Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 1

Written Answers. - Music Industry Development.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

12 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the response, if any, he has given to the proposals of the music and recording industry in Ireland and particularly the recommendations of the industry. [8538/96]

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

18 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht when it is intended to establish the proposed national music board; the board's proposed remit with regard to the development of popular music; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9185/96]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

31 D'fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Cultúir agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nár ainmníodh ionadaí o Chomhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann, ar an FORTE musical task force; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [7069/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. Carey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 18 and 31 together.

The Irish Business and Employer Confederation, IBEC, music industry group report Striking the Right Note makes recommendations in relation to the music industry. In addition, Deputies will be aware that in May 1995 the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht established a special task force on the music industry, FORTE, to examine the scale and structure of the industry so as to identify any factors that may be inhibiting its further development and measures that could accelerate its expansion. FORTE's report is due to be submitted shortly and, taking account of both reports, it will then be possible to consider their recommendations and decide on any initiatives that might serve to further the development of the music industry.

The IBEC report recommends that a specially designated body or music board should be established to provide a focus for future initiatives in the music area. I understand that FORTE has also been considering the merits of this possibility and will be discussing it in its final report. Until its report has been received and studied, I am not in a position to say whether such a board would be of assistance to the overall strategy of ensuring that all the cultural industries are developed to their maximum potential.

I draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht has already been able to respond to some of the recommendations in the IBEC report and the interim report from FORTE on the subject of taxation. The 1996 Finance Bill proposes that, effective from 6 April 1996, the BES tax incentive be extended to investment in the production, publication, marketing and promotion of new artists' studio recordings and associated videos, subject to a detailed certification process. Draft guidelines for the implementation of the scheme have been drawn up and are being discussed with the Minister for Finance. These discussions are at an advanced stage and the guidelines should be available in the near future. The extension of the BES to the music industry will help increase investment in the area of new and emerging talent — the lifeblood of the industry.

Maidir le ballraíocht FORTE. Táim sásta go bhfuil trasghearradh daoine i gceist a bhfuil sé de chumas iontu labhairt le heolas agus le taithí faoi ghnéithe uile an tionscail cheoil. Is féidir liom a dhearbhú go bhfuilim ag súil leis go mbeidh na moltaí a thiocfaidh ó FORTE ábhartha agus oiriúnach d'fhonn na saghasanna ceoil uile atá mar chuid den tionscal ceoil in Éirinn — ceol traidisiúnta ina measc — a fhorbairt tuilleadh.

Ní miste a lua gur lorgaigh FORTE aighneachtaí ó na páirtithe leasmhara uile trí fhógraí a chuir iAnois, Saol, LÁ, The Irish News, The Belfast Telegraph, Hot Press agus sna nuachtáin náisiúnta le linn dá scrúdú a bheith ar siúl acu.