A deep division in traditional arts over a proposed new State funding mechanism for the sector was exposed yesterday at a Joint Oireachtas Committee.
Key figures in the traditional arts argued strongly both for and against the establishment of a new standing committee with funding powers for the sector, as proposed under the Arts Bill.
Ms Katie Verling, director of the Ennis-based Glór Irish Music Centre, described the move as "both divisive and patronising". She asked why traditional arts should be singled out when other sectors such education in the arts might be deserving of a standing committee.
Mr Tom Sherlock, who manages a number of traditional music acts, supported this view, saying there was "grave disquiet" among the majority of people in the sector about the motivation for the move.
In a thinly veiled reference to the director-general of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, who is a member of the Oireachtas Committee, Mr Sherlock said the Bill did not preclude sitting Senators or TDs from serving on the standing committee, and this was a matter of concern for many in the sector.
However, Mr John Deaton of Comhaltas said it would be "unthinkable" if one organisation dominated the committee, and it was not seeking that. The committee, he stressed, was a "compromise", which Comhaltas found to be acceptable despite it falling short of the organisation's initial demand for a separate traditional arts council.
He said it would provide an artistic space to the sector "that has been denied to us" by the Arts Council, which had devoted just 1 per cent of its budget to traditional arts.
Mr Jim McAllister, chairman of Comhaltas's Clontarf branch, highlighted difficulties in meeting the Arts Council's criteria for funding. "If Riverdance had gone to the Arts Council they wouldn't have fitted a category either," he remarked.
Ms Fiona O'Malley TD (PDs) said she was "very worried" about the proposed new regime, saying she felt the best way to get transparency was to keep on the current track. The standing committee did amount to a separate traditional arts council and she questioned whether it was a good idea to legislate for this as it might take 30 years to change.
Among the others speakers in favour of the proposal were Prof Dáithí Ó hÓgáin of UCD and Mr Garry Shannon of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. Among those against were Mr Terry Moylan of Na Píobairí Uilleann and Mr Nicholas Carolan of the Irish Traditional Music Archive. The Arts Council will testify next week.
