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

At this moment in time, there is certainly no disarray among the board members. I have full confidence that they will fulfil their duties. These people are doing the work pro bono, as did the previous directors, so there is no cost to the taxpayer. The new chairman is also doing the job pro bono. The National Concert Hall is operating very successfully.

At this stage, the reason for the disagreement has been outlined in various Sunday and weekday newspapers, so it is fairly well known. There were disagreements among members which focused primarily on a fund-raising initiative in America at that particular time which, I understand, could have cost the National Concert Hall €1.5 million. What was thought to be a philanthropic arrangement resulted in a commercial arrangement. That just could not be allowed to happen, and it was not allowed to happen either by myself or by the board. Members were not happy with that arrangement and as a result they stepped down because of it. That will not happen now.

I am providing for new legislation that will come before this House shortly and which will clarify the position. Hopefully, the Deputy will facilitate that legislation when it comes before us so that we can get it through the House quite quickly. In that way, we can clarify the role and function of the board and put it on a statutory basis like other boards.

The new board is taking on this responsibility and will move it on to a statutory basis. The National Concert Hall will continue to function successfully in future, as it has done in the past. The contribution by the taxpayer is about 37% of its total funding.

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