Dáil Éireann
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Vol. 977 Wednesday, No. 5 16 January 2019 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) 16/01/2019A00100Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 537 16/01/2019A00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 537 16/01/2019A00250Abbey Theatre � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 537 16/01/2019C00800An Teanga Gaeilge � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 542 16/01/2019D00500Hare Coursing Regulation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 544 16/01/2019E00100Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 546 16/01/2019E00200Film Industry � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 546 Insert Date Here 16/01/2019E01000Legislative Reviews � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 548 16/01/2019F00600Heritage Promotion� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 549 16/01/2019G00200Gorse Burning � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 551 16/01/2019G01000Heritage Promotion� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 553 16/01/2019J00350National Orchestras � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 556 16/01/2019K00100Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 558 16/01/2019N00500Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 567 16/01/2019R01100Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 577 16/01/2019R01200Cabinet Committee Meetings � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 577 16/01/2019S00700Taoiseach’s Meetings and Engagements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 581 16/01/2019U00600Taoiseach’s Communications � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 585 16/01/2019W00200Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 589 16/01/2019CC00100Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 590 16/01/2019CC00200Foreign Policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 590 16/01/2019DD00300Housing Issues� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 593 16/01/2019EE00400National Children’s Hospital � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 596 16/01/2019FF01400International Conventions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 599 16/01/2019HH00200Nurses and Midwives: Motion [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 602 16/01/2019VV00100Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Referral to Select Committee� � � � � � � � � � � � � 634 16/01/2019ZZ00100Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Order for Report Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 643 16/01/2019AAA00100Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 643 16/01/2019HHH00900Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Order for Report Stage� � � � � � � � � � � 658 16/01/2019HHH01200Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) (No� 2) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages � � � � � � � � � � 658 16/01/2019OOO00100Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 668 16/01/2019UUU00400Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � 681 16/01/2019VVV00100National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Order for Second Stage � � � � � � 682 16/01/2019VVV00500National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � 682 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 16 Eanáir 2019 Wednesday, 16 January 2019 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10�30 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 16/01/2019A00100Ceisteanna - Questions 16/01/2019A00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 16/01/2019A00250Abbey Theatre 16/01/2019A0030034� Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to address concerns raised by more than 300 Irish artists about the Abbey Theatre; and if she will make a statement on the matter� [1719/19] 16/01/2019A0040035� Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the letter written by 300 artists about the future of the Abbey Theatre. [1696/19] 16/01/2019A0050037� Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gael- tacht if her attention has been drawn to the major difficulties in the theatre, film and arts sectors in terms of insecure employment income and career possibilities in view of the controversy in a theatre (details supplied) and a recently launched campaign by actors and performers with regard to precarious work and ongoing disputes related to insecure employment in the film in- dustry; the actions she plans to take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter� [2004/19] 16/01/2019A00600Deputy Niamh Smyth: What plans does the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gael- tacht have to address concerns raised by more than 300 Irish artists about the Abbey Theatre? 16/01/2019A00700Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): I pro- pose to take Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 37 together. 537 Dáil Éireann On 7 January I received a letter signed by over 300 theatre practitioners� It raised the con- cerns of the practitioners about the direction taken by the Abbey Theatre in the past two years. I have huge respect for the theatre practitioners who wrote to me and celebrate the extent and depth of the talent encompassed by the totality of the signatories. While the correspondence from the theatre practitioners raises concerns about the changing artistic model at the Abbey Theatre, I understand more positive outcomes from the changes have also been recognised. I acknowledge the concerns raised by the practitioners, while at the same time recognising the Abbey Theatre’s need for artistic freedom to strike a balance in its programming. I also recog- nise the necessity for a strong working relationship between theatres and theatre practitioners which is vital for the continued success of theatre in this country. The Abbey Theatre and all theatre practitioners are a central part of our national culture. Therefore, I take the concerns of the practitioners very seriously� I have been informed that the Abbey Theatre had already been aware of some of the con- cerns raised by the practitioners and is actively working with stakeholder companies to address them. I am pleased to report that it is already making arrangements to meet representatives of the signatories to discuss their concerns. In the meantime, I have written both to the theatre practitioners and the Abbey theatre on the issues raised last week� I note also that the Abbey Theatre’s statement makes it clear that it pays the actors it em- ploys on terms and conditions agreed to with Irish Equity, the actors’ union. In presentation or in-association arrangements the Abbey Theatre does not set the rate of pay, which has been the prerogative of the producing companies. It has stated this is to be reviewed as part of the dialogue with the theatre practitioners� On Friday the Abbey Theatre issued a press release acknowledging the discussion in the media and stating it was listening attentively and with respect to all viewpoints� The statement went on to indicate that it was acutely aware of the precarious nature of work of those working in theatre as freelancers. I am confident, given these sentiments and the commitment of all par- ties to dialogue and engagement, that we can look forward to a mutually satisfactory outcome that will deliver the vision for a national theatre at the heart of Irish society that is artist-led and audience-focused. The Arts Council has informed me that it had been engaging with the Abbey Theatre in re-