Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Each of the practices subject to the Deputy's question are important creative activities that play an important part in the cultural life of the nation. For example, Irish comedy, to which the Deputy referred, has been to the fore internationally for decades. Comedians such as Deirdre O'Kane, Tommy Tiernan, Dylan Moran and Dara Ó Briain are household names in Ireland and overseas. As Minister, I was glad to be able to support comedy as part of the wide-ranging response to Covid challenges facing the live entertainment sector. It is also the case that comedy has traditionally been seen as a more commercial creative entertainment activity rather than an art form per se. However, the current process being conducted by the Arts Council on multidisciplinary arts allows for an important conversation on these issues, which I welcome. I am happy to see that these matters are being aired and discussed. My experience as Minister for the arts has been that successful interventions, for example, the basic income for the arts pilot research scheme, are firmly rooted in consultation and engagement with the sector. I know there will be different views on these matters. It is only through consultation and stakeholder engagement, hearing the views of the sector and reflection on them, that we can find a consensus on the way forward.

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