Vol. 415 No. 9
18 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach if he will consider the amendment of the definition of art as included in the Arts Acts to extend the definition to include, (a) dance, (b) photography and (c) film and film production; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There has been no difficulty for the Arts Council under the existing definition in the Arts Acts in dealing with the three areas of dance, photography and film to which the Deputy refers. Amending legislation is not, therefore, required.
Having welcomed the Minister of State a moment ago, I am now not sure whether I was perhaps a little previous in that. Nonetheless, I am profoundly disappointed with the Minister's answer. When the Minister has settled into office he might take time to review the position. While the Arts Council might be happy with their remit for the moment, the arts community are certainly very disturbed. I ask the Minister to at least undertake to review the definition contained in the legislation, which is extremely limiting and excludes the forms presented here. Does the Minister of State know that the exclusion of dance, for instance, has led the Arts Council not to support that form of cultural and arts activity in recent years — and that is not to mention the shreds that the film industry is in.
I shall have to deal now with priority questions in accordance with Standing Orders.
One minute, a Cheann Comhairle?
I am sorry, I am coming to priority questions and the House should realise that. Fifteen minutes have been set aside for this purpose and that is all that remains to the House.
