Vol. 408 No. 5
1 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the progress which has been made on implementing the proposals of the report on the reorganisation of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach when a director will be appointed to the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 4; if his Department will be advised or consulted on the terms or method of appointment of the new director; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
3 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which his Department will grant-aid and fund the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 4 for 1991; the conditions, if any, which will be attached to these allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.
As the Deputy is aware from my reply to Dáil questions by him on 13 November last, the proposals and recommendations set out in the consultant's report have been for some time the subject of discussion between my Department and the trustees of the Chester Beatty Library. The trustees are the legal owners of the library and its administration rests in their hands. The objective of these discussions is to assist in the orderly development and reorganisation of the library.
In their reorganisation of the library, the trustees have taken into account all the relevant proposals of the consultant's report which concern the organisational aspects of staff management.
The position of director was advertised in the national press on 5 April 1991 and the closing date for applications is 1 July. The terms of appointment have been approved by my Department and the advertisement was submitted to my Department in advance of publication. The proposed interview board will include members of the trustees, a nominee of my Department and an outside expert nominated by the trustees.
It is intended to grant-aid the library in 1991 with a sum not less than the figure paid last year although the final amount has not yet been determined. The grant in 1990 was £220,000. The normal conditions relating to the furnishing of accounts to my Department and control over staff numbers and pay levels will apply as well as the more effective and efficient running of this publicly financed institution in the light of management and organisation changes which have now been adopted from the consultant's report.
I regard the Chester Beatty Library as being a cultural institution of international importance and I will ensure that it is helped to discharge its mandate effectively in a full and proper manner.
I thank the Taoiseach for the information with regard to the library. I fully agree with him as to the importance of this library. Will the Taoiseach not accept that there is considerable disquiet abroad at the manner in which the library are conducting their affairs in recent times, and that because of the way in which matters have developed there, the collection has not been developed to its full potential both at home and abroad where it has a very important international contribution to make?
I am not aware of any disquiet of the kind referred to by the Deputy. As the Deputy is aware we had an inquiry into the whole affair and as a result of that a considerable programme of action has been undertaken, in particular the appointment of a new director is now underway.
Will the Taoiseach deal with one area that is very pertinent to what I have just said, the subject of a recommendation by Mr. O'Donnell in his report, that is with regard to the tenure of office of the trustees, and the appointment of an additional representative from the Taoiseach's Department to the board of trustees? Will the Taoiseach indicate if the condition relating to the tenure of office of the trustees is to be acted upon and implemented by the board, and whether his Department are to be allowed an extra place on the board?
That has been accepted by the board.
I welcome that. Can the Taoiseach indicate when it is likely to be implemented?
As soon as possible.
