18 Dec 2014, 10:52
Any general policy directions issued by the Minister of the day should in no way influence or interfere with decisions relating to artistic and curatorial matters of the National Concert Hall, according to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
18 December 2014
The Committee has this morning published a report of its pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill. The Committee agrees establishing the National Concert Hall on a statutory basis is the best option for securing its future as a cultural and as a commercial organisation.
Other recommendations include that:
- special status be given to Raidió Teilifís Éireann in its dealings with the National Concert Hall, given the close working relationship of the two organisations and the central role RTÉ has in supporting and promoting music in Ireland;
- the Board includes, at all times, at least one member who is either an Irish composer or an Irish musical artist, and
- the relevant Oireachtas Committee be given a role in decisions concerning the allocation of, or the removal of, functions to and from the NCH; in proposing nominees to the Board; and in advising the Minister on the appointment of a Chairperson to the Board
Michael McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of the Committee says: “The National Concert Hall is one of the cultural icons of Dublin and Ireland. It is a building and institution of which we are all rightly proud and from which we obtain much enjoyment. It is the cultural home of Irish music in all its genres and acts as a stage for the performance of our most talented artists. It also provides a stage for international artists when they visit Ireland and offers a wonderful setting for them to perform to Irish audiences. While the National Concert Hall is a cultural organisation primarily concerned with the promotion of music and associated disciplines, it is also a business concern and must be treated, protected and enabled to operate as such.
“This is the purpose of the proposed National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2014. This legislation is aimed at ensuring that the National Concert Hall can, in the coming years, operate effectively and meet the many challenges which face a commercial organisation as it strives to fulfil its mission and meet its objectives and at the same time remain commercially viable. I call on the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to study this report and in particular the 19 recommendations the Joint Committee has put forward. I and the Joint Committee look forward to engaging with the Minister on this subject in the near future.”
Access report:
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Ruth Coppinger (Socialist Party); Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Robert Dowds TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Eamon Maloney TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD; Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).
Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).