Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)

Deputy Ó Snodaigh is right that a number of different things have to be considered. As Deputy Ó Snodaigh has said, these include whether it is the same group, a new group, a wider group, or a smaller group. All of this has to be assessed. The engagement I hope to have with the campaign will also help to inform me on this. Deputy Ó Snodaigh is also right that as two distinct political parties in advance of the election we made commitments on this. I am sure Deputy Ó Snodaigh will acknowledge that this was a very good scheme. It was introduced at a time when people did not expect it or fully understand what it would do but now can see what it has done and the value of it. My basic premise is to get the scheme, a scheme, or a version of the scheme continued. It would be very regressive if we did not have it. It will have to form part of budgetary discussions in the Department. I have five distinct areas of responsibility - arts, culture, communications, media and sports - and this is a priority for me with regard to the arts element of our budgetary discussions. I look forward to hearing the suggestions of the Opposition and I will engage with spokespersons, including Deputy Ó Snodaigh, off-line and outside of the House on their views on this and how the scheme could be changed, altered and improved.

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