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Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central, Ken O’Flynn, has said the public money set aside for the cultural programme of Ireland’s EU Presidency should be used to give Irish artists, writers and performers a once in a generation platform, and has questioned why €100,000 has instead gone to a single Italian-language production at the Abbey Theatre.
A written reply from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport confirms that the production, Mirandolina, received a grant of €100,000 from Culture Ireland for nine performances between 28 August and 5 September. That is more than €11,000 of public money for every performance.
The Department’s own figures show the production is budgeted to cost €286,526 against projected ticket income of approximately €85,000 euro, meaning ticket sales are expected to cover less than a third of the cost. The balance is carried by the taxpayer, through the Culture Ireland grant and the €9.5 million the Abbey already receives each year in core funding from the Arts Council.
“My argument here is not against the arts. It is for them,” Deputy O’Flynn said. “An EU Presidency comes around once in a generation. The money that comes with it should be an opportunity for Irish artists, and I mean both our traditional artforms and our modern writers and playwrights, to be seen by Europe and by the world. That is exactly the moment to back Irish talent to the hilt.”
“So I have to ask why the centrepiece of our national theatre’s Presidency contribution is a play performed in Italian, by a largely Italian cast, that most Irish people cannot follow without reading surtitles off a screen. During our own Presidency, our own money should be promoting as much Irish work as possible. Every €100,000 spent this way is €100,000 euro not spent giving an Irish writer, an Irish company, or an Irish traditional artist their moment on the stage.”
Deputy O’Flynn said the principle should run through the entire programme, funded to the tune of €5 million by the Department, with a further €1.5 million euro the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“This is €6.5 million of public money, and the test for every euro of it should be simple. Does it give Irish artists an opportunity, and does it show the best of Ireland to Europe? I will be seeking a full itemised breakdown of the entire Cultúr 2026 programme, grant by grant, because the public has a right to know whether this money is being spent on Irish talent or on everything but.”
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