Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ó Domhnaill is right, as every Government from the foundation of the State and the creation of State boards has done exactly the same. The Senator is correct that the practice is wrong. I am glad this Government has been forced by public opinion to change the system, although not of its own volition. Public opinion led to the change of the corrupt system, and that is why we would welcome such changes.
I welcome the Minister's commitment to the arts and her acknowledgement that funding for the sector has been considerably reduced over the past number of years because of the economic position. I will pick up one point which I hope the Minister can follow through. She indicated:

The arts are for everyone and I am very aware of the great work done by arts officers in local authorities throughout the country. I want to work closely with them in bringing the arts to communities.

In my county of Leitrim, we have several wonderful arts centres. There is the Glens Centre at Manorhamilton and the Corn Mill Theatre, a national award-winning theatre group in Carrigallen, which is on the Cavan border and close to the Minister's constituency. There is also the famous Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon. All of these are funded, to a large extent, by the local authority as well as the Arts Council, unlike many of the 60 to 70 arts centres across the country funded almost exclusively by the Arts Council. The Dock receives approximately €25,000 or €30,000. Most local authorities will be facing into a very tough estimates meeting, as everybody knows. Although conditions are changing, thanks be to God, there will still be a considerable shortfall.
I am confident the Minister will use her lofty position to try to ensure that when discussion arises around the Cabinet table about the block grant to local authorities, the arts will not be forgotten. I know the Minister cannot in any way direct county managers or locally elected representatives to decide budgets but I hope a message will be sent out to ensure budgets are not cut any further, as they are really at breaking point.