Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether the lack of clarity surrounding the establishment of a national opera company is proving a challenge for persons involved in opera here; the timeline for the establishment of a national opera company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8110/10]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Last December, I confirmed my intention to have a National Opera Company established. The new company will be based in Dublin but will perform opera at all scales both in Dublin and nationwide as would be expected from a national opera company.

At present, there are three Opera Companies in the State which receive annual funding from the Arts Council: Opera Ireland, Opera Theatre Company and Wexford Festival Opera. The new national company will be formed from Opera Ireland and Opera Theatre Company which between them cover much of the range of artistic work that would be expected from a national opera company. Wexford Festival Opera has a very distinct image and highly successful brand both nationally and internationally and I believe that this brand should be maintained in its present form. At present, Opera Ireland produces main-scale opera in Dublin while Opera Theatre Company produces smaller-scale opera both in Dublin and throughout the State as well as in Northern Ireland and internationally.

The process of forming the new entity is a collaborative process between my Department, Opera Ireland, Opera Theatre Company and the Arts Council. My Department is leading the process. I myself have met both opera companies on several occasions and have discussed my intentions with the Arts Council. At this juncture, the high level goals of the new company are being finalised which will be followed by the appointment of board members which should be completed by April 2010.

In the meantime, Opera Ireland and Opera Theatre Company have been awarded grants by the Arts Council to allow them to continue to operate in 2010 thus allowing work on the new company to proceed smoothly.

It is of the utmost importance that the foundation of the new company is completed both swiftly and correctly, with due consideration given to putting in place appropriate arrangements that will ensure the new company's success over the coming decades.