Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth has been appointed Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport, and the Gaeltacht by Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD.
Deputy Smyth, who served as Fianna Fáil Frontbench Spokesperson on Arts and Culture has a wealth of experience in the Arts sector. Before politics Deputy Smyth was an Arts and Education Officer and has qualified from the National College of Art and Design.
She commented, “I am delighted to be appointed Chairperson of this Committee. Our immediate focus has to be how to secure the future of the Arts sector. Artists in all fields face unprecedented challenges due to the public health restrictions rightly implemented due to COVID-19.
“The Government are committed to improving the Arts industry for those working in the sector. I look forward to inviting specialist groups in to address the Committee and ensure stakeholder voices are worked into any legislation or topical matters the Committee is working on.
“It is my ambition to oversee the policy commitments in the Programme for Government as they come through the Committee. These include continued supports for Arts through the COVID-19 public health emergency, the ongoing implementation of the Creative Ireland Programme, the work of the Arts Council, implement the Audio-Visual Plan, expand the Creative Schools programme, support measures to increase the provision of affordable workplaces for artists and creatives, and many more initiatives within the Programme for Government.
“I look forward to the challenges ahead and working with my colleagues on the Committee,” concluded Deputy Smyth.
