Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Wearing my other hat, as someone with an interest in the music industry, it seems to have been a capital idea to have provided money for infirm musicians. Perhaps the Minister of State might have some comments whether, in retaining this Act, he might be resurrecting that fund. Knowing his interest in the music industry, his son being an attractive and successful singer-songwriter in his own right, I make my comment as a declaration for both the Minister of State and me as much as anything else. I emphasise this before he answers the question. Perhaps there is a case to be made not only for retaining this particular Irish Musical Fund Act, but for updating it and providing some moneys, as required, for any infirm musicians. I am curious to know whether these are the statutes in their entirety or is this just a select grouping which the Government has decided either to repeal or retain?

Given the historical nature of the process we are undergoing in the House, it is really a journey through hundreds of years of Irish history. There is reference to the confiscation of lands of the Irish rebels and to the millions of acres taken off the native Irish during the Elizabethan and post-Elizabethan wars. This is living history. I will not say I feel a certain degree of nostalgia at their passing because they are being retained for a variety of reasons.

There is an historical dimension to this that should not be lost on the wider educational environment. Has the Minister of State given any thought to perhaps conveying the information contained in this document on DVD or CD for schools purposes? As already alluded to in the House, we have been given a wonderful interpretation of many of the Acts and statutes which were raised specifically by Members. However, there are hundreds of others which were not raised and about which we do not have specific information. Having gone through this process, I am curious to know whether, from an educational viewpoint, the Minister of State might consider making this information available to a younger generation for historical research purposes.