Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for national opera provision in view of reports of an amalgamation and if a new national opera company will be established in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47610/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I believe that Ireland should have its own National Opera Company. In this regard, it is my intention to establish a National Opera Company based in the capital. I intend that over the coming months my Department, supported by the Arts Council, Opera Theatre Company and Opera Ireland, will drive the process which will culminate in the formation of this new national company. Plans for the formation of this new venture are now moving ahead apace. I am in discussions with the Chairs of the two companies involved, together with the Chair of the Arts Council, to advance the realisation of this ambition. The technical funding of opera will remain unchanged in 2010. This means that the opera companies will receive their allocations from the Arts Council as they did in 2009. For the September 2010/September 2011 season, my Department will fund the new National Opera Company.