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

Several different options were and are being considered. I am delighted, as I outlined in my response, that last week IMMA, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Crawford Gallery signed a shared services agreement. This is unique and historical. The previous proposal was that the three galleries would be amalgamated into one.

I decided against that. I thought it would not work so I left them as independent entities. However, I also asked them to share services which they are now doing, be it marketing, HR, legal or other aspects of their operations. Last week, IMMA signed up to shared services with our Department so things are really happening out there.

With regard to a website portal and a joint commercial and marketing strategy, we have not produced the website portal yet but it is a matter for consideration. We can certainly look at that option when the final rationalisation takes place and the changes occur when I introduce legislation and I can see some merits to it. It will depend on the resources available but it is not something I have totally dismissed.

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