Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 January 2009
99 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress on the amalgamation of the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Gallery; if legislation will be required to enact the amalgamation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2255/09]
Amharc ar fhreagra136 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Gallery will be amalgamated; the amount that will be saved as a result of this amalgamation; his views on whether this amalgamation is feasible and practical; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2249/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 136 together.
Primary legislation will be required to give effect to the Government decision to combine the three galleries referred to, while retaining the separate brand identities and niches of the Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery.
As I stated in my reply to Questions Nos. 76, 77 and 84 of 19 November 2008, the corporate, legislative and accommodation positions of each of the institutions is being examined with a view to the drawing up of a plan of action to give effect to the Government decision. My Department is also investigating the functional and logistical requirements of each institution and the adjustments that will be required. The challenges are detailed and multifaceted and it would be premature at this point to give definite dates.
A consultative process with the directors of the institutions referred to above is under way under various headings, including governance, shared management structures, unified support services and resources.
I wonder about the rationale behind all of this. Is it simply a cost saving exercise? Amalgamation of the Crawford Gallery in Cork, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and National Gallery appears, in many ways, a little odd. The Minister referred earlier to cultural tourism. I accept he has replied to this issue on a number of occasions but perhaps he will comment on whether co-ordination of the three cultural institutions will in some way dilute that value.
I agree with the Deputy. If the outcome of this were to dilute the value of the institutions, I would not proceed with the process. There are obvious synergies between the three galleries referred to. For instance, a question arises as to whether 40 board members are needed. That is probably not necessary.
Equally, I accept there are important brand issues between the institutions. The Museum of Modern Art is a distinct brand that has currency worldwide. Every country has a museum of modern art. People have their own expectations in terms of what constitutes a museum of modern art as opposed to a traditional national gallery. This is not about cost savings though if it throws up cost savings, we welcome them. Given the importance of cultural tourism to the whole tourism product and its increasing importance into the future, we are seeking to enhance the quality and ability of the three products to continue to be successful as a draw at home and internationally.
I put it to the Minister that were it not a cost saving exercise this amalgamation would more than likely not be taking place. That they are located in three different areas, the Crawford Gallery in Cork and the two other galleries in different parts of Dublin, means there is no real rationale for amalgamating them. I appreciate what the Minister is saying about the board members, and I tend to agree with him that smaller numbers at board level can be quite effective. I have no problem whatsoever with a reduction in the numbers, but aside from that, I understand that significant legislation will be required to bring about this amalgamation. Can the Minister indicate what sort of timeframe is envisaged?
In saying 40, by the way, I was not casting any aspersions, and neither is the Deputy, on the quality of the board members who are in place. I was simply commenting on the size and unwieldiness in some respects of such large numbers.
Not at all, absolutely.
Some countries have gone down this road quite successfully, in terms of having one overarching body, one national board, for example, the national galleries of Ireland, within which are the various other bodies such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art or the Crawford Gallery, in Cork. I am waiting to see the outcome of this exercise, and on that basis we shall decide what legislation is necessary. However, I would prefer to get this right rather than opt for some simplistic cost-saving exercise.
