Sir, – One of Fintan O'Toole's cultural lows of 2014 was the "Government's malign neglect of the arts and culture: not a red cent extra in the budget" (December 27th). At 0.46 per cent of the national budget, the percentage of Irish government spending on the arts is one of the lowest in Europe, and less than a third of the European average. Let's hope that 2015 will bring real recognition of the crucial role the arts play in our society. – Yours, etc,
JIM CULLETON,
Dublin 7.