I compliment the Minister on securing funding for the arts sector this year. Senator Cummins mentioned this issue. Funding for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in 1997 was €26 million, but that has increased to €48 million this year. That is an increase of more than 80% in six years. That is a large increase, particularly at a time when there is wrangling within the Government about funding for different areas. The Minister must be complimented at a time when there is a fall-off.