Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have one Private Members' Bill for introduction. I like the sound of this Bill, which is in the name of Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh. It is the Arts (Recognition of Comedy) (Amendment) Bill 2024.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Comedy, is it?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have not had much comedy around here lately. Ar aghaidh leat ar son na hÉireann.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Arts Act 2003 to recognise the art of comedy.

Tá comedy ar siúl anseo i gcónaí i slí amháin nó i slí eile. Uaireanta, bíonn muid ródháiríre faoi rudaí agus bíonn gá le bheith beagáinín gealgháireach. The purpose of this Bill is to amend the arts Act to specifically or explicitly recognise the art of comedy as an art form within the arts. We should not need this Bill to do that. It should not be necessary. However, the current law allows for comedians to be recognised as artists either under the umbrella of theatre or as a form of art not explicitly mentioned in the legislation. That is the problem. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has admitted as much. In fact, the Arts Council could address this issue quite quickly by deciding to broaden its interpretation and acting to end the exclusion of comedians from the funding opportunities and resources that are available for other artists. Even in the five minutes I have, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, could issue a policy directive to the Arts Council to broaden its interpretation to cover comedy. That is her right under section 5 of the Arts Act 2003. While it has been suggested to the Minister and the Arts Council what actions they should take, the problem is that, in the absence of those actions, it falls on us, as legislators, to make the law clearer to ensure there is no exclusion or any doubt in respect of comedy as a form of art and comedians as artists.

We could say this is a laughing matter and make various puns. We have all watched and listened to comedians and enjoyed it. When times are dark, sometimes that is the best form of medicine. However, unless we are willing to give them their proper due, respect and access to funding, it just makes it more difficult, especially for up-and-coming artists. It is great to see a number of comedians in the Gallery who came to listen. They should be preparing for their next improv, sketch, stand-up or whatever rather than being in here dealing with policy in this format.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Did they give you any gags to use?

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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No. I would be the worst person in the world to give gags to because I would not carry them well. There are certain people in our world who can carry gags better. The art of comedy has been recognised since the ancient Greeks. They recognised drama as being both comedy and tragedy. Thousands of years later, we are still reduced to dealing with it in this way.

For me, this problem emerged while I was considering my party's policy. I noticed a petition on change.org set up by Ms Ailish McCarthy, who is in the Gallery. Some 1,300 people have signed the petition calling for stand-up, improv and sketch comedy to be recognised and funded by the Arts Council. I commend her and her colleagues, some of whom are here. When I saw the petition, I recognised this was a problem which could be easily be fixed. All it requires is one word, "comedy", to be added to the Arts Act. It is simple. That is literally what it is. It is a very simple piece of legislation which would address the problem of the exclusion of that form of art.

In other countries, comedy and comedians are recognised and have the support of the relevant arts councils, such as in Scotland and New Zealand. If you look around the country, there are absolutely fabulous festivals in Dublin, Kilkenny, Galway and throughout the country. Venues pop up, close and pop up again all around. They provide a platform. We also enjoy comedy on television and radio and in films. Ireland is renowned for comedy; we have some of the best comedians. It is a matter of making sure it is recognised here and that comedians can avail of the same supports and resources as others and that they are not forced to emigrate, causing us to lose the benefit of their wisdom. In many ways, that is what is behind a lot of the comedy out there. Sometimes, it reminds us we cannot take everything seriously. It might be a lesson in here sometimes. I commend the Bill to the House agus go mbeidh an Bille Ealaíon (Aitheantas don Ghreann) (Leasú) 2024 aitheanta agus ag dul ar aghaidh go dtí an Dara Céim.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the Bill being opposed?

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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No.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I commend Deputy Ó Snodaigh for bringing forward an entirely positive but simple piece of legislation. He is right in what he says - at the lowest times in our lives, our comedians have the ability to lift our spirits. That is what we need.