Malcolm Noonan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The craft sector in Ireland is valuable not only to our economy but also, importantly, to our international reputation. Craft practitioners and makers all over Ireland provide an invaluable contribution to our culture. Many of them are based in rural enterprises, contributing to local rural economies. They need State support. They need support from the State body that was established to do just that. I question why Design and Crafts Council Ireland would threaten legal action against its own members for putting forward constructive criticism in a feedback process sought by DCCI itself. This followed participation in an international craft exposition, Collect 2024. There is deep concern among practitioners. Many of them are based in my own county of Kilkenny but they are also all over Ireland. There is deep concern and deep fear as to the future of their sector. They have asked me to propose that we request that DCCI withdraw that legal action. The craftspeople are seeking an apology from DCCI and also ask that the Minister might intervene in some kind of mediation process. Practitioners raised valid and constructive concerns having participated in Collect 2024. This feedback process was sought by DCCI. That is the critical thing here. Not to take on board those concerns and not to help to improve future events DCCI might lead out on, particularly international trade fairs, would be to devalue the sector itself and the practitioners who rely on this for their living. I ask that the Minister, Deputy Burke, intervene to try to resolve this impasse. Perhaps he could also look at a review of DCCI in light of what has happened here. As I have said, there are significant concerns among practitioners and makers, many of whom have contributed a great deal to Ireland's economy and culture. DCCI should have an open and transparent process. If it seeks feedback on participation in an international craft fair and if valid concerns are raised as part of such a process, those concerns should be taken on board and used to provide lessons for the future. It should not be left hanging over the participants who took part.