I refer the Deputy to my comprehensive reply to Question No. 294 of 16 December 1997.
The updated position since then is as follows: Lord Belmore was appointed to the Board of the National Gallery of Ireland on 2 January 1998, Ms Anne Tannahill resigned from the RTÉ Authority on 30 December 1997 and Mr. John Gray and Mr. Barry Murphy have since been reappointed to the board of the National Library of Ireland, Council of Trustees.
Subsequent to my reply of 16 December 1997, I have been informed that the players representative on the board of the National Theatre Society, Máire Ní Ghráinne, had been replaced by Niall O'Brien since 2 October 1997. The Deputy will be aware, however, that I have no function in relation to the latter appointment.
I should also point out that with regard to An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the date of expiry of appointments given in my reply to Question No. 294 of 16 December 1997 is not fixed. Under the provisions of the Arts Acts a new council may be appointed at any time from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1998.
The terms of reference of the vast majority of the boards under the aegis of my Department are to be found in the relevant establishing legislation and in the memoranda and articles of association in the case of bodies incorporated under the Companies Acts.
Since my appointment I have met on a formal or informal basis with the majority of the boards and agencies which come under the aegis of my Department. I am satisfied with the reports of progress furnished to me by those bodies. Naturally, my Department is in constant touch with them to clarify any issues of concern.
Some of my policy initiatives may lead to the establishment of new boards, for example, a music board. I have no plans at present to reduce the number of boards etc. under the aegis of my Department other than changes arising from the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, which provides for the establishment of autonomous boards for the National Museum and National Library.
