Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)

I am delighted to welcome the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, to the House. It is hoped everyone in the Visitors Gallery realises what a hardworking and energetic man he is. While not wishing to be too gushing and pathetic, we know from his weekly schedule, which is made available to us, the amount of territory he covers and the sheer energy he brings to this portfolio. We must all be encouraged by the fact that he is the man in the job. I would also like to acknowledge Senator MacConghail's efforts in bringing the committed campaign for the arts people to meet with us last night. I am new to all of this. That presentation was inspiring. One of my colleagues went so far as to suggest they go on tour with their presentation. If they could go on tour to all the councils and manage to present to the arts officers and various county and city managers, it would resonate with them.

I am delighted this debate is starting in the Seanad. The Seanad has an important role to play in the arts because we, more than our colleagues in the Dáil, have an opportunity to debate the issue here. It can be easy to forget about the arts, in particular in difficult times such as those in which we now find ourselves. However, to do so would, in my view, be short-sighted and unwise. As Government Seanad spokesperson on arts and culture, and as someone lucky enough to have grown up in a home and community fortunate enough to be involved in the arts, I am strongly committed to the artistic community.

The arts represent our artistic soul, for which we are globally recognised, and a field in which we can as a nation invest and benefit if we do so in a strategic manner. It is important to keep this in mind in any debate on the arts. The arts is often wrongly viewed as a drain on resources. However, investing wisely in selected events can, in my view, work to augment our tourism sector and ensure great returns. The arts is completely complementary and intrinsically linked to other vital money making sectors in the country. One of the main reasons tourists visit Ireland, in particular American tourists, is our vibrant arts sector. Our books, plays, festivals and works of art are renowned across the world. We must ensure we are working to get the most out of these and to ensure our talent is celebrated and nurtured through a fully rounded education within which the arts plays a role.

I am particularly passionate about the contribution which the visual arts can make to the lives of those with disabilities. It is well known that art enriches the lives of those who appreciate it. For people with disabilities, that enrichment is even greater. Research has consistently shown that visual arts can enrich the lives of those with disabilities, in particular people with mental difficulties. I have had the pleasure of experiencing in a personal capacity the benefits the Lundbeck arts awards bring to this area. Visual arts, with the added competitive element, brings a renewed sense of self worth and self esteem to people who, for a variety of reasons, find it difficult to cope with the complexities of modern living - but for the grace of God go so many of us.

I know that there are many other organisations across the length and breadth of the country doing similar great work. There are a number of challenges facing the arts sector, including fewer resources, difficulty for personnel in finding seasonal work and venues across the country adapting to new tastes. However, the arts has always prided itself on being creative with money. The best art tends to come in times such as these. I believe the State has a role to play in allocating funding wisely and ensuring that key projects across the nation go ahead. The arts sector needs to have confidence that politicians are behind it. As Seanad spokesperson for the arts, culture and Gaeltacht affairs I would like to make it abundantly clear that I intend to support the arts and to act at every opportunity as a sounding board for issues pertaining to the arts.

We face challenges but we also have a number of opportunities. Turbulent times always present opportunities. Rent is relatively low and new spaces are popping up throughout cities and towns. New drama and literature collections are appearing in villages, towns and cities. An opportunity I have previously highlighted is that of acquiring the site of the Central Bank for use by the arts. I know the Minister has been actively working on that idea and it is hoped we will get that site from the clutches of the Bank of Ireland. I believe this would be a magnificent boost for the arts and would underscore its importance to the type of nation we are trying to rebuild. Indeed, that is to my mind what this debate is about, namely, highlighting the importance of the arts in the context of the type of nation we aspire to be. As such, I believe the Seanad has played an important role in allowing this debate to go ahead, thus highlighting that our arts and culture sector are more than just the sum of their parts. We still have at our disposal the vital ingredients to continue our internationally recognised prowess in this sector. The protection of the arts needs to be seen as a statement of intent. It serves to show that Ireland has learned to treasure its artistic soul. As long as I am a Member of the Seanad, I will continue to support and speak out for this sector to the greatest of my ability.