Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

As regards rehearsals, when I was in Boyle and Clifden this year I was delighted to see use being made of unoccupied buildings of which there are many around the country. Some good exhibitions are being held in various unoccupied buildings. I refer to shops that were closed down. They are ideal for the purpose. People like to go into a building such as a garage or space. I opened a major exhibition for the Mexican Embassy in a former car park. Some Members may have attended. There was an enormous crowd there. Such a venue creates its own atmosphere. An older building such as Earlsfort Terrace can be attractive for the display of contemporary art. Senator Barrett's idea is a good one. I am trying to encourage as many people as possible around the country to look at existing buildings and use them for rehearsals for choral groups, for example, and the visual arts. I will try to encourage that as much as I can.

Reference was made to Aosdána. It is an interesting issue. Senator Ó Clochartaigh may have been listening to some of the practitioners in Galway. During my engagement around the country I mentioned the possibility that people who are getting funding from the arts could make a contribution to education. They are not compelled to do so. That suggestion got a negative reaction in Galway. Senator Ó Clochartaigh has been briefed on the issue. I just threw out the suggestion for consideration.

If people from Aosdána could go into schools for even a half hour visit it would make such a difference. I know that is the case from my experience of going into schools as a sportsman and now to some extent from my involvement in the arts. There is no doubt that any politician going into a school makes an impact. It will make a greater impact if one goes to a school to talk about the arts or any subject to which young people can relate. Senator Ned O'Sullivan will understand my point. Any time that Bryan MacMahon or John B. Keane came into our schools we remembered it for ever. That is the bottom line. If Brendan Kennelly appeared it would be like a god appearing in schools.