3 December 2015
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
It is rare to see a Fine Gael elected representative use the word “dodgy”, and ever rarer for Deirdre Clune, but it has happened.
Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South Deirdre Clune (who is from Cork) has this evening accused Sinn Féin of using “misleading figures” about arts funding and of gross hypocrisy considering their actions in Northern Ireland, where they are in government.
“Sinn Féin’s claims that arts council funding has been cut are not correct. Funding for the Arts Council was increased by €2.5 million this year.
“The Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, has also announced a new €2 million scheme for heritage buildings.
“In addition, a €3m investment scheme for regional arts facilities will be rolled out in the new year, and the Government is investing tens of millions of euros in some of our most important cultural institutions such as the National Gallery and the National Library.
“Major funding announced for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme will also directly benefit artists across the country.
“This contrasts with Sinn Féin’s actions in the North where they are in Government and have cut arts funding.
“This is yet another example of Sinn Féin’s figures not adding up and demonstrates yet again that they are a risk to recovery. Fine Gael’s plan to keep the economy going will generate the resources to continue to invest in the arts.”
