Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House. I too want to be associated with her words of congratulations to the Oscar nominees. It is truly remarkable that we have 14 Irish nominees spanning five films. Go háirithe, tá an-chreidiúint ag dul go Cleona Ní Chrualaoi agus go Colm Bairéad agus luaim a hiarrachtaí chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh lenár dteanga dúchais trí mheán na scannán. Huge congratulations, déanaim comhghairdeas ó chroí with them in particular.

I warmly welcome the Bill, particularly the enhancement of the National Concert Hall with regards to the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra and the three choirs that were previously with RTÉ. We are all aware of how important a role the National Concert Hall has played over many years in providing a platform for orchestral and choral performance and for soloist and classical music but huge credit is due to the National Concert Hall for how it has broadened the number of musical genres it has covered, particularly in the last decade. Senator Warfield touched on the Haunted Dancehall event that it held last October, which showcased up-and-coming electronic and experimental artists. That is music we would never expect to hear in the National Concert Hall but it was wonderful that it embraced such diversity. I applaud the National Concert Hall and urge it to do more of that into the future.

On the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir, Cór Linn agus Cór na nÓg, I am conscious that there were a lot of concerns when this was first mooted following the publication of the Boaden report. In particular, the RTÉ group of unions was concerned about their participation and with regard to the number of vacancies and funding for the orchestra in particular. There is a real sense and a greater assurance that there will be more funding, which is good to hear. It is also good to hear that the current vacancies are to be filled. I am aware, however, that there are significant management issues relating to the orchestra, which will definitely need to be ironed out if the true potential of the orchestra in the National Concert Hall is to be fully realised. It is a matter for the National Concert Hall but we cannot allow matters to escalate any further and they will have to be dealt with.

I refer to the potential of the National Symphony Orchestra. There is huge opportunity to ensure the orchestra located in the National Concert Hall can reach out to diverse and previously untouched communities that would never have had an orchestra come visit them. There are a number of striking points in the Boaden report. It states that when Ireland's public service orchestra is compared with those in other countries, there is a lack of touring opportunities and fewer occasions when people outside the main urban centres ever get to attend a live orchestral event. There is also the lack of a mandate for a required number of broadcasts per year.I would love to see the National Symphony Orchestra's remit being developed with regard to broadening the appeal of orchestral work. The redevelopment plan for Earlsfort Terrace and the National Concert Hall is very welcome. In particular there is a great opportunity to broaden even further the number of musical genres that can be accommodated in the new facility.