I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
On 19 January 2022, the Government agreed to the operational transfer of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and Choirs from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall (NCH) with effect from 24 January 2022. At this meeting, the Government also agreed the General Scheme of the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Amendment Bill 2022 providing for an amendment to the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Act 2015, and providing for an Amendment to the Broadcasting Act 2009.
The existing provisions of the National Concert Hall Act 2015 are considered broad enough to include the transfer of the NSO as part of the NCH's brief to promote and support the performance of music supported by the express power to enter into arrangements for this purpose. It was on this basis that the transfer was agreed by Government, in advance of amending the NCH Act.
The Government considers it desirable to amend the Act of 2015 and the Broadcasting Act 2009 to expressly give the NCH the power to own and maintain an orchestra. In this regard the General Scheme of the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Amendment Bill 2022 will shortly be submitted to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media for pre-legislative scrutiny.
The decision to transfer the NSO at this time will have a positive impact on the operation of the orchestra including in relation to recruitment. At present, the playing complement is below that required to perform the full repertoire of classical programming, leading to a reliance on casual performers supplementing the members of the orchestra for many performances. This lent urgency to the task of enabling the NCH to commence the process of restoring the orchestra to full strength and their being empowered to deliver on the artistic vision outlined in the Boaden report.
