Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support what colleagues have said about the arts. Senator O'Toole made the opening comments about the bread and roses perspective. His presentation is very fair. Notwithstanding the financial difficulties of local authorities, they should attempt to support and promote the arts. It is important we are having this mini-discussion at this point on the political spectrum because there is talk of a Cabinet reshuffle, not so much in terms of personnel but in terms of the reconfiguration of Departments. There was a recommendation that certain Departments be amalgamated or abolished. That is a judgment call the Taoiseach and his advisers must make. If we are concerned about the arts and culture and their development on the island, the message from this House to the Taoiseach should be that the reconfiguration of Departments should result in a strong role at Cabinet level and a portfolio for the arts and culture with whatever addendums are provided for. Members on the Government side of the House are saying there is an obligation on the Opposition to make demands of our local authority colleagues to fund the arts. There is a strong obligation on the Government, given the Taoiseach is about to put in place a new Cabinet, to ensure a new Department responsible for arts and culture is defended.

I support the request for a debate on pension provision. I have raised this matter previously because we have become fixated with the pensions industry. For the past 20 or 25 years, people who did not invest significant money in pension funds were looked on as second class citizens. There was an inevitability to the collapse of the pensions industry. Yesterday's document must be debated urgently. A great deal of good work has been done but we have a distance to travel. Pensions are vital for every citizen and the role of the State is central. It is time for action and I hope the Leader can arrange a debate as soon as possible.