Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I have to say, regardless of whether the Bill is successful, that we have been noted in Ireland for rising to all challenges. Challenge saved our traditional arts in the past when the opposite could have happened. It would be nice to think, however, that there will be acknowledgement and recognition, at long last, of the 10,000 performers who will turn up at the fleadh cheoil and the 250,000 people who will support them. The number of people who will attend the fleadh cheoil is three times larger than the number of people who will attend the pop festival at Slane. I do not speak of the individual professional musician, who has been the focus of the Arts Council over the years, but of the tens of thousands of people who have creativity in their hearts, who have brought excellence to the fore and who are willing to include everybody who wishes to take part.

I wish the Minister well. He will have my support and that of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in respect of the Bill. If he is successful, he will be crowned High King of Ireland.