John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have been asked to speak to this House on a Private Members' Bill and I congratulate Senator Ryan on bringing it forward. I remind this House of the excellent progress this Government has made in recent times in supporting the arts. The total expenditure for my Department in 2007 will be €698.6 million, which is up by 17.6% over 2006. Of this, €216.56 million is for arts and culture, an increase of 8.65% on a record 2006 expenditure. In recent years the arts, sport and tourism sectors have received unprecedented tangible support from the Government in terms of increased financial allocations. Since 2003, current funding has been increased by 43.4% or €121 million, but capital funding has increased by 147.5% or €178 million. That is before taking account of the public private partnership allocations for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall and the new Abbey Theatre. I am delighted that the sectors have acknowledged such support and responded with vibrancy and innovation in their programmes.

The arts are a response to our individuality and our nature. They demonstrate and shape our identity as a people. They can become the driving force for healing division and divisiveness as well as a potent economic force. Nobody can question this Government's commitment to the arts. The Arts Council is the main vehicle through which State support is channelled to the arts and the Government's ongoing commitment to the arts sector is well demonstrated with an allocation of €80 million to the Arts Council in 2007. Artists and arts organisations should see the decision to provide a further substantial increase, following on from the 18% increase provided in 2006, to the Arts Council as confirmation of the high regard in which Government holds the arts and culture sectors.