Good news has been such a rare bird this passed year that my antennae have become unaccustomed to receiving same.

But I think I heard some over the weekend.

First, I hear that, as a part of our great taoiseach's Patrick's Day celebrations in the USA, Gabriel Byrne has been appointed as Ireland's Cultural Ambassador and that the White House was filled with Irish proponents of the arts for the saint's day celebrations.

And, today, I hear that Michael Colgan, has been awarded an OBE by the Brits.

Now, I'm not sure as to how great a fan I am of either man, and I'm certainly not a fan of the British honours system, but these two events surely send out the message that the 'Arts' are important to Ireland and that Irish people are important, beyond these shores, within the 'Arts'.

It would surely be contradictory if the government were now to cut spending in the area.

Indeed, to further support Ireland's cultural and artistic endeavours, could be the most cost-effective and beneficial public relations exercise available to government when we definitely need to restore our reputation and regain our foreign friends.

Let's be hopeful.