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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Feb 1999

Vol. 499 No. 4

Other Questions. - National Gallery Donations.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

44 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps, if any, her Department has taken to make public the identity of private donors to the National Gallery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2814/99]

I regard the matter of the publication of the identity of private donors to the National Gallery as a matter for the board of governors and guardians of that institution.

I accept the Minister's point but is there an objection in principle to the publication of the names of donors? What problem could there be with making these names known to the public?

It is not unusual that this situation should arise. Many of the institutions under the aegis of my Department receive private donations for a variety of projects and activities and these are managed by the institutions themselves. I do not get involved in the day to day management of these institutions. As to why some private donors wish to remain anonymous, I am advised that donors who contribute to worthy public projects such as the gallery extension often do not wish their names to be made public for a variety of legitimate reasons which might include a decision to announce the donation at a particular time for commercial marketing reasons or a desire not to be approached by others seeking donations for different projects or causes.

I have the utmost confidence in the integrity of the chairman and the board of governors and guardians of the National Gallery. On foot of newspaper and media stories that abounded some time ago, at the end of November the chairman of the board of governors and guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland gave all the information I sought. I have every confidence in his integrity. I also have every confidence in the chairperson of the fundraising foundation, Mr. Peter Barry.

I accept what the Minister says. Will she indicate what moneys are available this year to the gallery for the acquisition of new paintings? Will she indicate the numbers going to see the Caravaggio in America? Will the Minister be stopping off on her way to Los Angeles to reassure us that it is still there?

We have moved away from the substance of the question.

They are two different questions which do not naturally follow the question put down by the Deputy. However, I will try to elicit the information the Deputy is seeking and furnish him with it. The recent situation with regard to the budget figure for which tenders have been invited, totalling £14.7 million, can be met from existing funds, that is, £7.5 million in EU funds, £2 million in Exchequer funds and £5 million in private donations. I am sure the Deputies opposite will agree that the whole Clare Street project is something we all look forward to because we have a wonderful collection and it is important that there should be even greater access to it by the general public.

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