Vol. 518 No. 1
42 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Barrett den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán cén plean atá aici faoi chur ar bun na leabharlainne do cheol digiteach atá luaite sa phlean rialtais; an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas faoi fhorbairt an phlean i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina leith. [10927/00]
153 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Kenny den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán cén plean atá aici chun bord ceoil a bhunú ag éirí as tuarascáil FORTE; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11032/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 153 together.
The report of the FORTE task force recommended that a music board be established to promote and develop the indigenous music industry. I am pleased to advise that agreement has been reached with the music industry representatives under the auspices of IBEC to jointly fund a non-statutory Music Board of Ireland for an initial period of three years to further promote the industry. Discussions are continuing in relation to specific details about the establishment of the board. It is envisaged that the Music Board of Ireland will be in place by mid-summer 2000.
The function of the interim Music Board of Ireland is to act as a forum for the industry, to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the music industry and the maximisation of its contribution to the national economy. It will also draw up proposals for legislation to establish the board on a statutory footing. I have indicated in reply to previous parliamentary questions on this matter that the issue of the provision of digital music libraries would best be considered within the framework of such a board. Once the Music Board of Ireland is in place its terms of reference will enable the provision of such a forum for the consideration of issues such as the provision of digital music libraries.
Dúirt an tAire Stáit le gairid go raibh neart Gaeilge ag an Aire Rialtais. Níor mhiste léi an an cheist a fhreagairt as Gaeilge anyway. My question refers specifically to the digital library. Can I take it that, given the circumstances which now apply, setting up the board on an interim basis, which I welcome, leading to a statutory board by legislation, we are quite a distance away from the establishment of a library of digital music? How long does the Minister envisage the interim board being in place and when does she expect legal effect will be given to the establishment of a statutory board? Will its remit specifically include setting up a library such as was referred to in the Government plan?
I envisage this non-statutory music board will be in place for three years. Part of its remit will be to consider the necessity for legislation to make it statutory. It is important to proceed with the establishment of the board because a good deal of work needs to be done, not least on the issue of digital libraries, to which the Deputy referred. I did not dream up this. Indepth research was conducted and the FORTE report recommended the establishment of a music board to promote the development of the indigenous music industry. It proposed a joint initiative between the Department and IBEC. This has been agreed and we are awaiting the conclusion of the final considerations. The music board should be in operation by mid-summer this year. It will be responsible for dealing with the issues in our programme for Government. This is another commitment in the programme for Government which has been delivered on by this Department.
Is a figure for IBEC's sponsorship available? Has a chairman been appointed to the interim board? Will the board have a remit in the establishment of chairs of music in the national universities? For example, NUI Galway does not have a chair of music.
The board will be jointly funded. The initial cost will be £300,000, which will be shared equally by IBEC and the Department. To allay the fears of the Opposition, £150,000 has been made available in the Department's 2000 Estimate. The Exchequer portion will not be more than 50% of the board's budget in any given year. The IBEC music industry group put forward certain names for chairman and consult with me. I will then decide on the appointment of chairman. As regards chairs of music in universities, we must ensure this initiative promotes music commercially rather than academically. I do not believe, therefore, that the input of universities to which the Deputy referred will be an appropriate matter for the music board. However, that will be for the members of the board to decide when it is up and running.
