Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)

I commend Ailish McCarthy. I have met her on a number of occasions. She has left no stone unturned over years and years chasing this worthy cause. I acknowledge Deputy Ó Snodaigh for his work on it. We have discussed this privately. I am fully behind what the Deputy is trying to do, but I do not feel that the Bill goes far enough. I am putting my cards on the table. I simply cannot understand why comedy is not included. I cannot understand why amateur drama, which hits the heart and soul of every town and village in Ireland, and country music, which is now in venues the length and breadth of Ireland, are not included.

It raises the question: who defines what art is? Who decides what art is? It is simply wrong. In the arts Act, the guiding definition of the Arts Council states arts are creative, interpretive expressions in whatever form. However, for some reason I cannot fathom, it seems there is a wide cohort of disciplines that do not fit this definition and therefore are not eligible for funding. How anybody can say comedy falls outside this definition is beyond me. For a comedian to get up on stage in front of a live audience, it is as difficult a profession as it is a wonderful art form. They should have the same opportunity to access funding. Instead, the sector is woefully underfunded. I have met comedians living on couches, performing in venues that are decrepit and not fit for purpose, having to leave the country to further their art - I note the word "art" - or even worse, having to give it up altogether to get another job.

The Arts Council receives over €140 million in State funding with the objective of stimulating public interest in the arts, promoting knowledge and appreciation and improving standards within the sector and yet it is excluding an enormous number of people and groups faithfully pursuing their art across the country. Comedy is not the only victim. I agree with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, that we need to look at the entire sector in the interest of ensuring fairness and inclusive funding right across the board.

Country music, which has experienced a massive rural revival, is currently excluded. There are hordes of people travelling to venues right across the country every Saturday night to see their favourite acts. Amateur dramatics is a huge part of the social fabric in our small towns and villages. The Fleadh Cheoil is one of the biggest events in the country, as the Ceann Comhairle well knows. It gets funding from the Government but not from the Arts Council. How in God's name is that excluded? Why should a talented ceoltóir or artist differ from an opera singer?

To an end, I do understand why the Minister has proposed an 18-month amendment to allow time to ensure a comprehensive reform of all sectors. We need to support the talented and hardworking people and groups putting in the effort to provide this joy and entertainment. We need to remove some of the burdens of costs and help those individuals scratching to make a living and providing a laugh for us. They deserve it just as much as those lucky enough to fall under the Arts Council funding umbrella.

I note there is an urgency. We need to take this and make it happen quickly. We are at great risk of losing great talent across our country due to the lack of funding. We must support all art forms. The funding is there. There is €140 million in funding but it is not being spread evenly across the board.

I would like to bring up a bigger issue in terms of the Arts Council. There are small towns and villages in Ireland that are getting zero from the Arts Council. I am based in Arklow and there are 14,000 people there but they have no entertainment venue. They have to drive 11 miles down the road to put on a show. I am asking that we totally review the whole funding of arts and ensure there is a level playing field. If there was ever a better example, it is the fact we are not funding our comedians.

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