Traditional Music Report

Sir, - Senator Labhras O Murchu (April 15th) accuses Nicholas Carolan and others of "orchestrating a negative reaction" to this…

Sir, - Senator Labhras O Murchu (April 15th) accuses Nicholas Carolan and others of "orchestrating a negative reaction" to this report. There has undoubtedly been a negative reaction to the report, but what the senator cannot seem to grasp is that this is because the report is completely inadequate. The idea that this reaction has been orchestrated out of some antipathy to himself or to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is nonsense. The people who have criticised the report in letters or articles in the press include Fintan Vallely, Tom Munnelly, Nicholas Carolan, John Moulden, Pat Ahern and Muiris O Rochain. These are all people with long records of professional, disinterested service to Irish music. Indeed, an account of their achievements and publications would fill a document larger than the one which Senator O Murchu produced.

I became aware of the report in mid-February, as a result of a short news item in The Irish Times. I bought a copy in the Government Publications shop and was so dismayed at its contents that I brought it to the attention of people that I know in the traditional music world. As a result of this, several letters of protest were sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee, and several submissions were later made in response to the committee's request for public submissions. Am I thus also an "orchestrator"? Does Senator O Murchu believe that the people mentioned above, and the many, many others - musicians, singers, dancers, collectors, publishers, etc. - who protested, are people who will act at the bidding of others? O Murchu could rightly claim to be an authority. Will he acknowledge that all branches of CCE have recently received an instruction from their head office to speak out or write to the Joint Committee in support of this report? Friends of mine in CCE, and I have many, tell me that this is the case.

Is this not orchestration?

A report was delivered to the Oireachtas Committee and apparently passed "on the nod", as several committee members have admitted. The traditional music community have found it utterly inadequate. It should be withdrawn and replaced by a properly researched one. - Yours, etc.,

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Terry Moylan, Merton Avenue, Dublin 8.