Vol. 511 No. 2
8 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the form the proposed review of arts legislation will take in view of the commitment contained in the review of An Action Programme for the Millennium; when the Arts Act, 1953, will be updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23690/99]
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a radical review of the arts legislation. It is my considered view that the time is right to have a fundamental examination of the arts Acts which have provided the legislative framework for the development and support of the arts in Ireland since 1951. The arts environment has changed dramatically in the decades since the first arts legislation was enacted in 1951 and, indeed, since the more recent legislation in 1973. The Arts Council's second arts plan, which was adopted by Government this summer, signals a radical change in the council's approach and outlines its intention to become a development agency for the arts.
The review I am proposing will embrace these changes and will be undertaken in the broadest possible terms. It will examine the current policy and executive structures and their effectiveness in developing and supporting the arts. It will also look at the effectiveness of the legislation and support structures that have been adopted in other countries. The review will be undertaken in consultation with all the partners involved in the development and support of the arts in Ireland, including the Arts Council itself, local authorities, arts organisations and individual artists as well as the general public. The results of this radical review will inform the development of new legislation for the arts.
The review process will begin in January. I have established a working group in my Department to work on the processes which need to be put in place from January to fulfil the requirement for a full and radical review of the arts legislation.
I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. Could she be more specific on the major deficits she has identified in the arts legislation? What particular aspects of the legislation are now effectively defunct in the sense that they are not achieving the objectives she would like to see achieved?
I am sure the Deputy will agree that there has been a tremendous change in the attitude towards, and involvement in, the arts over the past ten years. There has been an explosion of interest in the arts and we must examine our current structures and legislation to see how we can best approach the commitment which exists. We must consider how we can deliver the best possible service in terms of the supports needed.
The Arts Council made a very direct statement in its second arts plan in regard to its intention to become a developmental agency for the arts. It now identifies a different emphasis to that which existed when the council was set up in 1951. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the council—
Fifty years of glory.
—it is important that we avail of this opportunity to examine all of the structures which exist, some of which have worked very well. However, we want to ascertain where difficulties exist and where improvements can be made.
Will the Minister ask the review group to focus on a difficulty which has arisen in my own constituency? The Arts Council has not been able to make any financial contribution to the Waterford Festival of Light Opera which the Minister will agree is a very important event. The reason given is that, since the festival is a competition, it cannot be funded by the Arts Council. Although I understand where that thinking comes from, the Waterford festival and other important events throughout the country should not be excluded from funding for that reason.
The Deputy will appreciate that the Arts Council is independent of the Department in its approach to its work. It is only proper that the council operates at arm's length from the Minister and the Department. That is what the council was established to do in 1951 and that remains the situation today.
I appreciate the points raised by the Deputy. The Arts Council is a very important body in the delivery of support to the arts sector but it is only one element of the review of the arts Acts. I look forward to hearing the views of any Members of this House or of the public on how they would like to see particular issues being progressed.
I want to ask the Minister three questions.
The Deputy should be brief. The time for this question has almost expired.
I will be brief. Is the Minister confirming that the new remit of the Arts Council will be as a developmental agency as distinct from an agency which awards grants? Is she satisfied that the Arts Council can continue to function properly given the serious underlying tensions which exist between the directorate and the board and between the council and the Department? Members of this House are politically castrated because they cannot ask questions about the National Gallery, National Museum or the Arts Council. While I respect the independence of these organisations, does the Minister agree that they should be answerable for their actions to the Oireachtas Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language? Does she agree that those bodies should come before the committee once a year to answer for decisions taken without in any way interfering with their independence?
We have exceeded the time for this question and must proceed to Question No. 9.
This is a very important matter.
Unfortunately the Chair's hands are tied. The Chair cannot alter or amend Standing Orders.
The Minister wants to answer my questions.
The Deputy should take up the matter with the committee which lays down the rules on these matters.
This is ridiculous. We are sent in to this House with a remit—
We have gone way over time on this question. I call Question No. 9.
The Minister wants to answer.
The Chair must apply Standing Orders. The Deputy should resume his seat. He should contact his representative on the Committee on Procedures and Privileges about getting the rules changed. Until such time as that happens, the Chair must apply the rules.
This is absolutely ridiculous.
The Deputy should not be disorderly. Time limits on questions are a long established practice. The Deputy should consult his Whip. I have called Question No. 9.
The Ceann Comhairle is blocking the Minister from replying.
That is an unfair allegation and should be withdrawn. The Chair is abiding by the rules of the House.
The Ceann Comhairle has the discretion to be slightly flexible.
I was slightly flexible but we have far exceeded that flexibility.
