Vol. 540 No. 3
9 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if the consultation process on the document, Towards a New Framework for the Arts, has concluded; when she expects to produce an Arts Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20313/01]
There has been an extensive level of consultation in the context of my review of the existing arts legislation. In July 2000, I published a discussion document "Towards a New Framework for the Arts", which set out in broad terms many of the issues to be addressed concerning the arts. I invited the arts sector to respond to this document and more than 230 submissions were received.
Subsequently, a consultation seminar was held in May this year, during which more than 30 key players in the arts sector were brought together in focus groups to consider in detail the issues arising regarding the legislative review, which had been brought to the fore in the submissions received. The outcome of their discussions were presented to and discussed at a plenary session, to which were invited all the 230 parties who had made submissions. Other interested individuals and organisations were also invited to this plenary session.
The views and outcomes that have emerged from this consultation process have informed my proposals, which have been approved by Govern ment for the drafting of a new Arts Bill. I am currently having discussions with the Attorney General with regard to the timetable for publishing the Bill.
The Minister indicated on 29 May that she hoped to bring her proposals to Government in the coming weeks. I compliment her on having met that target. Will the Minister state if the heads are now agreed and can she give some indication as to when the legislation is likely to be published? Will it be published in the next Dáil session?
I thank the Deputy for recognising that I have kept to the timetable. The heads have been approved by the Government. I hope to publish the Bill soon. It is one of the Bills that I hope will be discussed in the next term of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
I thank the Minister for her reply. Will she indicate if the Bill will make any radical departures? What new issues will it address?
I recognise Deputy O'Shea's great interest in the matter, but I do not think he expects me to discuss the legislation before its publication. The submissions that were made to me from all the groups and individuals covered the full range of concerns of arts legislation. The legislation will reflect that and will serve as a comprehensive analysis of the direction we are taking.
