The artists' association, Aosdána, has called on the Government to ensure that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra is protected and valued.
At its General Assembly in Dublin today, composer Rhona Clarke proposed a motion which said the future of the orchestra is under threat because of budgetary constraints in RTÉ.
Ms Clarke said a recent national tour by the RTÉ NSO has been cancelled and cuts have been made to the planned concert schedule for next season.
She called on the ministers concerned to set up a new model of funding and governance for the RTÉ NSO as proposed in the PIANO report, which was commissioned in 1996 to make recommendations in relation to all aspects of the performing groups within RTÉ.
The motion was passed unanimously.
Ms Clarke's proposal stated: "The future of the RTÉ NSO is currently under threat: its artistic remit and integrity are being curtailed due to budgetary constraints in RTÉ.
"Aosdána calls on the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to ensure that our only professional symphony orchestra is protected and valued, and that the recommendations of the PIANO report, to set up a new model of funding and governance, be explored immediately."
"The NSO deserves to be recognised as a national treasure.''
