I thank the Taoiseach for his indulgence on this. The trade between Ireland and the UK is worth about €100 billion, while our total trade is worth about €350 billion. The gross value added of our creative industries is about €8 billion whereas that of the UK's creative industries is £124 billion. That is a little disproportionate in light of our population. It is no wonder. I have some concerns about our investment in the arts more generally. The basic income scheme is capped at 2,000 applicants and there are certain restrictions on people reapplying. As the Taoiseach will know, The Complex in Dublin was closed. There are also planning permission conflicts between hotels and nightclubs and the word "arts" has been removed from the name of the Department of culture. This can be contrasted with the success of individuals, particularly in the British market. I think of Jessie Buckley, who won a BAFTA, and writers like Sally Rooney, who was unable to receive her Sky Arts Award in person because of her pro-Palestine Action stance. I also think of musicians like Jazzy, Reggie, Damien Rice and Hozier. At the summit we are talking about, the Taoiseach said he needed to reflect on developments in the wider European and international context that affect all of our jurisdictions. I would like to hear about how the Taoiseach will support creative industries in Ireland to diversify in terms of trade with the UK and other countries and about what we can do with other countries within the British-Irish Council to support creative industries.

Sentiment score: 0.27