I want to make a very strong protest over the swingeing reduction in the grant for the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. It is the biggest such festival in the entire world and has an enormous international reputation. It was established by Brian Merriman in 2004 on a non-profit basis. It has always had some support from the Arts Council, though this has been very minimal, but after 16 years its organisers do not have an office, they do not have a computer and they do not have any paid staff. This is an astonishing situation. This year, Irish companies have been invited to perform plays in New York City, in Provincetown, at two London venues, in Stockholm and in South Africa. This year the box office grew by 60%, while the year before it grew by 16%. Despite strong praise from the Minister, Deputy Madigan, the grant has been cut. Last year they raised it from €10,000 to €15,000 but this year, in an announcement that was made over the weekend of the Pride march, they celebrated that event by cutting the grant by 50% and restricting it so that the international aspect is excluded completely. It must now concentrate exclusively on Irish plays by Irish writers and with Irish players and workers. It is astonishing and very regrettable so I ask the Leader if he would contact the Minister to see if there is anything that can be done. It is a minute grant out of the almost €1 million that is available.

My second point concerns the fact that Commencement matters were dislodged this morning from the business of the House, in favour of a discussion on Travellers.

There was a discussion on this and it was agreed by the House.

It was agreed by the House.

I know that, but I am still allowed to speak, am I not?

Yes, the Senator is allowed to speak.

This is very bad practice and I say that as the person who introduced the first amendments to Irish law protecting the rights of Travellers. That was many years ago. I strongly support the Traveller community but I do not think the business of this House should be dislodged by any group, whether it is a subsidiary function of the Seanad-----

That is not right.

It does not matter, the Leader will have time to correct what I say.

Senator Norris should be fair.

The Leader will have the opportunity to correct it in time.

It is a rule.

You must be fair a Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Senator Norris may have missed the particular session when the House agreed to that.

I know, but I am just saying-----

Senator Norris could legitimately have objected and voted against it at that stage.

I have objected consistently over this. It is bad parliamentary practice to dislodge the official proceedings of this House for any group. Commencement matters were put off.

On a point of information-----

All I am saying is-----

There is no such thing as a point of information.

On a point of order-----

As Leader, Senator Buttimer should know that.

I call Senator Buttimer on a point of order.

It was not for a group or sector; it was for the Seanad Public Consultation Committee-----

It is an official committee of the House.

-----on which every grouping of the House has a member or members; it was agreed. I will reply properly again, but let us make it clear; language is important, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.

First of all, that is not a point of order, as I am sure the Leas-Chathaoirleach will tell Senator Buttimer, and second, I did say, any subsidiary group of the Seanad.

Senator Norris did not.

I did.

Senator Norris said "a group".

Senator Buttimer should study the record and he will find out that. He should keep his reservations and points of order that are not points of order for his reply.

The Leas-Chathaoirleach is Chair of the committee.

I wish to inform the father of the House that all I was trying to say was I did not think it was good practice coming from the father of the House that he should object at this stage to what the House agreed. One never knows-----

Why not? Pourquoi pas?

Senator Norris has done it.

I have.

I call on Senator Martin Conway.