Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I welcome the Minister. It is a sign of how vibrant and dynamic is the arts sector that so many people wish to speak in this debate. Some very strong ideas have been put forward and I hope the Minister will bear these in mind when devising and developing arts strategy.

I ask the Minister about creating a formal structure, not just with NAMA, as has been suggested, but with individual developers to ensure spaces can be made available at reduced rents or lower rates for arts activities, events and work. It would be a creative use of our resources to do so and there are good examples in Smithfield and the Fumbally Exchange where developers and landlords are amenable to these approaches.

Will the Minister return for a more structured debate on the arts in this House? We can put forward ideas and see them being put into effect in arts policy. For those in the Visitors Gallery who sat through the debate and those of us who have partaken, it is important to continue the debate on another occasion.