama as being both comedy and tragedy. Thousands of years later, we are still reduced to dealing with it in this way.

For me, this problem emerged while I was considering my party's policy. I noticed a petition on change.org set up by Ms Ailish McCarthy, who is in the Gallery. Some 1,300 people have signed the petition calling for stand-up, improv and sketch comedy to be recognised and funded by the Arts Council. I commend her and her colleagues, some of whom are here. When I saw the petition, I recognised this was a problem which could be easily be fixed. All it requires is one word, "comedy", to be added to the Arts Act. It is simple. That is literally what it is. It is a very simple piece of legislation which would address the problem of the exclusion of that form of art.

In other countries, comedy and comedians are recognised and have the support of the relevant arts councils, such as in Scotland and New Zealand. If you look around the country, there are absolutely fabulous festivals in Dublin, Kilkenny, Galway and throughout the country. Venues pop up, close and pop up again all around. They provide a platform. We also enjoy comedy on television and radio and in films. Ireland is renowned for comedy; we have some of the best comedians. It is a matter of making sure it is recognised here and that comedians can avail of the same supports and resources as others and that they are not forced to emigrate, causing us to lose the benefit of their wisdom. In many ways, that is what is behind a lot of the comedy out there. Sometimes, it reminds us we cannot take everything seriously. It might be a lesson in here sometimes. I commend the Bill to the House agus go mbeidh an Bille Ealaíon (Aitheantas don Ghreann) (Leasú) 2024 aitheanta agus ag dul ar aghaidh go dtí an Dara Céim.

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