Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As this is the first time I have raised a matter on the Adjournment, forgive me if I get the procedures wrong. I warmly welcome the Minister to the Seanad and extend my congratulations to him on securing approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to fill the post of director of the National Museum of Ireland. I know how difficult it can be and I acknowledge the work of the Minister's dedicated and committed officials in securing this approval.

I raise this issue because I would like clarification on the role of the statutory board of the National Museum of Ireland in the selection and appointment of the new director. The appointment of a director of the National Museum of Ireland needs the consent of the Minister, as per section 29(1) of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. The Minister debated in this House the Independent group's motion on the national cultural institutions and said on 27 June that the dismantling of the National Cultural Institutions Act was not in his plans. The Minister's statement issued on 3 October last does not mention the role of the board of the National Museum of Ireland in the recruitment, selection or appointment of the director. I note that the current chairman of the museum board, Dr. John O'Mahony, expressed his concern that there was no mention of the board anywhere in the Minister's statement on 3 October.

I understand, and heartily agree with, the process of open competition and it being managed by the Public Appointments Service, but the reason I raise this issue is to seek clarification that the Minister is not dismantling the 1997 Act by bypassing the statutory board in recruiting the director of the National Museum of Ireland. Will the Minister clarify that the future employer of the new director of the museum will be the board of the National Museum of Ireland, as set out in the Act, and that the board will be involved in the recruitment and appointment of the new director with the Minister's consent?