Seanad debates
Tuesday, 24 June 2003
Arts Bill 2002: Second Stage.
With regard to the Arts Council, I agree with the Minister's proposal that it should consist of a chairman and 12 members. I welcome the provisions of section 21 in regard to special committees. I agree that some areas should be treated as special cases because they are different, but, again, I return to the point that the arts should be viewed as a totality. Riverdance is no better or worse than the Clare set. le Brocquy is no better or worse than Trevor Geoghegan or anybody else. I could give many other examples in this regard. I deplore the attitude of the Royal Academy of Art in Britain which regards itself as the high priest and the sole custodian of the visual arts; the vernacular does not get a look in there. I will return to this point as I consider it extremely important that the arts be viewed as a totality. Christy Moore and Donal Lunny are just as much part of the arts as Ó Riada or Riverdance.
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