Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are here to consider the draft order proposed under section 44 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. Part III of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 provides for the provision of indemnities in respect of cultural objects on loan from outside the State subject to certain conditions. This allows the national cultural institutions to take temporary exhibits from abroad which would otherwise be too expensive from a cost perspective. The institutions to which this applies are set out in the second schedule of the 1997 Act and are: the Chester Beatty Library, the Crawford Art Gallery, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA, the National Museum of Ireland, the National Library of Ireland, the National Gallery of Ireland, the Hunt Museum in Limerick and the Royal Irish Academy.

This provision enables the national cultural institutions to take loans of temporary exhibits or objects from abroad which would otherwise be too expensive. It has been used on several occasions by different institutions and it enhances the artistic and cultural landscape of the State by ensuring that institutions can show objects from abroad alongside and contrasting with the valuable cultural objects contained in our institutions.

Section 44(1) provides that the aggregate amount of liability available for indemnification at any time cannot exceed £150 million or €190 million. Section 44(3) provides that the liability ceiling can be varied by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, now Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, by way of order. Where an order under section 43(3) is proposed, the draft of such an order must pursuant to section 44(10) be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House.

Due to a combination of circumstances over the next number of years, a temporary increase in the threshold from €190 million to €1.5 billion is required. This is a very positive development as it represents a renewal of our cultural institutions as they engage in a wide-ranging exhibition programme which will captivate and delight those who engage with our institutions. The temporary increase in the indemnity threshold will allow for a number of institutions to hold a variety of new and major exhibitions. To take account of these developments I have decided to put in place a temporary increase in the threshold beginning on 1 March 2016 and ending on 31 October 2021. I have therefore decided to put forward this draft order to come into operation on 1 March 2016.

Regulation 2.1 specifies that the threshold shall be varied by substituting €1.5 billion for the current amount of €190 million. The order provides that the variation in the threshold shall cease to have effect on 31 October 2021. The order is co-signed by me and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and I commend this draft order to the committee as it will enhance the capacity of our institutions to contribute to a vibrant cultural and artistic landscape in the country.