Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013
413. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for the future governance of the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36478/13]
View answerThere is no change proposed to the governance of the National Archives, which is part of my Department. The Deputy will be aware that as part of a range of reforms agreed by Government under the Public Service Reform Plan, it was decided, inter alia, that the Irish Manuscripts Commission will retain its existing functions, but be re-constituted as a pro bono committee of academic experts, with its staff and funding being brought within the administrative remit of the National Library. The membership of the National Archives Advisory Council will be reduced and will continue to operate pro bono.
Work is ongoing bilaterally with the Directors of the relevant institutions and regular meetings of my Departments' Reform Committee have taken place to further the implementation of the Government's Reform Plan. I intend to seek Government approval in the coming weeks for a draft Heads of Bill, which will enable the drafting of legislation to give effect to the reform measures that are being undertaken by my Department.
