asked Taoiseach the present position regarding the appointment of directors for the National Museum and National Library; when he anticipates that these appointments will be made; and the reason for the delay in making these appointments.
2.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Directors.
1.
asked the Taoiseach when it is expected that the two major cultural institutions in the State namely the National Museum and the National Library will have directors since both posts are vacant for some considerable time.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Candidates for the post of director of the National Museum were interviewed on 24 November by a panel set up by the Civil Service Commission. Corresponding interviews for the post of director of the National Library will be held on 14 December. The posts should be filled early in 1989.
In view of the importance of the posts in question, very careful consideration was given to devising an appropriate job specification in each case. That process required detailed consultation with union representatives and other interested parties. It was also considered appropriate to defer publication of the advertisement for the director posts until the resumption of the academic year, thereby bringing the competition to the notice of the widest possible number of potential applicants.
This is my first opportunity to question the Taoiseach on arts and culture since I have become spokesperson in this area. I very much welcome him back to the House and am glad to see him restored to health. Would the Taoiseach agree that it is a very retrogade step not only for these two institutions but also for a third institution, the National Gallery, which was originally in my question, that there should be vacant for so long the posts of directors when so much work needs to be done? Has the Taoiseach's office made any response to the National Gallery's announcement last July of their choice of candidate, Mr. Alastair Smith, who was chosen by the board of governors of the National Gallery?
I agree that it is an unhappy situation that these three posts have been left vacant for a length of time. In response to the last query, the Deputy will be glad to know that there has been a lot of coming and going about details of remuneration and one thing and another, but I think they have all been sorted out.
Would the Taoiseach agree that there must have been a deep sense of disillusionment and frustration among the staff of the three principal cultural bodies when they saw the three directors taking early retirement and redundancy? Having delayed the appointments for nearly 12 months, would the Taoiseach not agree that at this stage a complete review of these three bodies is necessary by the Taoiseach and the new directors when appointed?
I think it would be helpful if on their appointment I were to see the three directors, or possibly have somebody in my Department who knows more about these matters than I do discuss the whole situation with them.
The Taoiseach will agree that his predecessor, Deputy Garret Fitz-Gerald, had a Minister of State with direct responsibility for matters of art and culture. Does the Taoiseach consider that it would be desirable to have a Minister of State with specific responsibility in these areas?
That is a separate matter.
If we had one to spare, I suppose.
Can the Taoiseach confirm that the comings and goings are now complete and that the appointment of a director of the National Gallery will be made in the very near future?
Yes.
How soon?
I think everything is now settled. It should be a matter of days or weeks.