The Music Board of Ireland was established in May 2001 by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in partnership with the music industry. The Board, chaired by Ann O’Connell of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, has been charged in its first year with formulating a strategic plan for the development of the music industry and with providing a focus for and source of expertise on the various aspects of the industry.

Ann O’Connell recently gave a talk to the Forum of Music in Ireland (email: forum [at] cmc.ie) based on the Board’s Terms of Reference. These Terms are published below.

Music Board of Ireland

Bord Ceoil na hÉireann

Background

• Set up on a partnership arrangement between Government (Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands) and the Industry (IBEC’s Music Industry Group).

• Jointly funded.

• Nine person board.

• Approval for staff of up to five

• The remit embraces all types of music.

Membership of the Board

The Board is composed of four nominees each from the Dept of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and Islands and the IBEC Music Industry Group with an independent Chair, Ann O’Connell, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and former Chair of the Irish Film Board. The members are Nuala O’Connor, Maurice Cassidy, Dr Charlie Lennon, Kieran Hanrahan, Adrian Gaffney, Michael O’Riordan, Dennis Woods and John Sheehan.

Role of the Board

(i) A forum for the industry to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the music industry and the maximisation of its contribution to the national economy. (ii) An assistant to the Government and State Agencies in their efforts to develop the industry.

Core policy goals and objectives of the Music Board of Ireland

(i) Prepare a three year rolling strategic development plan. (ii) Conduct extensive research into the industry in Ireland. (iii) Advise Government Departments, State Agencies, education and training bodies and other organisations. (iv) Promote policies in the area of international marketing. (v) Provide a focus and a source of expertise for the different strands of the industry and be an assistant to Government and State Agencies in their efforts to develop the industry. (vi) Take a leading role in encouraging investment, sponsorship, etc., in the music industry. (vii) Identify areas of EU social, cultural and economic policies relevant to the indigenous music industry, highlighting and promoting their potential benefits. (viii) Provide a forum for the industry to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the music industry, highlighting and promoting their potential benefits. (ix) Provide a forum for the industry to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the music industry and the maximisation of its contribution to the national economy. (x) Promote awareness and education among the general public, business and government on issues affecting the industry, such as copyright. (xi) Act in a general promotional, representational and publicity role for the industry. (xii) Engage in research of relevance to the industry, to include the development and collection of statistics and data relevant to the economic impact of the industry through both indigenous and foreign markets. Be active in accessing the ongoing training and educational needs of the industry in close consultation with relevant authorities such as the Department of Education, FÁS, etc., to ensure that the identified needs are met. (xiii) Co-operate with other agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, for the further development of the already excellent cultural links that have been forged by music between this country and the rest of the world. (xiv) As a priority establish close working links with organisations who are already active in the development of the music industry, such as Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, FÁS, the Arts Council, Forbairt, and Shannon Development, to help promote clearly focussed objectives and joint initiatives. (xv) Draft and present to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, proposals for the legislation for the establishment of the Board as a Statutory Body.

Priority functions for year one – Strategic plan

Present a strategic plan for the industry. The preparation of the plan will involve consultation by the Board with the industry, general public, State Agencies and other key players, and will give specific and strategic director to the operation of the Music Board and to the development of the industry.

Proposals for legislation

Draft and present to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, proposals for the legislation for the establishment of a Statutory Body.

Work Programme for Year One – Development Phase (up to end of November 2001)

(i) Recruit CEO (Maura Eaton, formerly Music Officer of the Arts Council, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer) (ii) Office accommodation. (iii) Prepare budget for year 1 and 2.

Research & Consultation Phase (up to end of January 2002)

(i) Research on economic significance of the Music Industry. (ii) Consultations with/submission from the industry and representative organisation.

(iii) Consultations with other State Development Agencies. (iv) Research regarding comparable organisations internationally.

Preparation of Strategic Plan (January – March 2002)

(i) Write-up strategic plan. (ii) Discuss development proposals with key stakeholders. (iii) Develop proposals regarding the legislative framework. (iv) Present report to the Minister and IBEC.

Launch and roll-out of Strategies and Initiatives (April 2002 onwards)

• Launch of Strategy Document (April 2002).

Guiding Principles for Strategic Initiatives

• Strong commercial remit.

• Accessible/applicable to all types of music – contemporary, traditional, classical.

• Focus on additionality, complementing existing support initiatives.

• Address issues along the full industry value chain.

• Developing a strong, sustainable industry – enabling Irish talent to realise their full creative and commercial potential.