Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan raised several pertinent issues which I will take on board. First, this was not my initiative as such. The Government's public sector reform plan announced on 17 November goes across all Departments and not just the arts. Several State agencies are being reviewed and not just those under my Department.

The National Archives, in which the Deputy has a particular interest, is within my Department and is functioning well. If the amalgamation went ahead with the National Library, the National Archives would be taken out of the Department. As nothing has been decided yet, it is not a fait accompli. I will take a hard look at the proposals coming before me which will then have to go to Cabinet. Before any final decisions are made, their implications will be considered fully. I will have to accept them when they happen.

I am aware of the concerns about these agencies. I have a large number of friends working in these cultural institutions with whom I have worked for the past 30 years in various ways before the institutions got independent boards in 2005 and since then. I am aware of their needs and their future challenges, whether it is more space for archives, digitisation, the use of new technology, attracting funding from external sources or other issues. I would like if Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan discussed this matter with me further because she has a practical and balanced approach to issues.

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