asked the Taoiseach whether it is his intention to have money made available through his Department, from national lottery funds, to assist the expenses of the many local writing groups which have been set up throughout the country.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1 on Tuesday, 29 November, when I indicated that I felt it would be desirable if all lottery funding for the arts were to be channelled through the Arts Council. The council, of course, enjoy statutory independence in the disbursement of their funds.