Madam, - We recognise that there is a downturn in Ireland's economy. We accept that, as a result, all Government Departments must look much more stringently at their expenditure, trying more than ever to get value for their limited resources.
For this very reason we would strongly advocate that the Government should follow through their own National Arts Plan 2002-2006 which will offer the Arts Council the security of long -term funding and the ability to manage their funding effectively.
Money given to the arts is not, as may be perceived, an extravagance to be indulged in only when times are good and money plentiful, it offers the country a good economic investment in two main areas.
Firstly, it raises the Irish international profile and prestige which has a real and tangible return through tourism and commercial development. Without the funding to plan and develop, the financial reality is that it is impossible to run theatre companies or to put on the shows, exhibitions and festivals that are such an integral part of modern Irish life. These are the very events that Fáilte Ireland is selling to visitors to encourage them to come and spend their money here.
Secondly, investment in the arts is highly efficient for the Exchequer. The companies and artistes who receive finance live and work here. The money stays within the economy, and will in the short, as well as long term, end up back with the Exchequer through taxation.
Without actors, dancers, musicians, painters and artists performing and creating, our cultural identify as well as our economy will be damaged now and in the future.
The Government must adhere to its own Plan. - Yours, etc.,
EMMA CORCORAN, General Manager, Association of Professional Dancers of Ireland (APDI), JANE BRENNAN, Associated Theatre Artists (ATA), VINNY MCCABE, President, Irish Actors Equity, TANIA BANOTTI, Theatre Forum, 67 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1.