andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the number of meetings of the Co-ordinating Committee for Education and Exhibition Services of the National Museum, Gallery and Library since his reply to a parliamentary question on 22 June 1978, the matters discussed, the proposals made by the committee and the date of the next meeting.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cultural Institutions Co-ordinating Committee.
16.
The Co-ordinating Committee for Educational Services based on the Institutions of Science and Art has met twice since 22 June 1978. It would not be in accordance with normal practice to disclose matters discussed at meetings of the committee.
I am at present examining the role and function of the co-ordinating committee in the context of an overall plan for the development of museum services. In this connection I have already had discussions with representatives of the co-ordinating committee in the course of which I outlined my views.
Are we to assume from the Minister's reply that there will be no further meetings of this group until the review he has mentioned is complete or will the body be allowed to continue functioning in the normal way?
I met with the chairperson and another member of the committee and discussed with them the trials and tribulations of the committee to date. I indicated that in March this year I appointed an executive secretary to that committee but, with their agreement, I said that perhaps we should be looking at another formula if the committee are to be as successful as my predecessor, Deputy Bruton, envisaged when he established the committee. They were agreeable to that.
Are we to read from what the Minister has said that he has indicated, either directly or indirectly, to the committee that they are not to meet until he says so? Will there be further meetings of the committee pending completion of the review he has in mind?
There will be further meetings of this committee. I also indicated to them that I have an ad hoc committee working on regional museums and perhaps we could have a happy marriage there later on. In the immediate future there will be meetings of the committee referred to in the Deputy's question.
Will the Minister agree to place in the Library of this House his views on this subject, which he made available to the co-ordinating committee?
There would not be any difficulty in doing that. My remarks and hopes in this area are shared by the chairperson and the members of the committee who were with me when we had this discussion.
That is not a reason for not making this information available in the Library.