I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 174 together.
The rationale for the amalgamation of the National Archives with the Irish Manuscripts Commission and the National Library stems from the need to arrange the resources available to the national cultural institutions in the most cost effective structure possible. The continuing need to reduce public expenditure means that we cannot remain fixated with traditional or historic structures of publically funded organisations.
All three institutions deal with two-dimensional paper items of national cultural and or historical significance. In addition to the usual administrative services the two main institutions (the National Archives and National Library as the IMC has only one staff member) also share similar professional and technical activities such as conservation, collections management, digitisation, education and outreach and so on.
It makes clear good sense to bring together the three institutions that have so much in common in order that their resources can be utilised to the best extent possible.
Any rationalisation, realignment and merger of the ‘non-core', or ‘back-office' and shared functions that can take place within complimentary national cultural institutions should diminish requirements for additional staff into the future, with consequent savings for the Exchequer. The amalgamations proposal arises from a desire to provide the best management structure for these institutions and is not primarily financially driven.
In the case of the merger of the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission with the National Library of Ireland, legislation is required. This will take the form of substantial amendments to the National Archives Act, 1986 and the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, and the Heritage Fund Act, 2000. The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Irish Manuscripts Commission, and its position as a Company Limited by Guarantee will be extinguished while the functions of the Commission will be transferred into the new body, mutatis mutandis. It is intended to bring the legislation before the House some time in the coming 12 months.
