Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Senator's interest in that contest, but we would have the debate in the context of our society.

Senator Warfield raised the issue of the importance of the Arts Council of Ireland. I did not know that this matter of the productivity of artists was being put forward. The Senator's presentation of the Colm Tóibín piece was a very good example of members of the arts community going through fallow phases, if that is the right phrase to use. It certainly poses a good question in terms of productivity and what a positive and productive outcome is. That is something that we need to look at and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House in that regard.

I will take Senator Ó Clochartaigh's amendment and I would be happy to take Senator Ruane's Bill next week, but I will not be accepting the other amendments.