I would welcome increased funding for the arts from whatever quarter. There is no problem with a proliferation of funding. The funding from the private sector is very welcome and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Cothú which enables people to provide support for the arts in a professional manner.
There has been a significant increase in the level of funding for the arts even during my short time in office; the increase from the £10 million to £13.25 million is quite significant. This amount is not sufficient to enable me to do many of the other things I would like to do in this general area. I share the views of Deputies that increased funding should be made available.
On the question of study and research, the publication of the studies on which the Arts Council is engaged will clearly and unequivocally make the case that expenditure on the arts makes not only cultural sense but also very good economic sense in terms of the way the money is spent and what is achieved.