asked the Minister for Education why no competition was held for the appointment of the architect for the new College of Art.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - College of Art Architect.
31.
Because it was felt that such was not necessary. The holding of a competition would not be warranted where it was apparent that there was an Irish architect available who possessed to a high degree that knowledge and experience in the fields of architecture and art as would make him eminently suitable to design a new College of Art.
Much as we admire the architect in question, does the Minister hold the view that there is only one architect in this country capable of doing such work and that no competition was warranted? Is that the gist of the Minister's reply?
The gist of the Minister's reply is that the person appointed is a top calibre Irish architect and a man who occupied one of the principal administrative posts in the country, namely, Dublin city architect.
Also, his knowledge of art and art education is well known.
Would the Minister not accept that if a person is of such eminence—I have no reason to dispute it—in a public competition which would stimulate competition among architects he would have no difficulty in coming out on top in such a competition? In the public interest it was most undesirable that the Minister should unilaterally take it on himself to appoint an architect for the preparation of a major public architectural work when he did not give other architects in the country any opportunity of being considered for that appointment.
No, I do not accept anything the Deputy has said. In fact, in the case of a college of art in another country of which I am aware, an architect was appointed without competition because he was an eminent man and was known to have knowledge of art in general and art education in particular. These are very important requirements. I might say that this particular architect took the trouble to get first-hand information of the design of art colleges in other countries and much of what he did was done before he was appointed as architect.
Would the Minister elaborate on how he came to be doing the work before his appointment?
I did not say he was doing the work.
The Minister said much of the work was done.
No. What I said was he took the trouble to make himself aware and get first-hand information of college designs in other countries. An architect does not necessarily wait until he has a particular project to design to make himself aware of matters such as this. It was obvious for a considerable time that a college of art was going to be built.
Yes, but the Minister said much of the work was done.
I said he took the trouble to get first-hand information regarding the design of colleges in other countries and much of this had been done before he was actually appointed.
Would the Minister state the criteria for having a competition? Can the Minister state under what circumstances he thinks a competition is desirable so that we may be clear about the criteria?
I do not see how that arises. All I can say is that in this instance I believed this man was highly qualified and I appointed him.
I am calling Question No. 32. We cannot debate this matter all afternoon. We have many more questions to deal with.
I should like to know the Minister's criteria for holding a competition?
That is a general question.
I have called Question No. 32.