asked the Taoiseach whether he is satisfied that the composition of the present National Concert Hall board fairly or accurately represents the musical tastes and attitudes of the Irish people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Concert Hall.
1.
Section 18 of the articles of association of the National Concert Hall company enables the Taoiseach to appoint the board of directors of the National Concert Hall company. The Taoiseach recently exercised that authority and has every confidence that the newly appointed board will ensure that the hall continues to be an artistic and popular success, satisfying a wide range of taste in musical entertainment.
Would the Minister of State accept that seven members out of the 12 appointed represent the serious or classical end of the music industry in the country?
It is right to point out that the memorandum of association sets out the objects of the company when it was established. The main object was to provide a prestigious National Concert Hall for the promotion of concerts and the recital of musical works of an artistic, educational and cultural value. It does not make any specific reference as to type. It is right that many of these people on the board are experts in this particular area. The board represents a very wide range of talents, experience and expertise. I am very confident that over the next five years they will continue to guide the National Concert Hall to even greater heights than it has achieved already under the outgoing board.
Can the Minister of State tell us the number of Concerts held in the past year in the National Concert Hall? Would he be able to give a breakdown of the types of music involved in those concerts?
As far as the breakdown is concerned, over the entire period the real domination has been by classical concerts. Over the entire period there were 845 concerts of a classical nature, which would include orchestras, choirs, chamber ensembles, opera singers and so on. Of the non-classical type concerts — which I suppose would include jazz, Irish, pop, folk, concerts of that nature — there were 161; that is in the entire period up to 31 March. The relevant figures for 1985 were 194 and 36 respectively.
Would the Minister of State accept that when the Arts Council carried out a survey three years ago, to assess the musical preferences of Irish society, the overwhelming preference at that time was for Irish traditional music? I might ask the Minister which member of the present board represents that particular element of Irish musical society.
I am aware of that survey and, from my own observations, I would agree with it but, as I have said, there is no member representing that specific area. There is a strong representation, if you like, of people who are experts in the classical area. They themselves, because of their approach, would be capable of representing any section. It is a fact that the Arts Council are represented by their chairman on the board of the National Concert Hall. In turn, traditional music is very well represented at present by Mr. Munnelly and previously by the late Brendan Breathnach and the Arts Council.
Could it not be argued that the presence on the board of the chairman of the Arts Council — a body who have shown bias against Irish traditional music in their lack of financial support for it — is not in the interests of Irish culture or music?
I do not accept that the Arts Council have shown anything in the nature of bias against traditional Irish music. They have not always done what Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann wished them to do. They are an independent statutory body. I will not comment on their activities other than to say that I do not think they have shown any bias against Irish traditional music.
Is it not true that one member only of the present board of the National Concert Hall represents contemporary music?
I am very pleased; I think we have an excellent board and chairman. Indeed, I would avail of this opportunity of paying tribute to the outgoing board who artistically, commercially and, as far as popular appeal are concerned, made an excellent job of the National Concert Hall. I am equally confident that, over the coming five years, the present board will build on that.
A Cheann Comhairle, you listened very carefully to my last question. The Minister did not even touch on it when replying. I asked: is it not true that one member only of the present board of the National Concert Hall represents contemporary music?
I have already made the point that no member represents any specific area of music. They are not appointed to any specific area. They are appointed because of their general talents, expertise and the contribution they are likely to make to the board. There is nobody appointed to the board for any specific purpose. Of course they have special expertise in various areas.
Would the Minister of State agree that the outgoing board did an excellent job in bringing this very important institution into existence, that they gave great satisfaction generally to the public, particularly to the musical public, in the way in which they carried out their duties as the first board of the National Concert Hall?
I am very glad to agree with the Leader of the Opposition in that respect. Apropos the earlier question, I would point out that there was nobody on the previous board either representing traditional music. I would agree entirely with what the Deputy has said, that it is a tremendous addition to the facilities we have in this country, that it has proved to be a very significant advantage commercially, popularly and artistically and has been a great success.
I appreciate that very well merited tribute to the excellent board which stood over and guided the early days of this institution. Would the Minister of State tell me how many of that first board were reappointed?
Three members of the outgoing board were reappointed.
Does the Minister not think that to say the least, that was injudicious, that in a case where a very successful board had done a very good job, it was unwise to make such a sweeping change? Is he not aware that his action in this regard has raised very serious doubts about the authenticity of his feelings for and his approach to the work of this institution?
Quite the contrary. I am well aware that the appointments made by the Taoiseach have been very well received both in the public press and elsewhere. I am a great believer that, in the change over of boards, there should be a considerable change effected. The previous board have done so well in establishing the National Concert Hall there should be no difficulty with the new board as far as continuity is concerned. I think three out of 12 is a reasonable number, probably more than is usual in these kinds of transitions, if I may say so. I believe they will do an excellent job. It is a tremendous array of talent, expertise and experience, with a well balanced approach, and I would have no doubt that the National Concert Hall will flourish under them.
Positively a final supplementary.
I do not wish at all to politicise this matter but I do ask the Minister to agree that it is hardly a way to encourage people to undertake these types of appointments to so radically change a successful board that had been doing a good job in this way. Of course I would agree that changes of a modest nature are always to the good but to dismiss nine members of a successful board and leave three only to carry on in my view is not very wise on the part of the Minister. I will say no more than that.
I reject the use of the word "dismissed". Some members of the board were unable to continue to serve.