Debate contribution: Arts Policy and Funding

Debate contribution by Mr Mark Durkan on 8 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Mark Durkan
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 8 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Arts Policy and Funding
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5674120

Text

I thank the Minister. Does he recognise that a failure to fund the arts adequately threatens not just tens of thousands of livelihoods and the massive socio-economic benefits that the arts create but the very infrastructure that made the fleadh such a success and has made this small place such a big player on the world stage? People are fed up with the political theatre between the DUP and Sinn Féin, which we have seen again today. Will the Minister outline specifically how he has pressed for funding for the arts in the ongoing Budget talks?

96 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2551/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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