Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 3

Written Answers. - Arts Administration.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

25 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason he is appointing a senior officer of his Department as an observer to the Arts Council, and retaining funding for the Abbey Theatre in his Department; the implications of these decisions for the future independence of cultural policy in this country and the independence of the Arts Council and the Abbey Theatre.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

26 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason he is appointing a senior officer of his Department as an observer to the Arts Council and retaining funding for the Abbey Theatre in his Department; the implications of these decisions for the future independence of cultural policy in this country and the independence of the Arts Council and the Abbey Theatre.

Michael Lowry

Question:

44 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason he is appointing a senior officer of his Department as an observer to the Arts Council and retaining funding for the Abbey Theatre in his Department; the implications of these decisions for the future independence of cultural policy in this country and the independence of the Arts Council and the Abbey Theatre.

Enda Kenny

Question:

47 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason he is appointing a senior officer of his Department as an observer to the Arts Council and retaining funding for the Abbey Theatre in his Department; the implications of these decisions for the future independence of cultural policy in this country and the independence of the Arts Council and the Abbey Theatre.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

52 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason he is appointing a senior officer of his Department as an observer to the Arts Council and retaining funding for the Abbey Theatre in his Department; the implications of these decisions for the future independence of cultural policy in this country and the independence of the Arts Council and the Abbey Theatre.

Ivan Yates

Question:

54 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason he is appointing a senior officer of his Department as an observer to the Arts Council and retaining funding for the Abbey Theatre in his Department; the implications of these decisions for the future independence of cultural policy in this country and the independence of the Arts Council and the Abbey Theatre.

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I propose to take identical Questions Nos. 25, 26, 44, 47, 52 and 54 together.

I wish to assure the Deputies from the outset that my intention is to promote a vibrant and autonomous State-sponsored sector which serves all the disciplines and fields of endeavour within my Ministerial remit. I also intend to establish a dynamic dialogue with those State-sponsored agencies for which I am responsible.

It is for this reason that I have decided to appoint an officer of my Department as an observer to An Chomhairle Ealaíon with effect from 1 January, 1994 for an experimental period of 12 months. The appointment of an observer will facilitate the flow of all relevant information about my policies germane to the statutory responsibilities of An Chomhairle.

The observer will be able to provide clarification about factors that I, as Minister, would be likely to take into account when considering proposals that are proper to be referred to me for approval or consent. This will facilitate the council to come to its own decisions on the basis of the information available, while ensuring that the observer, who will also have no voting powers, is not personally or professionally compromised by the outcome. I must stress that it will not be part of the observer's remit to seek to influence the thinking or decision making of An Chomhairle or to negotiate with them.

Deputies will be pleased to note that An Chomhairle have indicated to me that, on balance, they believe that the attendance of an observer at their meetings would be to our mutual advantage.

For the Deputies' information I am also appointing an observer to the board of Bord Scannán na h-Eireann and this appointment has been welcomed by that board also.

As for the future funding arrangements for the Abbey Theatre, I would refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 4 on 4 November last, Vol. 435, No. 5, columns 1556 and 1557 of the Official Report.

I am awaiting the views of An Chomhairle Ealaíon and will be seeking the views of the Abbey Theatre on this proposal. It will be some time before I will be in a position to adopt a final position in the matter. However, Deputies can be assured that any new funding arrangements or relationships which I might put in place over time will in no way undermine the independence of either An Chomhairle Ealaíon or of the Abbey Theatre. As for the question of the independence of cultural policy in the State. I should say it is my responsibility to develop and articulate that policy in close consultation with the relevant bodies and institutions.