Can we now proceed to Questions on Promised Legislation? There are 21 Deputies offering but I am not going to be able to reach everyone. I call Deputy Micheál Martin.

We are all conscious of the letter that was signed, sent and published by 300 artists about the policy of the national theatre, the Abbey Theatre, which has given cause for concern about whether there is a national policy for the Abbey and whether the Government is committed to it in terms of the historic significance of the Abbey, its original objectives and how they can be met in a contemporary world. Allied to that is the very real concern about the huge difficulties that artists generally have in making meaningful returns on their work. The average income for many artists is around €22,000 per annum. That comes from 144 artists who were surveyed between August and October last year. There is a real issue and concern within the arts community. I ask the Minister to meet the Theatre Forum and update and brief the House on the issue.

I have written to the theatre practitioners and the Abbey Theatre about some of the issues raised. The Abbey has acknowledged some of the difficulties that the theatre practitioners are experiencing and I hope it will report back to me in a month's time on progress made.

I will be in a position to update the House shortly. I will also be responding to parliamentary questions tomorrow, at which time I am sure the issue will be raised.