Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

We wish the Bill and everyone associated with the arts every success. We had hoped the Minister would look at a few areas of concern but because some of the amendments tabled in the other House were not accepted there was not any point tabling them again here.

Perhaps when the special policy committees are established, they will look at the issue of professionalism. "Amateurism" seems to be a dirty word as far as the Arts Council is concerned. Many applications have been submitted but it is not within its remit to fund amateur societies. An international festival of light opera is held in Waterford, the organisers of which have applied on numerous occasions for funding. It has professional producers, adjudicators and orchestras but because amateur societies take part – it is the only amateur operatic festival in Europe – it cannot get funding.