Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think Senator O'Brien is trying to pull a stroke here. I had intended to speak to the motion before us but seeing as Senator Daly referred to the number of appointees, I would like to put on record that during Fianna Fáil's 14 years in government, it appointed more than 200 people to the boards of cultural institutions without any advertising or use of the Public Appointments Service.

To return to the motion, we have a lot to be thankful to our forefathers for, from the Bronze Age right up to today, as Senator O'Brien alluded to earlier. Ireland is renowned for its arts and culture all over the world. Our bards, seanchaí, ceol agus craic are famous. Our arts, culture and heritage define us as a people and shape our lives. When one goes abroad one sees how highly respected and regarded Ireland's arts and culture really are. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Arts Council and our education system for our achievements. James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, W.B. and Jack Yeats ---