Dáil debates

Thursday, 18 June 2015

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions

Irish Music Industry Promotion

9:50 am

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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4. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures she is taking to promote the Irish music industry; the other Government Departments she liaises with to advance this agenda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23870/15]

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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This question is posed in the context of the Deloitte report launched by the Minister earlier this year which recognises the importance of the music industry in employing in excess of 11,000 people and worth €470 million annually to the economy. The report sets out several critical initiatives that should be taken to promote the sector. My question aims to establish what the Minister is doing to implement the report’s recommendations.

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. My Department provides significant support to the industry through its funding of the Arts Council, through capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure and through other financial and policy supports. I was particularly pleased the Government introduced a 25% increase in the income ceiling for the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which artists, including songwriters and composers, make to society and to the music industry.

Last year, in response to a proposal from the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, a grant of €50,000 from my Department's capital budget was awarded for the purpose of introducing a digital music system to be available to all Irish musicians and to Irish broadcasters. This system will assist in directing royalties to Irish musicians.

I intend to publish a Culture 2025 discussion paper shortly, which will be an important step in opening up the debate around how we should shape the future of the arts in Ireland. It will include the music industry.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for the positive initiatives to which she referred to in her reply. Has the Minister given consideration to the proposal by Deloitte to establish a music office, similar to the Irish Film Board? She referred to, IASCA, the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, which is doing particularly good work and how funding from the music distribution system is important.

I understand from the IASCA that, on foot of the creation of a digital transmission system, it is important to ensure a certain level of airplay is available for Irish musical work. Over the years, this issue has been a cause of significant concern. While we now listen to The Script, Hozier, The Coronas and other bands on radio, other young and emerging artists are voicing concern about the lack of airplay they receive. Has the Minister engaged with her opposite number in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to identify what can be done to ensure a platform is given to young and emerging artists?

10:00 am

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge there is an issue with the level of airplay. This matter has been raised previously. While the concerns the Deputy raises do not fall within the scope of my Department, I am anxious to support the music industry in whatever way I can and I would be pleased to work with the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to address these issues in so far as is possible.

I will invite the submission of suggestions as part of the Culture 2025 policy, and if Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has any ideas on the music industry, I will be pleased to hear them. My Department does some work in the area of music through Culture Ireland and provides significant support for Irish bands and music groups to travel abroad and promote their work on the international stage. I am conscious that the music industry is wide and complex and I hope to highlight it further, perhaps through the Culture 2025 policy. I accept, however, that more work needs to be done on it.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Notwithstanding the Minister's response, does she envisage her Department reaching some form of an agreement with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that would at least encourage greater airplay for the music of young and emerging artists?

Another recommendation made by the Deloitte report commissioned by the Irish Music Rights Organisation was to establish a music industry task force. Does the Minister have any views on that proposal?

The Minister did not answer my question on establishing a music Ireland office.

Another issue to emerge recently has been the idea of providing additional training for music professionals, not least in business. We have seen the value of successful artists to the country and its promotion abroad. I will never forget, in the aftermath of the Riverdance performance, a meeting I had with senior executives from Hewlett Packard at which they indicated to me that the dynamism and ingenuity evident in the Riverdance experience had prompted them to decide that Ireland must be a wonderful country in which to operate.

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I fully concur with the Deputy that successful artists provide significant value to the country. I intend to publish a discussion document on Culture 2025 in the next week or two and the Deputy's suggestions should feed into this process. While the establishment of a music Ireland office would be a good idea, it would involve a number of Departments given the complexity of the music industry, which covers issues such as technology, copyright, broadcasting and live performance. Having said that, I agree that we need to focus on the industry and in that context I was pleased to launch the recent Deloitte report on the sector. I am very conscious of its importance to the country.

Music is a special part of our culture and an important element in the cultural offering that attracts people to visit the country. It should be viewed in a more holistic manner, which will mean having Departments work together in this area. Culture 2025 policy is good forum in which to start the discussion.