Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise the issue of the sub-committee on education and the arts under the Arts Act 2003. The Acting Chairman knows well that when in the last session we were looking at the Arts Bill and discussing the needs of all the various art forms, there was intensive debate, particularly over traditional music but also over the role of music and the education system.

As a result of the Arts Act coming into force there was an agreement made by the then Minister that sub-committees would be established to look at special areas of interest. The first sub-committee formed examined the traditional arts. I was delighted with the results of that sub-committee in that it established, not only the priority that should be given to the traditional arts but also a funding mechanism of €3 million. At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs earlier this year with the Arts Council, the continuing role and importance of the traditional arts was underscored by the chairperson of the Arts Council, Ms Olive Braden.

The second sub-committee established was the sub-committee on arts and education. The report of that sub-committee was to be finalised in May last. I and many others involved in the arts would see the link between arts and education as extremely important. My background is in pursuing this issue of how having young people involved in music changes the shape of their brain, and their ability to cope with life and with education. In later years, having had the exposure to music gives them a better ability to cope with both disease and with syndromes that might affect them as they grow older. One cannot overstate the role of music in personal development.

Therefore, I have been anxious to know what has come out of the sub-committee on arts and education. As far as I am concerned, there needs to be a joint approach from the Arts Council and the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, and the Department of Education and Science. If, until this sub-committee was formed, one asked a question of the Minister for Education and Science about the arts she would reply it had to do with the Arts Council and if one asked it of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, he would reply it was an education matter — it went from Billy to Jack. What I am looking for is a report that will have the imprimatur and acceptance of both Departments.

In the same way that traditional arts, which had been in a never-never land to some extent but had existed, got a formal focus and acceptance, it is vital that the results of the sub-committee are published and the implications pursued jointly between the two Departments. Ultimately, it is not a situation where the Arts Council can impose its will on the education system and at the same time the education system, having done various reports on the arts, cannot provide all the expertise needed in the music system.

I underscore that by saying that music is supposed to be part of the curriculum in primary school. It is a subject for the leaving certificate. Beyond that, it provides an important opportunity for personal development for people like myself. I declare my interest, that I have a BMus, MPhil, PGCE, LTCL and as many letters as one probably would want. Music provided me with a career opportunity and although it need not provide a career opportunity for everyone, it provides the opportunity to improve the quality of life of people, both now and in the future.

It is important the results arrived at by the sub-committee, which was set up following a brave battle, are disclosed, published and followed up on. I understand the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism is unable to be here and appreciate the fact the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Hoctor, is taking this matter. I hope there is some good news in the Minister's response. If not, I would like to receive good news for the new year. This is an issue that cannot be left aside any longer. The decision was made to set up the committee and priority was given to traditional arts. The committee did well in that regard and I hope the second sub-committee will have as good an impact on arts and education as the first did on the position of traditional music in Ireland. Both areas are of serious merit and importance.