British-Irish Co-operation
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-24
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Micheál Martin (FF), Cork South-Central

Over the past five years, we have invested very significantly in the creative industries and in the arts. This Government will continue to do that. I believe passionately in the arts. The arts have a central and civilising role within society. They create opportunities for analysis, reflection, critical inquiry and diversity. It is wonderful to witness the flowering of talent and ability from generation to generation. A new generation is coming on the scene. It was fantastic to see Jessie Buckley recently being awarded a BAFTA. I also think of the success of Cillian Murphy. I am sorry; I did not mean to knock over Deputy Dooley's notes. It was just a creative flourish. The basic income scheme is a first. It has not happened in every sector but it has happened in the arts sector. Overall, we have constraints but there has been a tremendous flourishing of writers and in the worlds of drama, film and music. We need to maintain, sustain and celebrate that. Britain has always created wonderful opportunities for Irish artists. I hate using the word "market" but it provides a very important opportunity for our creative people. It is very often a testing ground before we go further afield. Our relationship with the US is also important as regards the arts.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-24/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-24