Madam, - As previous correspondents have noted, the Dáil is currently debating the Arts Bill 2002.
This bill is a technical piece of legislation that restructures both the Arts Council and the relationship between the Government and the Council. It does not, other than as a side effect, concern itself with policy on the Arts.
That is perhaps a good thing given the typical lifetime of such a bill, up to 30 years. However, since it may stand for such a long time, it is vital to get it absolutely right.
There are many things in the bill that make sense, such as introducing rolling membership of the Council, and so forth, but there are a number of worrying aspects also.
Your previous correspondent, Eve O'Kelly, focused on the requirement for the existence, of a standing committee on traditional Irish arts, to be uniquely empowered to make funding decisions - in contrast to the other permanent standing committees (Artistic Innovation, and Local Authorities in Relation to the Arts).
Many bodies in the music sector, including the traditional music sector, do not see the need for the first standing committee. Is it implying that traditional music is not innovative? If it is a good idea, then why isn't one established for all the art forms? If it is a bad idea, then why is one inflicted on the traditional arts? Why is it more important than the others?
The Department made many public consultations on this, but only invited representatives from traditional music. It then appears to have ignored the objections made by many of these representatives. There is no doubt that this restructuring will impact on other music genres (jazz, classical etc.), yet their representatives were not consulted. Having such meetings has perhaps correctly been described as "applying the veneer of democracy".
Given such a peculiar start, there is plenty of reason for unease in the wider arts sector. I hope some public debate on this page may yet influence the course of the Dáil debate on this bill. - Yours, etc.
Dr JOHN McLACHLAN,
Executive Director,
Association of Irish Composers,
c/o IMRO Copyright House,
Pembroke Row,
Dublin 2.