Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

What the Minister has said is at odds with section 18(9) which provides that the chief executive officer may not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such a policy. I am in favour, in particular where the arts are concerned, of the maximum amount of expression. If all we need to do is comply with the PAC rules as the Minister has said, I hope we can get rid of the previous section on Report Stage. It contradicts what the theatre is about, which is free expression. Mr. Panti Bliss went to the Abbey Theatre and made his case. The feminists were there last week and made a case and that is wonderful. It is what theatre does. The earlier section is at odds with what the Minister has just said. Perhaps that matter can be examined on Report Stage.