Mr. David Harvey:

I thank the Chairman for the invitation. May I introduce Ms Sarah Glennie, the director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art? I gather that the statement is taken as read but, perhaps, I could mention some of its highlights.

I am delighted and honoured to be asked to become chairman of a national cultural institution. I had the privilege before. It is really very exciting to be involved in something as dynamic as the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA. I have some significant board experience particularly in the cultural tourism sector. I was chairman of the National Library of Ireland up to recently. Prior to that I was also chairman of the St. Patrick's Festival and under its auspices the Dublin Contemporary 2011 exhibition. Currently, I am chairman of the People in Need Trust which, as the committee may be aware, is responsible for the RTE telethon on a periodic basis, raising funds for charities nationwide. I have also been chairman of the Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Across that sector I got some experience of not just dealing with boards made up of members from disparate groups and experiences but also dealing directly with Government and State Departments. I think that brings some valuable experience to this particular role. In the past I have had an opportunity to have an input into strategies, particularly in places such as the National Library of Ireland and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in areas such as corporate governance, human resource management, financial planning, risk management and all of those things which, I think, a well structured board which is properly governed should have.

The cultural sector has gone through a very difficult time in recent years but most of these organisations have learned to adapt and most, if not all, are thriving. As I have said, I was very honoured to part of one in the National Library of Ireland where we had cuts in our funding and various pressures on the organisation but managed to make it through. That organisation is now thriving. Some of the areas I was involved in, which I mentioned in my statement, include the Heaney collection, which will be on public view in two years time in conjunction with the space at the Bank of Ireland. I was involved in the digitisation of the Catholic parish registers which has been a major change for the National Library of Ireland and various other things, including philanthropy. I can bring all of those skills to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. A very disparate and experienced board has been convened by the Minister. I look forward to working with it and the director and her staff. The director has been involved in a very substantial transformation programme in the organisation. It is on the verge of completion and will make a great difference to the way in which that organisation operates.

In summary, I am delighted to be involved. Some of the experiences I have had in the past, particularly in this sector, will benefit the organisation. I look forward to taking on that role.