asked the Taoiseach if he has yet considered the recommendations of the special adviser (details supplied) to the board of trustees of the Chester Beatty Library; if he will arrange for the recommendations to be circulated to Members of Dáil Éireann; if he will outline the main findings; if any recommendations require legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recommendations of Special Adviser.
5.
The management report referred to which was commissioned by the trustees of the Chester Beatty Library will shortly be considered by the board of trustees. I must emphasise that the board of trustees administer a trust established under the will of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty and any action arising from the management report or a decision to publish it is the direct responsibility of the board. I am not aware of the contents of the report but I will be as helpful as possible to the board in relation to any proposals they may put to me in due course which concern my Department.
In view of the fact that this House allows the expenditure of upwards of £200,000 per annum, which amounts to 80 per cent of the salaries of the gallery and library, would the Taoiseach not accept that it is important and incumbent on us to have more direct knowledge of and input into the affairs of the library? Does the Taoiseach not think it is important that those Members of the House, particularly those who have an interest in the library, should have sight of the report in view of its very important and fundamental recommendations?
The position is fairly clear legally that it is a matter for the trustees, as the Deputy knows. On the question of the report, I do not think there should be any difficulty about getting it for Deputies who are interested, but not until the trustees have considered it.
I welcome the Taoiseach's qualified assurance that perhaps Deputies will see the report. Obviously I appreciate that the board must consider the report in the first instance, but I want to make the point to the Taoiseach that many of the recommendations from the adviser will of necessity involve legislation.Would the Taoiseach not agree that this a second reason his Department and Members of this House should have sight of the report in order to promote whatever legislative changes are needed, particularly with regard to the appointment from his Department of a full-time official to the board of trustees——
I am anxious to facilitate the Deputy but he may not embark on a speech.
——and other conditions about the terms of office of the trustees. Such matters would require legislation and the report should be put before this House.
The Deputy, as a lawyer, will understand that as we are dealing here with a trust and the administration of a trust, we have to be very careful to adhere to the terms of the trust. The trust is quite specific that the administration of the library should be left to the trustees. On the other hand it is a matter of very considerable public interest, and I suppose this collection could be regarded as a national asset, but I think the sensible way for us to proceed is on the basis of co-operative informality.