Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)

I add my voice of welcome to the ambassador. It was lovely to meet her earlier. We had an opportunity to discuss the collaboration between the University of Limerick and Luxembourg. My nephew, Joe O'Loughlin, participated in that last year and spent six wonderful months in Luxembourg. What really got his attention was the free public transport. When he returned he asked why we could not do that in Ireland.

Today is world music day. In honour of that, and in an ironic way, I will speak about the harp, our national instrument and emblem. As we know, the harp is a symbol of Ireland because it was always held in such high regard. Harpists were also held in high regard. In ancient times, the chieftains of tribes and clans would travel, bringing their own harpists with them. We know it became a symbol when Eoghan Rua Ó Néill went into battle against the English in 1642. It then became a part of the Leinster arms, which it still is. It was used by the United Irishmen. Since 1922, it has come to represent Ireland. It is used on passports, coins and official documents and seals. It is part of the coat of arms of Ireland. We are all, of course familiar with O'Carolan being a much renowned and revered harpist. The presence of the harp in Ireland dates back over a thousand years.

Ballyfermot College of Music runs an excellent two-year course which awards a higher national diploma in traditional Irish music performance and a traineeship in instrument making, repair and maintenance. The course includes not just tuition and workshops, but also provides opportunities to perform and record and accepts 15 people a year. I am sad to say that, as of yesterday, the course has been cancelled. The harp and uilleann pipes have been recognised by and received funding from UNESCO. We need to pause the cancellation of the course. At the very least, we need an evaluation. I would like to see it continue. I understand many wish to continue with that and there is always a waiting list. I ask that the Seanad make a point in this regard and bring the Minister to the House to discuss it.

Many of my colleagues have raised the issue of those working in Oireachtas broadcasting. Yet again, they seem to be pushed back. It is important that we all make a stand and say that we want this issue to be raised with the commission by all of those who represent us.