Vol. 534 No. 4
60 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if the further round of consultation she was planning on the document, Towards a New Framework for the Arts, have concluded; when she expects to produce an arts Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10707/01]
It had been my intention to facilitate a consultation seminar to debate the main themes arising in the submissions received on the discussion document, Towards a New Framework for the Arts. Arrangements for the seminar were in place on two separate occasions over the past month but, due to the foot and mouth disease situation, it had to be postponed. This decision was taken following consultation with the official expert group on foot and mouth disease in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
The review, and the development of new arts legislation, continues to be a priority and, in order not to lose valuable time, I have decided to proceed with the drafting of legislative proposals. I am, however, fully committed to undertaking further consultation with the arts sector and other interested parties and will reschedule the consultation seminar as soon as circumstances permit. I propose to bring new legislative proposals to Government for consideration before the summer.
