asked the Minister for Education if he will state (a) how the Council of Trustees to the National Library of Ireland is appointed; (b) if any society, body or organisation has the right to elect trustees; and, if so, to what number; and further, will he state if he is satisfied with the present method of election, or is it his intention to make any change in the method, and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Library Trustees.
(a) The Council of Trustees of the National Library is appointed in accordance with the provisions of clause 15 of the agreement made on the 1st March, 1881, between the Science and Art Department, the Commissioners of Public Works and the Royal Dublin Society. (b) The agreement provided that "The National Library shall be under the superintendence of a Council of twelve trustees, eight of whom shall be appointed by the Society and four by the Department...." Under this provision eight members of the Council are appointed annually in December by the Society. Vacancies occurring in the Government representation on the Council are filled by the Minister for Education, with the approval of the Executive Council. (c) The National Library of Ireland was formerly under the control of the Royal Dublin Society, and the arrangement whereby the Society appoints eight of the twelve trustees of the Library was a condition of the transfer of the institution to the State. The agreement providing for this representation of the Society on the Council of Trustees was made under Section 16 of the "Dublin Science and Art Museum Act, 1877."
I do not intend to seek authority to make any change in the method of election, nor does it seem necessary or desirable to do so.
Is the Minister satisfied with the present method of electing the Council?
Yes. There is no reason for dissatisfaction in regard to the way they are fulfilling their duties.