Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2009
14 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has given approval for the recruitment process in respect of a replacement national literary director to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32298/09]
View answerI take it that the Deputy refers to the future vacancy that will occur when the current Director of the National Library of Ireland retires from that post in 2010, and will answer accordingly.
Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the Director of the National Library of Ireland, Mr. Aongus Ó hAonghusa who has indicated he will leave the Library and return to his former employment at the end of this year. Mr. Ó hAonghusa has led the Library in its transition from an organisation that was essentially part of my Department to an independent agency under an autonomous board. He has managed very well in this challenging process of change and I thank him for his contribution and leadership.
The National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 places a statutory responsibility on the Board of the National Library of Ireland, subject to my agreement and the agreement of the Minister for Finance, to appoint the Director to manage that important national institution.
The current position in relation to this matter is that I have advised the National Library to commence with the arrangements for holding an open competition for the filling of the post.
