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

In response to Deputy Mick Wallace, there is general agreement within both institutions on this approach. The chairman of the National Museum obviously expressed his views. Professor Diarmaid Ferriter resigned from the board of the National Library but - this is something I welcome - he did not resign from the advisory council of the National Archives, so obviously that is an expression of support for that type of governance. That is the exact governance I am now putting in place for the National Library and the National Museum. I am convinced, in case anyone thought otherwise, that this will save money which we can then put into digitisation.

Deputy Catherine Murphy is well informed in this whole area and I value what she says. The point is that we have had to cut costs across all Departments. That is the position this Government was landed with, and we all know the country is challenged at present. However, what is happening here will, I believe, strengthen the cultural institutions. I notice that no one recognised the fact that last week I announced the biggest investment ever, as I understand it, in a national cultural institution in this country - that is, the National Gallery, which is 75% closed at present. This is a major investment that is good not only for culture but also for jobs, which are all specialist jobs. If people are insinuating that the Government is not supportive of culture, they should look at such examples.

With regard to digitisation, I agree with the Deputy.

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