Adams gives his support to campaign for the arts

McKeown.

SINN Féin TD Gerry Adams has met with local Arts groups in Dundalk to discuss resourcing to the sector.

The meeting was attended by Paul Hayes, managing director, An Tain; Bríd McBride, theatre critic; Laurence McKeown, playwright; Patricia Duffy, Dundalk School of Music and Colette McGahon, Irish Youth Opera.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Gerry Adams said; ‘ The people whom I met are all linked to Bríd McBride, Patricia Duffy, Colette McGahon and Laurence

the National Campaign for the Arts and they approached my office to elicit my support for their campaign.

‘I am fully supportive of their calls to dedicate a Minister to the Arts and for an increase in funding to the sector.

‘I raised the issue of the Arts with the Taoiseach in the Dáil on 9th June and I told him during that exchange that the Arts are a powerful economic driver.

‘Visitors to this country do not come to see factories or the

signs of industry, they come for our heritage, our culture and our arts.

‘ Therefore it is entirely legitimate that this area should be adequately resourced and the Taoiseach’s decision not to nominate a dedicated Arts Minister is scandalous and should be reversed.

‘I will continue to lobby the government for appropriate resources for this sector and for County Louth,’ the Dail deputy added.