It has been announced that the Music Board of Ireland, having completed its initial three-year term, has ceased operation.

The Music Board was established on an interim basis for the period May 2001 to May 2004 in partnership between Government, as represented by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, and the Industry, as represented by the IBEC Music Industry Group. Its proposed role was to act as a forum for the industry; to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the music industry and the maximisation of its contribution to the national economy; and to assist Government and its agencies in their efforts to develop the industry nationally and internationally.

At the time of its establishment there was much debate around the definition of the term ‘music industry’ as used by the Board. The apparent lack of any awareness of, or anticipated role for, the wide spectrum of musical activity beyond the commercial rock/pop scene -- surely also a part of the ‘industry’ -- was a cause for concern in a body drawing down so much state support and claiming such a broad development brief.

The Board’s major undertaking, a report on The Economic Significance of the Irish Music Industry proposed a strategic plan for the development of the music industry (that phrase again!) in Ireland, called Shaping the Future, and these were presented to the Minister. However, in the absence of any positive response and, most importantly, further funding, it seems the Board had no choice but to wind up.