Ivor Callely
Ceist:124 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the progress that the observer officer from his Department to An Chomhairle Ealaíon has made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - An Chomhairle Ealaíon Observer.
The Deputy will be aware that I decided to appoint an officer of my Department as an observer to An Chomhairle Ealaíon with effect from 1 January last for an experimental period of 12 months. I saw the appointment of an observer as facilitating communications between my Department and An Chomhairle. The fact that I have an observer at the meetings of An Chomhairle does not of course substitute for the normal relationship between An Chomhairle and myself. Moreover, when I made the appointment I was pleased to learn from An Chomhairle that, on balance, they believed that the attendance of an observer would be to our mutual advantage.
My observer to An Chomhairle, who has no voting powers, has participated fully in the deliberations of its monthly meeting since his appointment and I am satisfied that he has facilitated clarification of my policy for An Chomhairle on any issue addressed to him at their meetings. I propose to review the role of the observer fully with the Chairperson of An Chomhairle when the one year experimental period has expired.