Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Jun 1990

Vol. 400 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Chester Beatty Library.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

1 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the amount of moneys which have been allocated by his Department on a once-off basis to assist the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 4, and their trustees in the agreement with the former director; the specific arrangements, including the placement of formal advertisements, which have been made to have this prestigious and important post filled by a competent, experienced and professionally qualified candidate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

2 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he has fully considered the recommendations of the O'Donnell report regarding the future of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 4; if the trustees have responded formally to his Department on the recommendations of that report; if they have agreed to the specific recommendations in the report that trustees should serve a maximum term of five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

No one-off sum has been allocated by my Department to meet the costs of the agreement between the trustees of the Chester Beatty Library and the former director. The precise terms of the agreement are confidential in accordance with the settlement made between the director and the trustees. My Department and the trustees will share the cost of the agreement over a period of three years.

Pending determination of the future management structure of the library, a part-time administrator on behalf of the trustees has been appointed. As soon as a new management structure and system has been determined, arrangements, including the placing of formal advertisements, will be put in train to fill the post of whole-time director. The essential qualifications and specifications will be determined in the light of the new management requirements.

The trustees furnished their recommendations on the development of the library on 15 June 1990. This is now being considered in my Department in the context of the consultant's report.

On the specific issue of tenure of office, the trustees have indicated that they have no objection in principle to appointments being limited to a term of years. The question of the adoption of the consultant's recommendations in this regard is being discussed with the trustees.

A list of the recommendations set out in the consultant's report has been drawn up and will be made available to interested Deputies. The trustees have asked, for security reasons, that the entire report should not be released.

Mr. Quinn

I am grateful to the Taoiseach for his comprehensive reply. Am I correct in thinking that a sum of money, in addition to the normal subvention from the Taoiseach's Department, has been allocated over a period of two or three years?

The Taoiseach

Three years.

Mr. Quinn

Do I take it that in return for that money no formal agreement has yet been given by the trustees to incorporate some of the management proposals vis-à-vis the tenure of office of the trustees? They have accepted it in principle but not necessarily agreed to implement it.

The Taoiseach

I think that is putting it a bit harshly but that is the general picture.

Mr. Quinn

Concern has been expressed to me professionally that any delay — say a delay of three or four months — in filling this post, previously held by the director would not be in the best interests of the nation, the library or the staff there. Could the Taoiseach indicate, without breaching the confidentiality of this sensitive matter, the action, if any, his Department can take to expedite these matters, having regard to the real concern in the House about the future of this library?

The Taoiseach

It will be dealt with by a part-time administrator until such time as a new director is appointed. We are not rudderless, as it were. As soon as the new management structure has been determined we will advertise for a director.Things are coming right and we will keep up pressure to get the new director appointed and the new structure in place.

Mr. Quinn

My concern is that no new management structure should be finalised in advance of the appointment of the new director. It was precisely the absence of a management structure in the past which brought about these problems. My understanding is that the current caretaker director is not acting in the capacity of caretaker at all.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is making a statement rather than asking a question.

Mr. Quinn

I would ask the Taoiseach to ensure that this post be filled as soon as possible so that any management structure will have the support of whoever happens to be the manager.

The Taoiseach

As a general principle I do not think I could agree with the Deputy. Perhaps he would avail of an opportunity to come and look at the recommendations as I have offered. In the normal course of events the proper procedure is to settle the management structure and recruit a new director into that. To recruit a new director and create a management structure around him would not be in accordance with the best management principles.