Vol. 252 No. 5
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any change is proposed in the policy of Bord Fáilte regarding the making of contributions towards the expenses of running festivals such as the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera; and, if so, if he will make a statement in the matter.
4.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power what the position is in regard to the subsidisation of festivals by Bord Fáilte in the present year.
5.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any change is envisaged in 1971 in the policy of Bord Fáilte of making grants to festival committees such as the Cork Film Festival Committee; and, if so, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 4 and 5 together.
Grants for festivals are made from Bord Fáilte's annual grant-in-aid for administration, promotional and marketing activities. The grants are made at the discretion of the board in the light of funds available, the value of particular events to tourism and the number of competing projects for grant assistance. I am informed by the board that there has been no change in their criteria in relation to financial support for festivals and that grants have been paid to Waterford International Festival of Light Opera and the Cork Film Festival in the current financial year. The board will not be able to finalise their budget for 1971-72 until their grant-in-aid has been settled. This allocation will be fixed very shortly. When notifying them of the allocation, I propose to draw their attention to the desirability of continuing support for festivals.
Is the Minister aware that local festivals have become a fundamental part of our entire tourism development programme in recent years and that it is the last straw if there is any intention of cutting down on these subventions? May I take it that the Minister agrees with this and that he will do everything possible to ensure that these festivals, which are an outstanding example of voluntary local community effort, will be continued?
I thought I spelled out in my reply precisely what I am doing and it is on all fours with what the Deputy is suggesting.
Would the Minister say if the grant will be given this year to the Cork Film Festival?
I will repeat what I said. This allocation will be fixed very shortly and when notifying Bord Fáilte of the allocation. I propose to draw their attention to the desirability of continuing support for festivals. That includes all festivals.
Would not the Minister agree that if they do not get sufficient money they cannot continue to run the festival?
The Deputy and the House can be assured that this will be done.
The Minister always says what suits the audience at the particular time.
Why has a crux arisen this year?
No crux has arisen. The Deputy will be aware that every year at this stage the financial allocations are prepared for the various Government Departments. This is in course of being done at this point of time and the Deputy and the House will be made fully aware of the position very, very shortly.
We are all relieved to have the Minister's assurance.
"Live horse."
I wonder if the Minister will make the board aware of the fact that those engaged in the running of international festivals have to enter into commitments much longer than 12 months ahead and they would want sufficient warning, not a month, or six months, but a couple of years warning.
In answer to Deputy Healy, who has been most persistent in his inquiries in this matter——
A vote of thanks.
——the bodies concerned will be made fully aware of the position by Bord Fáilte very shortly.
Is the Minister aware that Waterford Festival Committee have been told informally that they will not get a grant this year? Is he aware they will be unable to undertake this year's festival if a grant is not forthcoming? Is he further aware that it is essential that this festival, like all other festivals, be supported by the Government?
Waterford Festival of Light Opera have not been so informed and will be informed by Bord Fáilte in a reasonably favourable way very shortly.
Question No. 6. We cannot discuss this question all evening.
May I ask one supplementary? Is the Minister aware that the Director of Bord Fáilte at the opening of the Dublin Theatre Festival indicated they may not be able to give any further financial assistance?
There is no question of financial assistance not being available to festivals this year but it is proper that all in responsible positions in public life should issue appropriate warning in time.
Did the Minister promise the Festival of Kerry on Saturday night that they would get their normal grant?
The rose is fading more and more.
I do not promise things.
What about the £3,000 to Wexford harbour?
I am calling Question No. 6.
The House will be very happy very shortly in all this. Why this barrage of comment at this point of time when, in fact, the whole matter will be settled very shortly?
