Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Deputy's passion on this matter. Perhaps I speak in a calmer tone than he does on occasion, but I ask that he please not misunderstand that. There is absolute fury on Government benches in respect of this situation. The people we represent - the people who voted for us and the mandates we have received - are extraordinarily annoyed about this matter. The Deputy is right. Almost €7 million of taxpayers' money that was given to the Arts Council has been wasted, with nothing to show for it. As deputy head of this Government, I am saying to the Deputy with absolute clarity that there will be consequences for that. We will establish what happened. We will have an external review and the Government will then decide how to act.

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