Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh.
I welcome this opportunity to address the issues which Senator Thomas Byrne has raised in his speech in the Seanad today. The Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA, is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. The museum presents a wide variety of art in a dynamic programme of exhibitions, which regularly includes bodies of work from its own extensive collection. Its award-winning education and community programme increases awareness and understanding of the visual arts by creating innovative and inclusive opportunities for people to engage with the museum's exhibitions and programmes, both as audience members and participants.
IMMA is a major part of our cultural offering and, as such, is extremely important to the tourism industry. Its beautiful setting in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, coupled with its diverse and innovative exhibition programme, enable it to attract very significant numbers of visitors each year.
The year 2011 was the last time at which IMMA operated for the full 12-month period at the Royal Hospital site with visitor numbers of 363,000. Following a €4 million refurbishment programme, I see no reason the 2014 figures will not match, if not exceed, this number.
IMMA was established in 1991 as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. The number of directors shall not exceed 15 and they shall hold office for a period of five years. There is no remuneration payable to IMMA board members and on the record of this House I would like to thank them for their commitment and hard work on a pro bonobasis.
Following a recent visit to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, as Minister, I took a decision to make two appointments to its board to allow for better regional representation on the board of such a significant institution with a national remit. From time to time, my Department has invited, and will continue to invite, expressions of interest in vacancies on bodies under its aegis. As Minister, I am not confined in making appointments to those who make expressions of interest. It is open to me as Minister to make appointments outside of this invitation process once I am satisfied that the ultimate appointees have the relevant experience.
In considering potential IMMA board members, I was and am conscious of the balance of talent, experience and skills among existing board members, the skills need of an institution such as IMMA - one of our premier national cultural institutions, which also has a commercial dimension - as well as age, gender and regional balance.
Taking cognisance of all of the above, I appointed both Mr. John McNulty from Kilcar, County Donegal, and Ms Sheila O'Regan from Ardagh, County Limerick, to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art on 12 September last. Mr. McNulty is a self-employed businessman who brings 15 years' business experience to the IMMA board. He is involved in the local tourism and cultural committee in Kilcar and has a track record in promoting culture, heritage, the GAA and the Irish language. He has been actively involved in local heritage events and heritage restoration projects in south Donegal, as well as festivals such as the Fleadh Ceol and is currently driving a three-year Irish language development plan for the area.
Ms O'Regan was the curator of the Palatine Museum in Rathkeale, County Limerick, for nine years. She has an M.A. in local history from the University of Limerick. She is a member of a number of local community and voluntary groups, and her previous experience includes time as a research librarian and a field survey representative with the ESRI. She was a founder of the local community radio station, West Limerick 102FM, and is currently a producer and presenter for that station. Her experience includes service on the boards of Rural Bus and West Limerick Resources.
I am satisfied that both Mr. McNulty and Ms O'Regan possess the appropriate balance of skills and expertise to effectively serve on the IMMA board. I wish them every success in their tenure.