MEANWHILE, Arts Council director Adrian Munnelly's recent resignation has highlighted under staffing in the organisation, writes Luke Clancy. He had been acting not only as director, but also looking after the council's film and opera briefs. Following his departure, Mary Highland, the council's communications officer has taken over responsibility for film, with finance officer and acting director David McConnell most likely taking care of opera.

This reshuffle will not resolve the council officers' on going dispute over working conditions, a dispute which may soon provoke industrial action.

A claim for regrading of the council officers was first made seven years ago. A Labour Court hearing last March finally found a compromise which would see some modest changes in the grades of some staff at Merrion Square, and have an impact on the extra 25-30 hours per week which officers have often been called on to put in.

Now, however, despite agreement between SIPTU, the Arts Council and the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Finance appears to be dragging its heels over the recommendation. Why? Music Officer and SIPTU representative Dermot McLouglin has been coming to the conclusion that the inactivity may represent "a serious attitude problem" concerning arts funding. "This dispute has an impact of the wider issue of the status of the arts in Ireland, whether people can be expected to support them using their own time and their own money.

Industrial action will not occur until after another attempt to reach agreement in September, but if this fails, McLaughlin promises a "sharply focussed" dispute.