Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

No. We have been calling for this debate because it is an important matter. Bhí mé i láthair ag an ócáid ar a d'fhreastal an tAire i Halla na Cathrach i nGaillimh nuair a d'oscail sé suas an díospóireacht maidir leis na healaíona. Bhí an ócáid sin thar barr agus tá an-mholadh ag dul don Aire maidir leis an fís atá aige.

Einstein said all religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. It is interesting that we quote a scientist on a day like this because it is important to put the arts in the context of the overall position of the nation. All of these factors need to work together. I am afraid that, in the run-up to a budget, that might be forgotten. It is wonderful to hear the contributions today on the arts. There is much cross-party support for the arts.

There should be three foundations to any arts policy: to engage, to excel and to inspire. This touches on much of what has been said already. Engagement is very much about what our friends in the gallery do. It is about getting people on the ground involved in arts-related activity. This echoes what Senator O'Donnell was saying. We need to reach out to all communities and get people involved in the arts at all levels. It is good for the soul and the community and a great antidote to the country's present woes. To be involved in creativity is important in itself. It is part of what we need to do as human beings to fulfil ourselves.

Having taught drama in school for quite a long time, I noticed that once children were engaged, a couple of them always shone and were fantastic. One goes home and says that one should have seen such a boy or girl. There are people in our arts communities who excel and we need to be able to support them in a very practical fashion.

The names of great people who inspire were mentioned. They really shine and make a name for themselves and Irish culture on the international stage. They show we box way above our weight when it comes to creativity, the arts and culture. We need to be proud of them and to support them.

References to the artist have been lacking in the debate thus far. We have talked about the arts groups, the arts community, culture, tourism and education but not the artist. Most of the artists to whom I talk say that all they want to do is produce their art. They need the space to be able to paint, write, dance or create theatre, either as an individual or with a group of like-minded people. They do not need conditions imposed on them such that if they receive a grant from the Arts Council to write their play, they must go into a few schools and do a few workshops. They want to be able to produce their art. I do not necessarily agree with the policy that if one is to be funded to engage in the arts, strings should be attached. We need to respect the artist as a professional. That is a fundamental mindshift we need in this country. We need to respect the space the artist takes up.

The bard was once renowned in Irish tradition as a very important part of the court. The bard was respected because of the poetry he wrote and not because of anything else. We need to return to respecting the fundamental role of the artist within our community. This must bring us to practicalities. I agree with the Minister that his engagement with the Department of Education and Skills is crucial because many teachers thank those who enter schools to do drama because they are not sure how to deliver the curriculum themselves. They thank God there is a few who can. The education system certainly needs to live up to its policies and to have professionals who can deliver the type of arts education that is needed. This, however, requires resources.

I received an e-mail this morning from five young people who want to work on a film in Galway this week. Their dilemma is that if they do a couple of days work on the film and sign off the dole, they will get a load of hassle. If they do not sign off, they could get into trouble. Whenever artists or people involved in the arts go into the Department of Social Protection, they are looked at as if they have two heads. The Department should begin to understand the role of an artist in the community. We need more flexible arrangements so those who work in the arts can come in and out of the system in a way that is suitable. This also relates to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The sporadic nature of funding for arts commissions should be borne in mind.

Ta an-áthas orm gur thagair an t-Aire do chúrsaí ealaíon agus do chúrsaí Gaeilge. Tá sé iontach tábhachtach go dtabharfaimís aitheantas agus tacaíocht dos na grúpaí ealaíon atá ag feidhmiú tré mheán na Gaeilge. Ceann des na jabannaí atá le déanamh againn ná labhairt leis na hinstitiúidí móra a bhfuil feidhm orthu go náisiúnta ó thaobh na n-ealaíon, le déanamh cinnte go bhfuil siad ag comhlíonadh a gcuid dualgais maidir leis na healaíona i nGaeilge. Tréaslaím leis an tSeanadóir Mac Conghail ó thaobh Amharclann na Mainistreach. Tá sé ag déanamh sár jab mar stiúrthóir ealaíon. Ach ceann des na lochtanna a bhéadh orm ar Amharclann na Mainistreach ná nach bhfuil sé ag comhlíonadh a chuid dualgais maidir le cúrsaí drámaíochta tré Ghaeilge agus ba bhreá liom tuilleadh deiseanna a fheiceáil agus go mbéadh achmhainní ar fáil do sin.

I am sure more points will be raised in the debate. I agree with Senator O'Donnell that the economic arguments put by groups such as the National Campaign for the Arts and the Arts Council are very compelling. We should not cut back on the arts.