Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media to discuss impact of Covid-19 on National Cultural Institutions

The meeting at 12.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from representatives of the National Museum of Ireland and the Irish Museums Association (IMA).

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Niamh Smyth said: “Like so many sectors of our economy and society, museums and cultural institutions across the country have been heavily impacted by Covid-19 over the last 18 months. We have more than 250 museums across Ireland, employing around 2,500 staff and volunteers and attracting some eight million visitors annually.

“These institutions are an integral part of our cultural life and play a key role as centres for discussion, learning, research, creativity and enjoyment. They are vital to the maintenance and protection of our culture and heritage and the presentation of our rich past to current and future generations. The Committee looks forward to engaging with the National Museum and the IMA on how our museums and cultural institutions can recover from the pandemic to operate and grow in a world living with Covid.”

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.