Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 October 2012
39. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current position and future policy regarding the funding of opera here and the relevant responsible body; his views on whether Ireland should have a National Opera Company; if he will outline the reasons for the collapse of the Irish National Opera Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42035/12]
View answerResponsibility for the promotion and funding of opera falls within the remit of the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is a statutorily independent body.
In March 2010, the then Minister appointed an interim board for Irish National Opera. The task of the interim board was to examine the legal financial, artistic, staffing and institutional structures necessary to set up an Irish national opera company. In the event, the Irish National Opera company was not incorporated, so the question of a collapse, as referred to by the Deputy, does not arise. On assuming office, I reaffirmed that the Arts Council was the body statutorily responsible for opera matters.
Opera provision by way of current expenditure over the past 5 years has amounted €18 million. In addition, the State contributed almost €31 million towards the construction of Wexford Opera House.
