Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 3

Written Answers. - PIANO Report.

Noel Davern

Question:

18 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason there has been no action on the PIANO report since it was published on 29 January 1996; and if his attention has been drawn to the disappointment of the music community regarding the inaction. [4689/97]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I would refer the Deputy to my replies to questions on this subject on 13 November 1996, columns 1060 and 1061 of the Dáil Report for that day refer.

I should make it clear that the only recommendations contained in the PIANO report that fall within my exclusive responsibility relate to those that suggest that the national symphony orchestra should be established by law as a company limited by guarantee under an independent board answerable directly to me. I have to say that I have yet to be convinced that the implementation of these recommendations would be in the best long-term interests of the orchestra. I understand that, following my meeting with representatives of the national symphony orchestra, there have been discussions between RTE and representatives of the RTE performing groups with a view to pursuing possible options that would, having regard to the availability of resources, address the concerns of all and that these discussions are continuing.

I would hope that the outcome of these discussions will satisfactorily address issues which the recommendations in the PIANO report raised.