asked the Taoiseach whether he will consider setting up a Department or a section of a Department devoted to the promotion of the arts in all their aspects in the community.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Promotion of the Arts.
2.
It has already been announced that An Chomhairle Ealaíon is to be reorganised. Under the proposed new arrangements, each of the three main art groups, namely, the visual arts; drama and literature; and music, opera and ballet, will receive special attention with the help of additional State grants. In those circumstances, I do not consider that the setting up of a new Department or section of a Department as suggested by the Deputy will be necessary.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that this proposal is a logical extension of the attempts of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Haughey, to promote the arts in Ireland, and will he not agree that these three instruments for the promotion of his policies will be subject to the responsibility of one Minister of State or a Parliamentary Secretary?
The legislation has not yet been introduced and it will be open to the Deputy to make suggestions by way of amendment or otherwise in the course of the passage of that legislation. In the meantime, I should like to remind the Deputy that the head of the Government of the day of which he was a member, when he introduced the original legislation suggested that the original body — and, therefore, these bodies which will now replace the original body — should not be trammelled by the strictures of Civil Service procedure.