The panel will focus on the threatened cuts to the Government's commitment to the arts, proposed by An Bord Snip, including the ending of the tax exempt status for creative works.

A former member of the Arts Council, Dorgan is uniquely positioned to comment on the effects of Government investment in the arts and the likely impact of cuts. He is currently Chairman of the drugs charity, RADE (Recovery through Arts, Drama and Education).

He joins a panel which already includes James Morris (Irish Film Board), Barry Devlin (member Horslips and screenwriter and director) and the award winning documentary film maker and musician, Philip King.

For more information on Theo Dorgan click here

Theo Dorgan is a poet, prose writer, editor, documentary screenwriter and broadcaster. His most recent collection is WHAT THIS EARTH COST US (Dedalus Press, 2008). He had a parallel life for many years as an arts manager, including stints as co-Director of Cork Film Festival and as Director of Poetry Ireland/Éigse Éireann. He has served on the boards of many arts organisations, and is currently Chairman of the drugs charity RADE, Recovery through Arts, Drama and Education. Appointed to the Arts Council 2003-2008, he is a member of Aosdána.