Editorial: At a time of severe financial restraint, West Belfast Festival funders show a dismal failure to answer basic queries about their thinking around their use of taxpayer funds for event which descends into IRA chanting

In the News Letter today we report on the silence of various organisations (click on this link) as to their investigations into the annual IRA chanting at the end of the lavishly funded West Belfast Festival.Is there an investigation? Do they care? Do they intend to keep splashing cash on this event at a time of financial crisis, including NHS waiting lists?

The Arts Council NI has stonewalled our inquiries into the substantial £116,000 it contributes to Feile an Phobail’s “annual running costs". The National Lottery, which funds the Arts Council, has not yet replied to our queries as to whether it will continue such funding. Given that the Arts Council do not deem fit to respond to our questions, then perhaps artistic endeavours that are rejected such funding might want ask their own questions of this body’s priorities.

Tourism NI won't say how much money it gave to the festival but say it will be "reviewing the events that took place at Sunday night”. But it promised to investigate last year.

Belfast City Council, who hand over a colossal £224,000, say engagement will take place but not when.

What a display of arrogance, and contempt for IRA victims, such as the always dignified Rev David Clements (click on this link for his letter). Consider also the dignity of the Niedermayers, whose horrendous experience at the hands of IRA terror we also report. (also click here for Ben Lowry’s review of the Niedermayer documentary)

It seems almost inappropriate though to cite single IRA victims. There were so many of them, given that the terror group massacred far more people during the Troubles than anyone else. Yet it is wildly and flagrantly celebrated each year at a supposedly charitable event, with the Charity Commission saying it does not consider such sectarian conduct a contravention of charity law. These are dismal responses. Does the UK government have a view on such funding?