John Bruton
Ceist:13 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to make available the consultants report on the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Chester Beatty Library.
As I indicated in the Dáil on 27 March 1990, I am awaiting proposals from the trustees of the Chester Beatty Library and the Gallery of Modern Art on a revised management structure for the library, in the light of the report in question,
That report is a confidential report commissioned by the trustees and they would wish that they would have an opportunity to formulate their proposals arising from the report before the question of making it public arises. I propose to respect the wishes of the trustees in that respect. I understand that the proposals of the trustees will be submitted to my Department shortly. I would envisage in due course, with the agreement of the trustees, making public both the recommendations of the report and the trustees decisions in relation to those recommendations.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the record here in the House will show that he specifically said that he would make available this report to interested Deputies?
That is still my intention.
After decisions have been made Deputies can make no inputs of any use so there is no point in that.
The Deputies have no function in making any recommendations.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that, as democratically elected Members, we have a role in the expression of public opinion about what is a major national cultural asset which seems not to be fulfilling its potential at present? Would the Taoiseach not agree that he might be well advised to enlist the support of Deputies in this House for what I believe he wants to do, that is to improve the management of that institution. Rather than giving a commitment to give a document to Deputies and now saying he will not do so, would it not be better to give it to those Deputies, even on a confidential basis, who have expressed an interest in the subject.
As the Deputy is aware we are talking about a private institution which is governed by the will of Sir Chester Beatty and the terms of that will must be rigidly adhered to.
Is it not the case that this institution in terms of current expenditure is funded entirely by moneys voted by this House?
I have already told the Deputy that it would be my intention, on receipt of the proposals from the trustees, whose position in this matter must be respected, to publish both the proposals and the report.