asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the current position in regard to the National Ballet Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Arts Council decided in March 1988 to terminate the funding of the Irish National Ballet Company. This was done some nine months after a two-year period of action and assessment had been agreed with the company. The Arts Council indicated that they had earmarked £120,000 to meet the windingup costs of the company. The Taoiseach decided that in the exceptional circumstances of this case, the £120,000 should be used to enable the company to continue pending a review of the situation by the incoming Arts Council. The company are now using the £120,000 to mount a spring programme in 1989. The consideration of the company's position thereafter will be a matter for the new Arts Council.

The position in which the National Ballet Company find themselves is totally unsatisfactory. Can the Minister not offer any statement in relation to their future funding so that the members of the company will have some security of tenure in regard to their artistic future and employment? Is there any indication that the National Ballet Company will receive funding next year or do the Government intend to wind up the company?

The Deputy will understand that it was the intention of the outgoing Arts Council to wind up the ballet company but, as a result of the intervention by the Taoiseach and having regard to the exceptional circumstances of the case, the company are still there, the matter will be reviewed by the incoming Arts Council and full consideration will then be given to their decision.

I welcome the Taoiseach's intervention — I had asked a question about this matter some weeks before he provided finance — but the situation, seven months later, is totally unsatisfactory. Has any indication been given by the Taoiseach's Department to the Arts Council regarding the future of the National Ballet Company?

The Deputy should appreciate the situation as I outlined it, that the ballet company would have been put out of business but for the intervention of the Taoiseach, despite the fact that the two year assessment period was cut short by the outgoing Arts Councils after a period of nine months. The ballet company are now going ahead and have their programme ready for 1989. Consideration is being given to the question of whether the company will continue after the period.

Does the Minister appreciate the urgency of the situation? Of necessity, the company need to plan well into the future. When will the incoming Arts Council be in a position to assess the Irish National Ballet Company? Indeed, when will the council be appointed?

I understand that the company's operational year runs from September to August and that it is most desirable that they know, as early as possible, exactly where they stand. We will take this into account when a decision is being taken in the matter.

When will the new Arts Council be appointed?

Very shortly.

A final supplementary from Deputy Spring.

I seek to impress upon the Minister the urgency of the situation because if the company wish to offer contracts of employment to prospective dancers, they need to be in a position to offer three year contracts. Apparently this is the norm in this area. Will the Minister impress on the new Arts Council that a decision is urgently required? Will he also indicate — apart from the Taoiseach's intervention which I welcomed — whether the Government have a view as to whether the National Ballet Company have a future?

I am glad that Deputy Spring appreciates the part played by the Taoiseach in ensuring the continuation of the National Ballet Company. We are all happy that this is the case. The Taoiseach and the Government are fully aware of the importance of the National Ballet Company and a decision on the matter will be made as soon as possible.