asked the Taoiseach the safeguards built into the terms of appointment of board members of the National Concert Hall to ensure that there is no possible conflict of interest for board members vis-à-vis the execution of their public duty to operate the venue satisfactorily and their possible involvement in potentially commercial promotions at the venue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - National Concert Hall Board.
5.
The National Concert Hall Company are incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and their articles of association include the customary provision for the disclosure of interest by directors in relation to contracts into which the company are about to enter, and prohibit directors from voting in respect of any contracts in which they are interested or any matter arising thereout. The directors are also subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts in this regard.
In view of the extreme importance of the National Concert Hall in terms of the prestige of Irish music in general, is the Taoiseach fully satisfied that the safeguards he mentions are enough to protect not only the standing of the National Concert Hall but also to protect the board members from any public disquiet about ventures in the National Concert Hall such as promotions of new cars? This concert hall has been built with public money and holds an important place in our cultural life. Is the Taoiseach satisfied that sufficient safeguards exist to protect the concert hall and the board members from any public disquiet?
Yes, I am so satisfied. The normal company rules apply and all the members of the board hold office subject to those limitations and restrictions. I hope the Deputy would agree with me that the concert hall is one of the most important and successful things that has happened for some time in the artistic world. The building itself is ideal and has won praise and acclaim from all sides. So far the company and the board have been very successful in discharging their obligations to run this national institution within the terms of the brief they have been given. The board are fully aware of their obligations under the Companies Acts and I have no reason to doubt that they will adhere scrupulously to those limitations and restrictions.