Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Various groups within the community have suffered from the recession over the last couple of years. I suggest that those involved in various branches of the arts, such as sculptors, painters and writers, have probably suffered more than any other group. I appeal to my Fine Gael and Labour Party colleagues to reassess their position on the appointment of a part-time arts officer in the Central Bank. We are looking like philistines here. At a time when we are fighting our way out of recession, there is nothing more important than to give ourselves hope and optimism for the future. This industry depends on discretionary and marginal income. It requires people to spend money. We hear very little about this group. I would prefer if we halved the car scrappage scheme, which is creating jobs in Germany and France, and put the money into the arts in this country.