I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
I apologise for my voice and hope it will last for Question Time.
As Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands I have no legal function in the matter of the selection of the Director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA. This function is specifically reserved to the board under paragraph 25 of the articles of association of the Irish Museum of Modern Art Company. Under this article the board has sole responsibility for the appointment of the chief executive who is the director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
My function in relation to the director is confined to approving, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, the remuneration, terms of office and other conditions of service as determined by the board.
Neither have I any responsibility, legal or otherwise, for the procedures adopted for the conduct of meetings of the board of IMMA. These are determined by the directors in accordance with articles 33-41 of the articles of association of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
Two directors of the board submitted letters of resignation to me on 27 November referring to concerns they had in regard to the selection process for the appointment of a new director. I met them on 29 November to hear at first hand of their concerns. I made it clear that my role at that meeting could only be to listen to what they had to say. In arranging to meet the two directors in question, I indicated at the same time that I also wished to meet the chairman of the board. However, the then chairman tendered her resignation on 30 November with immediate effect and before any meeting could be arranged.
As I have stated, I categorically refute any suggestion that I made any views known about any of the candidates for the director-chief executive post at IMMA, neither were my views canvassed on the matter by any member of the board.
On Friday last, 7 December, I announced the appointment of Mr. Eoin McGonigal SC, as chairman of the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA. He has been a member of the board since February 2000. As I said last Friday, I am pleased that Mr. McGonigal has agreed to become chairman of the board of IMMA and I am confident he will provide the necessary leadership for this national cultural institution in the coming years.
I will make decisions filling the vacancies created by the resignation of three directors from the board of IMMA in due course. I am confident the appointment of Mr. McGonigal as chairperson and of the persons that I will appoint to fill the other vacancies will result in a board that can put the past behind and move the Irish Museum of Modern Art forward with confidence into the future.