John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire inniu.

I commend the Minister on the Bill. It is a considerable improvement on the Bill that was originally published. Those improvements are to be welcomed.

In a debate such as this, we are confronted with the great philosophical questions of our time such as, what is art? The Bill attempts to answer that question in its definition, which brings to mind the phrase "what is the stars?" from another area of artistic endeavour, namely, the O'Casey play.

The definition is reasonable. I assume that the term film includes still photography. If not, it certainly should do so. Photography can rightly claim to be an art form in its best manifestations, as exemplified by the work of Cartier-Bresson among others. I am pleased to note the inclusion of both circuses and architecture in the definition. I also note the inclusion of any medium when used for those purposes, which leads me to the realistic thought that a JCB involved in the erection of some architectural edifice could be regarded as an agent of art. Perhaps that should be the case. I can imagine some of the avant garde visual artists using a JCB, or some other mechanical device, as part of their work.

The point was made in regard to the degree to which the elite are the arbiters of taste. There is a regrettable tendency within the arts for elite persons and groups to claim sole custody of them. In that respect, I fully agree with what Senator Ó Murchú had to say in regard to the cocktail society, the members of which decree what constitutes art to the exclusion of the vernacular and of local community input into art.