Dr. Caroline Campbell:

I thank the Chairperson and members of the Committee of Public Accounts for the invitation to attend this morning’s meeting to assist the committee’s examination of the National Gallery of Ireland’s 2023 financial statements and the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of ineffective expenditure on the gallery’s X-ray system. I am director of the National Gallery of Ireland. It is a privilege to lead an organisation that is of such importance to the Irish public and that cares for an art collection of acknowledged national and international significance. To assist in answering the committee's questions, I am joined by my colleagues from the gallery’s executive leadership team: Ms Kim Smit, director of collections and research, and Mr. Andrew Hetherington, head of audience development and stakeholder engagement. Our director of corporate services is unable to be here because she is indisposed.

The gallery is very sorry for the time that it has taken to get the X-ray system up and running. The X-ray system is an important piece of equipment that will be used and provide value for many years to come. We anticipate that the system will be operational by the end of 2025 at no additional expense to the Exchequer. The National Gallery acknowledges weaknesses in its project management practices that contributed significantly to our inability to bring a digital X-ray system purchased in 2017 into use. Pressures on the use of our building, unanticipated operational issues following the gallery's reopening in 2017, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and changes of key senior personnel during this period have also been contributing factors. We have identified several key learnings relating to: the impact of competing and changing operational needs in a building with restricted space; the impact of a lack of a formal project management structure for special projects; and the impact of a lack of succession planning for key staff involved in special projects. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the gallery did not meet the high standards we set for ourselves. As outlined in our briefing document, we are satisfied that we have put in place improved project management, risk management, procurement processes and other resources so that a similar situation will not recur.

When I took up the position of director of the National Gallery of Ireland in November 2022, I was keen to build on the gallery’s many successes and to work with the board of governors and guardians and the gallery's staff on its world-class offering, making its collection and programmes available to as wide an audience as possible both in Ireland and internationally through our exhibitions, research, education and public programmes.

The gallery has sought to resolve the challenges relating to the X-ray system project. Following a successful tender process, a contract has been awarded for the construction of a dedicated lead-lined cabinet. This was signed on 27 May.

Manufacture of the X-ray cabinet will commence shortly, with the expected delivery, installation and operation of the X-ray system before the end of 2025. All costs associated with the resolution of the issue will be borne from the resources generated by the gallery and not from the Exchequer.

The gallery is a valued institution which plays a special role in public life. We welcome more than 1 million visitors per annum, which means we are one of Ireland’s most popular free-to-enter visitor attractions and are one of the 80 most visited art museums in the world. We attract visitors of all ages, demographics and abilities, with approximately 30% of our visitors participating in our education programme.

We deeply regret and are very sorry that any failings in respect of the delayed operation of the X-ray system would diminish in any way the appeal of the gallery and our collections to visitors from home or abroad. We are working hard to bring the X-ray system into operational use, and it will provide public value for many years to come. On our current schedule, we anticipate this happening before the end of the calendar year. My colleagues and I are happy to assist the committee members and to address their questions.