John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

We showed that we could compete with the best in the world and not just in terms of our music. The displays from Riverdance and Macnas were stunning and showed the vibrancy of the arts here. Only 20 or 30 years ago it would have been difficult to envisage us putting on a show of that quality. I am not referring to the visual effects, which have to do with technology, but the actual content of what we heard and saw. It was a matter of huge national pride.

Local authorities have a key role to play in regard to the arts. I am pleased that in my local authority area – that which comes under the remit of Kildare County Council – there is an active arts officer who has been instrumental in bringing art to the schools and the wider community, which is critical. The millennium project in Kildare was the erection of the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge, which incorporates a theatre, exhibition space and so on. I had the honour of chairing the strategic arts management company in the county, which oversaw the development of the centre and subsequently brought it to the point where performances are taking place.

That brings me to the funding issue and I take the point in respect of the Arts Council. Dealing with the Arts Council was certainly a matter of frustration for us, in terms of trying to extract moneys, particularly in the context of a new project coming into the system and trying to establish itself. I also acknowledge that, even in the context of financial difficulties this year, the county council found more money to finance that centre.

We have also been highly successful in obtaining sponsorship for performances, shows, etc., which take place there constantly. A professional company put on a pantomime at Christmas, funded by the local rotary club, which was highly successful. Schools from around the area were involved and it was extremely beneficial. An important consideration is that the arts centre is open on a daily basis and includes a café where people can meet. Such a centre must be part of the community.

In two centres of the kind to which I refer, the doors close after each performance and do not open until the following night's performance. That reinforces the image that it is somehow an entirely separate operation behind closed doors. There is a huge responsibility, in which local authorities can play a key role, to bring the performance ethos and art out into the community and schools throughout their areas. I note that health boards are among the local authorities mentioned in the Bill and perhaps the Minister should add the words "or their inheritors in title". However, that is probably a debate for another day.