We were given to understand there was a certain urgency in the provision of these moneys and that is why we agreed to take this Estimate this morning. I can only express my disappointment and dissatisfaction at the manner in which the Taoiseach has introduced the Estimate. He has given us no particulars whatever and the Estimate is presented in the Book of Estimates without any elaboration other than an indication of the total grant-in-aid. Having regard to the ready co-operation we extended, I would have expected more information from the Taoiseach as to the disposal of the moneys and, because of the absence of such information I can only speak in vacuo since I have no knowledge of the policy of An Chomhairle Ealaíon at the present time and there is no indication of what the body proposes to do with this money.
I know they have plenty of commitments and plenty of means of spending the money. From my own experience, I know there are a thousand and one requests and demands from different organisations with a fairly substantial and justifiable claim for assistance, all of which cannot be met; indeed, only a fraction can be met. For every one cause or organisation An Chomhairle Ealaíon can assist there are about 50 equally worthy causes they would like to assist but cannot because they have not got the necessary finance.
There is an increase in this Vote and that is welcome. However, we all know that £200,000 today is far too little really for the council's purposes. I was glad the Government honoured the commitment of the outgoing Fianna Fáil Government to subsidise the Irish Ballet Company and the Irish Theatre Company. These are providing excellent entertainment of excellent standards. They are operating mainly in the provinces but they have come to Dublin on occasion. They can truly be regarded as nationwide organisations, cultural undertakings giving good value for the amount of money given to them. What we would like to see is some initiative on the part of the Government. Honouring undertakings given by the previous Government is one thing; the provision of adequate assistance in, to use an in expression, an on-going situation is another thing. Having assisted ballet and theatre, we must now ensure that all the visual arts and all the creative arts are equally assisted to the fullest extent possible. I would, therefore, like to see the Government taking some initiative. I should like to see action on the ground and there is quite a share of ground on which Government action could be expected.
It is not, perhaps, completely relevant to this debate but it is noteworthy that a Government which would regard itself as having some aesthetic values would not see fit to assist in the purchase of what is a national treasure such as Fota Island is. It is an artistic asset in its own right but, unfortunately, the Government have ignored completely the value of this asset to the nation. I know the Minister for Finance, when this was brought before him during the debate on the appropriate Estimate, said it was a local matter because it was situated some 160 miles from Dublin. That is not the right kind of thinking for a Government whose responsibility extends throughout the whole country. As I said to the Minister at the time, if Fota Island were located within 20 miles of Dublin city, then I feel sure the attitude of the Government would have been different and they would have regarded it as a treasure worth preserving for the nation.
I will come nearer home. At the present time we have an area where action on the ground in the artistic field is possible even for the Government. I refer in particular to the Olympia Theatre which suffered serious structural damage by some inherent defect several months ago. It is one of the last two fairly independently-run theatres we have in this city. The Gaiety was saved, perhaps by the grace of God and a bit of foresight by the then Minister for Local Government, in indicating that the kind of development envisaged for it, when it came on the market, would not be permitted.
The same applied to the Olympia Theatre when it, too came on the market and when speculators—I do not use that in any derogatory sense —from London bought it and the area surrounding it, the then Minister for Local Government, in association with—to give them their due they helped the Minister—Dublin Corporation ensured that the Olympia Theatre would be preserved for its main purpose, the presentation of stage offerings in acting, song and otherwise. Now we have the unfortunate situation that, because of the passage of time, the Olympia Theatre has suffered a severe structural defect and there is far too much dragging of feet. There is a small band of men there, dedicated people, who came together, formed a company and took a limited lease of the Olympia Theatre. Unfortunately, they do not know where they stand now, whether they will get any assistance from the Government to ensure that this theatre will be preserved not only for the people of Dublin but for the people of the country as well. This is a national asset as well as any of those well-known theatres throughout the country and it ought to be preserved.
This also is an indication of where action is possible for the Government if they have the will to undertake it. I have always held that if there is political will in almost any sphere then it is possible. Civil servants, whether they be working at national or local level, will carry out the will of those who have the power of political direction, which comes mainly from the top. I appeal to the Taoiseach to ensure that where there are assets to be preserved, like the Olympia Theatre and Fota Island, the direction comes from the top. I feel in some cases Ministers who are indifferent about these matters and Ministers who are intellectually remote from these things, if left to themselves, will not apply the necessary will and the necessary dedication to doing the right thing. The Taoiseach in these cases ought to direct his Ministers to ensure that proper assistance is given and that, above all, our national heritage will not be left waste.
I was recently in Vienna on my way back from Srilanka. I know most people recognise there are magnificent buildings, of all descriptions mainly left by the Hapsburg family, to the Austrian and Viennese people but the famous Opera House, the Stadt Opera, as it is called, was damaged over a decade. It was almost completely destroyed. Almost at once its restoration was undertaken. Some years ago I was in Germany in my capacity as Minister for Industry and Commerce when I was helping a particular area to attract certain industries to this country. I went to the town of Essen which was almost annihilated during the war. I discovered the first thing they restored was their Opera House. That is the kind of mentality which persists in many of those Continental countries. Some semblance of it ought to spill over on us. We should ensure that where we have something worth while preserving we have the political will, the necessary intellectual commitment—not lip service—and the aesthetic commitment to ensure these things are preserved.
I do not want to delay any longer except to say again I was disappointed that we got no indication whatever with regard to the direction this £200,000 was to be expended. I know there are many areas where it could be expended and that there are many calls on it but there are very obviously cases, having regard to all the claims for priority, where some assistance could be given to ensure that things I have referred to are preserved and maintained for the people.