Vol. 515 No. 3
276 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the nature of the review she will carry out of existing legislation governing the Arts Council; the way in which she will carry out this review; the timescale involved; when she will bring her proposals to Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6167/00]
In announcing last October my intention to initiate a radical review of arts legislation to get under way this year, I intimated that this review must be rooted in the recognition of the arts as an important and grow ing contributor to the economy and the general quality of life.
The arts environment has changed dramatically since the Arts Acts of 1951 and 1973 were enacted. This of itself bespeaks the need for a fundamental review of structures as does the declared intention to the Arts Council to reposition itself as a development agency for the arts. Accordingly, the review will incorporate an examination of the current policy and executive structures and their effectiveness. Work on scoping the agenda for the review and the manner for which it is to be conducted is already under way in my Department. The project will involve consultation with all the partners involved in development and support of the arts including the Arts Council, the arts sector and individual artists, State agencies and local authorities and the general public. I will draw on the outcome of this comprehensive review when formulating my proposals for amending arts legislation which I would hope to be in a position to bring to Cabinet by the end of this year.
