Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

Up to now, the Arts Council and the Department may have worked to separate agendas. They certainly did so in the area of capital funding. The introduction of the Bill will change that by creating a legislative framework to generate an overall coherence. All public bodies will be required to follow Government policy on the arts, which is vital, and bringing in the local authorities ensures this.

I compliment the Minister on reaching a compromise on the issue of special committees. All sides had a very trying time while this was being sorted out due to people's entrenched positions. The debate focused to a large extent on the provision for traditional arts. Much of the debate resulted from the Arts Council's consistently ignoring this sector. There is no doubt that its policies ensured that the traditional arts did not get the recognition they deserved, which is disgraceful when one considers the importance of traditional Irish music, culture and identity. Senator Ó Murchú spoke eloquently of the importance of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in that regard and I agree with him. The Senator has been to the fore in the quest to ensure that the importance of traditional arts and music has been recognised. He has received little recognition for this from the Arts Council. His comments are justified.

It was recognised that outside experience would be needed in establishing the special committees. The provision which gives the Minister the power to draft in members who are not necessarily on the council is useful because it recognises that, although the specific expertise might not be there, the Minister can draft in people other than those on the board. It is also good to establish a maximum of three committees at any one time because we do not want to lose sight of the overall arts plan. The Minister is going the right way in terms of dealing with this matter.