asked the Taoiseach if the original cover for the recent annual report of the Arts Council was withdrawn and replaced by a new one; if this was done at the request of the Taoiseach's Department or any official of his Department; the cost of replacing the original cover; the reasons for it being replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arts Council Annual Report.
3.
The draft Annual Report and Accounts of An Chomhairle Ealaíon for the year 1984 was recently submitted to Government for presentation to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The proposed cover of the document was a collage of newspaper cuttings criticising Government funding of the arts without including mention of any of the positive developments which the Government have initiated to the benefit of the arts.
The Taoiseach conveyed his view regarding this imbalance personally to the chairman of the council, and the council decided to use a cover reproducing the work of an Irish artist. The cost of replacing the original cover was £1,205.
Does the Minister think that it is appropriate, particularly in relation to art, that the big stick should have been used in this way to impose the Government's views on the Arts Council? Could the cost involved in replacing this cover have been better used in the community arts projects area which is grossly under funded at the moment?
The Taoiseach advised the Chairman of the Arts Council of his views about a matter relating to his Department, as he was perfectly entitled to do. It was then a matter for the council, and they decided they would change the cover to bring it more into line with the general practice of previous years, of using the work of an Irish painter on the cover. The original cover had a serious imbalance.
Would the Minister make copies of the original available to Deputies? I understand they are becoming collectors' items and the art world in general is searching frantically for copies of the original portrait. Would the Minister acknowledge that this action by the Taoiseach and the Government is censorship in its worst and most blatant form?
A petty little act.
I do not agree that it is censorship. The Taoiseach advised the Chairman of the Arts Council of his views on a matter within the aegis of his Department. He gave his views on a matter about the cover, not on the contents of the annual report. I am aware the original cover is a collectors' item and I am pleased at the fact that it is, and that the media has not succeeded in getting hold of it so far despite frantic efforts.
Is it not an attempt to interfere with a statutory independent body?
How is it that, if the only matter referred by the Taoiseach to the chairman was the draft copy, the members of the Arts Council received copies of the report with the offending cover and that they were instructed to return those forthwith — they had new copies issued to them some weeks later? That does not seem to tally with the Minister's statement that only a draft copy had been made available to the Taoiseach's Office.
The Arts Council members were the first to receive a copy of the report. The report was submitted in the ordinary way before being laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Until such time as the report has passed through the Government, in my opinion it is a draft copy.
Is it not simply because the Arts Council wished to criticise the niggardly attitude of the Government in allocations to them that this cover of their annual report was so designed? Is it not a clear instance of stifling criticism of a State body? Can the Minister give us some indication of what sort of cover the Government would accept? Would a blank cover be preferable?
(Dún Laoghaire): They could have used the Deputy's picture.
I would not mind having my picture on it. I do not think there is anyone in the House whose picture could more appropriately be put on the cover of the Arts Council report than mine. Does the Minister give some guidelines to the artist who is designing the cover? Is there any political input into the guidelines given to the artist who is designing a cover so that it would be acceptable to the Taoiseach and the Government.
I will not enter into the question of design, though I am somewhat of an expert on that from my experience in journalism——
The Minister always was a designing sort of fellow.
It is the usual practice of the Arts Council to use a painting by a contemporary Irish painter. They have done that on this occasion and have presented a very attractive cover which, no doubt, Deputies will have seen. I do not accept the suggestion about censorship. There was a serious imbalance in the cover which was not even in conformity with the chairman's speech inside. In the circumstances the Taoiseach gave advice or his opinion to the chairman and the council changed the cover.
I wish to have question No. 4 placed on the Order Paper for tomorrow to give the Taoiseach an opportunity to reply to it.
Is the Deputy seeking permission to have the question postponed?
I am looking for permission to have it placed on tomorrow's Order Paper.
Question No. 4 postponed.