Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:2 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has to implement the proposals of the FORTÉ report on the future of the music industry in Ireland. [20892/97]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Priority Questions. - Music Industry.
The Deputy will be aware that the proposals in the FORTÉ report cover a very wide range of issues, many of which involve areas of responsibility relating to Government Departments and State agencies other than my own. One of the main recommendation of the FORTÉ report is that a specialist body or music board should be established to advance the interests of the music industry. I have begun dialogue with the industry to see how such a board might be best established, bearing in mind that the report, which after all was drawn up by representatives of the State sector and the industry, proposed that such a body would be a partnership to be jointly funded between the Government and the industry. This model was also proposed in the report of the Music Industry Group of IBEC on the industry, Striking the Right Note. I regard the implementation of this funding commitment by the industry as a necessary prerequisite for progress on this issue and I am concerned at recent utterances that seem to suggest the industry has moved away from this commitment. I hope to meet representatives of the IBEC Music Industry Group early in the new year to discuss the possibilities in this regard.
Other recommendations of the FORTÉ report cover areas not directly within my remit, for example issues of taxation and education. On taxation, one of the issues covered by FORTÉ was the extension of the business expansion scheme to the music industry, a measure which was introduced on 6 April 1996. The FORTÉ report recommended various modifications to this scheme to make it more amenable to the special needs of the music industry. I am not convinced the scheme has been established long enough, or that there has been sufficient take up of the scheme to justify any of the recommended modifications. The Deputy can be assured, however, that I will keep the operation of the scheme under review.
On education, officials of my Department have met officials of the Department of Education and Science to discuss the feasibility of establishing an Irish academy for the performing arts. The Deputy will appreciate that this proposal is a matter for the Minister for Education and Science as well as for the Department I represent. I am committed to the development of this important industry. The analysis and recommendations of the FORTÉ report will continue to inform my consideration of future initiatives.
I am grateful for the Minister's reply. I am confused about her intentions regarding the music board. I established PIANO to consider classical music and the orchestras and the PIANO report made recommendations on the changes necessary in education. FORTÉ is widely representative of the music industry and, therefore, I do not understand the need to go back to the people on the working group. There were many discussions on FORTÉ and a conference was held at which everybody agreed the music industry needed a lift off, as it were. We all agreed with the recommendations and proposals. Why is it necessary to go back to IBEC to hear it has removed its support for the proposal? I heard a radio report that IBEC is less enthusiastic about this matter than was the case previously. Is it the Minister's intention to set up the music board in any event and, if so, when will it be established?
I recognise the work the Minister did regarding the PIANO report. He welcomed that report, as I did in Opposition. The need for music education at primary, secondary and third level cannot be over-emphasised. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that although we have a moral obligation to push for music education within the curricula, our primary concern must come from a different angle. The music board was one of the more important recommendations of the FORTÉ report. I heard the radio interview to which the Deputy referred and I was concerned at the suggestion that the industry had moved away from a commitment to a joint venture between the State and the music industry in setting up the board. I look forward to meeting IBEC to discuss this matter and I will announce my intentions early in the new year.
I heard the assistant secretary of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands ask what recommendation in the report can be implemented to assist young people who wish to take up a career in music. The State has an obligation to establish a music board regardless of whether it is supported by IBEC. Its support would be useful and it could form part of the partnership, but the case for the setting up of a music board has not been weakened by IBEC's lack of support.
What recommendation has the Minister made to her Cabinet colleagues in this regard? As well as referring to a music board, the FORTÉ report also refers to matters which are the responsibility of the Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Finance. What proposals has the Minister made to the Minister for Finance on, for example, artists' relief or changes in the BES in advance of the Finance Bill? When that Bill is drafted the opportunity to implement that part of it will have gone. What discussions has the Minister had with FÁS, which is crucially important in facilitating young musicians?
I am sure the Minister is as concerned as I am that the PIANO and FORTÉ reports identify a huge area of the country, west of a line almost from Derry to Limerick, where there is no music education. The Minister will have my support in approaching the Department of Education and Science. The behaviour of that Department down the years has been scandalous. Will the Minister agree there is an overwhelming case for the establishment of a music board? What are the proposals for changes in the incentive scheme, directed not so much at the percentage merchants but at young musicians who are anxious to take up music? Will the Minister adopt a more vigorous approach towards the Department of Education and Science to ensure it fulfils its obligations to music education?
As regards the approach of the Department of Education and Science to music education, one of the first things I did on my appointment was set up a co-ordinating unit between my Department and the Department of Education and Science to discuss the promotion of music and arts generally within the curriculum. I assure the Deputy of my continuing concern about this matter. I said in Opposition, as I did earlier today, that we have a moral obligation as people who wish to promote the arts to ensure further emphasis on the arts, including music, within our education system, from primary through to third level.
On the Deputy's reference to the BES, I am not convinced the scheme has been established long enough or that there has been sufficient take up of the scheme to justify changes in this regard. I will continue to review its operations. I would like to see further take up of the scheme in the future.
A music board will be extremely useful and, as outlined in the FORTÉ report, it could play three roles. It could constitute a forum for the industry to devise and actively promote strategic policies, it could be of vigorous assistance to the Government and State agencies in their efforts to develop the industry and a supportive and innovative board with funds available to fund targeted initiatives and proposals. If such a board were set up it could be used to complement the work of State agencies and the private sector in providing joint ventures that would assist individuals and musical organisations.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that the music industry has been very successful, particularly for young people. For that reason in my talks with IBEC I will propose a joint approach to the industry. The FORTÉ report emphasised that a joint venture is the way forward.
The time for priority questions is exhausted, however, under Standing Orders we can take Nos. 4 and 5 under Other Questions.
I understood that questions not reached in priority time could not be carried over into the time for other questions.
We can carry over Nos. 4 and 5 but not No. 3.
Can we not agree among ourselves in that regard?
No, this is stated in Standing Orders. I stated on many occasions that Deputies should not ask omnibus supplementary questions.
While I accept it is not the Minister's fault, her two replies were comprehensive and lengthy.
Unfortunately the Chair's hands are tied by Standing Orders.
When was this changed?
The Deputy should not challenge the Chair in respect of Standing Orders. The 20 minutes for Priority Questions have passed and there is provision to take only Questions Nos. 4 and 5 under Other Questions.
I was Whip on this side of the House when this Standing Order was introduced and it is my understanding that if the time for Priority Questions was exhausted without reaching all the questions——
It was changed in 1996.