Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have been receiving many letters in recent weeks from people in the music industry who are absolutely devastated and worried about what is happening to the industry. I will read out one letter that I received late last night which really sums up what is going on for people in the industry. It states:

Dear Senator Black,

I'm writing to appeal to you, to the Seanad and to the Minister, Catherine Martin, to support the live working musicians of this country, in this very unsure time.

I'm a full time working folk musician, and most of my earnings have come from overseas over the past few years with international touring as a cultural ambassador of Ireland - promoting Irish culture, songs and history as part of my repertoire.

With the current restrictions I have not been able to work for 14 months, and with the looming cut-off date of the PUP I'm asking the Minister to put in place a solid plan for musicians to go back to work. We've been told "no live music", we've done what we've been told - we stayed home. We haven't worked, we haven't sought-out work, we've listened, waiting for guidance from our Minister. Waiting for life to start again.

Why then ... is there concerts happening in different venues all over the country - including actual indoor Tourism, Culture and Gaeltacht events just this last weekend.

We need to have clarity as to what is allowed - can we perform now? Is it okay to go back on the road?

I want to express how much anxiety this is bringing me, with the unknown, with the looming possible dates for causing the PUP. I'm worried about paying my rent. I'm worried about paying my car insurance, and I'm worried I won't be able to afford my internet phone bill, which will put me off again from the world, even more than I am today, with no work and no idea as to when we are officially back.

For us musicians - as the cultural ambassadors for our nation, we feel forgotten, we are confused, and we are deeply hurt by the lack of communication from the Minister and the Department. The anxiety is at the highest level, not knowing where we stand and when we might go back to work. My friends/colleagues, are selling their instruments, and it's becoming regular to know musicians who have taken their own lives due to the stress of everything and the lack of support and information.

Musicians are also the first to be called upon to step up to give our services for free to raise money for under-funded charities. Musicians are always the first to step up.

Musicians who perform for tourists all over the country are the foot soldiers of our culture, keeping music alive in the toughest of arenas, playing and performing in the smallest of corners, the loudest of pubs, keeping our culture alive.

These "test" events are not helpful for us who do this every day - it is like "The Hunger Games", only the top most popular musicians are being looked after. We need clear guidance and information, and for the Minister to talk directly to the musicians and the events industry of Ireland. We're calling on the Minister to ensure the PUP is in place for musicians until 2022, and we need information to save our mental health as this anxiety will kill our culture and kill our souls and our spirits, and ourselves. Please, please help us.

Your sincerely ...

I have to ask that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Mediacome before the House to give an update on what is happening and that she do so sooner rather than later. She must come to the House and outline the measures that will be taken to safeguard the livelihoods of the hundreds of musicians who contribute to the culture of this country and are essential to the revival of the tourist and entertainment industries.

I want to quickly express my solidarity and well wishes for Thursday's Second Stage debate in the Dáil on the very important Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill. It is essential that we see this Bill supported and passed to make the teaching of Traveller culture and history mandatory in schools and will be steps to prevent persistent discrimination against Travellers in Ireland.