Vol. 520 No. 1
370 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will, as a matter of urgency, appoint a person from Waterford on the planning and steering group for the proposed Academy for the Performing Arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14910/00]
The planning and steering group for the Irish Academy for the Performing Arts was set up on 27 January 2000, in order to develop, advise on, facilitate and monitor the process of establishing the proposed Academy for the Performing Arts.
The steering group is chaired by Dr. Danny O'Hare, former President of Dublin City University. It has representatives drawn from my Department, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, the Department of Finance, the Higher Education Authority, third level institutions, the Arts Council and bodies providing professional education and training in music, dance and drama.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is necessary to limit the membership of the group in order to ensure its effective and efficient operation and accordingly it is not possible to accede to his request. However, I can assure the Deputy that, as part of its work, the group will consult widely with all interested parties.
