Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I warmly welcome the Minister.

Article 1 of our Constitution, which deals with the subject of national self-determination, speaks, among other things, about developing a cultural life of our own. The understanding of what that involves may evolve with time, but my perception is that the arts in all their forms are flourishing at present and have a great resonance abroad.

We were reminded by Senator Ó Murchú that the Arts Council was founded a little over 50 years ago. Like Comhaltas, it was founded in an era when resources were scarce. Senator Cummins alluded to the fact that the first Minister to take a keen interest in the arts was Charles Haughey. Reference was made to patronage, but Mr. Haughey, as the Minister would agree, certainly had a strong relationship with the vernacular.