Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House for this. I do not know whether he is aware of this or what awareness his Department has on this issue. We know that Covid has not been the only challenge that festivals and artists have faced. I will talk about the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. Its funding had been increased by 50% in 2019, just ahead of Covid hitting. Obviously, we then had Covid and all sorts of things. My understanding, from my engagement with the team at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, is that the funding has now been cut by 100%. It has gone from an increase, pre-Covid, to absolutely and utterly no funding. Having done some research, I cannot see any other festival that has lost 100% of its funding from the Arts Council.

Obviously, this is very concerning, not just based on the fact that this is an internationally renowned festival. It is extremely popular and is held in very high regard. The Taoiseach and the Minister have attended it previously. It is considered one of the key LGBTQ playwright and theatre festivals in the world. It brings LGBT tourism into the city and creates an opportunity to give credence and voice to LGBTQ playwrights and productions that may not get that same opportunity in other countries.

Dublin Gay Theatre Festival has appealed on a number of grounds as to why its funding has been cut. It has sought answers and remedy to the situation. As far as it and I can tell, answers or information have not been forthcoming. There does not seem to be a reason to have cut this funding. It seems quite unusual to have just cut funding for no reason whatsoever, especially on something as crucial as LGBTQ issues.

I hope it is not due to the assumption that because we have marriage equality, we do not need to protect, support or enhance LGBTQ issues and voices in Ireland. I hope that is not the case. I know that some people, when we talk about LGBTQ issues, say that we have marriage equality and everything is grand.

Even if all was well, good and dandy for the LGBTQ community in Ireland, of which I am member, we could not agree that it was the same for LGBTQ communities the world over. This is an international theatre festival. It brings voices, productions and playwrights, globally, to Ireland. It is not just us gays who go to it. International LGBTQ people come to it. We could not, in good faith, say that the situation is the same the world over.

This theatre festival gives voice, credence and space to productions that would otherwise not have been produced, as far as we are aware. Certainly, a number of the people who have come to the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival previously have said they would not have had an opportunity to produce or bring forward these plays beforehand.

The festival is brilliant for tourism and bringing people to Dublin. As someone who used to work in theater, I know it is a great stomping ground. That stomping ground as a place to stretch one's play-writing experience and imagination and get international recognition is very important.

It is devastating that this funding has been lost. The people at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival do not really understand why it has been lost. No answer has been forthcoming. Is the Minister or the Department aware of this? Do they have any plans to support this vital international gay theatre festival? It is running on no money and it is not good enough that LGBTQ productions and theatre are pushed to the side again.