Can I commend our acting Chair for the alacrity with which he's performed his temporary duties this afternoon? I think it was an excellent summary of our report, and the importance of it, and a great start to this debate.

I think the non-public funding that the arts sector receives is a key sign of its health, or otherwise. And it's important that we focus on this aspect. We all know that, throughout the ages, the great funders of the arts have been the princes of realms, and the princes of the church, and very public sources. Since the second world war, that's turned into the arts council and Government. But the amount that comes in from what we can loosely describe as the private sector, I think is really, really important as a mark of general health.

We do realise that, in Wales, we face some particular challenges. We are not London, but there again most of the United Kingdom isn't London. But an awful lot of the energy and the sponsorship that that generates through the business sector doesn't flow very far from London, and the metropolitan scene that's centred in London can be somewhat stifling sometimes. I think it is part of our work to challenge those sources of finance that are perhaps most comfortable in London to look further afield, not just to Wales—it would benefit them to look across the UK too—but we need to make our case very strongly. So, London is a key source for funding, and I think we should always remember that in our work and in the work we expect the Government to undertake.

We have great success stories as well, like the Welsh National Opera and the Artes Mundi prize. We've really got some of the best connections with the wider business community and sources of sponsorship and really creative programmes. So, I don't think we should suffer any lack of confidence in this respect.

I think one of the key areas the report highlighted in terms of the need for development is greater promotion internationally. The Government here can play a great part and the report mentioned trade missions, cultural exchanges. And can I just add that I've often thought that the projection that we give to the Mabinogion could be much greater? There are some success stories there as well, but it’s one of the great canons of world literature and in terms of the importance of the cultural development of Europe, it really is key. I've quoted John Updike several times in terms of what importance he placed on the Mabinogion, and he was a great champion in his time, in North America.

I do believe, as the acting Chair said, that fundraising expertise needs to be radically strengthened. I think the sector needs to co-operate to develop, perhaps with Welsh Government, that sort of muscle so that we can see the opportunities and we can present very coherent packages when we're making applications to funders. I think that, sometimes, we don't co-operate enough. We think that all the players out there, who might seek funding, will need their own fundraising officer. I'm not sure that’s necessarily the best way to approach it. There needs to be a more co-ordinated approach, and that can really then give you much greater strength in the capacity that you develop. Of course, the future of Arts & Business Cymru is very important in terms of the work that they've done to promote links between arts and businesses, and what will happen next year, as the Chair said, is very important.

I also think that we should remember the place of the experimental in art. Again, that’s another key sign of its success. That area is unlikely to receive very much or at least consistent non-public funding. So, we don't want to overlook that as well in our enthusiasm for other streams of finance. The approach we need is one that allows for a whole range of art to get a level of funding that it deserves so that it adds to our national life. So, public funding will still clearly be crucial.

I just would like to conclude: it was mentioned in the last debate actually that the Welsh diaspora is there. I think sometimes, because we don't see it as big as Ireland or even as Scotland—. But look at Scotland: they've done a lot of work in this area. I think that we should also tap in and perhaps define the Welsh diaspora as also including those who live in London, but also internationally. Again, there are many people there who, if asked, I'm sure would like to invest in our arts scene. Thank you, Deputy Llywydd.