Bressie takes Micheál Martin to task for Normal People congratulations tweet

Bressie is among those criticising Taoiseach Micheál Martin's congratulatory tweet yesterday to the Normal People cast and crew after they received four Stateside Emmy award-nominations.

"No, no, no," the Blizzards lead singer and mental health advocate responds. "You don’t get to do that. The arts and the industry that support it is on its knees with this crisis and you guys voted to tell them to go out and get other jobs or they won’t be supported. The arts doesn’t work like that."

Echoing those sentiments, Penny Dreadful actor Noni Stapleton says: "Many of the actors in Normal People will currently be receiving P.U.P or unemployment payments and because of your government's policy now cannot travel outside the country for an audition without risking that payment. Think about artists when making decisions and policy. We exist outside the screen/tv/radio/theatre and after you've been uplifted by our contribution to society, we often face daily struggles to just make ends meet."

Adds singer-songwriter Paj: "The entire Irish soundtrack, made by Irish musicians who still cannot work, are now mostly being paid a minimum of €203 per week to survive as you applaud their work. Reinstate full PUP for them."

DU film student Grace Kenny hits the proverbial on the head with her response: "Hi Micheál, the next generation of filmmakers and television writers - some of whom went to the same university as Lenny Abrahamson, Ed Guiney, and Sally Rooney - are all emigrating, as there is still no future for us here, thanks to a lack of arts funding & a housing crisis!"

"He is a total hypocrite," fumes painter Irene O'Neill. "Meanwhile all the arts staff who work in theatre film dance are languishing at home... going mental. Set designers, costume designers, lighting, actors, dancers, sound techs etc etc."

"The one thing I am glad of is having a constitution because if we didn't these people would run riot," proffers manager, plugger and broadcaster Hazey Lake. "This community happily stood away from their jobs to benefit the the country, to help kick the spread of COVID and they give minsters a raise and tell people who have been working non stop that they aren't supported and that they should get a different job.

Delighted to see #NormalPeople nominated for 4 #Emmys awards. A beautiful and heartfelt adaption of Sally Rooney’s novel which resonated with people in Ireland and across the world. Congratulations 🎉 #Emmys2020

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 28, 2020