Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response but I am not asking that anyone directs the Arts Council to fund this festival or to change its funding system. The issue I am raising is that there seems to be no other revenue stream or way to fund this festival. The festival has gone through the appeals process and the issue is that process. The appeal is about the process, not about the decision. There is no way, as far as I can tell, for the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival to even find out why the funding has been cut. It is concerning that funding can be cut without any reason being given. That is very worrying. This festival has been running for 19 years, with 48 plays published, but now, after two decades of success, it is going to be left with nothing. This theatre festival was incredibly important, not just for Irish but for international LGBTQ theatre. It was good for queer voices and it is really important that it is supported and not left to collapse. I am just devastated to see that this is going to happen to such a brilliant festival.