asked the Taoiseach if he has any plans to publish a White Paper on the Arts in Ireland which would outline Government policy on the role of the arts in Irish life and the contribution which a vibrant arts sector could make to our society and economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arts In Ireland.
4.
I have no plans at present to publish a White Paper on the lines suggested by the Deputy. My priorities in relation to the development of the arts were indicated by me on 29 November last in reply to a parliamentary question put down by Deputy Spring.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the previous Coalition Government published an excellent White Paper on the Arts which is available within his Department? It marks out a complete and absolute charter for the future of the Arts, and all that is needed is for us to implement the various provisions contained therein.
At no time in the history of this State has so much been done for the Arts and artists than under this Government and its immediate predecessor. For instance, this year the Arts Council will receive over £8 million compared with £7 million the previous year and we hope to assist them in the same way next year. Over the whole artistic spectrum there is progress, development and movement.
(Limerick East): The last of the Medicis.
There is also creativity.
(Interruptions.)
I have not finished, Deputy. One could say there is an outburst of cultural creativity in Ireland today.
The Taoiseach is a good actor himself.
Would the Taoiseach accept that this outburst of cultural creativity comes directly from the groundwork laid by me when I was Minister of State in the Department, in fact I did so much that the Fianna Fáil Government found it unnecessary to appoint a successor? Would he also accept that extra funding is available for the Arts Council — I am not so sure about this, I have looked at the Estimates — because of the availability of national lottery funds? It should be remembered that the previous Coalition Government established the national lottery.
And the Taoiseach opposed it in 1985.
I have often paid tribute to the Deputy for the small amount he was able to achieve within the appalling constraints placed upon him by a miserly Government, and in particular by a miserable Minister for Finance. Within those very restrictive constraints the Deputy made a few improvements and achieved a little——
The Taoiseach would qualify as a yellow journalist.
——but I am sure the Deputy would in turn admit that there is a great blossoming of the arts at present under the benign jurisdiction of this Government.
Question No. 5.
Under the benign jurisdiction, without any motivation or direction from the centre——
Please, Deputy, I have called Question No. 5.