Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)
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I welcome to the Minister and thank him for attending in person to respond.

I seek clarification regarding the status of the various national galleries and the plans, if any, the Minister has to integrate them. I am a major fan of all the galleries, in particular, the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham, IMMA, which has done a magnificent job in recent years in presenting its permanent collection and holding a series of excellent exhibitions by visiting artists from around the world. The work IMMA has done in making its grounds and facilities accessible to families is also remarkable and a lesson to others.

I understand from recent media reports and statements from the Minister that a process has been established to evaluate whether the integration of the administrative costs and management of the different galleries would have merit. This measure is being considered as part of efforts under way to secure savings in various Departments.

Several months ago, I sought details on this development from the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh. Our national cultural institutions are held in great affection around the country. While they do not feature prominently in public debate on the current economic difficulties, it is important we ensure that our heritage and the institutions that look after it are protected as we make adjustments and face challenges. Government Departments, galleries, museums and other institutions must run their affairs in the most cost-effective manner possible. My purpose is to ensure this is done in a fair and focused fashion.

I raised two concerns with the Minister of State on the previous occasion on which we discussed this matter. First, if the Minister proceeds with measures to integrate elements of the National Gallery, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Crawford Gallery, I ask that he ensure the autonomy and heritage of the individual institutions are recognised and protected. The three galleries differ in many respects. While I would fully support measures to reduce administration and other common costs, I ask the Minister to seek to strike a balance and to recognise that each of the three institutions has a distinct heritage.

Second, I ask the Minister to ensure that all measures have the consent and support of the relevant stakeholders. On reflection, this could prove to be a tall order because some stakeholders will always resist change and the integration of tasks. I understand, therefore, that in the interests of the common good, the Minister and his Department must make decisions which may not please everybody. Nevertheless, it is important to ensure the viability and work of the various cultural institutions are not undermined.

Our first priority must be to ensure the economy survives its current difficulties. At a time when so much is under attack, art, sport and culture, elements which speak to our soul, have never been more necessary. I look forward to the Minister's response and any observations he may have.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to have an opportunity to respond to Senator Donohoe and inform him of what progress has been made on this matter. I do not disagree with anything the Senator has said. He clearly possesses a deep understanding of the synergies and challenges in the sector.

Arts and culture are vibrant and vital sectors of our economy, the wellspring of many of our creative and innovative enterprises. They are primary economic contributors, real businesses and employers and a key part of Ireland as a cultural and tourism destination. This year, more than €178 million has been allocated to the arts and culture subheads, including the National Gallery. The national cultural institutions continue to attract large numbers of visitors and are an important component of Ireland's tourism product. In 2008, nearly 3 million people visited cultural institutions funded by the Department and the Government is committed to the enhancement of cultural infrastructure.

I will address the proposed amalgamations of some of the institutions under my remit. In October 2008, the Minister for Finance announced in his Budget Statement the decisions to combine the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Crawford Art Gallery and National Gallery of Ireland, while retaining their separate brand identities, and to merge the National Archives, Irish Manuscripts Commission and National Library. The rationale behind the decision to combine the galleries and other institutions arose out of the scrutiny by my Department of administrative costs which was undertaken in 2008 as part of the Government's efficiency review.

Senators may also be aware that the programme for Government contains a commitment to put the Irish Museum of Modern Art on a statutory footing and that the legislation underpinning the National Archives has been undergoing critical analysis with a view to updating both the functions of the National Archives and management structures surrounding the archives.

As well as these particular and individual imperatives, I am obliged to ensure that our national cultural institutions function through, and are supported by, administrative and other structures that are efficient and effective, and reflect the principles of modernisation and flexibility as set out in Towards 2016. When one takes all these factors into consideration, including the expected continuing pressure on the public purse, which will not be matched with any fall-off in expectation or demand for quality cultural tourism, the rationalisation of the support or back-office functions within complementary national cultural institutions is not an optional consideration at this time and must be undertaken.

The merger of the National Library, the National Archives and the manuscripts will bring together into one corporate grouping all three national bodies that deal with the documentary heritage of the State. The amalgamation of the galleries will result in more effective use of the common and generic services and will in particular assist the Crawford Art Gallery. It will help the individual galleries to focus on their individual areas of expertise while providing synergies concerning expertise in areas such as education, conservation and exhibition.

Primary legislation is required to give effect to these amalgamations. Both amalgamations will be addressed in the same legislation. Work is under way on the heads of a Bill. The legislation is complex, particularly as the existing legislation relating to the National Gallery goes back to the 1850s. In addition, some of the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 and the legislation underpinning the National Archives are being reviewed.

Since the budget announcement on this matter, much progress has been made in giving effect to these decisions. I initiated a consultative process with the directors of the national cultural institutions involved. The future arrangements necessary to give effect to the decisions have been considered and discussed with them, as have any issues the directors perceived as needing to be specifically addressed under the various headings, such as legislation, governance, unified management structures, unified support services and resources. This process is continuing.

I also took the step of setting up consultative committees in respect of each project, which are led by the Department and include the directors of the institutions concerned. These consultative committees are considering matters such as governance, structure and any other issues which impact on the implementation of Government decisions and the content of the legislation. Complex issues arise concerning the organisations and their staff. For example, six bodies are involved, one of which has been in existence for over 150 years. The governance structures of the six organisations vary from core Civil Service to a statutory body and companies limited by guarantee. The status of staff contracts varies from institution to institution.

My objective in this development is that the institutions can continue to deliver core services to the public up to their normal and indeed superlative standards in facing into times of stringency. These institutions continue to be a core part of our tourism product. They contribute collectively to the 3 million visitors our national cultural institutions receive annually. In more discerning tourism markets internationally, the national cultural institutions differentiate us as a destination of distinction and value. It is important therefore that the legislation being prepared is carefully considered. It is my intention that the best structures for our national cultural institutions will be put in place.

I very much agree with a lot of Senator Donohoe's analysis. I do not want to rush down this road for the sake of doing so. Like the Senator, I have much time for IMMA which has carved out an important role for itself. The museum has an international harmony and connectivity with similar bodies worldwide, not least the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Equally, the National Gallery is distinctive and its mandate is different. While we can get coherence and back-up administration, we must be careful not to undermine the primacy of the various institutions, including their ability to foster and develop their mandates in the years ahead.

These issues, including the legislative one, are being examined, but it will take us some time to get there. I want to take great care in ensuring that whatever outcome we have is the one that works best nationally and internationally for our institutions.

Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his response. He stated: "the rationalisation of the support or back-office functions within complementary national cultural institutions is not an optional consideration at this time and must be undertaken". I could not agree more and clearly we must examine all these aspects. I take great heart from the Minister's point in recognising that all these places are very different, yet very important to us all. The changes we make must be taken with care, while delivering the required rationalisation. I thank the Minister again for his response and wish him the best of luck with this work.