Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - Music Board.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

72 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps, if any, taken or envisaged by her to fulfil the commitment made in An Action Programme for the Millennium to establish digital music libraries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6900/99]

Jack Wall

Question:

101 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps, if any, taken or envisaged by her to fulfil the commitment made in An Action Programme for the Millennium to attract performing artists to live in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6901/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhir 72 agus 101 le chéile.

The matters referred to by the Deputies are identified as key priorities in relation to the arts in the programme for Government – An Action Programme for the Millennium. The report of the FORTE task force recommended that a music board should be established to promote and develop the indigenous music industry. I have indicated in replies to previous parliamentary questions relating to these matters that these issues would best be considered within the frame work of such a board. I am pleased to advise that agreement has been reached with the music industry representatives under the auspices of IBEC to jointly fund a music board to further promote the industry. At the present time my Department is investigating the most suitable structure that would enable the board to be formally established on a non-statutory basis initially. Once the board is in place, I believe its terms of reference will enable the provision of such a forum for the consideration of issues such as the provision of music libraries and the potential of attracting performing artists to live in Ireland.