Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their contributions, which I listened to with great interest. Some interesting issues were raised. Regarding Senator O'Donnell's comments, this is a question of putting a proper governance structure in place. That is important, as taxpayers' money is being invested in the National Concert Hall and it must be accountable to the taxpayer through the Minister and the Oireachtas, but it must also be allowed curatorial independence, which is at the core of the legislation.

The National Concert Hall forms an important part of Irish cultural life, with thousands of visitors going through its doors every year. It has worked hard to grow and develop the range of concerts and events that it offers to the public, providing audiences with concerts of artistic excellence and diversity while making a significant contribution to the country's cultural calendar. To the end of September this year, the hall has held a broad and engaging programme of concerts and educational and outreach activities, with 738 events attracting some 222,000 visitors. The hall's flagship international concert series brings the world's leading orchestras and classical artists to Irish audiences. Chamber music continues to form a central part of the hall's programming while concerts by Irish and international musicians and a residency for the Vanburgh String Quartet are at the heart of the offering.

The hall has prioritised investment in composers and musicians, which helps to support Irish artists and deliver new creative talent. Projects have included Shaun Davey and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's new song cycle, Nora Barnacle, which premiered on Bloom's Day, and Blood and the Moon, new songs based on Yeats's poetry to mark Yeats 2015, which premiered in September and involved Irish and international contemporary artists.

A point was made about rising young stars. Learn and Explore is Ms Bernadette Greevy's bursary for singers and was presented again in 2014, awarding a prize of €4,000 towards furthering musical development. Ms Gemma Ní Bhriain was its winner. The hall supported the Veronica Dunne international singing competition in January 2014. It also presents a rising star award. The hall hosts a wide range of concerts presented by an array of promoters from the commercial, cultural, educational and community sectors. All of this adds to the hall's vibrant and significant contribution to Ireland's cultural life, cultural tourism and economy.

As Senators will be aware, the 2016 centenary programme launched earlier this year is the centrepiece of the decade of centenaries and is a key priority for my Department. I was delighted to secure more than €48 million for this initiative and I look forward to working with communities at home and abroad to make next year memorable. A great deal of money will be spent on major capital projects, including the National Concert Hall. This will ensure a lasting legacy for the commemorations. The Kevin Barry Room at the hall is being redeveloped. It was the setting for a seminal moment in Irish history in December 1921 and January 1922, namely, the lengthy and momentous debates of the Second Dáil following the signing in London by Michael Collins and his delegation of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The restoration project will see this space brought fully into public use as a flexible 130-seat performance area, complete with the necessary acoustic treatment and sound proofing.

A point was made about the inclusion of the Irish Film Board in this legislation. The board and the hall operate in the cultural arena under my auspices. That is why I included it in the Bill.