Coghlan supports Minister Deenihan’s approach to the Arts

Fine Gael Kerry Senator and Seanad Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan, has voiced his support for the approach to the Arts being taken by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan. Senator Coughlan was speaking in the Seanad today (Thursday) during a Private Members Motion on the issue, put forward by the Independent group of Senators.

“Our cultural institutions are of major importance to our national heritage. This is a fact fully recognised and supported by this Government, and by Minister Deenihan. We value and invest in the Arts. It’s worth noting, for example, that the Abbey Theatre receives one tenth of the Department’s capital budget and one ninth of the Arts Council’s budget.

“But the reality is we need to streamline our public service in a thoughtful, rational and considered way. The Minister has taken an approach of consultation and engagement with all of the cultural institutions involved. He has also examined models of administration, management and governance in the cultural sector in the U.K., the U.S.A. and Europe.

“There is no question of curatorial and programming independence being compromised here. In fact, the Minister has guaranteed the institutions will remain fully independent in this regard. He merely is talking about rationalising back office administrative functions.

“Many of the institutions have individual marketing and human resources departments, while institutions also purchase things – such as insurance or printing services – which may, if pooled, drive total spending down over time.

“The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht funds many institutions; not by as much as the Minister would like, but as much as he can. This year, our cultural institutions and bodies will receive more than €47 million.

“In this Minister, we have a safe pair of hands and who has operated with an open door policy at all times; and he has promised he will continue to do so. Minister Deenihan is determined to ensure that our cultural institutions can maximise the funding they receive from taxpayers and be equipped to deal with the range of challenges which will arise in the future. I have full confidence in him in this regard.”